Course Ad¶
Geosc 597-3, 3 Credits Fall 2016
Tuesday & Thursday 12:05-1:20 PM, Deike 240
Introduction to the principles of experimental design, measurement, and control.
Content¶
Hands-on introduction to the principles of measurement, control and experimental design. Digital formats and representation, file structure, practical aspects of sensors. Introduction to transducers and digital representation of analog measurement. Design of reliable and effective measurements of physical variables including force, displacement, temperature, stress and strain. Analog to digital conversion, real-time data display, practical introduction to analog electronics including buffers and differential amplifiers, offsets and voltage dividers. Transducer calibration, instrument testing, and documentation. Basics of mechanical design for laboratory and field-based hardware, including communication with machine shops. Introduction to 3D printing and practical experience with 3D printers at Penn State.
Much of our work will be based on the Arduino platform via the Sparkfun Inventors Kit . Hands on classroom activities and class projects will use this kit. Students will develop approaches for signal measurement, experiment control, and data logging. A course research project will be completed with the inventor’s kit.
Course Fee¶
$95 (for the Sparkfun Inventor’s Kit)