Robotics, Microcontroller, and Embedded Systems Education Initiatives at the University of Georgia An Interdisciplinary Approach

This paper reports on four microcontroller-based courses developed at the University of Georgia for a broad multidisciplinary undergraduate and graduate student body. The courses are Introduction to Robotics, Embedded Systems, Introduction to Microcontrollers, and Advanced Microcontrollers. These courses which are taught in a hands-on manner equip students with the necessary tools and know-how to make use of the powerful technology of microcontrollers within their own disciplines. The paper addresses some of the challenges encountered due to the diverse student backgrounds and how these challenges are met through various pedagogical methods such as team work, achieving the right balance between theory and practice, and giving students from various disciplines an “industry like” experience.