BBE 1004 Information Technology and Sensor Applications (1 credit)

Catalog Description:	For the student in Bio-based Products who wants to learn how sensor and computer technologies are used to monitor and evaluate environmental conditions. Initial emphasis is on applications of common computer packages to problem solving. Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database applications are presented and utilized for course exercises dealing with building science or wood products marketing and manufacturing. Later in the course, emphasis is on sensor technology and the application of this information to process control as well as the collection and analysis of data from field or laboratory sensors. Sensor technology is used to electronically measure temperature, object location, gas concentration or other physical or environmental data. The data may be read directly (digital readout), or recorded electronically (data logger), or used to control a repetitive manufacturing process - programmable logic controllers.
Prerequisites:	none
Class/Laboratory Schedule:	TBA
Location:	TBA
Instructors:	Instructor: Bob Seavey 30B Kaufert Laboratory bseavey@umn.edu #612-624-3028 Office Hours: By Appointment
Text:	No Text
Grading:	S/N Five Assignments Submitted over e-mail and completed correctly will be sufficient for an S. Assignments that are not completed correctly will need to be corrected or redone. There will be no exams.

Topics

Period 1 - Introduction to computers and information technology in natural resources.
1. Operating systems
2. Word Processing
3. Spreadsheets
4. Presentation Graphics and Databases
Period 2 - High level word processing
1. Graphics - formatting and insertion
2. Tables
3. Figures
Period 3 - Spreadsheet setup Excel Level I
1. Format
2. Functions
3. Formulas
4. Format for presentation
Period 4 - Spreadsheets Level II
1. Setting up graphics
2. Data manipulations with Excel
3. Macros
4. Excel for database applications
Period 5 - Powerpoint Presentations
1. Outline of presentation
2. Incorporation of graphics - tables - figures
Period 6 - Access - database setup & manipulation
Period 7 - Sensor technology and algorithms in natural resources (emphasis on wood and building industries)
1. Sensors
  1. Temperature - thermocouple / RTD / IR
  2. Load cell technology
  3. Linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs)
  4. Optical sensors
  5. Others -
2. PLC - Programmable Logic Controllers
  1. Fundamentals of operation
  2. Common Applications in manufacturing
3. Data loggers
  1. Fundamentals of operation
  2. Application

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