The Fab Academy Certificate topics that comprise the Diploma curriculum are:

• 1. digital fabrication principles and practices (September 16)
  • digital vs analog
    • threshold theorems
    • universality
    • communications
    • computation
    • fabrication
  • survey
    • tools
    • processes
    • research
  • network
    • Fab Foundation, Fund, Academy
    • Fab Charter
  • safety
    • mechanical
    • optical
    • electrical
    • chemical
• 2. computer-aided design, manufacturing, and modeling (September 30)
  • hierarchical, parametric, procedural, algorithmic design
  • boundary, function representations
  • rendering and animation
  • toolpath generation
  • file formats
  • physical modeling
• 3. computer-controlled cutting (October 14)
  • types
    • waterjet, EDM, ...
  • knife
    • tools
    • materials
    • speed, force
  • laser
    • types
    • materials
    • speed, power, rate
    • maintenance
    • safety
• 4. electronics design and production (October 28)
  • electricity and electronics
  • component types and selection
  • schematic design
  • PCB design
  • PCB fabrication
  • PCB assembly
  • test equipment
• 5. computer-controlled machining (November 11)
  • types
  • tooling
  • materials
  • speeds, feeds
  • fixturing
• 6. embedded programming (November 25)
  • processor types
  • microcontroller architecture
  • in-circuit programming
  • embedded programming languages
  • development tools and environments
  • debugging
• 7. 3D molding and casting (December 9)
  • types
  • soft tooling
  • mold design and manufacture
  • casting materials
  • composites
• 8. collaborative technical development and project management (January 13)
  • version control
  • synchronization
  • merging
  • remote desktops
  • videoconferencing
  • scheduling
• 9. 3D scanning and printing (January 27)
  • types
  • formats
  • scanning
  • printing
  • materials
• 10. sensors, actuators, and displays (February 10)
  • sensors
  • actuators
  • displays
• 11. interface and application programming (February 24)
  • interface protocols
  • application languages
  • graphics
  • user interfaces
• 12. embedded networking and communications (March 10)
  • networking fundamentals
  • network protocols
  • physical layers
• 13. machine design (March 24)
  • motors and actuators
  • motion control
  • machine control
  • rapid-prototyping of rapid-prototyping machines
• 14. digital fabrication applications and implications (April 7)
  • furniture
  • housing
  • transporation
  • healthcare
  • environment
  • energy
  • play
  • art
  • development
• 15. invention, intellectual property, and business models (April 21)
  • copyright
  • patents
  • free and open-source models
  • revenue models
  • case histories
• 16. digital fabrication project development (May 5)
  • conception
  • proposal
  • review
  • prototyping
  • debugging, development
  • presentation
  • documentation