Sayan Sarcar

Sayan Sarcar

sayans@slis.tsukuba.ac.jp
1-2, Kasuga, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8550, Japan

01MB406 Introduction to Informatics

Fall 2018

The course deals with the foundations of Informatics with the lens of Information Technology area. We will study concepts such as Information, Technology, Modelling, and their impact on science and society. The overall focus of this course is an intensive introduction to the most central technical aspects of Informatics which are required to solve practical real world problems.

Lecture   Every Wednesday   8:40am - 9:55am   and 10:10am - 11:25am   7A206
Office hours   Anyday     10:00am - 2:00pm   and 3:00pm - 7:00pm   7D315

Textbook

There is no official textbook. The course content was developed based on the current technology descriptions in the Informatics field

Course Objectives

Primarily, the course covers the following objectives.

  1. Develop a basic understanding to the fundamental topics in Information Technology.
  2. Understand the role of IT and its use for real world problem solving.
  3. Learn how to create, test, evaluate, and debug IT applications through a case study.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students participating in this course are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes through an understanding of basic theory and practices in Informatics discipline. The ability to:

  1. Think critically about Information Technology, Information Science and Informatics.
  2. Account for both human and system factors in the design of User Inetrfaces.
  3. Make design decisions by applying appropriate concepts and strategies.
  4. Verbalize, discuss, and articulating key concepts and issues.
  5. Describe interactive systems, issues, and solutions in clear, understandable language.
  6. Practice a high standard of professional ethics.

In addition, this course will encourage students to engage in continuing professional development by adapting new methods, technologies, and tools related to Informatics field.

Prerequisites

No such specific prerequisites, but would be better to have knowledge about data science, information science, and information theory.

Course Policies

Class participation is required. Late submission is not permitted. We apply two learning strategies

  1. Problem/project-based learning: We will offer guidance and feedback to the students and provide classroom activities, instead of giving answers or direct instructions
  2. Flipped Classroom: We will encourage student to read the study materials before so that the class can allow deeper exploration of the contents

  3. Group Project: Students will form a group of 3-4 to work on a project to apply the techniques and skills they have acquired in the class. Each project will involve the design, development, and evaluation (optional) of an interactive computer system of the respective group’s choice. All groups will report the findings of their projects in a report. Groups projects will prepare students for real-world software and systems design. Upon completion of the projects, all students will anonymously rate their group members based on their contribution in the project.

Assessment & Grading Policy

  • 60% Project
          Novelty (10%), Design prototype (20%), Final presentation (20%), Final Report (10%)
  • 30% Classroom activities
    •       In class discussions
  • 10% Assignments
          Homeworks, to be submitted before next class (by email or hard copy in the class)

    • Lectures

    Oct 3, 2018   Course Introduction (PPT)    Introduction to Informatics (PPT)  
    Oct 10, 2018   Data, Information & Knowledge (Part I) (PPT)     Data, Information & Knowledge (Part II) (PPT)  
    Oct 16, 2018   Number systems, data representation (PPT)     Information Theory (PPT)  
    Oct 17, 2018    Introduction to Hardware (Part I) (PPT)     Introduction to Hardware (Part II) (PPT)  
    Nov 7, 2018   Introduction to logic and application in IT (Part I) (PPT)     Introduction to logic and application in IT (Part II) (PPT)  
    Nov 14, 2018   Introduction to algorithms (Part I) (PPT)     Introduction to algorithms (Part II) (PPT)  
    Nov 21, 2018   Mid-term project presentation     Mid Term Presentation Template  
    Dec 5, 2018   Sets, its operation and its relationship to relational databases (Part I) (PPT)     Sets, its operation and its relationship to relational databases (Part II) (PPT)    
    Dec 12, 2018   How to conduct and analyze subjective studies (Lec I) (PPT)     How to conduct and analyze subjective studies (Lec II) (PPT)    
    Dec 19, 2018   Introduction to Programming (Part I)     Introduction to Programming (Part II)    
    Dec 26, 2018   End Term Presentation     End Term Presentation Template  

    Projects

    Download the final report format from here