Discipline: Computer Information Systems Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Computer Information Systems 22A


COURSE DESCRIPTION
22A Robotics: Introductory Programming Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: CIS 1A Computer skills , CIS 5 programming fundamentals
Introduces the history and theory of behavior-based programming, teaches the skills needed to program a virtual robot. Robot control is delineated into simple behaviors that are easy to program using inexpensive micro-controllers with little memory. No background in robotics is required. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
An introduction to Robotics programming for students in the Computer Information Systems field.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. identify the fundamental computer concepts and terminology used for input, processing, output, and storage.

  2. identify the key features of a variety of software such as operating systems, word processors, spreadsheets, databases, communications and graphics.

  3. create computer programs using the principles of structured programming.

  4. apply the principles of logical and programming concepts to develop specific solutions for gaming, business, scientific and mathematics problems.

  5. identify the information input requirements, synthesize the algorithmic steps needed to transform the data input into the required output information, and organize the output format to facilitate user communication.

  6. demonstrate the fundamentals of computer programming, problem solving, and software design.

  7. CIS-96/97 and CAT-96/97 are self-paced, competency-based, skill development computer labs. They provide the computer practice times to master the skills taught in the lecture classes. There is one-on-one instructor assistance available with additional help provided by student aides. Basically, the skills that are presented in the lecture classes have to be practiced to be mastered and that is the purpose of CIS-96/97 and CAT-96/97.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Design robots using a predefined parts library.

2.   Develop simple behavior based programs that navigate a robot in
      the virtual world.

3.   Implement the 7 constructs of computer programming
      fundamentals.

4.   Debug simple programs.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 

1.   Robotics Overview
      a.   Historical perspectives involving manufacturing, remote
            sensing and the human machine interface
2.   Language Implementation Basics
      a.   Programming fundamentals and the 7 flowcharting constructs.
3.   I/O and Communications 
      a.   The robotic information highway and its associated interface.
4.   Hardware Components that robots need to sense, and respond to
      the physical world.
5.   Behavior Concepts
      Implementing simple behavioral control with the 7 flowcharting
      concepts.
6.   Navigation
      a.   Where to go and what it takes to get there.
7.   Advanced Topics
      a.   Implementing the behavior and control programming concepts
            into hardware.

Text reading assignments will be supplemented with writing programs or parts of programs, which emphasize portions of the lecture. Students must document and debug programs and prepare and present term projects utilizing a virtual robot.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Lecture and presentations that demonstrate problem solving approaches and strategies as well as concepts and their applications
  • Multimedia Presentations to give the historical and manufacturing perspectives of robotics  to the students
  • Computer aided instruction to include the flowcharting constructs, the robotic information highway and basic robotic language constructs
  • Class discussion to highlight the navigation of robots, behavior control, sensory input and language constructs to make all this play together
  • Small group activities to allow the student to work in teams to program robots to interact with the real world
  • Distance Education: Online, Hybrid, and Web Enhanced
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Oral presentations to demonstrate student understanding of how to solve robotic issues concerning navigation, sensory input and interaction with real world objects
  • Programming assignments to tie-together the elements of behavior control, sensory input and robot navigation
  • Quizzes and examinations to demonstrate successful student understanding and application of basic robotic concepts
  • Class and individual projects to allow students to function in the team environment to program a robot to navigate from point A to point B
  • Final examination designed to assess student mastery of essential concepts of robotics
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Jones, Joe and Daniel Roth. Robot Programming: A practical guide to behavior based Robotics. McGraw Hill, 2003.
  • Ervin, Benjamin. Creative Projects: Mindstorms. Addison-Wesley, 2001.
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