Physical Computing: Interacting With the Real World
Physics · 3 hrs Lecture | 3 hrs Lab
Offered: Fall Only, Every Year
One shot a year. Offered fall term only, so a clash costs a full year.
PHYS-2803 prerequisites
We couldn't read this course's prerequisites into a chain. The wording is under “Requisite courses” below.
Where PHYS-2803 counts
Counts toward 2 more as one option among several, not as a course you must take:
Read from the departments' own calendar pages, where 71 of 141 programs are only partly machine-readable, so treat these as a minimum rather than the full list. Confirm with an academic advisor.
Description
This course introduces computing systems that interact with the physical world. Designing systems of this type involves a combination of software and hardware development. Students are introduced to software development for microcontrollers or single board computers, with a focus on interfacing to sensors and serial communication. Hardware topics include basic circuit theory as well as components such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). In the lab, students get hands-on experience constructing and troubleshooting circuits as well as controlling hardware with software.
Requisite courses
complete 18 credits [prerequisite(s)]; PHYS-2803L (lab) (must be taken concurrently).
Restrictions
Students may not hold credit for this course and ACS-2803.
Cross-listed
ACS-2803(3)
From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.