The Arduino micro-credential offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in using Arduino microcontrollers as part of larger, electro-mechanical systems. It highlights students' expertise in the programming of an Arduino microcontroller and their ability to optimize the implementation of an Arduino into robust, robotic systems.

The Arduino Micro-credential serves as an endorsement that the engineer is able to combine and apply knowledge of Arduino, micro-controller, circuits, and electro-mechanical systems in a meaningful way. Successful completion of this micro-credential also reflects the engineer's ability to explore innovative design paths and justify their design decisions to their peers. It represents a level of intuition and intention behind the engineer's design work that is otherwise unmeasured. Experienced software and embedded systems design engineers know that the syntax and theory behind a design are only part of the design process; both the implementation of best-practices (such as the proper documentation of a CAD model, or the use of error handling in a piece of code) and design intuition are the indicators of an engineer who has cultivated their skills with experience and intention. These are the traits of a valuable teammate in any professional engineering project and traits that students must demonstrate to complete the Arduino Micro-credential. 

Eligibility

  • CU Boulder Students (including nondegree/ACCESS) 
  • CU Boulder Students (Degree Seeking Only)

Delivery Mode

In-Person


Credit Status

Noncredit

Academic Level

  • Graduate
  • Undergraduate

Time to Completion

Months

Fee

Yes

Requirements

Completion of the Arduino micro-credentialrequires the following:

  1. Complete all Arduino and Electronics-titled skillbuilding workshops hosted by the ITLP (totaling 6 workshops: Arduino Intro, Motion, Communication, Miniaturization, and Electronics Intro, Soldering)
  2. Complete the “Arduino Fundamentals” certification exam hosted by Arduino LLC
  3. Complete a short-answer “Arduino-based Circuits and Systems” practicum 
  4. Design, build, test, and present a final, Arduino-based project.

Criteria

Completion of the Arduino micro-credentialis dependent on the learner's ability to complete the following learning objectives:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the lessons taught through the ITLP workshops by writing synopses of each workshop  
  • Earn a passing score on the “Arduino Fundamentals” certification exam
  • Justify the answers of the short-answer practicum to a micro-credential advisor   

  • Design and build a unique, Arduino-controlled electro-mechanical system with at least one output and/or one input, of a complexity deemed appropriate by a micro-credential advisor

    • Defend the design when reviewed by a panel of their advisors, justifying design choices through test results

    • Document the design in a way that is easily understood and replicated by an engineer of a comparable aptitude

Skills

  • Microcontrollers
  • Arduino
  • Circuits
  • Embedded Systems
  • Robotics
  • Elector-Mechanical Systems
  • Arduino Programming Language
  • Coding
  • Public Speaking
  • Design Documentation
  • Soldering
  • PCB Design
  • Electronics