The course invites curious explorers from across campus to collaboratively answer questions such as:  

How can I help the young family next door get affordable internet? Why can’t you get wi-fi and internet at most homes on Native Reservations? Where’s my data, and who controls it? What about rural areas (US and international) that may never have had wired communication, how does wireless change things for the better, and what can go wrong? I don’t think I want a cell phone tower in MY neighborhood … What kinds of businesses and careers are available, and would one be right for me?

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe each of the major systems in a Smart Phone and how they work
  
• Evaluate the impacts mobile communication has on society, both locally, nationally, and globally.
  
• Consider opportunities for applying wireless technology in their own careers, or for career opportunities associated with the wireless industry.
  

Materials required for this course are:

• No materials need to be purchased. Materials will be provided in the online modules for each day.
• Just bring Curiosity in large doses.

Please review the communication methods and requirements for this course:

Preferred Contact Methods

The easiest way to contact your instructor directly is to use the    Inbox, located in the far left Canvas menu. This goes directly to your instructor's email.

You can also contact your instructor in the following ways:

• Talk with us after class.
• Come to office hours (see below).
• Make an appointment to talk with us outside of class and normal office hours.(send an Inbox/email to schedule a time)

Office Hours

The instructor will hold office hours according to the following schedule:

Or by appointment (in person or virtual)

The following is a brief schedule for this semester:

• Course Introduction
•   Module 1: Designing a SmartPhone
•   Module 2: Mobility (what makes a mobile phone mobile?)
•   Module 3: Voice Signals
•   Module 4: Transmitting and Receiving
•   Module 5: Sensors
•   Module 6: Batteries and Energy
•   Module 7: Cameras and Imaging

Your performance in this course will be evaluated by:

• Pre-class, in-class, and post-class assignments. The number of points for each assignment will be based on the approximate number of hours required (10 points = roughly 1 hour)
• Your total grade will be based on quality and completion of the assignments.
• There are no exams in this class.
• There will be a final project.

Assignments are listed with due dates attached.

• Pre-class assignments are needed for the next day's class, so must be done on time.
• In class assignments will be completed, or nearly completed during class. They should be turned in before the next class period. If you miss class, an alternative assignment with similar learning objectives will be provided.
• Post-class assignments will be due in 1-2 class periods, depending on how much work is required do complete them.

All assignments, unless otherwise announced, must be submitted to the designated area of Canvas. Do not submit assignments via email. How to submit assignments on Canvas. Links to an external site.

[Insert late assignment policies here.]

Grading for this course

Assignments will be graded within approximately 1 week of when they are turned in. Each assignment has a specified number of points based roughly on the amount of time expected to complete it. 10points = approx 1 hour of work. Quality work will be required to obtain full credit for each assignment. Your final grade will be based on the percentage of points completed in the class, as noted below.

Course grading scale

It is expected that students adhere to University of Utah policies regarding academic honesty, including but not limited to refraining from cheating, plagiarizing, misrepresenting one’s work, and/or inappropriately collaborating. This includes the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools without citation, documentation, or authorization. Students are expected to adhere to the prescribed professional and ethical standards of the profession/discipline for which they are preparing. Any student who engages in academic dishonesty or who violates the professional and ethical standards for their profession/discipline may be subject to academic sanctions as per the University of Utah’s Student Code: https://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-410.php Links to an external site.

See also theECE Academic Misconduct policy. Links to an external site.

What's cheating and what's not in this course?

Group work: Some assignments are group assignments, meant to be completed as a group, typically during class. Participate in your group. Add all group names to the assignment. Each person should turn in the (same) group assignment to canvas, with all names attached.

Written content (writing, slides, posters, etc.): There will be several writing assignments, short presentations, etc. throughout this course.

• If you take an idea from somewhere else, cite it. (add a reference, footnote, etc.)
• If you take a quote from somewhere else, quote it. (add "quotation marks", or for longer sections indent them, and cite it)
• If you take an image / picture from somewhere, cite it.
• If you use generative AI (such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Perplexity), cite or quote it, indicating what sections were created with AI. Work created with AI is NOT work created by you. Representing that it is would be dishonest. We discourage the use of AI in general writing, because these tools do not properly cite their sources, do not filter the quality of their sources, and can't actually think for you.

Disclaimer

Accommodations will be considered on an individual basis and may require documentation.

Please contact your instructor and/or teaching assistant as soon as possible (preferably shortly before the semester begins) to request accommodations of any kind.

Content Warnings

Please be aware that some materials and discussions within this course may contain challenging content. Your instructor may choose to notify students of potentially difficult content (e.g. explicit language, graphic images, violent themes, etc.) throughout the course.

If there are specific subjects that you need advanced notice for, please contact your instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Extreme personal circumstances

Please contact your instructor as soon as possible if an extreme personal circumstance
(hospitalization, death of a close relative, natural disaster, etc.) is interfering with your ability to complete your work.

Religious Practice

To request an accommodation for religious practices, contact your instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Active Duty Military

If you are student on active duty with the military and experience issues that prevent you from participating in the course because of deployment or service responsibilities, contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Disability Access

All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services (CDS). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. Prior notice is appreciated. To read the full accommodations policy for the University of Utah, please see Section Q of the Instruction & Evaluation regulations Links to an external site..

If you will need accommodations in this class, contact:

Center for Disability Services
  801-581-5020
  disability.utah.edu Links to an external site.
  162 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

This syllabus is not a contract. It is meant to serve as an outline and guide for your course. Please note that your instructor may modify it to accommodate the needs of your class.

You will be notified of any changes to the Syllabus.

Though the online format allows students greater flexibility to complete their work, this course does have a structure and timeline! As such, the following is expected of all students in this class:

• Students must be self-motivated, organized, and willing to stay on top of their schedule. Students should take control of their learning while in this course.
• Students are expected to follow the Core Rules of Netiquette Links to an external site. at all times while participating in the class and communicating with others.
• Students will log in to the course a minimum of 3 times per week.
• Students are not expected to interact with their classmates in person. Students may be expected to work with classmates via online communication options like Canvas Discussions, video conferencing, or another communication technologies of choice (Groupme, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, etc).
• Students will regularly check for course updates and will update their Canvas notification settings to ensure they receive timely notifications from the course.
• Students will contact their instructor or teaching assistant in a timely manner if they have any questions, are struggling with course materials, or need further assistance from their instructor.
  • If you do not hear back within 3 days after sending a message, please contact your instructor/TA again.
• Students will follow all official University of Utah policies regarding interpersonal conduct, academic dishonesty, and other rights and responsibilities of students outlined in the University of Utah Student Handbook Links to an external site. and Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities Links to an external site..
  • If you have any questions about this, please contact the Dean of Students Links to an external site..

Your course instructor is an expert in the topics you will learn about this semester. Your instructor is your mentor and facilitator of the classroom experience, aided by teaching assistants. Instructors are committed to:

• The instructor will design the course to include lectures, learning materials, and assignments that are accessible and provide students with opportunities to learn and practice course content.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will ensure that the course remains a safe space where students can engage with difficult content thoughtfully and respectfully.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will interact with the class regularly via announcements, virtual office hours (one-on-one video conferencing), emails/the Canvas Inbox, feedback on assignments, and comments on Discussions, among other methods.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will respond to students in a timely manner: within 48 hours, not including weekends and holidays.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will be available for individual consultation via virtual office hours (one-on-one video conferencing), email, or phone and will not require students to meet in person.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will provide relevant feedback in a timely manner.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will follow all official University of Utah policies regarding interpersonal conduct, accommodations, and other important duties.