The aim of this module is to develop skills in undertaking project work to implement a microcontroller based sensor system and computer-side Python interface for an electronic system consisting of electronic hardware and computer software parts. The target application will be a microcontroller based embedded system to act as a sensor system within the Internet of Things (IoT). Individual or group project work is to be undertaken in each laboratory session. An important aspect of this module is to develop a working system with solid engineering foundations, including accessibility and universal design principles, as well as the reporting of the activities and results. The format of the module is a different learning style from other modules - it is laboratory based with a short introduction at the beginning of each laboratory session. There are no formal lectures in this module. Study will be through a problem-based approach that will integrate material from elsewhere in the programme of study and look forward to future modules.

The module is 100 % laboratory based and in the laboratory sessions, a sensor system based on a microcontroller with external peripherals will be built, tested, and used. This will interface to a computer using the Python language. The hardware to use will be provided in each session as kits that will require the system to be initially built. Each laboratory session introduces the hardware and software before allowing the groups to practice the hardware and software development. The module assessment is 100 % coursework based. [INTRODUCTION TO MICROCONTROLLER PROGRAMMING] Basic programming concepts, data types, functions, GPIO, serial communications, SPI, I2C. External peripheral interfacing. [INTRODUCTION TO PYTHON PROGRAMMING] Basic programming concepts, Python modules, functions, file I/O (text and CSV), serial communications. Graphical output using Matplotlib. Voice control and audio feedback. [ACCESSIBILITY] Human-computer interface. Accessibility and assistive technology. Universal Design (UD) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Web accessibility. [EXPERIMENTS] Setting up an experiment (hardware and software). Running experiments, data processing and data analysis. [REPORTING] Keeping a log book of activities. Results presentation and report writing.

On successful completion of this module, students will: 1.Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the concepts of a holistic balanced systems approach to the solution of electronic and ICT problems. 2. Manage a project that requires the design, development, testing, and evaluation of an electronic system consisting of electronic hardware and computer software parts. 3.Produce reports, presentations and demonstrations on their work both verbally and in formal written formats.

On successful completion of this module, students will: 1. Acknowledge the need to develop accessible systems to support inclusion in use of the systems that they would develop. 2. Integrate concepts of accessibility and universal design in their actions in designing and developing systems. 3. Share their experiences in undertaking the module with other students in the class.

On successful completion of this module, students will: 1. Assemble an electronic system consisting of electronic hardware and computer software parts. 2. Demonstrate the operation of the system they would have developed in the module. 3. Record and present experiment results in a required format.

Students learn through working in small groups towards a solution to a real world problem that looks forward to the method of working in their profession after graduation.