Digital Electronics
SSP FOR RISING TENTH GRADERS
Third Week: July 6-12
Digital Electronics - 10H
DR. ZE ZHANG, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Coker College, writes, "Digital technologies are all around, from computers, cell phones and mp3 players to GPS systems and satellites. This course brings students into that fascinating world. Students will learn the fundamentals by breadboarding together the most basic digital components, IC chips. After logic and binary number systems are introduced, students will see their creations form practical devices such as decoders used in seven-segment displays, adders responsible for arithmetic in central processor units (CPUs), or oscillators that provide timers for digital clocks. Mechanisms behind electronic memory will be taught as well. Our class will make binary latches, counters, and shifters and connect them with buses to implement the ideas of memory address and data input/output. Students will eventually understand the principles behind a model computer and build a 4-bit device that performs simple logic and arithmetic calculations using the Extended Computer Model kits, which they may take home after SSP. In this hands-on manner, students will understand the concepts behind the CPU, random access memory (RAM), and machine programming. Students will also gain the backbone knowledge needed to study high-level programming languages such as C or Java, because these are, indeed, languages translated to machine instructions like those used in this course. My students will not only have a peek into the realm of digital electronics; they will, in addition, begin to appreciate the internal beauty of modern computers!" Tuition $725
Dr. Zhang (MS, NC State Univ.; PhD, Univ. of Missouri) joined Coker College’s faculty in 2003 after several years in industry as a staff scientist, software engineer, and system engineer. He also previously worked as a research associate at NC State University. One of his publications, "The Phonic Band Structure," has received over 150 citations. His current research interest is in artificial intelligence, particularly theoretical formalisms of machine learning. He and his wife have two children, age 14 and 17. He enjoys reading, watching movies, traveling, performing Tai Chi, and singing.
