Linear systems that produce output signals of some type are ubiquitous in many areas of science and engineering. This course will consider such systems, with an emphasis on fundamental concepts as well as the ability to perform calculations for applications in areas such as image analysis, signal processing, computer-aided systems, and feedback control. In particular, the course will approach the topic from the perspectives of both mathematical principles and computational learning. The course will also include examples that span different real-world applications in broad areas such as engineering and medicine. The course is designed primarily for students who do not have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a great deal of prior mathematical coursework. The course will be of value to those with general interests in linear systems analysis, control systems, and/or signal processing. The course will deepen a student's appreciation and understanding of differential equations and their solutions. Topics include signal representations, linearity, time-variance, convolution, and Fourier series and transforms. Coverage includes both continuous and discrete-time systems. Prerequisite(s): Differential and integral calculus. Course note(s): Not for graduate credit.
The course materials are divided into modules. Each module contains several sets of lecture slides and accompanying videos, and an assignment.
You should be able to describe and analyze signals and systems using time, frequency and transform domain tools. You should also be able to write code in MATLAB to perform scientific computation, as applied to signals and systems.
H. Shu, Schaum's Outline: Signals and Systems, McGraw-Hill, 4th edition. (not required)
978-1-260-45424-6
MATLAB: You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB with the Signal Processing Toolbox.The MATLAB Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license is now in effect. This license is provided at no cost to you. Send an email to software@jhu.edu to request your license file/code. Please indicate that you need a standalone file/code. You will need to provide your first and last name, as well as your Hopkins email address. You will receive an email from Mathworks with instructions to create a Mathworks account. The MATLAB software will be available for download from the Mathworks site.
There are 8 modules, each with an assignment. They modules are weighted according to the number of weeks it should take you to complete the module:
Modules 1 and 2 are each one week; modules 3 through 8 are each two weeks.
Module 7 assignment involves writing code in MATLAB. For the others, all work should be done by hand. Each assignment is graded on a scale of 1-100.
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Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.
For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.
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If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).
Course Auditing
When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.