EDPX 2300 Systems
Spring 2017
MF 1:00-3:50 @ Shwayder 220
Dan Wilcox, Shwayder 215, danomatika.com
Email: daniel.wilcox[at]du[dot]edu
Voice: 412 980-7081
Office hours: TR 12-1pm & by appointment (24 hours ahead)
Syllabus
Links
Pirate Pads:
Media Blogs:
- Lee Brandenberger
- Gigi Carrier Smith
- Sierra Clark
- Kelly Cortes
- David Donnelly
- Harrison Hardig
- Keenan Hursh
- Soleil Kohl
- Jason Komoda
- Reannen Nagel
- Jakob Schlottman
- Ben Shulz
- Isaiah Thompson
- Brad Tully
- Jessica Wang
- Manting Yuan
Schedule
Subject to change
03/27 Intro
Course introduction
Instructor introduction
Student introductions
Systems and systems pre-history
Homework
Read Thinking in Systems Chapter 1: Basics
(search for "Thinking in systems a primer Donella Meadows", click on "View 2 versions", click "Access Online" from book listing, click on "ProQuest Ebook Central", then log in)
03/31
Review of systems parts/characteristics/interactions
Project 1 & Project 2 overview
Systems simulation software: NetLogo
Homework
Set up Media blog
Watch Mechanical Marvels, Clockwork Dreams
04/03 Media Blog
Media blog due (send me a link)
Systems survey: biological systems
Design exercise 1: Designing Automata
Homework
Biological system for Project 1
Listen to Planet Money: When Women Stopped Coding
04/07
Systems survey: sociological systems
Design exercise 2: Up Goer 5
Homework
Sociological system for Project 1
Listen to Radio Lab: From Tree to Shining Tree
04/10
Systems survey: ecological/environmental systems
Systems simulation software: NetLogo 2
Homework
Ecological/environmental system for Project 1
Watch Why Learn Control Theory? & Closed Loop Control
04/14
Systems survey: control/feedback systems
Homework
Control/feedback system for Project 1
Watch Factory City
04/17
Systems survey: industrial systems
Homework
Industrial & self-directed systems for Project 1
04/21 Project 1
Project 1 presentations
04/24 Project 1
Project 1 presentations
Homework
Readings: The Engima Machine Explained & Newstweek (watch video)
04/28
Project 2 idea
Systems survey: information systems
Design exercise 3: Caesar Cipher
Homework
Readings: The Strange Tale of the Norden Bombsight
05/01
Systems survey: computer systems
Design exercise 4: Turing Machine
05/05
Project 2 in progress
Work day
05/08 Project 2
Project 2 presentations
05/12 Project 2
Project 2 presentations
Intro to Arduino and some basic electronics theory
Homework
Readings: MODULO: The Analog Synth Documentary
05/15
Project 3 idea
Systems survey: electronic systems
05/19
Solder workshop
Design exercise 5: Makey Makey
Homework
Readings: The History of the Internet & Emergence (or: How Ants Find Your Picnic Basket)
05/22
Systems surveys: integrated systems/networks & emergent/complex systems
Work day
05/23
Supplemental work night (non-required)
6-9pm
EDP main space
05/26
Project 3 in progress
Work day
05/29
No class due to Memorial day.
06/02
No class due to finals.
06/05 Final
M 2:00-3:50 Shwayder 220
Project 3 presentations