Phys 304

Electronics

Syllabus, Fall term, 2023(-2024)

Course description

Here is the catalog description of our course.

Introduction to analog and digital electronics and robotics. The focus is on design and construction of practical circuitry which can be used to build useful devices. After the analog and digital groundwork is laid, students learn to program microcontrollers to interface with a variety of sensors and outputs on mobile robotic platforms. Weekly laboratories culminate in individual projects presented in the biannual electronics show. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: high school physics.

Professor Paul Meyer Reimer
Sci 011   ·   +1.574.535.7318 (ofc)
paulmr@goshen.edu   ·   +1.574.533.3995 (cell)

I don't have fixed office hours. You are welcome to stop by my office (SC 011) any time!

Here's my teaching schedule this term,

If you are off campus and want to make sure I'm available before coming to campus You may e-mail or text me to make a time to get together.

Do not worry that you're "bothering me" when you stop by! Every time a student stops by it makes a good impression on me, and I think "Oh, they are taking charge of their own learning, and are taking the class seriously!".

Online

You can find the syllabus, class notes, and other materials related to this course on the web at:  

tiny.cc/gce

On an iPad: Open in Safari, then "Add to Homescreen" or "Add Bookmark".

When you're asked for a username and password on one of the webpages, respond with your GC username (your GC e-mail address without the '@goshen.edu' part), and your GC e-mail password.

Grades and other items will be available on moodle.

I use your "goshen.edu" e-mail address for many class communications. Read your e-mail daily for class resources and announcements.

Course materials

See our GC bookstore site.

Required: Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches, Third Edition, by Simon Monk

Optional: (but useful, and a good reference), Practical Electronics for Inventors, 4th edition, by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk.

Grades (approximate)

Exams

Exam dates will be published on the class schedule more than a week in advance. Make up exams are not possible unless prior arrangements are made, or you have verified emergency.

It seems like the traditional way that people think they ought to study is by re-reading material. But there is research that indicates that pulling out a piece of paper and writing something down is *far* more effective than simply reading and re-reading study materials. You might try writing / drawing:

• a concept map of related concepts,
• the solution to a problem,
• or bulleted lists of topics within a theme...

* Dean's Office statement on plagiarism

assignments you submit in this course will be checked (for example, with "Turn-It-In" in Moodle) for plagiarized material copied from the web, other papers, online databases, and other sources. Cases of academic dishonesty are reported to the Associate Dean. Penalties for plagiarism are listed in the college catalog and range from redoing the assignment to dismissal from the college. Plagiarism entails the use of the ideas and/or words of a source without citation. Any borrowing of language (sentences, clauses, or distinct phrases) without the use of quotation marks is also plagiarism.

But...starting with code examples or common circuits that you find on the Internet is much more common than in other classes. Feel free to look for examples, and then tweak for your purposes. But you should still plan to reference your sources: Give a shout out to a classmate who helped you figure something out with a short acknowledgement. Include the URL for any webpage where you found useful ideas.

Class attendance

[Come to class,] seriously, unless you are half-dead!.

Don't miss more than two hours of class. You don't need to give me any excuse for missing up to two class periods. (Though a brief e-mail ahead of time if you know you'll be gone would be nice). You are still responsible for any learnings from the days you missed.

At three absences, I will start to wonder whether you are having health / psychological / relationship problems and will initiate a discussion with you to see what the problem is. For absences beyond two, you would generally need a note from someone else (doctor, coach, therapist,...) justifying your absence.

Labs are a different matter, and much harder to make up. Try to avoid missing any of the labs!

Academic Success Center

goshen.edu/campuslife/asc.

The Academic Success Center (ASC) located in the Good Library offers

• tutoring and writing support,
• strategies for improving your organization and time management skills, and
• support services for students with documented disabilities

Accessibility Accommodations

Goshen College is committed to providing all students equitable access to programs and facilities. Students who need accommodations based on disability should contact the Academic Success Center (ASC). Students must register with the ASC before faculty are required to provide reasonable accommodations. For more information or to register, please contact the Director of Academic Success, Michelle Blank, Good Library 112, mblank@goshen.edu or 574-535-7526. To ensure that learning needs are met, contact the ASC the first week of classes. More information at: goshen.edu/asc/disability-services.

Credits

I am indebted to Prof. John Buschert--who taught this course for several decades!--for his class notes and support.

Banner image: Juhan Sonin

Schedule & Topics

See our home page.