ECE 198 --- Special Topics: Scientific Ballooning

Spring 2022

Instructor:   Prof. Rick Eason, 205 Barrows, 581-2242, reason@maine.edu
Office Hours: Open door most any time
 

Course web page: http://web.eece.maine.edu/~eason/ece198
Prerequisites: Current second year students as well as first year students with permission
Credits:    3 credits
Grading:

• +/-- grades

• Grades are based on the following:

  • 50% - time sheets (20% weekly grade (5hr/A, 4hr/B, 3hr/C etc), 20% semester total divided by 5*13 weeks, 10% weekly summary)
  • 25% - project - using rubrics covering: difficulty, success, finished early, testing, documentation/notebook
  • 10% - Final report
  • 15% - stringing/launch/recovery; 5% for each activity where you participate at least once

Labs: Class and labs will be in 228 Barrows.

Course Objective: Provide a hands-on course that integrates classroom theory with a real application and develops student skills in teamwork, organization, and project management. This course is developed in conjunction with a grant from the Maine Space Grant Consortium. Students will develop and build a payload that will be launched by balloon at the completion of the course.

Topics will include:

• Electronics - Electronic components, prototyping and assembly techniques, circuit design, CAD tools, data acquisition, ADC, DAC, power sources, batteries, photoboltaics, and troubleshooting circuits
• Programming - Intro to programming, digital I/O, BalloonSat development board, serial I/O, memory storage, RTC, controlling motors, testing and debugging
• Project Management - Project life cycle, system design and interface control, defining project tasts and cost, developing a project schedule, risk and risk management, documentation, team work and leadership
• Balloon Payload Design - Balloon vehicle components, flight profile and environment, thermal issues, mechanical drawing techniques, design guidelines, flight readiness, review details

Tests & Calculators: Calculators will neither be needed nor allowed on tests.

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University of Maine administrative policy statements

Academic Honesty Statement: Academic honesty is very important. It is dishonest to cheat on exams, to copy term papers, to submit papers written by another person, to fake experimental results, or to copy or reword parts of books or articles into your own papers without appropriately citing the source. Students committing or aiding in any of these violations may be given failing grades for an assignment or for an entire course, at the discretion of the instructor. In addition to any academic action taken by an instructor, these violations are also subject to action under the University of Maine Student Conduct Code. The maximum possible sanction under the student conduct code is dismissal from the University. Please see the University of Maine System’s Academic Integrity Policy listed in the Board Policy Manual as Policy 314 (*Date Issued: September 1, 2020): https://www.maine.edu/board-of-trustees/policy-manual/section-314/

Students Accessibility Services Statement: If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact Student Accessibility Services, 121 East Annex, 581.2319, as early as possible in the term. Students who have already been approved for accommodations by SAS and have a current accommodation letter should meet with me (Richard Eason) privately as soon as possible.

Course schedule disclaimer (disruption clause): In the event of an extended disruption of normal classroom activities (due to COVID-19 or other long-term disruptions), the format for this course may be modified to enable its completion within its programmed time frame. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to the syllabus that will supersede this version.

Observance of Religious Holidays/Events: The University of Maine recognizes that when students are observing significant religious holidays, some may be unable to attend classes or labs, study, take tests, or work on other assignments. If they provide adequate notice (at least one week and longer if at all possible), these students are allowed to make up course requirements as long as this effort does not create an unreasonable burden upon the instructor, department or University. At the discretion of the instructor, such coursework could be due before or after the examination or assignment. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to a student’s grade for the examination, study, or course requirement on the day of religious observance. The student shall not be marked absent from the class due to observing a significant religious holiday. In the case of an internship or clinical, students should refer to the applicable policy in place by the employer or site.

Sexual violence policy:

Sexual discrimination reporting: The University of Maine is committed to making campus a safe place for students. Because of this commitment, if you tell a teacher about an experience of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct or any form of gender discrimination involving members of the campus, your teacher is required to report this information to Title IX Student Services or the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual discrimination, please contact these resources:

For confidential resources on campus: Counseling Center: 207-581-1392 or Cutler Health Center: at 207-581-4000.

For confidential resources off campus: Rape Response Services: 1-800-871-7741 or Partners for Peace: 1-800-863-9909.

Other resources: The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report the incident to others who can help:

For support services on campus: Title IX Student Services: 207-581-1406, Office of Community Standards: 207-581-1409, University of Maine Police: 207-581-4040 or 911. Or see the OSAVP website for a complete list of services.