Course Syllabus
ECE 350 – Linear Systems I
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
1. Course Number and Name:
2. Credit Units/Contact Hours:
3. Course Coordinator:
ECE 350 – Linear Systems I
3/3
Sharlene Katz
4. Text, References & Software
Recommended Text:
Lathi BP: Linear Systems and Signals, Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, 2004, ISBN
0195158334.
Software:
MATLAB
Internet Resources:
http//hpme12.me.edu/matlab/html/
5. Specific Course Information
a. Course Description
Systematic development of linear system response models in both the time and frequency
domains. Concentrates on continuous system models. Techniques developed include
Laplace transform, Fourier analysis, impulse response, convolution, and state variables
for continuous linear systems.
b. Prerequisite by Topic
Students taking this course should have complete familiarity with the topics of
Differential Equations (Math 280 or ECE280) as well as Circuit Analysis (ECE240/L).
c. Required Course
6. Specific Goals for the Course
a. Specific Outcomes of Instructions – After completing this course the students should be able to:
1. Know and be able to apply properties of linear time-invariant systems.
2. Evaluate the convolution of an input waveform with an impulse response
3. Represent periodic waveforms by Fourier Series.
4. Find the spectrum of an arbitrary waveform.
5. Solve differential equations using Laplace Transforms.
6. Analyze systems using Laplace and Fourier Transform techniques.
7. Use and solve state variable equations for a continuous time linear system.
8. Use MATLAB to perform simple signal processing tasks (as indicated in learning
outcomes 1-7) for continuous-time signals and continuous-time linear systems.
b. Relationship to Student Outcomes
This supports the achievement of the following student outcomes:
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to the analysis of
electrical and computer engineering problems.
b. An ability to design and conduct scientific and engineering experiments, as well as to analyze and
interpret data.
c. An ability to design systems which include hardware and/or software components within realistic
constraints such as cost, manufacturability, safety and environmental concerns.
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve electrical and computer engineering problems.
k. An ability to use modern engineering techniques for analysis and design.
n. Knowledge of mathematics including differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables and
discrete math.
7. Topics Covered/Course Outline
1. Introduction to Signals and Systems
2. System Analysis Using the Laplace Transforms
3. Convolution and Impulse Response
4. Signal Representation by Fourier Series/ Fourier Transforms
5. System Analysis Using State Variables
6. MATLAB
Prepared by:
Sharlene Katz, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, October 2011
Ali Amini, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, March 2013