PHYS 315
Embedded Microcontrollers
1. Catalog Entry
PHYS 315
Embedded Microcontrollers
Credit hours (2)
Prerequisites: PHYS 112 or PHYS 222
The use of microcontroller hardware and programming to integrate sensors, motors, and other electronic components into task-specific devices.
2. Detailed Description of Course
This laboratory course is designed to provide students with experience in building,
programming, and integrating electronic components. The laboratory topics include
the following:
1) Intro to microcontroller platforms such as the Arduino
2) Programming with Integrated Development Environments (IDE) such as Arduino
and Processing
3) Control of LEDs, motors and sensors with microcontrollers
4) 8 bit/10 bit/12 bit data resolution
5) Interpreting serial communication
6) Code revision using version tracking
7) Designing circuit boards
8) Creating small-scale microcontroller-based systems such as smart fabrics
9) Final student project
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The students will meet for instruction in the laboratory for two hours per week. Students will be expected to use additional self-directed laboratory time to complete weekly circuit assignments, and will summarize their findings with weekly lab write-ups. Students will be required to present either at the Student Engagement Forum or at a separate open event organized by the Physics Department to demonstrate the applied benefit of their projects.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
To provide students with fundamental microcontroller-based instrument building, data acquisition, and processing skills.
5. Assessment Measures
Students are graded on the quality of their completed circuits and the laboratory reports they prepare; the degree of complexity, design aspects, and practical applications of their independent projects; and presentations of their final student projects to an appropriate audience.
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
June 20, 2015