Course Syllabus

Course description

This course teaches the fundamental theory and design methods for digital systems. Topics include: logic functions minimization, combinational circuit design, synchronous and asynchronous sequential circuit design, state diagrams, Mealy and Moore circuits, state minimization and assignment, basic computer organization, and controller implementation. This course also teaches the use of software tools for design, minimization, simulation, and schematic capture of digital systems. The digital systems that are designed will be implemented using MSI, LSI, and field programmable gate arrays.

Teaching staff

Instructor: Dr. Chris Myers 
Email your questions to us using: teach-ece3700@googlegroups.com.

Prerequisites

CS 1410 (Intro to CS) or 2000 (Intro to Programming), and PHYCS 2220: Physics for Scien. & Engineering II.
The programming requirement ensures that you have a basic programming knowledge.  While we will not be programming in this class, we will be using the Verilog hardware description language that looks like a programming language like C. While some concepts are similar to programming languages, there are many differences which is what we will focus on in this course.
The Physics requirement ensures that you have knowledge of basic electronics: resistance, capacitance, current, voltage, Ohm's law, Kirchoffs laws, etc.

Course Textbook

Available at the Campus Bookstore.
 

Meeting Times

Class Lecture 12:25 - 1:45pm  Tuesday and Thursday Dr. Myers WEB 1230
Office Hours 2pm - 3pm Tuesday Dr. Myers MEB 4112
Office Hours 11am - noon Thursday Dr. Myers MEB 4112
Discussion Section 1 2pm - 5pm Tuesday Harikrishna MEB 3133
Discussion Section 2 8am - 11am Wednesday Harsha Nori MEB 3133
Discussion Section 3 3pm - 6pm Wednesday Harikrishna MEB 3133
Discussion Section 4 9am - noon Thursday Harsha Nori MEB 3133
Discussion Section 5 2pm - 5pm Thursday Bhawna Lakshmipathy MEB 3133
Discussion Section 6 8am - 11am Friday Harsha Nori MEB 3133
Discussion Section 7 2pm - 5pm Friday Harikrishna MEB 3133
Office Hours 9am - 10am Monday Ke Xu MEB 3133
Office Hours 4pm - 5pm  Monday Harikrishna MEB 3133
Office Hours 9am - 10am  Tuesday Harsha Nori MEB 3133
Office Hours 11am - noon Wednesday Bhawna Lakshmipathy MEB 3133
Office Hours 2pm - 3pm Wednesday Harikrishna MEB 3133
Office Hours 8am - 9am Thursday Harsha Nori MEB 3133
Office Hours 11am - noon Friday Bhawna Lakshmipathy MEB 3133

Homework, Lab, & Project Write-ups

Homework should be turned into the appropriate ECE homework locker for your TA located in MEB 2101 (across from the new ECE office). Hardware labs and the project will be checked off in your discussion section or office hours, and write-up is due at time of check-off.  All assignments will be graded and returned in your discussion section within one week.  All homework, labs, etc. are assumed to be correctly graded one week after they are returned.  If you have a question regarding your homework or lab grade, please contact your TA. For exams, the person who graded the problem must address the issue.  If there are any questions on grading, they must be addressed within one week of receiving a graded assignment. After the one week has elapsed, no changes will be considered. Please put your discussion section number on all assignments.
During the semester, you may turn in one homework or lab late, but no later than when the assignment is returned graded to the rest of the class.  Students who do not take advantage of this policy will receive 10 extra credit points on their homework grade.  AFTER THE FIRST LATE ASSIGNMENT, NO OTHERS WILL BE ACCEPTED EXCEPT WITH PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.

Grading Policy

  • Homework assignments: 15%
  • Laboratory assignments: 15%
  • Midterms: 30%
  • Final project: 20%
  • Final Exam: 20%

Cheating Policy

Cheating will not be tolerated in this course.  
ECE students are bound by the ECE Academic Misconduct Policy as well as the University’s Student Code. Cheating on exams (using unauthorized materials, copying or collaborating with another student), and plagiarizing (copying words, code, or work from another person without crediting it to them), constitute academic misconduct in this course and will result in academic sanction. Academic misconduct on any assignment will result in a sanction in this course up to failing the course.  The sanctions are the following:
  • First offense on a homework/laboratory assignment will result in a zero on the assignment.
  • Second offense will result in failure of the course and an incident report will be submitted to the department and college.
  • Cheating on an exam or the project will result in an immediate failure of the course and an incident report being filed.

Spring Semester Guidelines

You may find the Spring semester guidelines here.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due