ES 101B: Communication in the Digital Age Laboratory (1)

(Printable Version)

Spring 2012

Kyler Connelly (in the back) and Philip Brault of Engineering Science working on their robot projectInstructor: Shahram Marivani

Section 1, 3176:

Days: Tuesdays
Times: 4:00 pm - 6:50 pm
Location: Salazar Hall, Room 2003

Section 2, 3262:

Days: Mondays
Times: 1:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Location: Salazar Hall, Room 2003

Office hours: Tuesdays, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm or by appointment
Phone: (707) 664-2150
Office location: Salazar Hall, Room 2002
E-Mail: shahram dot marivani at sonoma dot edu

Course Overview:

Laboratory, 2 1/2 hours. To demonstrate the concepts discussed in the course ES 101A & give hands-on experience to the students. (Does not apply to ES majors.) This course meets the GE science Laboratory under area B3. The objectives of the course are as follow:

  • Improve the understanding of the practical aspects of theories of science & technology.
  • Improve problem solving and critical thinking skills through application of scientific knowledge using hands-on activities.
  • Get some hands-on experience & basic terminologies used in electricity and communication, narrowband or broadband technologies.
  • Get some hands-on experience with the electrical, electronics and optical measurement equipment.
  • Explore & research application of scientific methods.

The co-requisite for this course is ES 101A and the prerequisite is the GE math eligibility.

Attendance is an important part of a student's university experience. Your participation in class activities, either lab or group discussion, is essential and part of your final grade.

Course Textbook: There is no textbook for this class. The necessary course material will be posted on the course web site.

Group Discussions: Let the students exercise teamwork, discuss a problem in the group and find total solutions, resolve differences and practice leadership.

  • The in-lab group discussions are for major topics during a lab session with ample time for the members to discuss the topic in more detail and present the results. There may be more than one topic in a lab session.
  • Structure - The class is divided into groups, each group comprises of 3 to 4 students, with one Group Leader chosen by the group members for each activity or topic.
  • Responsibility of group members - All members should participate actively in all activities and contribute to the discussion.
  • Responsibility of Group Leader
    • Facilitates the group discussion, keeps the necessary order, makes sure that the group is focused on the topic, keeps the votes if required, summarizes the output (according to the votes if necessary) and makes sure that the group delivers on time (Notes can be captured by a recorder or the leader).
    • Leadership rotates among members so that every member will have an opportunity to practice leading a group
    • For each activity the group would decide who presents the output/result to the class. Unless otherwise stated, no outside work/report is required after the session.
  • Tools
    • Computer and access to the Internet for the lab group discussions
    • Microsoft Office: PowerPoint, Excel and Word for development and presentation

Academic Honesty: You are responsible to behave ethically and honestly. Copying, cheating, forgery and other unethical or dishonest actions are not tolerated. In such case, the person will receive zero grade and can be reported to SSU authorities. SSU Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism

For more information on SSU's important policies and procedures go to: Important Policies and Procedures for Students

Grading Policy
Lab Reports
 40%
Class Participation
 15%
Midterm
 15%
Final
 30%

Grades:

A: ≥ 94, A-: 90 to 93, B+: 87 to 89, B: 84 to 86, B-: 80 to 83, C+: 77 to 79, C: 74 to 76, C-: 70 to 73, D+: 67 to 69, D: 64 to 66, D-: 60 to 63 and F: ≤ 60

Our Expectations:

  • Arrive on time to attend the lab. Unexcused absences will affect your grade.
  • Read the lab instructions available on the course website before you come to class.
  • Hand in your assignments on time at the beginning of the class.
  • Speak up whenever you have suggestions or questions.
  • Turn off cell phones, earphones and other distracting devices.

Outcomes:

  • The broad hands-on experience to understand some of the basic terminologies used in electricity and communication, narrowband or broadband.
  • Hands-on experience of some electronic components and measurement equipment.
  • Have a feel as what goes on in some of the electronic and communications lab.
Tentative Schedule for Section 1
1/17/2012 Intoduction to the course and a tour of engineering labs
1/24/2012 DC Power Supplies and Multimeters (Last day to add or drop is 1/27/2012.)
1/31/2012 Solderless Breadboards and Serial and Parallel Resistors
2/7/2012 Group Discussion
2/14/2012 Function Generators and Oscilloscope
2/21/2012 Basic Logic Circuits
2/28/2012 Group Discussion
3/6/2012 Midterm
3/13/2012 Plot Data Using MS Excel
3/20/2012 Group Discussion
3/27/2012 Spring Break
4/3/2012 Optical Measurement (Salazar Hall, Room 2001)
4/10/2012 Group Discussion (Reference)
4/17/2012 LED Flasher
4/24/2012 Review
5/1/2012 Final Exam

 

Tentative Schedule for Section 2
1/23/2012 Intoduction to the course and a tour of engineering labs (Last day to add or drop is 1/27/2012.)
1/30/2012 DC Power Supplies and Multimeters
2/6/2012 Solderless Breadboards and Serial and Parallel Resistors
2/13/2012 Group Discussion
2/20/2012 Function Generators and Oscilloscope
2/27/2012 Basic Logic Circuits
3/5/2012 Group Discussion
3/12/2012 Midterm
3/19/2012 Plot Data Using MS Excel
3/26/2012 Spring Break
4/2/2012 Group Discussion (Reference)
4/9/2012 Optical Measurement (Salazar Hall, Room 2001)
4/16/2012 LED Flasher
4/23/2012 Group Discussion (Reference)
4/30/2012 Final Exam