In order to hit the ground running, please make sure you have taken care of the following:

Hardware

  • Laptop computer running Linux, Mac OS X or Windows
    • A good keyboard and mouse will make life much easier.
  • For those of you planning to continue working with coding and electronics at home (otherwise these can be borrowed during the open lab):
    • Arduino UNO microcontroller + USB cable or a cheaper equivalent board such as Freeduino, Seeeduino or Sparkfun Redboard. UNO alternatives are available from China’s AliExpress, although they take 1-2 months to deliver.
    • We also welcome other kinds of MCUs like Raspberry, Particle, BeagleBone, Galileo, etc, but you’ll have to write the code and do the wiring from scratch
    • A BioHack Academy Board can be made from scratch (parts+pcb will be available during the course)
    • Also check the suppliers page for stores to purchase electronic components
    • You will also need a soldering iron, multimeter, helping hand, solder and heat shrink

Software

  • Text or code editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, Xcode, gedit, etc
    • A syntax colouring tool is preferred, and will make life easier.
    • My personal preference is SublimeText3 (OSX,Win,Linux)
  • Git
    • You will use this to pull instructions, designs and code for each lab device that is to be build.
    • You will also use this to manage your documentation webpage
  • Arduino IDE 1.8 for programming the Arduino microcontroller
  • SketchUp
  • As an alternative (not covered in the course): OpenSCAD and FreeCAD for parametric 3D design
  • Fritzing for documenting electronic circuits (we might switch to something more usable). You may use EagleCad or KiCad too, but the usage is not taught in the course
  • InkScape for editing vector drawings
  • Cura for operating the 3D printer (Makerbot, Tarantula, Ultimakers)

Cloudware

  • Register an account on the following website:
    • GitHub.org for sharing your code and after the second class you will set up your personal academy page using Github Pages
    • Circuits.io for easy virtual breadboarding, circuit design, simulation and layout.
    • Disqus.com for commenting on the BioHack Academy syllabus

Wetware

In case you wish to do experiments at home you will need the following equipment, otherwise these will be provided for in the lab:

  • Fridge, freezer and stove
  • Pressure cooker (6 Liters or more)
  • Empty glass marmalade or vegetable jars
  • Pasteur Transfer Pipettes (disposible single use are fine), 15 mL volume pipettes (don’t forget the pipetting balloon) and micropipettes (Gilson, Pipetman or go for cheap Huawei via Alibaba)
  • A scale, 1 gram accuracy will do for most of the work. Perhaps also consider having a gold scale for smaller amounts eBay.
  • A Bunsen/gas burner - you can find alternatives in camping supply stores
  • Lab coats

That’s it, you’re all set!