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 2010 Course
Fundamentals of Embedded and Real-Time Systems
Group-start format, Jan. 4-March 26, 2010; $765; development kit cost: $315; 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.
Spring 2010 Course
Programming with Embedded and Real-Time Operating Systems
Group-start format, April 5- June 25, 2010; $765; 3 CEUs.
Instructors 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, 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.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Embedded and Real-Time Systems
Summer 2010 Course
Design and Optimization of Embedded and Real-Time Systems
Group-start format, July 6-September 24, 2010; $765; 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 different scheduling algorithms, and optimize the usage of memory. In addition, students learn how to develop and integrate optimizations within a system, and gain a detailed understanding of power management, reliability, safety critical and simulation. Upon completion of the program, students have a firm understanding of real world issues and design/optimization methods and techniques.
Each lesson will have an interactive portion where the students are grouped to solve a problem. This is a more advanced class in which design issues and concepts will be discussed.
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.
