The goal of this course is to introduce students to theoretical and applied concepts in electronic circuitry, for the purpose of collecting and analyzing experimental data in pharmaceutics and other contexts. The course is designed as approximately half small-group didactic teaching, and half laboratory exercises to experiment with and illustrate concepts. The course discusses introductory circuit design, with an emphasis on how common components work (e.g., resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, and a variety of sensors) in scientific and pharmaceutical manufacturing instrumentation.

Practical and mathematical aspects of circuit design are discussed (e.g., Ohm’s Law, voltage dividers, analog vs. digital signals). There is a heavy emphasis on programming in C++, taught from an introductory level, which will complement learning activities. Assessments will include quizzes, problem sets, a design project, a participation component, and a final exam.

With the recent advent of low-cost, consumer-level microprocessors (e.g., ATtiny, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP8266), affordable and accessible processing power has empowered researchers with resources to take experimental designs to new heights. Such microprocessors are relatively simple compared to the complexity of today’s desktop computer; however, are more than powerful enough and fast enough to control sophisticated equipment such as scientific instrumentation and 3D printing. Previously, DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters) were thousands of dollars, requiring high programming aptitude to bridge the gap between computer and instrument. Serial communication ports were reliable only at slower speeds (e.g., 1200 bps). Serial communication was finicky, and required access to equipment subroutines not always readily available. However, the climate has now changed for experimental design. Libraries are readily available, interfaces are more intuitive, and a large open source community exists to support scientists and hobbyists alike. Knowledge of programming and circuitry will provide a solid foundation not only in experimental design and analysis for this field, but in many other areas as well.

The modern era of electronics has caused a paradigm shift. Due to economies of scale, electronic components have become very inexpensive. The electronics hobbyist niche has driven the development of modular electronic components marketed for general purposes, geared towards on open-source platforms (e.g., opto-isolator power relay circuits, and H-bridge motor controllers). Circuits that would previously need to be thoughtfully considered and designed are now available and packaged as low-cost, ready-to-use modules. This course will examine some of these modules and their usefulness in circuit design.