Informatics

General

Course Contents

I. Basic informatics and communications concepts

  • Introduction to Computers.
  • Capacity units.
  • Basic PC functions.
  • Input and output devices.
  • The basic parts of a computer.
  • Storage devices.
  • Software.
  • Networks and internet.
  • Healthy working environment.
  • Data Security.

II. Computer use and file management

  • Structure of Computers (The organization of the hardware of a PC and the units that make it up are presented. The analysis will reach the depth required to allow students to understand the capabilities of modern PCs and to consolidate the selection criteria of the hardware units).
  • Software (The computing system that largely determines the capabilities of the PC is presented. This section presents the existing categories of software: software for system operation and application software and the basic principles of programming).
  • Windows operating system.
  • Using Programs in Windows.
  • File and folder management.
  • The Start Menu.
  • Working with multiple programs.
  • Creating and using shortcuts.
  • Hardware and software settings.

III. Text processing

  • Word.
  • Creating a new document.
  • Tool bar.
  • Formatting characters and text.
  • Margin settings.
  • Tables.
  • Printing and Print Preview.
  • Headers and footers.
  • Importing images.
  • Importing graphs.
  • Working with multiple documents and file management.

IV. Spreadsheets – Ms EXCEL

  • Basic Elements of Spreadsheets – Excel.
  • Workbook and Worksheet concepts – The Excel window – Concepts: cell, range, column and row.
  • Ms Excel toolbars.
  • File management: New – Open – Close – Storage categories – File search – Page configuration – Properties.
  • Data – Types of data (numbers, texts, etc) – Data Processing – Formatting numerical contents, explanation and use of number formatting.
  • Explanation and examples using relative, absolute and mixed addresses.
  • Printing: print area – set print area – clear print area.
  • The f(x) Functions in Ms Excel.
  • Ways of writing a function, using a ready-made function, building a function by the user, using the ready-sum option.
  • Explanation of help for the function f(x) library.
  • Graphs, Using the function wizard, editing the elements of the graph.
  • Using the Help functions of Ms Excel.

V. Power Point presentations.

  • Starting Power Point.
  • Creating a new presentation.
  • Formatting the presentation text.
  • Images and graphics.
  • Power Point presentations.
  • Adding graphs.
  • Slide show and effects.

VI. Web browsing and communication

  • Internet services and applications.
  • Computer Communications – Networks (The basic principles of Computer Networks and data transfer methods are presented).
  • Internet and Search Engines (Internet and Search Engine technologies are presented).
  • Social Networking (The uses and applications of Social Networking are presented).
  • Electronic Mail (The uses and applications of Electronic Mail are presented).
  • Managing messages and contacts.
  • Internet safety.

Laboratory Exercises

  • Computer use.
  • File Management (Windows).
  • Word processing (Ms Word).
  • Spreadsheets (Ms Excel).
  • Power Point presentation.
  • Internet services.

Educational Goals

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Know the use of the basic components (the parts of the PC), and their interaction in the whole computer system.
  • Understand the wide field of applications of Computers in order to propose or upgrade the PC that adequately responds to his workplace.
  • Know the use and application of the operating system in order to make the most of the capabilities of a PC through the operating system for a better management of peripheral devices.
  • Know the use of networks and the Internet, the sources of information on the Internet – Search tools, Evaluation of web pages, the Electronic Mail service (e-mail), etc.
  • Know the use and application of Ms-Word for writing and presenting a scientific text, resume, etc.
  • Know how to use and apply Ms-Excel to process numerical data through spreadsheets:
    1. use of a spreadsheet application on a PC in relation to the creation and formatting of spreadsheets,
    2. introducing and using functions and operations and
    3. create and use graphs, applying basic spreadsheet functions to solve problems in his specialty.

General Skills

  • Development of creative and innovative thinking, communication skills etc.
  • Working in an interdisciplinary environment.
  • Autonomous work.
  • Decision making.
  • Criticizing and self-criticizing.
  • Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking.

Teaching Methods

Lectures:

  • Face to face.
  • Case studies.
  • Discussing questions.
  • Laboratory exercises are provided.

Use of ICT means

Information and communication technologies are used:

  • In lectures where a PC and projector are used for:
    • notes and solved exercises in electronic format,
    • presentation of theory sections and laboratory exercises in PowerPoint slides,
    • use of videos and online applications in the presentation of each subject (exercises-problems) that the students solve in the laboratory.
  • In communicating with students by e-mail etc.

Teaching Organization

ActivitySemester workload
Lectures and exercises focusing on the application of methodologies and analysis of case studies80
Individual practice assignments45
Total125

Students Evaluation

Theoretical part of the course:

  • Written final exams.

Laboratory part of the course:

  • Final written exams solving problems at the computer.
  • Individual assignments during the semester (20% of the laboratory part of the course grade, provided that the assignments are handed out).
  • A condition for the students to take part in the written final exams of the laboratory part of the course is that their absences must not exceed 20% of all laboratory courses.

Recommended Bibliography

  1. 7+1  Windows 10 Office2016 (ΕΚΔΟΣΕΙΣ ΚΛΕΙΔΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ) ISBN 978-960-332-210-8.
  2. ΕΙΣΑΓΩΓΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΚΗ & τους ΥΠΟΛΟΓΙΣΤΕΣ (ΕΚΔΟΣΕΙΣ ΤΖΙΟΛΑ)  ISBN 978-960-418-538-2.

Related Research Journals

  1. Journal of Computer and System Sciences.
  2. Journal of Foodservice Business Research.