Course Description:

In order to design and develop high quality products software engineers need to understand the physical components and systems that are an integral part of these products. This understanding is critical in the fulfillment of non-functional requirements such as performance, reliability, and security. This course will provide software engineering students with hardware, computer architecture, and networking domain specific knowledge. Course programming assignments will provide practical experience developing software that interfaces with hardware components and systems. 

Term

Spring 2019 Term 2185

Course Topics:

The course will encompass a variety of concepts and topics including the following:

• Basic electronics
• Computer architecture
• Software development for microcontrollers
• Communication systems
• Safety critical systems
• Ethical and professional responsibility primarily focused on safety critical systems

Course Objectives:

• Design and develop software that controls hardware.
• Describe basic computer architecture including CPU and memory systems.
• Explain the purpose of the major elements of CPU and memory systems.
• Construct microcontroller software utilizing current microcontroller development tools using current software development best practices.
• Develop effective unit and integration tests for student developed software.
• Design and develop software for an application that requires concurrent operation on a single CPU.
• Describe the basic architecture of communication systems.
• Develop communication software including interface devices and network protocols.
• Analyze ethical issues associated with the design and development of safety critical systems.

Method of Instruction:

This course is taught in a studio lab format with each class session usually composed of lecture, and class exercises or project time. Discussion about activities and the project is encouraged but each student must submit their own work.

However, all quizzes and exams must be the student's own work.

Textbook(s):

• Embedded Systems with ARM Cortex-M Microcontrollers in Assembly Language and C, Yifeng Zhu 3rd edition (required) ISBN 9780982692660
• The essentials of computer organization and architecture, fourth edition [electronic resource], Linda Null, Julia Lobur ISBN 9781284045611

Attendance Policy:

This course does not have a specific attendance policy. However, attending class is important. Over half of the typical class time will be activity or project work time. Class time is the ideal time to get assistance!

Grading Breakdown:

Plus/Minus Grades

All SE courses will use the +/- system. The numeric range of grades may vary from instructor to instructor, but multi section courses will use the same numeric ranges. The following chart will be used to determine your letter grade at the conclusion of the term.

When assigning final grades, each instructor reserves the right to alter these division points as he or she deems necessary based on the overall evaluation of individual or class performance and effort. For more information consult the Provost's website: University Policy -- Grades