Introduction to Programming

Code: INF11968L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Informatics

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

This Curricular Unit aims the learning of basic programming concepts, with a first contact with software development and a basis for future scientific tools.

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Indústria, inovação e infraestruturas - Construir infraestrutura resiliente, promover a industrialização inclusiva e sustentável, e fomentar a inovação.

Learning Goals

The congruence between the syllabus and the learning objectives is evidenced by the careful articulation of each topic with the established goals. The breakdown of fundamental concepts into flowcharts and algorithms serves as a crucial foundation, promoting a solid understanding that proves essential for mastering the Python language. In this context, each course module is meticulously designed to create synergy, allowing students to move easily from theory to practice.

The integration of basic knowledge of spreadsheets is a key point, as it aims to train students with these data structures, ubiquitous in the business world, as a source for data analysis applications in Python. By understanding the interconnection between algorithms and data manipulation in spreadsheets, students develop a comprehensive view of data analysis.

Fundamental notions about flowcharts and algorithms.
Introduction to Python
Fundamental elements of programming
Using spreadsheets
Variables, expressions and statements
Definition and Use of Functions
Control structures
Native data structures
Sequential data structures: lists, tuples and strings.
Associative data structures: dictionaries.
File handling
Graphic interface
Resource to libraries
Program development

Teaching Methods

Lectures and practical classes that follow the subjects taught in the lectures.
We provide a large set of exercises, covering the topics of the course and with increasing degree of
difficulty, so that the students can practice their skills.

Assessment

Continuous Assessment Method: Two tests during the semester (35% + 35%); Practical work (20%); Participation in classes (10%)

Assessment Method by Exam: Exam (75%); Practical work developed in classes (25%)