Class Introduction to Programming

The Introduction to Programming course aims to provide students with basic knowledge regarding the use of Microsoft Excel and Matlab platforms, which are widely used in all sectors of Civil Engineering. Beyond user's perspective, the Matlab language is also used to teach students the basics of programming. This is the only course in the study cycle that teaches programming concepts and techniques. This knowledge is required in various other courses (e.g. Physics, Calculus) and, subsequently, throughout the working practice of our students. Excel and Matlab are currently the most widely used computer platforms for automating Civil Engineering computations, and the principles acquired here can be directly extrapolated to other computational tools.

Not applicable

1. Spreadsheets in Microsoft EXCEL Presentation of the work environment Input and manipulation of spreadsheets Use of formulas Predefined functions Absolute and relative references Data formatting and manipulation Graphs 2. Introduction to the MATLAB environment Variables Mathematical expressions Function plots Vectors and arrays 3. Scripts Input and output Logical expressions If / else conditions For cycles While cycles 4. Functions Functions vs scripts Arguments, variables, and function returns Calls to MATLAB functions Good programming practices in MATLAB

Tha assignement of relatively complex team projects requires constant interaction between students and teacher, fostering continuous learning

Bernardo, Maria do Rosário; Carrilho Negas, Mário; Isaías, Pedro - Excel aplicado. FCA Editora. 2013. ISBN:978-972-722-755-6 Chapman, Stephen - Essentials of MATLAB programming. Third edition, international. Australia, Brasil, Mexico :Cengage Learning, 2018. 492 p. ISBN:978-1-305-97071-7