This course deals with the new technologies and applications that characterize data management on the Web; the course can be seen as one of the many possible continuations of "Database 2". It will provide an introduction to many emerging fields of Internet-based, data-centered technology and systems; at the end of the course, students will have a good knowledge of many data management aspects related to Internet, a core aspect of today's professional preparation which opens up to many job opportunities and responds to emerging needs of the society.

During the course, students will create groups and jointly develop a project, based on the technologies learnt in class: projects will focus on the early phases of project development, from “concept design” to the creation and demonstration of a “proof of concept”; students will deliver progressive public presentations of their project, thereby learning how to make technical presentations.

The core of the course is Web Information Retrieval, the key technology of search engines such as Google - a subject which is not covered in the basic data management courses. Such core part covers classical aspects such as: text processing, index structures, classic data retrieval methods, retrieval evaluation, search engine technology (crawling and indexing), the PageRank and Hits methods, models of advertising. The course will also include monographic lectures concerned with: (a) Semantic Search as the empowering of search methods with semantic sources (such as DBPedia, Freebase and Google Graph) and with semantic technologies, including open and linked data;(b) Human Computations, i.e. the involvement of humans in computational processes through crowdsourcing platforms such as Amazon Turk, as well as local platforms such as Facebook and Twitter; and (c) Social Analytics, i.e. the use of socially provided content for complementing data provided by devices in the analysis of Internet-based applications and social behaviors; during this part of the course, students will also learn how to build applications over social networks, through their published APIs.

The course evasluation is based on experimental activity. Students will be asked to participate to small projects (for 3 credits), that will be performed in teams of 3-4 members. Students will be free to select their own projects, using any of the technologies presented in the course; one possible area for projects is “shared economies”, an emerging phenomenon in which the citizens create and control markets of resources (such as houses, cars, travels). Students will be asked to define their project rather early, and then the requirements, analysis and design phases will be monitored during the course, using the format of several successive project reviews (through public presentations) which has proven to be successful in Alta Scuola Politecnica. During the presentations, the students will be asked (after suitable training) to provide a final short presentation in the form of pitch and proof of concept.  Some projects of past editions of the course evolved into startups or thesis works.

In addition, students will be asked to deepen one of the aspects of the course through the reading of one or more technical papers, and then to present their personal interpretation of the reading; paper presentations will contribute to the evaluation for the residual 2 credits. Topics must be agreed in advance, they could include surveys on ICT trends and its evolution; a reading list will be provided at the beginning of class, but students are encouraged to propose additional readings based on their interest. With a large class, the oral presentation can be substituted by a written text.

Detailed Program:

• Foundations of Information Retrieval (6 hrs)
• Web Information Retrieval (6 hrs)
• Semantic Web, Open/Linked Data (4 hrs)
• Human Computation, CrowdSourcing/Crowdsearching (4 hrs)
• Social Analytics (4 hrs)
• Final presentations (6 hrs)

Project-Based work:

• Requirement Analysis (5hrs)
• Concept Design (5hrs)
• Detailed Design (5hrs)
• Pitch/Proof of Concept (5hrs)

No major prerequisites are required; competence in software programming for web-based or mobile applications are useful in project development.

The evaluation is based on project assessment (3 credits) and on a final test based on written questions (2 credits). Project evaluation occurs at several presentations and concerns well-defined aspects at each presentation. Alternatively to the final test, students may choose to deepen one of the aspects of the course through the reading of one or more technical papers, and then to present their personal interpretation of the readings, giving an oral presentation. Presentations given in class would then contribute to the evaluation for 2 credits; the final test would be evaluated just on a pass-fail basis. Topics for the paper presentation will be agreed with the professor; a reading list will be provided at the beginning of class, but students are encouraged to propose additional readings based on their interest. The option for paper presentation is limited to a maximum of about 30-35 students.