Description: This course introduces students to engineering and design as a synergistic combination of mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, control and information technology. Fundamental concepts in engineering and design are addressed including user-centered design, analog and digital electronics, sensors, actuators, microprocessors, and microprocessor interfacing to electromechanical systems. This is a "hands-on" course, all concepts will be introduced in an interactive lab/lecture environment.
Texts: What's a Microcontroller
Robotic
Basic Stamp Manual
Instructor:
Rebecca Bruce
Office: RH 024
Telephone: 232-2275
e-mail: bruce@cs.unca.edu
Office hours: MTWTh 11-12:00pm
Meeting Time: TTh 9:00-10:40
Late Start Time: TTh 10:30-12:00
Objectives: Developmental Learning Objectives
  1. Create a sense of community among the students.
  2. Increase the student's interest in STEM disciplines.
  3. Increase the student's potential for success by developing responsibility and good study skills.
Skill-Based Learning Objectives
  1. Develop effective written and verbal communication skills.
  2. Understand and use the principles of user-centered design.
  3. Understand and use the principles of project management.
  4. Develop problem-solving skills including quantitative reasoning and critical thinking by constructing algorithms using pseudo-code and/or flowcharts.
  5. Understand and use Telnet, FTP and computer file systems.
  6. Understand the principles of web page design, and the HTML mark-up language.
  7. Understand the principles of operation of microcontrollers and sensors.
  8. Understand and program a Basic-Stamp microprocessor.
  9. Calibrate a mechanical servo system.
  10. Tune an IR distance/object detection system.
  11. Integrate a system of microcontrollers, sensors and actuators into a complex robotic system.
Late Policy: Late assignments will not be accepted. As expected in an professional setting, assignments are due at the time and date specified in the statement of the problem. As per the catalog, students will be excused if they have documented emergencies or are representing UNCA on university-sanctioned travel. An equipment failure is not an excuse for turning in an assignment late.
Attendance Policy:

Lectures: Students are expected to attend all class lectures. Failure to do so will be will impact your homework grade and will be considered a lack of interest in success on the part of the student.

Exams: If you must miss an exam due to illness you must email or telephone the instructor before the scheduled time and perhaps something can be arranged to avoid a zero for the exam.

Grading:
Exams 30%
Assignments 40%
Projects 30%
Total 100%
Letter Grades: Letter grades are assigned based on the percentage of available points obtained by a student. 100% to 90% guarantees an A- or better, 89% to 80% guarantees a B- or better, and so on. The instructors reserve the option of relaxing the cut-offs for a letter grade in special circumstances. Plus and minus grades will be used for this course.
Grading Procedures:

Assignments: Assignments will be graded on the +/ok/- scale, where + indicates excellent, ok indicates satisfactory, and - indicates needs improvement. Your solutions to these assignments are your way of telling the instructor about your mastery of this course. Your solutions must be clearly different than those turned in by others in the class and represent a unique and special effort on your part.

Exams: During the semester there will be two in class exams. These exams will cover class material, reading, and homework questions. Exams will be given on the dates indicated unless otherwise indicated in class.