Introduction to ECE 2630 & Learning Goals

Circuits are a fundamental building block of many important systems.  Advances in computers, instrumentation, MP3 players, cell phones, etc. would not have been possible without advances in circuit analysis, design, and fabrication.  As a result, ECE 2630 is a foundational knowledge course that will provide you the tools you’ll need to analyze and design linear circuits.  Specific knowledge gained in ECE 2630 is used courses such as Electronics, Digital and Analog Integrated Circuits, Bioinstrumentation, and Solid-State Devices. The mathematic techniques covered will appear in classes such as Signal and Systems, Linear Control Systems, and Digital Signal Processing.

At the end of this course, you are expected to be able to do each of the following:

• Define current, voltage, energy, and power and their relationships with each other.
• Be able to solve for DC and AC voltages, currents, energies, and powers in linear circuits using the following techniques:  Kirchhoff’s Laws; voltage and current division; node voltage analysis; mesh current analysis; superposition; and equivalent circuits.
• Be able to analyze and design circuits which use resistors, capacitors, inductors, and other devices.
• Be able to clearly present your solution to circuit analysis and design problems

·         Be able to build a circuit on a breadboard based on a circuit schematic and accurately measure currents and voltages from this circuit

Given that many of the techniques in ECE 2630 required proficiency in calculus-based mathematics, AMPA 1090 – Single Variable Calculus – is a pre-requisite for this course.  As a result, I expect all students to be able to do the following on the first day of class:

• Solve a system of linear equations where the equations may contain a variety of function (e.g., linear, polynomials, exponential, or logarithmic)
• Perform differentiation on a given function
• Perform integration on a given function

§  Be able to translate complex numbers between their rectangular and polar forms and use them in arithmetic calculations.

Other mathematical techniques that are important in circuit analysis will be taught when they are needed.   It is your responsibility to make sure that you are proficient in the mathematical techniques listed above. While we will cover the concepts below briefly at the beginning of the course, I do expect that all students are familiar with the following concepts from Physics:  charge, current, energy, power, resistance, and voltage.

Classroom Environment and Schedule

During the 150 minutes we are together each week, I will use the principles of active learning in order to help you engage with the course material.  Research has shown that a higher quality (and more robust) learning environment is created when active learning is used.  In an active learning classroom, significant class time is spent with students working on various activities either individually or in groups.  As a result, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you come to class prepared to engage in that day’s activities. Otherwise, you will not get the full benefit of this teaching method.

One tool that will be used throughout the semester is Learning Catalytics (LC).  Learning Catalytics is the next generation of student response systems.  In the past, such systems were limited to multiple choice questions.  LC changes this by allowing questions to be asked that require numerical, algebraic, textual, or graphical responses.  These responses will allow me to better assess class understanding of the course material and adjust classroom activities as needed.  In order to get the most out of LC, you will need to create a student account and bring a web-enabled device (laptop, tablet, or smartphone) with you to class each day.  Accommodations will be made for students who do not have such a device.