{"id":13309,"date":"2025-07-18T09:17:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T13:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itp.nyu.edu\/physcomp\/?page_id=13309"},"modified":"2025-07-28T15:11:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T19:11:43","slug":"syllabus-fall-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/itp.nyu.edu\/physcomp\/syllabus-fall-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Syllabus Fall 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/span>Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All computing is physical. We work with computational systems by taking action with our bodies, on devices. The construction of computing devices, and their use, consumes raw materials and energy as well. Computing, even when we call it “virtual”, “cloud”, or other names, always has physical consequences. This course is about how to design physical devices that we interact with using our bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To realize this goal, you’ll learn how a computer converts the changes in energy given off by our bodies (in the form of sound, light, motion, and other forms) into changing electronic signals that it can read and interpret. You’ll learn about the sensors that do this, and about simple computers called microcontrollers that read sensors and convert their output into data. You’ll also, you’ll learn how microcontrollers communicate with other computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this class, you’ll watch people and build devices. You will spend a lot of time building circuits, soldering, writing programs, building structures to hold sensors and controls, and figuring out how best to make all of these things relate to a person’s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety Requirement: If you plan to use the shop at 370 Jay, attend a tool safety session in the shop!<\/a><\/strong> Even if you are an experienced fabricator, everyone is required to take a safety session if planning to use or be in the shop.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Class Structure<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Class meetings will be mainly discussions of work you\u2019ve tried and shared demonstrations or experiments, not lectures. On this site you will find video<\/a> or written explanation<\/a> for each week as well as labs<\/a> where you get to try it out. Your instructor will review the week’s material<\/a>, answer any questions you have, and reinforce elements of that week’s labs through demonstration. Use class time to ask questions about things you didn\u2019t understand from the assigned material. Feel free to bring your own components and build alongside the instructor if you find it helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each week, outside of class, read or view the assigned material, do the assigned exercises, and take note of what worked and what didn’t. In class, ask questions, join the class discussion, turn in the assignments on time, and offer support to your classmates through advice and critique. These are the keys to your success in this class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical class would be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n