/PhysicalComputing

A course on art, electronics, and interactivity

PHYSICAL COMPUTING

⬇️ Jump right to the Course Calendar ⬇️

Instructor Prof. Jeff Thompson (please call me Jeff)
Email jeff.thompson@stevens.edu
Meeting times Tuesdays, 9am–12.50pm, Morton 203
Student hours Tuesdays, 2–3pm (Morton 208) and by appointment (Zoom)

This semester, we will explore how electronics, code, sculpture, and digital fabrication can bring input from the physical world into your computer (buttons, knobs, sensors) and let your computer interact back (LEDs, motors, speakers). We'll program microcontrollers using CircuitPython, as well as cover basic CAD for laser-cutting, and design and solder electronic circuits.

Along the way, we’ll look at historical and experimental interfaces used to connect people with computers, build speculative and exploratory projects that connect with your own interests, and work to refine those projects from rough prototype to finished, documented work.

See the syllabus for course format, policies, grading, etc.

⚠️ Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all! Better to ask a question than be unsure of something.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

For a list of required materials, including URLs to where you can buy them, see the parts list.

Please note, you'll need some materials for the second week of class, so order them right away, please! All other parts will be needed by mid-February.

COURSE CALENDAR

Please note this is subject to change – be sure to check Canvas, this page, and your email regularly.