Class page for IDM NYU DM-UY 4913 J Fall 2024
Syllabus Weekly Schedule Assignments & Projects Resources Cheat Sheet
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Integrated Design & Media, Technology Culture and Society
Fall 2024 • 3 credit hrs
Instructor: Scott Fitzgerald, shf220@nyu.edu
Location: F 10am-1:50pm • 370 Jay Street Room 307
Student hours: By appointment Tuesdays 1p-4pm, 370 Jay Room 359
Course Website: https://idmnyu.github.io/BlinkingBeeping/
Prerequisite: None
This course is an intorductory course in physical computing, with a emphasis on unusual physical interaction- that is, we’ll be working with unique inputs and outputs. We’ll use microcontrollers, lights, speakers, buttons, sensors, and actuators like motors to physicalize digital processes, not just push a bunch of pixels on screen. That said, at some point in time, you’ll make a controller for software you write on your computer, so there will be some pushing that happens :)
In this course, students will :
By the end of the course, students will be able to develop, complete, and document a project that incorporates microcontrollers, electricity, physical inputs, and physical outputs.
Students are expected to be on time for all meetings, critiques, and presentations.
This class will consist of
All readings will be provided as PDFs or online links.
You may wind up spending money on this course for sensors, actuators, equipment, etc. Always discuss your intentions with the instructor before purchasing anything.
You will need to purchase a microcontroller for the course - there is a recommended one, but many are suitable. Ask the instructor if you’re unsure.
You’ll have access to the majority of things you will need. Specifically, the IDM Design Lab will have a bunch of basics for you to work with : LEDs, wire, resistors, transistors, capacitors, etc. You are free to use these tools, but if you’re going to be building something of significant scope, you should get your own materials.
If you get really into prototyping with electronics, you can get some hand tools and other equipment, but again, it’s best to ask about what you need.
You will keep a class journal. This will be your repository for research, thoughts and reactions to the readings, documentation of your projects, and a place for you to comment and critique each other’s work.
You must document your work online with text, photos, sketches, code, videos, and audio files as approriate. This is not only for your weekly production assignments, but also process documentation for the midterm and final projects.
Students should expect to spend roughly 5 hours each week on supplemental work in this course. This may include reading assignments, writing, exam preparation, research, homework assignments, building, writing code, study time, unsupervised lab work, unsupervised group work, etc.
| blog posts about the readings | 10 |
| weekly production assignments | 15 |
| research assignment and presentation | 5 |
| midterm project | 15 |
| final project | 25 |
| attendance | 15 |
| class participation | 15 |
| total | 100 |
Please review NYU’s School of Engineering’s academic dishonesty policy in its entirety.
All work for this class must be your own and specific to this semester. Any work recycled from other classes or from another, non-original source will be rejected with serious implications for the student. Plagiarism, knowingly representing the words, media, or ideas of another as one’s own work in any academic exercise, is absolutely unacceptable. This is not only for prose, but includes code- if you’re using someone elses’ code, it must be properly attributed int he comments. This includes acknowledging the original author (if known) and where to code was found.
If you are a student with a disability who is requesting accommodations, please contact New York University’s Moses Center for Students with Disabilities at 212-998-4980 or mosescsd@nyu.edu. You must be registered with CSD to receive accommodations. Information about the Moses Center can be found at http://www.nyu.edu/csd. The Moses Center is located at 726 Broadway on the 2nd floor.
If you are experiencing an illness or any other situation that might affect your academic performance in a class, please email the Office of Advocacy, Compliance and Student Affairs: eng.studentadvocate@nyu.edu.
The NYU Tandon School values an inclusive and equitable environment for all our students. I hope to foster a sense of community in this class and consider it a place where individuals of all backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, religious and political affiliations, and abilities will be treated with respect. It is my intent that all students’ learning needs be addressed, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. If this standard is not being upheld, please feel free to speak with me.