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Course Descriptions

Currently accepting applications Apply now >> Next program starts: Winter 2009 Program location: Online Next information meeting: Tues., November 4 (see details >>) Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>

Each course is Web-based and is offered in a group-start format with online interaction with the instructor and other students. Students are expected to complete homework assignments in each course. Upon successful completion of a course, three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are earned. Nine CEUs are required to earn the certificate.

Winter 2009 Course

Fundamentals of Embedded and Real-Time Systems

Group-start format, Starts Feb. 9, 2009; Course fee, $795; development kit cost: $299; 3 CEUs.
Instructor: Tushar R. Sarnaik

In this first course, students build foundation knowledge used throughout the program. Students learn basic computer architecture and concepts, how software interacts with hardware, assembly language, what an interrupt is, how to write an interrupt handler, debugging techniques, and how to utilize the development tools that will be used throughout this Certificate Program. Students begin the process of learning how to design, develop, test/debug and document software for embedded devices. View course introduction.

Summer 2009 Course

Programming with Embedded and Real-Time Operating Systems

Group-start format, course fee $795; 3 CEUs.
Instructors: Paul Lever and Tushar R. Sarnaik

Students continue to learn how to design, develop, test/debug and document software for embedded devices, and how to get a simple embedded system up and running. In addition, they learn operating system principles and how to port and use a real-time operating system, how to build a firmware image, write device drivers, develop event-driven systems, deal with a multithreaded environment, and design/develop a software/hardware interface API. View course introduction.

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Embedded and Real-Time Systems

Winter 2010 Course

Design and Optimization of Embedded and Real-Time Systems

Group-start format, course fee TBA; 3 CEUs.
Instructor: Jelena Vucetic

Students continue to develop the skills learned in the first two courses, while learning to determine the limitations of hardware and software in an embedded system (real-time requirements, computation limits, etc.), analyze the response time from input to output, and optimize the usage of memory. In addition, students learn how to develop and integrate multiple tasks within a system, and gain an understanding of low-level synchronization systems and how they are managed. Upon completion of the program, students have a firm understanding of the embedded systems (hardware/software) development lifecycle. View course introduction.

Prerequisite: Programming with Embedded and Real-Time Operating Systems

Developers

Online learning courses were developed by leading programming professionals with in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in the use and teaching of programming languages. See biographies of course developers.

• Fundamentals of Embedded and Real-Time Systems - Richard Chinn, Jelena Vucetic, Mitch Ishihara
• Programming with Embedded and Real-Time Operating Systems - Paul Lever
• Design and Optimization of Embedded and Real-Time Systems - James Peckol