Computer Technology

Recommended Prerequisites

No prerequesites.

Teaching Methods

This course is taught by face-to-face lectures and continuous evaluation. For this effect, lessons are given in the following way: A weekly lesson of 2 hours for the exposition and discussion of theory. A weekly lesson of 1 hour to theoretical-practical experimentation of the concepts acquired during the previous theoretical lesson, problem solving and doubts; A weekly lesson of 2 hours for the realization of laboratorial assignments;1 weekly assignment (8 practical assignments);2 hours of preparation through readings of respective bibliographic material available at the information system.

Learning Outcomes

The main objectives are to give a general perspective of the diverse areas of the informatics. The practical component of the course is focused on concepts of digital electronics used in the design of computers.

The main competencies are the analysis and criticism, problem solving and critical reasoning to apply to the practices of the acquired knowledge. Detailing:

1. Ability to use basis for numbers representation.

2. Ability to make calculations for transmission and storage of data.

3. Capacity to mount, unmount and replace components on a computer.

4. Understanding and synthesis of small combinatorial and sequential circuits.

5. Using a standard language for hardware description (VHDL).

6. Knowing the intern organization of a computer.

7. Knowing the internal functioning of a computer, its basic components and their supporting concepts.

8. Accompanying of the innovation at the level of computers technology, in the context of a strong technological era.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Von Neumann model

2. Functioning of a microprocessor

3. Memory hierarchy

4. Organization of a computer and its peripherals.

5. Numbering system

6. Units and measures of data storage and transmission.

7. Representation and storage of text, sound and image

8. Basic techniques for data compression, error detection and correction

9. Combinatorial digital circuits

10. Sequential digital circuits (flip-flops, excitation and transition tables, state diagrams, equation synthesis and design of simple circuits)

11. Programming logic and hardware description languages (VHDL)

12. Operating systems: architectures, coordination, scheduling and security

13. Basics of programming languages

14. Software engineering: introduction to concepts and tools

15. Data structures: basic concepts, data abstractions.

16. Computer nets: basic concepts

17. Computation theory and applications

Head Lecturer(s)

Nuno Miguel Mendonça da Silva Gonçalves

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Frequency: 25.0%
Performance in laboratorial lessons: 25.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

• Computer Science, An Overview. 10th Edition, J. Glenn Brookshear ISBN-10: 0-321-54428-5, Pearson/Addison Wesley International Edition
• Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems - A Tutorial Approach. J O. Hamblen, M Furman. ISBN 0-7923-7439-8, Kluwer Academic Pub.