Interdisciplinary Arts 0117 - Arduino for Everyone

Learn how to program and debug Arduino micro-controllers extended with sensor and actuator circuits to create tiny bits of autonomous agency that sense and respond to the world around them. The course covers: basic principles and techniques of programming and debugging using the Arduino IDE to customize the controllers; introduction to simple electronics for both measuring sense variables such as light, temperature, weight, force, and presence and acting on the world with devices such as motors, linear position actuators, lamps, switches, vibrators, heaters, and coolers. Emphasis on general problem-solving skills and creativity in developing programs and circuits. Hopefully you will get much better at making the most productive and informative "mistakes" as quickly as possible. This will be a project-based course; the majority of class time will be spent experimenting and building. Prior engineering experience not required, but the student should be comfortable with basic analytical thought and a beginning familiarity with simple electronics. All students will need to have a laptop with a USB port. An Arduino and USB cable will be provided.

Arts, Design, and Media Independent Work Quantitative Skills Lab fee: $90.00 Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research, project work, and, as needed, attendance at TA sessions.