Student blogs

After explaining the first half of the Basic Computer Science course in my previous blog, now it’s the time for us to look into the second half which also provides its own exciting highlights. In this second half, we were brought deeper into the more technical knowledge of the computer science field. From being a programmer into being a secret agent, this course offers unique experiences that are too valuable to be missed. After completing this course, we could see the world from the computer scientist’s point of few, of course with several missing competencies and experiences of such.

In the practice, there was no distinct break of the first and second half. The separation was based on the parallel courses held in which our classmates who have the technical background underwent two courses. Their first course was the one in basic medical science which was organized in parallel with our first-half of the basic computer science course. Then, the second was the healthcare organization and management course which was held in parallel with the second half of our basic computer science course. Since I officially was not registered to the two other courses, I will not be able to provide a full review of them, although I attended some of the lectures to fulfill my curiosity.

Enough introduction here, now let’s get into the several modules held in the second half of the basic computer science course:

Module 5 – Programming

In this module, we learned the basics of programming using Java as the programming language. Being a medical doctor, I had no previous encounter with Java, other than having lived on Java island in Indonesia, where I come from. You can read about how I ended up leaving my country to pursue this current study in this blog.

Here I found out that the name, Java, as the programming language name was indeed correlated to the Java Coffee, a commodity from Java Island, being consumed during the meeting that resulted in choosing it as the name that would turn out to be one of the several most known programming languages.

We practiced on the very basics of programming (hands-on!) and I realized how important the programming language is in creating a program, which when operated, could significantly reduce the workload, including that of healthcare workers. Some would expect this module to be the stumbling block, but by sticking to positive thinking and put more efforts into understanding the logic of the language, passing the module was not a mission impossible.

Module 6 – Information Security

Along with the implementation of GDPR and also the raised global awareness of the ownership and secrecy of one’s data, then this module might be very beneficial. On top of that, the lecturer even brought us to think further than that. In the assignment, we were invited to act such as a secret agent tasked to solve a hidden message within a picture file. Vad kul!

Considering the more complex and the secrecy aspect, then the knowledge of how to maintain the information security would always be a global concern and we get to learn it first-hand here.

Module 7 – Computer System and Network

In this current era, we have used and even owned, one or more gadgets, such as a smartphone, tablet, and computer. However, at least for me, being able to fluently operate all the features is one thing, but being able to understand how a gadget works is another thing. In this module I learned to understand how my computer works and the reason why it works in a certain way.

Moreover, I also learned how computers communicate with each other within a network. The current already developed internet sometimes might put the internet in a “take it for granted” situation. After learning the technical aspect behind it, I came into a realization of how complex this technology could be in order to provide me a simple way of using it daily.

In conclusion, it was a packed, high paced course which tries to bring all the “must know” information about basic computer science to even the most unexposed student to be able to have a firm superficial grip of the field.

With that being said, then we come to the end of my review of the basic computer science course. In my opinion, it was a very interesting course and truly necessary before continuing further in the next health informatics related courses.

Until next post!

You can read my review of the first half of the course here.

Also, you can read Anne‘s review of the basic medical course that runs in parallel with this course here.

For further information, feel free to contact me at:

e-mail: winner.ng@stud.ki.se

LinkedIn: Winner Ng