Syllabus for PHY 201:
Digital Electronics

Contact Info:   

Description:

The course covers some basic electronics, including resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors and transformers. The course introduces the basic logic gates and demonstrates how they can be used to realize arbitrary truth tables (combinatorial logic). Simplification procedures (Karnaugh maps) are introduced. Digital representation and sequential logic circuits are covered as well. Emphasis is placed on computer components such as adders, comparators, multiplexors, memory, counters, and bus-related circuits.

Meetings:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 - 10:15

Location:

Holroyd 120

Course Calendar:

Text:

The Pattern on the Stone, (W. Daniel Hillis, Basic Books, 1998)

Websites:

• whatis.com
• webopedia.com
• geekgirls.com
• howstuffworks.com

Learning Objectives

• Simplify circuits having resistors or capacitors in series or parallel combinations.
• Simplify and build circuits from truth tables.
• Build and operate simulated circuits corresponding to basic units of a computer, such as adders, multiplexors, demultiplexors, registers, shift registers, counters, ROM, RAM, etc.
• Simulate and identify the purpose of logic gate circuits.
• Represent and perform operations on binary numbers including unsigned, signed and floating point numbers.
• Use diodes, transistors and inductors in circuits.

Assessment:

• Ordinarily, these labs will be done in teams of two.
• I reserve the right to select the teams, limit the number of labs that can be done with a particular partner, and so on.
• Unless stated otherwise, lab reports (one report per team) are due the week after the lab. Labs and homeworks submitted after the test on the relevant material will not be eligible for full credit.
• Although labs are a team effort, each student is responsible for learning all of the skills and concepts.
• Plagiarism, be it from a book, a web site or a fellow student, will be considered cheating. Copying simulation circuits is also considered cheating.
• You must cite the sources you use. Sentences directly quoted require quotation marks, and so on. Changing one or two words per sentence is still plagiarism.
• You are often allowed to bring in files from labs to use on the tests. It is recommended that both partners keep a copy of all relevant files. It might be useful to back them up. Also you should develop a systematic naming scheme so that you can find the file(s) you need on the test.
• The plus/minus grading system will be used.
• Attendance will be taken.
• Absences, lateness, etc. will be reflected in the class portion of the grade. More than three unexcused absences may result in the lowering of a grade.
• Before leaving lab early you must see me to show me your progress. If you are leaving early or not working on the labs during the lab period, it will count against you.
• It is your responsibility to keep copies of all of your assignments, tests and so forth at least until you receive your final grade for the course.
• The homework assignments (9 of them) will consist of a summary of a chapter in the book  The Pattern on the Stone. This will consist of a one-page Word document with normal margins (Top and Bottom: 1", Left and Right 1.25") using 12-pt Times New Roman font and double spacing (Format/Paragraph/Line Spacing: double). It must be obvious that you have read the chapter.

Classroom Behavior:

While in the classroom, students should behave in a manner that is neither distracting to nor disrespectful to the professor or other students. Cell phones should be turned off.

Cheating: