01. Develop software flow diagrams from a list of non-technical problem requirements

Activities:

8 Laboratory classes and tutorials where students need to do this to solve complex problems. Modelled as worked examples in Lectures

02. Design and construct circuits where microcontrollers are interfaced with simple input and output devices.

Activities:

In 2 laboratory classes students design and then construct their own microcontroller circuits. 2 Assignments have sections requiring students to perform interfacing and design microcontroller circuits. 2 Tutorials require students to solve specific problems by designing microcontroller circuits. Throughout 4 lectures with worked examples students are taught how to interface and design microcontroller circuits

03. Develop firmware to solve engineering problems using both C and assembly language whilst using an industry standard IDE for code debugging.

Activities:

In 10 laboratory classes students are required to develop firmware to solve specific problems for microcontrollers. Students practice writing code in tutorials and lectures through dozens of worked and tutor assisted examples.

04. Implement designs which include Digital-to-Analog converters (DACs) and Analog-to-Digital (ADCs) converters.

Activities:

Over 4 laboratory classes students implement designs using ADC's and DAC's to create solutions to specific problems. Through 2 tutorials students perform calculations based around using Analog interfacing. 3 lectures cover the theory and implementation of ADC and DAC's.

05. Search through data sheets to identify and use relevant information to solve engineering problems.

Activities:

To complete several labs students are directed to segments of the datasheets and lecture notes to search for information to solve problems. 3 assignment questions require students to search for and record specific information from data sheets. The lectures provide an overview of how to use datasheets, with excerpts in 50% of the lectures and references to specific sections of the datasheets.

06. Explain key architectural elements of microcontrollers (eg. Analog to Digital converters, external timers, external memory)

Activities:

Through 5 assignments students answer theoretical concepts relating to the architecture and key elements of microcontrollers. Through the lectures students are taught all the theory behind microcontroller architectures.

07. Professionally describe solutions to microcontroller problems both verbally and in written form

Activities:

Each of the 11 laboratory classes includes a verbal defence, where the demonstrator asks each student to explain in detail one of their questions (10-15% of the laboratory marks). Each of the 6 assignments includes a 10%-15% mark relating to students written expression and clarity.