Type: Core Module
Difficulty: Easy
Workload: Light
Lecturer(s): Dr Huang Zhi Wei & Dr James Kah
Lecturer(s): Dr Huang Zhi Wei & Dr James Kah
Assessment: 2 Labs, 2 Quiz and Group Project
I had taken this module as a replacement for BN3401 which was supposed to be a super high level electronics module. I guess the department pulled the plug off this module to allow electronics to become a technical elective rather than a compulsory module. Simply because, electronics are not for everybody.
As a year 4 taking this year 2 module, we had prior knowledge having taken EG1108 and BN2203 before, hence the module was a breeze.
This module was split into 2 components, an theory part and a practical part. The first part taught us things which EG1108 covered + Operational Amplifiers (OpAMPs). So expect topics like KVL, KCL, Superposition and lots of OpAMP theory. There was a quiz at the end of Part 1, and it has a high emphasis on OpAMPs so study this chapter especially well.
Part 2 was taught by Dr James Kah, and he went through the basics of Arduino. If you have any member in your team who is good in programming, this part should not be a problem to you. The mini project was to make a stress sensor to quantify the stress level of a subject using 2 sensors (GSR sensor and a heartrate sensor). We did not have to 3-d print anything, rather the emphasis was the method which we quantified the stress levels into and the modification of the basic codes which we were given.
There was a live demonstration part where we had to strap the stress sensor onto one of the TA and attempt to induce stress on him. Because many research papers quoted the "Stroop Color Word Test" as their preferred method to inducing stress in their subjects, many many groups also used this test. My group did not want to blindly follow the crowd because that was simply boring to have 20 groups all using the same test on the TA, hence we decided to try something more fun - the Fake Hand Experiment.
The experiment was a success because the TA simply did not expect the hammer coming. Our stress sensor also registered a spike in stress level which I was relieved that the experiment was a success.
Overall, I felt that this module was very doable.
* A Hint: For part 1, focus especially on Operational Amplifiers because I am 100% certain that will come out. For part 2, don't simply blindly use the first 10 links of your google search, because that will be what everyone clicks. Scroll down, be creative, and most importantly, make sure it is still within your group's capabilities.
I had taken this module as a replacement for BN3401 which was supposed to be a super high level electronics module. I guess the department pulled the plug off this module to allow electronics to become a technical elective rather than a compulsory module. Simply because, electronics are not for everybody.
As a year 4 taking this year 2 module, we had prior knowledge having taken EG1108 and BN2203 before, hence the module was a breeze.
This module was split into 2 components, an theory part and a practical part. The first part taught us things which EG1108 covered + Operational Amplifiers (OpAMPs). So expect topics like KVL, KCL, Superposition and lots of OpAMP theory. There was a quiz at the end of Part 1, and it has a high emphasis on OpAMPs so study this chapter especially well.
Part 2 was taught by Dr James Kah, and he went through the basics of Arduino. If you have any member in your team who is good in programming, this part should not be a problem to you. The mini project was to make a stress sensor to quantify the stress level of a subject using 2 sensors (GSR sensor and a heartrate sensor). We did not have to 3-d print anything, rather the emphasis was the method which we quantified the stress levels into and the modification of the basic codes which we were given.
There was a live demonstration part where we had to strap the stress sensor onto one of the TA and attempt to induce stress on him. Because many research papers quoted the "Stroop Color Word Test" as their preferred method to inducing stress in their subjects, many many groups also used this test. My group did not want to blindly follow the crowd because that was simply boring to have 20 groups all using the same test on the TA, hence we decided to try something more fun - the Fake Hand Experiment.
The experiment was a success because the TA simply did not expect the hammer coming. Our stress sensor also registered a spike in stress level which I was relieved that the experiment was a success.
Overall, I felt that this module was very doable.
* A Hint: For part 1, focus especially on Operational Amplifiers because I am 100% certain that will come out. For part 2, don't simply blindly use the first 10 links of your google search, because that will be what everyone clicks. Scroll down, be creative, and most importantly, make sure it is still within your group's capabilities.
Expected Grade: A
Achieved Grade: A+
