Table of Contents
WILLIAM SMALL CENTRE (WSC) LABS
Overview
William Small Center first year labs (WSC) provide both engineering and computer science First Year students with all of the necessary equipment including workstations and software needed to start their journey at York University. Currently we hold labs for the following courses.
| Computer Science | Engineering |
|---|---|
| EECS 1012 – Net centric Introduction to Computing EECS 1022 – Programming for mobile Computing EECS 1015 - Introduction to Computer Science and Programming | EECS 1011 - Computational Thinking through Mechatronics EECS 1021 - Object Oriented Programming from Sensors to Actuators |
Lab Layout
Lab Layout PDF file is accessible here.
Facilities
We have 3 labs WSC105, 106 and 108. Each lab can accommodate up to a maximum of 49 students.
Workstations
WSC 105 – (49) Linux Desktop computers
WSC 106 – (49) Linux Desktop computers
WSC 108 – (49) Linux Desktop computers
All workstations are Linux (CentOS) based and are included with the following Software:
- Matlab
- Android Studio IDE
- Eclipse IDE
These machines are accessible remotely using Remote Labs and can be used to hold timed exams under labtest mode where external web access can be controlled (e.g: What websites to access).
Tablets
WSC 105 – 24 Tablets
WSC 106 – 24 Tablets
WSC 108 – 24 Tablets
We have a mix of Samsung Galaxy tablets and Asus Tablets and has Android 10 Operating system installed in them. The tablets can be used to test mobile apps or web apps developed using the workstations. Groups of 2 students can share one tablet.
Lab Kits
For engineering courses (EECS1011 and EECS1021), we have the following experiment kits with sensors and actuators to interact with software programs developed using Matlab or Java. There are 7 unique experiment sets and have 72 experiment kits per experiment set ready to disburse to students. Students are required to works in pairs of two.
| ID | Name | Inventory | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General | 72 | 5-1K resistors, 10-10K resistors, 3+ LEDs, 4 alligators cables, wirebox, breadboard, phidget board, USB-B, Multimeter |
| B | Pan and Tilt Kit | 72 | Pan and tilt servo,Servo controller, USB cable,Power Supply, DB9 cable |
| C | RFID Kit | 72 | RFID Board,USB Cable, 2+ LEDs3 Tags |
| D | Robot Car | 72 | Robot Car, Servo Controller, USB Cable,DB-9 Cable, power supply |
| F | IOT Servo Kit | 72 | IOT Servo, Servo Controller,USB Cable, Power Supply, DB9 Cable |
| G | Pulse Sensor Kit | 72 | Interface Board, USB Cable, Pulse Sensor |
| H | Glove - Flex Sensor Kit | 72 | Interface Board, USB Cable, Glove with Flex Sensors |
Main Components in Lab Kits
| Item | Image | Lab Kit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phidget Interface Board |  | Kits: A, G, H | |
| Phidget Servo Controller |  | Kit: B, D, F | |
| Pan & Tilt Servo |  | Kit: B | |
| Phidget RFID Board and Tags |  | Kit: C | |
| Robot Car | [Insert Image] | ||
| IOT Servo | [Insert Image] | ||
| Pulse Sensor |  | Kit G | |
| Flex Sensor |  | Kit: H |
Learn from Home Lab Kit
For 2020-2021, all classes are being held remotely. We have developed a capable and easy to use lab kit for EECS1011/1021 based on Arduino and SeeedStudio Grove system. This Kit allows students to gain skills interacting with and troubleshooting hardware as well as writing programs that can interact with the world.
Grove Beginner Kit
Grove Mosfet
Grove Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor
AAx4 Battery Holder
6-12V Brushless Submersible Water Pump & Tubing
Screwdriver
Digital Multimeter
Lab Safety
During your first week at the Lab, A Lab safety briefing will be carried out by the Lab Staff that will include
- University's safety policies and procedures
- Available Health, Safety and Well-being resources, available to students on campus
- Expectations from them, regarding safe working in the labs