FYS 191MCS – Spying Wireless Lightbulbs

Course Description

First Year Seminars (FYS) are designed to prepare you to succeed throughout your exciting first year studying computer science at UMass Amherst. This FYS additionally covers the technology behind and safety of the ubiquitous Internet of Things (IoT) devices found throughout our lives, including networking, security, and the corresponding career paths available in this growing industry at the intersection of computer science and electrical engineering. The instructor is excited to share their years of IoT industry experience with the classroom.

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to enable you to recognize and describe connected technology, to think critically on the effects of connected technology, and to develop both interpersonal and professional skills. Your grade in this course reflects your progress towards these goals.

Assignments and Grading

All assignments, submissions, and corresponding grades will be managed via the course homepage located on Moodle.

Your grade in this course is based off the following criteria:

• Attendance and Participation = 40% Participation includes arriving to class both on time and prepared and to foster a welcoming and safe learning environment for all. Each class will incorporate a discussion section where small groups will converse on a given topic – keep an open mind and make friends!
• Reflections = 40% Each week, you are given a prompt asking you to reflect the week’s lessons. The assignment is to encapsulate and submit your thoughts in a short but thoughtful reflection. Any form of reflection is acceptable: paragraphs, poems, slides, diagrams, cartons. A group submission is acceptable but be sure the submission articulates the group’s collective understanding and thought process. The deadline for submission is the start time of the following class. Your lowest two Reflection grades, including no-submissions, will be dropped at the end of the semester.
• Final Reflection = 20% For details, see Moodle.

Grading Rubric: Reflections (Total 10 points per assignment)

Description	Points Earned
No on-time submission	0
Reflection submitted; articulates minimal correct understanding or critical thinking	5
Reflection submitted; articulates either correct understanding OR critical thinking	8
Reflection submitted; articulates both correct understanding AND critical thinking	10

Course Schedule

This course will meet 13 times throughout the fall semester. Note your section number below:

Course Section	Time	Location
FYS 191MCS02-01 (56713)	Friday 1:25 – 2:15 pm	CS 140 *
FYS 191MCS02-02 (56723)	Monday 2:30 – 3:20 pm	CS 140 *
FYS 191MCS02-03 (56724)	Monday 1:25 – 2:15 pm	LGRT 171 **
FYS 191MCS02-04 (56725)	Monday 11:15 – 12:05 pm	LGRT 171 **

* CS = Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences building

** LGRT = Lederle Graduate Research Tower

Week #	Topics
1	Course Overview What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? Reflection # 1 Assigned
2	Get Connected with On-Campus Opportunities Introduction to Wireless Communication Reflection # 2 Assigned
3	Overview of Helpful On-Campus Resources Introduction to Mesh Networking Reflection # 3 Assigned
4	Security and Privacy of IoT Devices Reflection # 4 Assigned
5	Environmental Sensors in the IoT Reflection # 5 Assigned
6	Career Paths in the IoT and beyond Reflection # 6 Assigned
7	Deep Dive: Designing to Maximize Battery Life Mid-semester feedback Assigned
8	Deep Dive: Bluetooth (classic, low-energy, mesh) Reflection # 7 Assigned
9	Guest speaker: Academic Advising Reflection # 8 Assigned
10	Guest Speaker: Industry TBD Reflection # 9 Assigned
11	Deep Dive: Amazon Sidewalk Reflection # 10 Assigned
12	Crafting a Compelling Resume Reflection #FINAL Assigned
13	Brendan’s Research
*	Final exams begin December 14th and end December 20th. This course has no final exam. Reflection #FINAL due December 20th

Course Policies

Attendance:

This is a discussion and activity-based class. Participation, in addition to attendance, is an expectation for all students enrolled in the course. You are permitted 2 absences without penalty to your class participation grade and no notice is required. Medical conditions, religious or funerary events, university-related events (conference visit, athletic event, field trip, or performance), or extenuating non-academic reasons (military obligation, family illness, jury duty, automobile collision) will be accommodated with written documentation.

Late Submissions and Missed Classes:

Emergencies or circumstances may arise where you need to miss a class or submit an assignment late. Seek approval by contacting the course staff at least 24 hours in advance (unless it’s a last-minute emergency and you cannot).  Medical conditions, religious or funerary events, university-related events (conference visit, athletic event, field trip, or performance), or extenuating non-academic reasons (military obligation, family illness, jury duty, automobile collision) that need extension will be accommodated with written documentation. Being too busy is not a valid excuse for missing any class or group meeting.

Announcements: Moodle will be used to broadcast important class information throughout the semester.

Collaboration Policy:

All assignment submissions must be clearly labeled as “individual” or “group” work. When the work is individual, the expectation is that the submission is thoughtfully and entirely on your own. You may work alongside others and discuss the work, but all content should be yours and yours only. When submission is group-based, you will submit a single submission for your entire group, and you will all receive the same grade.

Diversity & Inclusion:

This course is designed to foster a supportive and inclusive learning community for all. In this course, each voice in the classroom has something of value to contribute. Take care to respect the different experiences, beliefs, and values expressed by everyone involved in this course. The course staff supports UMass’s commitment to diversity, and welcome individuals regardless of age, background, citizenship, disability, sex, education, ethnicity, family status, gender, gender identity, geographical origin, language, military experience, political views, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and work experience. Please let us know what name and pronouns one should use for you if they are not on the roster. Remember: a student’s chosen name and pronouns are to be always respected in the classroom.

While the course staff makes a concerted effort to be welcoming and inclusive to the wide diversity of students in this course, if there is a way the course staff can make you feel more included, please let one of us know, either in person, or via email. Our learning about diverse perspectives and identities is an ongoing process, and your perspectives and input are welcome.

Please understand that others’ backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences may be different from your own, and help us to build an environment where everyone is respected and feels comfortable. If you experience any sort of harassment or discrimination, please contact us as soon as possible. If you prefer to speak with someone outside of the course, please contact the UMass Amherst Equal Opportunity (EO) Office (413-545-3464 or email equalopportunity@admin.umass.edu to request an intake meeting with EO staff.

Accommodation Statement:

Any student who requires an accommodation due to a disability is directed to contact the UMass Disability Services: http://www.umass.edu/disability/ to obtain the appropriate accommodation forms. If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify us within the first two week of the semester. The goal is to provide every student with a high-quality learning experience. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about disabilities, or any issue that may impact the quality of your learning.

Guidelines for Group Interaction:

This class has group discussions which enable students to discover deeper meaning in the content and improve thinking skills. In your group: Be respectful. Be sensitive. Be aware. Promote Others. To promote this environment, it is imperative that everyone adhere to the communication guidelines below:

• Treat your classmates with respect.
• Be thoughtful and open in discussion.
• Be aware and sensitive to different perspectives.
• Build one another up and encourage one another to succeed.
• Actively ensure that everyone is contributing to the discussion.

The following behavior is promoted:

• Recognizing that not everyone’s experience is equal: racism, sexism, homophobia, or any combination systemically disadvantage some more than others.
• Acknowledging the bias in your own perspective.
• Amplifying the voices of classmates, particularly those who are from groups that are often overlooked.
• Really listening with an intent to understand (instead of thinking about your own next statement).
• Phrasing discussion around ideas, not people.

The following behavior should be avoided:

• Using insulting, condescending, or abusive words.
• Offensive jokes of any kind, even if you don’t think it’s offensive to anyone present.
• Hitting on/flirting with groupmates or other classmates in the context of work for this course.
• Using all capital letters in written communication, which comes across as SHOUTING.

Technology Policy:

Students should use technology during class only to complete activities directly related to what the class is currently working on. Please do not use technology for any other reason, including chatting, social media, working on work for other classes, playing games, watching videos, etc.

Title IX:

If you have been the victim of sexual violence, gender discrimination, or sexual harassment, the university can provide you with a variety of support resources and accommodations. UMass is committed to providing these resources with minimal impact and costs to survivors on a case-by-case basis. Resources are available to survivors with or without them filing a complaint. No upfront costs are charged to any currently enrolled students for University Health Services or the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, and no fees exist for services in the Dean of Students Office, the Center for Women and Community, Student Legal Services, or by live-in residential staff.

Plan for Success:

Your success in this class is important. Everybody learns differently and brings different strengths and needs to the class. If there are aspects of the course that prevent you from learning, or make you feel excluded, please let us know as soon as possible. Together, let’s develop strategies to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. There are also a range of resources on campus, including:

• UMass Libraries: https://www.library.umass.edu/

• Writing Center – http://www.umass.edu/writingcenter

• Learning Resource Center – http://www.umass.edu/lrc

• Assistive Technology Center – https://www.umass.edu/it/assistive

• Disability Services – https://www.umass.edu/disability/

• Student Success – https://www.umass.edu/studentsuccess/

• Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH) http://www.umass.edu/counseling

• English as a Second Language (ESL) Program – http://www.umass.edu/esl

• CMASS Success Coach Program – https://www.umass.edu/cmass/get-involved/success/academic-support

• Single Stop Resources – https://www.umass.edu/studentlife/single-stop

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as needed to incorporate current events and to better support positive student outcomes.