We have an adjunct position opening up in the spring, teaching a section of our intro physical computing course. I attached a recent syllabus. We’re doing hiring now.
contact: Adam J Wilson <AWilson@citytech.cuny.edu>
MTEC 1005: PHYSICAL COMPUTING SKILLS LAB
Emerging Media Technologies (MTEC)
Department of Entertainment Technology
New York City College of Technology
City University of New York
Fall 2021
COURSE INFORMATION
When: Tuesdays 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Online, via Zoom and Slack
Professor: Josh Corn
Course site: https://github.com/entertainmenttechnology/Corn-MTEC1005-Fall2021
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88415443539?pwd=eUVJN0F1akd4RGhPdVpGSHNlNU9kZz09
Slack: https://MTEC1005-FA21-T.slack.com
Email: JCorn@citytech.cuny.edu
Office hours: Remotely, Tuesdays 2-3 PM, Fridays 1:30-2:30PM + by appointment
Sign up for office hour time slots through the Calendly link: https://calendly.com/jcorn-mtec
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This one-credit course introduces students to the field of Physical Computing while building foundational skills for courses in the Physical Computing concentration.
We will focus on electronics and circuit fundamentals, analog vs digital voltage control, prototyping techniques, and a basic introduction to the Arduino
microcontroller.
COURSE GOALS
To give students an introduction to:
* The physical computing prototyping process.
* Basic electronics principles.
* Building circuits and programming with the Arduino microcontroller platform.
* Working with sensors, actuators, and control interfaces.
* Breaking down a prototyping process into manageable goals and tasks.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the ends of the course students will be able to:
* Create basic electronic circuits and identify components.
* Program the Arduino microcontroller to sense and respond to the physical environment.
* Work with digital and analog inputs and outputs, sensors and actuators.
* Design and complete a prototype of an interactive physical computing interface.
COURSE MATERIALS
Computer running Windows or MacOS with internet access, webcam, and microphone
GitHub
Zoom
Slack
A sketchbook or notebook
External storage device, or cloud-based storage, for storing and backing up your work
Your Arduino kit, by week 3 of this course. See wiki for required components.
EXPECTATIONS
By signing up for this class, you are making a commitment to fully participate, support your classmates as best you can, and do your part in creating a positive online
working environment. For our course to run smoothly, everyone must:
* Check Slack regularly for group and private messages.
* Check class GitHub regularly for posted tasks and assignments.
* Back up work regularly.
* Arrive on time, ready to participate and contribute.
* Reach out to students and your instructor with questions. * Push creatively and technically. Stay open and curious.
COMMUNICATION
To contact your instructor with a brief, private question or message, send a DM (Direct Message) through Slack. This is preferred over email.
If you have a question that may be relevant to the group, post in the #general channel on Slack for all to see and comment on.
Use Slack for easy communications with your classmates as well—you can DM individuals or selected groups.
To discuss a longer matter with your instructor, DM to set up an appointment for office hours.
If you have a tech support question, post in the #techsupport channel or DM our CLT for assistance.
PARTICIPATION POLICY (The Rules + Regulations for Keeping the Ship Sailing)
We will meet on Zoom at the start of each class. Check Slack for the meeting link and password.
As our work is interdependent, it is critical for everyone to be fully present, participating, and engaging in the course.
If absent from class, this will impact other students and lab activities. If you will be late or absent, DM your instructor via Slack ASAP.
Absences may be excused in the following cases: illness, religious observance with advanced notice, and on a case-by-case basis for other critical events and
extenuating circumstances.
In the case of an absence, check GitHub and contact a classmate to catch up on what you missed. Contact the instructor if you have additional questions.
GRADING
COURSE GRADING
Participation: 20%
Lab Projects: 50%
Final Project: 30%
Participation will be graded out of 3 points:
3 = full participation: fully present, on task, and supportive of classmates throughout the class session.
2 = partial participation: late arrival or early departure, on task for some of the time.
1 = minimal participation: absent from lab for more than 30 minutes, minimally on task.
0 = no participation.
Lab projects will be graded out of 10 points, based on completion of tasks for each lab. Lab work missed may be made up outside of class for partial credit, with
submission of documentation. Any late lab will drop one letter grade per class session that it is late. Requests for deadline extensions, and extenuating
circumstances causing late or incomplete work, will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
The final project is a multi-week, independently-driven project consists of prototyping a physical computing interface. Final projects will be graded on a standard A-F
scale, according to criteria detailed in the final project assignment.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy
and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing
instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic
integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties,
including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the College policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalogue.
Instructor’s note: all borrowed text, code, or media used for this course must be attributed to the original creator. Any direct text quotes from another source must be
specified with quotes and appropriately cited. Code borrowed from another source at more than four lines in length must be attributed as a //comment within the
code itself. If you are unsure of whether or not your work may constitute plagiarism, please check with your instructor before submitting. Any instance of plagiarism
will be reported to the MTEC Program Director as well as the Chair of ENT.
COURSE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Accessibility. Students who have a
documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Center (phone: 718–260–5143). If you have already
registered with the Center, please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation.
A NOTE ON CITY TECH’S COUNSELING CENTER
The Counseling Services Center supports the educational, emotional and career development of City Tech students by providing opportunities for skill development,
counseling and referrals that address obstacles to success. The Center is currently available to students remotely. For questions and appointments, contact the
Center at counseling@citytech.cuny.edu or 718-260-5030.
INCLUSIVITY
Part I. Name + Pronoun Usage This course consists of individual work and group discussion. We must therefore strive to create an atmosphere of inclusion and
mutual respect: all students will have their chosen gender pronoun(s) and chosen name recognized. If the class roster does not align with your name, gender, and/or
pronouns, please inform the instructor.
Part II. Inclusivity Statement It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well-served by this course, that students’ learning needs be
addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that the students bring to this class be viewed as an asset, resource, strength, and benefit, rather than a
checklist item or worse, a hindrance. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender identity, sexuality, disability, age,
socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the
effectiveness of the course for you personally, or for other students or student groups. Feel free to reach out to me via email or Slack at any time about any issues
concerning you or with any such ideas.
COURSE SCHEDULE / CALENDAR
The schedule and content are subject to change as needed.
SESSION 1: T 08/31: WHAT IS PHYSICAL COMPUTING?
Introductions
Syllabus Reviews
Discussing Physical Computing
In-class activity
BE SURE TO PURCHASE YOUR ELECTRONICS KIT
(NO CLASS ON 09/07)
SESSION 2: T 09/14: ELECTRONICS PRIMER PART 1
Electricity and AC/DC
Breaking down a simple circuit
Working with batteries, LEDs, resistors and wires
Polarity
Circuit schematics
Voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm’s Law
SESSION 3: T 09/21: MAKING LIGHT WITH PHYSICAL COMPUTING
Overview of Arduino microcontroller and software IDE
Overview of the interactive system: sensors, actuators, voltage control
Inputs/outputs, analog vs digital pins
Working with a solderless breadboard
Building a circuit, making an LED blink
Programming with Arduino: syntax, variables, control structure, operators
SESSION 4: T 09/28: SENSITIVE INPUT — DIGITAL SENSORS
Working with switches: pushbuttons and digital input
Pull-down resistors
State changes
SESSION 5: T 10/05: MAKING MORE LIGHT
Addressable LEDs: control, pattern, timing
Beyond binary: light with PWM
SESSION 6: T 10/12: SENSITIVE INPUT — ANALOG SENSORS
In-depth look at resistors
Working with analog input: potentiometers and LDRs
Reading serial data
SESSION 7: T 10/19: MAKING NOISE — ANALOG OUTPUT WITH PIEZO
PWM revisited for frequency modulation
SESSION 8: T 10/26: MAKING MOVEMENT PART 1
Working with servos
Working with Arduino libraries
SESSION 9: T 11/02: MAKING MOVEMENT PART 2
Working with servos continued
Special topics by request
SESSION 10: T 11/09: ELECTRONICS PRIMER PART 2
Using a multimeter
Revisiting Ohm’s Law
Circuits in series and parallel
SESSION 11: T 11/16: WORK ON FINAL PROJECTS: Brainstorming + Ideation
SESSION 12: T 11/23: WORK ON FINAL PROJECTS: System Prototyping
SESSION 13: T 11/30: WORK ON FINAL PROJECTS: Soldering Demonstration + Lo-fi Fabrication
SESSION 14: T 12/07: WORK ON FINAL PROJECTS: Playtesting + Iteration
SESSION 15: T 12/14: FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
