FISICA STATISTICA ED INFORMATICA

10 CFU - 1° Semester

Teaching Staff

MARIO MASSIMILIANO SALFI - Module Computer science - INF/01 - 4 CFU
MARTINA BARCHITTA - Module Medical statistics - MED/01 - 2 CFU
PAOLA LA ROCCA - Module Applied Physics - FIS/07 - 4 CFU

Learning Objectives

Computer science
At the end of the course, the student will learn the fundamental concepts of computer science, the encoding of information, the architecture of a computer, the operating systems and software applications. He will also possess a global knowledge on the internet and computer networks, on the theory of databases (Access), on applications of informatics in oftalmological contest, as well as practical knowledge on the use of an operative system and of the suite "Microsoft Office" (Word, Excel).
Medical statistics
To develop statistical and methodological abilities applied to the analysis of biological/biomedical events. To develop abilities to apply the principal tools of statistical data collection, measurement and analysis.
Applied Physics
The module "Applied Physics" aims at providing the students with the basilar physics notions that are fundamental for other courses of the Degree Course in Orthoptic and Ophthalmologic Assistance. During the course the students will also learn about the most important technologies frequently used in biomedical field.

The Learning Objectives, within the Dublin Descriptors scheme, are:
1. Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the basic principles of Physics and their main applications to the biomedical field, focusing on topics like geometric and physical optics;
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to describe and develop models of simple physical phenomena through the scientific method, to identify and solve science problems in phenomena of interest to orthoptists;
3. Making judgements: ability to make numerical estimations of physical quantities;
4. Communication skills: ability to discuss (in an oral conversation or in writing) a scientific topic using an appropriate scientific language;
5. Learning skills: ability to study individually and to keep up-to-date with the new scientific discoveries in this field.

Course Structure

Computer science
Lessons ed exercitation in classroom, assignment and correction of homeworks.

n.b. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Medical statistics
The course includes lectures in which continuous interaction with students and exercises in the multimedia classroom is encouraged, using specific statistical software, with examples to apply the
knowledge acquired during the course.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
Applied Physics
Classroom-taught lessons by the use of interactive power point presentations (with images, videos and animations).

Exercises in groups or supervised by the teacher.

N.B. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Detailed Course Content

Computer science
1. Introduction to computer science
2. Encoding and representation of information
3. Architecture of computer
4. Operating system and software application
5. Computer networks and the Internet
6. Hypertext and HTML code
7. Network security and malware
8. Introduction to databases
9. Elements of medical informatics
10. Technology at the service of ocular diagnostics
11. Retinal prostheses
12. Word processors: Microsoft Word
13. Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel
14. Databases: Microsoft Access
15. Presentation programs: Microsoft PowerPoint.
Medical statistics
The biological variables. Monovariate data synthesis measures. Bivariate analysis. Probability and statistical inference.
Applied Physics
1) Oscillations and waves

Waves, simple harmonic motion, damped and forced oscillations, classification of waves, the linear wave equation, ray representation and wave fronts, Huygens' principle, waves superposition, reflection and transmission, light dispersion, waves in interference, beats, diffraction, polarized light.

2) Light and Optics

Electromagnetic waves, the spectrum of electromagnetic waves, the nature of light, the ray optics, wave under reflection, waves under refraction, total internal refraction, optical fibers and their applications (endoscopy), laser light and its application in medicine, prism and its applications in optometry, images formed by refraction, thin lenses, lens aberrations, images formed by mirrors.

3) Optical applications in biology and medicine

Simple and compound microscope, the eye, eye reference axes and point, distance evaluation, visual acuity, visual defects, color vision.

4) Sound waves

Propagation of sound waves, intensity of sound waves, ultrasound, Doppler flowmetry, ultrasound images and ultrasound modality to record images.

5) Radiations in biology and medicine

The atomic nucleus, radioactive isotopes, the nuclear decay, ionizing radiation and interaction of radiation with matter, optical coherence tomography (OCT), radiation biological effects, radiation protection and dosimetry, hadron therapy.

Textbook Information

Computer science
- Luca Mari, Giacomo Buonanno, Donatella Sciuto - Informatica e cultura dell'informazione (seconda edizione), McGraw-Hill.
- Teacher’s slides (see on http://www.dmi.unict.it/salfi/informaticaortottica.htm)
- Any European Computer Driver Licence book
Medical statistics
Biostatistica - M.Pagano, K.Gauvreau - II edizione italiana, Idelson-Gnocchi
Applied Physics
1) Scannicchio D. : Fisica Biomedica, Ed. Edises – Napoli

2) Giancoli D.C.: Fisica. Principi e applicazioni, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana – Milano

3) Serwey R.A. and Jewett J.W.: Principi di Fisica, Ed. Edises – Napoli

4) Contessa G.M. and Marzo G.A.: Fisica applicate alle scienze mediche, CEA - Milano

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