Project Information

Examples of previous projects

During the final month of the course you will work on self-designed projects. The projects are your opportunity to apply what you've learned, and extend it in directions that appeal to YOU. What areas of electronics seem interesting? What gizmos have you wanted to understand? What interesting and cool things do you wish you could build? Think about such things, talk with friends, colleagues, instructors, surf the webs, etc. to expand your horizons and start imagining what you might want to build.

The remainder of the page aims to give you a sense of what these projects will be like:

Project Topics

  1. Should be something you can understand and build that you couldn't have done at the beginning of the semester.
  2. AVOID projects that are largely programming microcontrollers. We know you can program. Concentrate on analog electronics, OR use a microcontroller if you need it, but interface to the real world.
  3. AVOID making some complex mechanical object or lovely walnut case. Go for the electronics inside! You want a working theramin, not a beautify, non-functional box.
  4. You should understand how the circuit works! If you Google a circuit, great, but you must understand it by the end.
  5. Design something where you will be able to compare circuit theory with actual circuit performance.
  6. Entertainment value is fine.

Teams

  1. One to two people
  2. Organize so that all participate
  3. Expectations will increase with number of members

Proposals due on October 22th and 24st in the D2L dropbox at the start of your lab section (25 pts)

  1. At least one week before your proposal you must talk to your lab instructor to get preliminary approval.
  2. ~1-2 page
  3. Describes the project, what will be built, what will be demonstrated
  4. Has electronic substance, i.e. some ideas for key circuits, a list of parts

Progress Reports due Nov. 19th or 21st in the D2L dropbox at the start of your lab section (25 pts)

  1. 1-3 pages describing your progress so far
  2. Include complete circuit diagrams for your project

Presentations on December 10th and 12th, 2013 9-5 pm (75pts)

  1. Use the computer-based presentation program such as Powerpoint, Keynote etc.
  2. Quality of the presentation will be evaluated (distinct from details of project).
  3. Prepare in parallel with lab work (do not leave until last minute).
  4. Everybody on team should contribute equally to the presentation.
  5. If possible, demostrate you working project.
  6. Length: 10 minutes for 1-student projects and  15 minutes for 2 students. This includes 3-5 minutes of Q&A.

Project Reports due in D2L dropbox December 13th, 5 pm (75pts)

  1. Must be a fully polished, typed English document complete with diagrams and data
  2. One report per group
  3. Include theory – key parts (how do they work?)
  4. Compare results to theory
  5. Quality of the manuscript will be evaluated (distinct from details of project)
  6. Record signals during operation for putting in your presentation and proposal.  Please use a web browser to screen capture screenshot images from your oscilloscope over the network. A cellphone camera or other digital camera works well for easily taking a snapshot of the scope or other instrument.
  7. Everybody on team has a part in writing the report. The report should specify how specifically individual members contributed to the building of the project and to the report.

Grades based on

  1. originality
  2. degree of difficulty.
  3. execution, i.e. can you make it work
  4. presentation

Parts:

  1. You can be reimbursed for up to $30 per person for parts  as long as the final product stays in J-lab after the project is  over.
  2. Many of the parts you need may already be available in G230, look around.
  3. To be reimbursed for parts: Save original receipts/invoices that show that the item has been paid for (a quote or order confirmation won't work). And take these to Sally Johnson in the main physics office.

    Important NOTE: You may not incorporate HIGH VOLTAGES into your final project without prior discussion with your lab section instructor. And your instructor may disallow or discontinue any project that uses high voltages if strict safety rules are not observed.