Course FYS128C Robotics and Problem Solving:
TR 1:15 - 2:30 Olin014 / Unix Lab (Winthrop Annex)
Professor:
Gary Parker
Winthrop Annex (ext. 5208)
Office Hours: Tuesday 10-11:30am, Thursday: 2:30-5:00
parker@conncoll.edu
Text and Software:
Text:Dave Baum's Definitive Guide to LEGO Mindstorms, by Dave Baum
Software:The RCX Programming Environment provided in the LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System kits. The NQC (Not Quite C) programming environment provided in the book's CD. For program editing you may use what is provided or any text editor that you like. Emacs can be obtained from GNU Software at: ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/emacs/
Web Page:http://cs.conncoll.edu/fys128c
An introduction to robotics and problem solving through robot construction and the programming of controllers. Students will discuss readings, make presentations, and work in teams to design and program LEGO Mindstorms robots to solve a series of problems that are of increasing complexity. No previous computer knowledge is assumed. This course is not intended for computer science majors.
Discussion:
This course is intended to be an opportunity for you to experience problem solving in a hands-on environment. This will be accomplished by your construction and programming of a series of robots using a LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Construction Kit. Along the way you will learn some concepts about computer science and robotics, learn the basic elements of programming, do some visual programming, learn a version of the C programming language developed for LEGO robots, fulfill the Area 2 General Education requirement, and hopefully be challenged while having fun. You will not learn enough to be an expert programmer or know any general purpose programming language, although you will be equipped with the basic programming skills required to learn a language and will have learned some of the specific syntax of C.
The work in this class will be mainly focussed on the construction and programming of LEGO robots, but will also include other elements of learning. There will be in-class assignments, homework exercises, article presentations, class discussion, and a notebook. It is very important that you attend class and keep up on the homework, writing, and reading.
Grading:
Homework Exercises |
10% |
Robot Constructions / Programs |
25% |
Class Participation / Presentation |
20% |
Final Project |
20% |
Journal |
25% |
Homework Exercises:These are to be done individually, using no outside resources. Homework must be turned in on time.
Robot Constructions / Programs:The initial assignments will be to follow the construction directions in the book, with only some slight modification. In later assignments, you will determine how best to do the construction and programming. You may work in teams, but no outside resources. Projects completed after due date will be accepted with a grade loss per class period.
Class Participation / Presentation:Each student will give one or two short presentations on a reading of their choice. All students will discuss the reading following the presentation. The participation grade will be determined by the quality of your presentation and your participation in classroom discussions.
Final Project:There will be a final robot construction / programming project. The robot constructed will be designed to complete some task. During our final class session, we will have a competition to show off our designs. You may work in teams, but no outside resources.
Journal:This journal is for you to organize and summarize your thoughts and procedures as you solve each problem and record what you have learned about problem solving, programming, and robotics. It should be organized chronologically with the events of the class. You are to include an entry for each day that you work on your construction projects. This is to be comments on your thought processes, ideas, and discoveries as you worked on each project. The journals are to be done individually. In other words, they should be written from your perspective. The entries for the projects should be written as both "I" and "we" -- separating your ideas and contribututions from those of your team. You should include how ideas from your partners influenced your thinking and problem solving process during the project. The entries for each project are due once you have completed the project. They are to be typed, although you may include drawings done by hand. At the end of the semester, you are to hand in your completed journal with the last entry being your thoughts on the competitions and the public demonstration.
If you have a physical or mental disability, either hidden or visible, which may require classroom, test-taking, or other reasonable modifications, please see me as soon as possible. If you have not already done so, please be sure to register with Sherine A. Miller, Director of Student Disability Services, at Extension 5428.