Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
1. Understand and engage in the
engineering project development
process. This includes: problem
specification, design, modeling,
simulation/CAE (computer aided
engineering), fabrication, testing
and redesign
Recommended Indicators
a. Successful completion of a
design project
b. Ability to generate items to
support the design project, such
as:
Drawings
3-D models
Schedules
Materials list
c. Collect and analyze data
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Extended Response

Problem Solving

Performance

Product
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Design a project for a client to
satisfy a specific need.

Design a project that involves a
synthesis of many different
engineering disciplines.

Design a project to be assessed
for marketability, aesthetics, and
analytical analysis.
o
Examples of a design
project include: a system
such that an egg can
survive a three story
drop, a solar oven, and
an autonomous
hovercraft.
o
Deliverables will include
a preliminary and final
project design report,
engineering drawings,
empirical calculations,
Gantt Chart
d. Document design process
e. Situate the design process
within a context such as:
Reverse engineering,
marketability, service, science,
art, competition, problem solving
1
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
2. Understand the mechanics of
group dynamics and demonstrate
the ability to contribute to a
team.
Recommended Indicators
a. Leadership skills
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Selected Response
b. Attendance

Brief Response
c. Positive
contributions/avoid negative
criticism

Extended Response

Performance
d. Meeting role or task
commitments
3. Demonstrate effective oral and
written communication skills.
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Create a peer review evaluation
mechanism

Select and assign project roles
within the group:
o Leader
o Recorder
o Time

Participate in project
management.

Analyze an organizational case
study.

Write an individual or group
status report indicating
contribution of each group
member.
a. Appropriate delivery

Extended Response

Make multimedia presentation.
b. Communicate concisely

Performance

Create web pages.
c. Address key points

Product

Written/ oral reports:
Design, request for proposal,
progress report, design review,
final report, lab report, log
books, Executive summary,
abstract

Book/article report/presentation
d. Attend to time limits
e. Use of multimedia
f. Organized
g. Correct use of referencing
standards
h. Ability to summarize
2
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
4. Understand the role of ethics
in the engineering discipline.
Recommended Indicators
a. Understanding institutional
student code of conduct and
academic integrity policies
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Selected response

Brief Response
b. Ability to identify ethical issues,
dilemmas, and possible
resolutions in specific scenarios.

Extended response

Problem Solving
c. Understanding engineering
professional codes of ethics.

Performance

Product
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Read and analyze case studies
and provide recommendations
for resolutions.

Research a current topic on
digital technology. Write a report
summarizing the current status
and make a value judgment
based on ethical principles.

Compare and contrast free-ware
versus commercial procurement.

Investigate the history and
abuses of patent law.
Topics
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
might include:
Environmental issues
Conflict of interest
Accountability
(Challenger scenario,
atomic bomb, etc.)
Internet
Copyright
Copy free
“Free software”
“Free hardware”
GNU General Public
License (copy left)
3
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
5. Use simulation tools to design
circuits and analyze performance.
Recommended Indicators
a. Use circuit simulation
software to analyze circuits. The
analysis should include:
time and frequency domain,
analog and digital circuits, ac/dc
parametric analysis.
b. Use circuit simulation
software to design circuits. The
design should include a
parametric study given realistic
component tolerances.
c. Use the parameters measured
in an experiment as input to a
circuit simulation to verify
experiment al results.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Extended response

Problem Solving

Product
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Use simulation tools (Spice,
Electronics Workbench,
schematic capture, etc.) to
analyze the transient response
of an RLC circuit.

Use simulation tools (Spice,
Electronics Workbench,
schematic capture, etc.) to
design a summing amplifier with
op amps.

Use simulation tools (Spice,
Electronics Workbench,
schematic capture, etc.) to
analyze the performance of a
sequence detector that was built
and tested in the lab.
4
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
6. Effectively design, build and
test circuits with current ICs, ,
resistors, inductors, capacitors,
diodes, and operational
amplifiers.
Recommended Indicators
a. Generate circuit schematics
(both logic and wiring
diagrams as appropriate) that
meet the problem
specifications
b. Assemble and troubleshoot
the circuit on a bread board
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Extended response

Performance

Product
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Design, build, and analyze a low
pass filter that has a bandwidth
of 5 kHz, a pass band gain of 3
dB, and a roll off 40 dB per
decade

Determine the Thevenin's
equivalent of a complex LRC
circuit. Build both circuits and
compare their performance

Design, build, and analyze a
stable clock circuit at 100 kHz
using 555 timer chip.

Design, build, and analyze a
sequence detector to identify
the bit stream “1011”;

Given a simple Boolean
expression with four input
variables, design SOP and POS
realizations with minimal
coverings, draw the logic and
wiring diagrams, build, test, and
debug the circuit.
c. Generate the data needed to
verify the circuit performance
d. Implement a circuit using a
programmable logic device
(PLD).
5
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
7. Understand basic operation,
limitations and inaccuracies of
basic test and measurement
equipment. This includes:
function generators, DMMs,
analog and digital oscilloscopes
and Digital Logic Analyzers.
Recommended Indicators
a. Use an oscilloscope to acquire
and analyze voltage data from
circuits on an appropriate
time scale.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Performance
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Measure the peak-to-peak
voltage of a 10 mV - 10 kHz sine
wave on various voltage scales
and estimate the accuracy of the
measurement. Repeat for other
frequencies and voltages.

c. Use DMMs to measure low
frequency voltage, currents,
and component values.
Compare the square, sine, and
triangular waveform peak-topeak reading with the rms
reading using the oscilloscope
and the DMM at various
frequencies.

d. Use DLA's or mixed signal
oscilloscopes to acquire and
analyze multi-channel digital
signals.
Use a function generator to
produce a 50 kHz clock. Build a
Mod-32 counter and display all
inputs and outputs on the DLA

Build a complex LRC circuit and
compare the analytic results to
the measured results and
discuss the difference taking into
account the component values
b. Use function generators to
produce basic waveforms
(square, sine, and triangle) of
varying amplitude and
frequency.

Product
6
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
8. Demonstrate the ability to
analyze experimental data. This
includes: using statistical and
other methods to qualitatively
and quantitatively compare
designs and results.
Recommended Indicators
a. Use computer spreadsheet for
plotting and analyzing data.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Extended response

b. Apply appropriate
mathematical techniques and 
technology tools, including
analysis of experimental error, 
to compare theory and data.
c. Apply a least-squares fit to
compare theory and data.
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Using a spreadsheet and/or
statistical application and
empirical data, explore the
relationship between two
variables affecting a system.
Give a reasonable explanation
through written and/or verbal
means for what is occurring in
the system.

Determine the appropriate
statistical quantities utilizing
data from a specific lab or
project.

Identify experimental data that
deviates from the expected
results to a degree greater than
the expected error and provide
an explanation for the
discrepancy.
Problem Solving
Performance
Product
d. Draw and communicate
appropriate conclusions from
the investigation.
7
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
9. Know the relations between
basic electrical quantities and be
able to generate all equations
needed to solve any general
electric circuit.
Recommended Indicators
For a given circuit (both time and
frequency domains):
a. Correctly determine how many
equations are needed to solve the
problem
b. Write the necessary KVL and
KCL equations
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Given the following series
circuit: A 10k ohm resistor, a
37 mH inductor and a 100 kHz
- 1 V source, calculate the
steady state current through
and the voltage across each
component

Write the complete set of
differential equations needed to
solve for all voltages and
currents in a 5-node complex
RLC circuit using two voltage
sources.

Write the complete set of
sinusoidal steady state
equations for a parallel
combination of a resistor,
inductor, and capacitor
connected to a sinusoidal
current source.

Given a complex circuit
diagram, identify the number of
nodes and meshes in the
circuit.
 Problem Solving
c. Write the necessary terminal
relationships for the components
8
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
10. Use basic circuit techniques
in the analysis of AC/DC circuits.
This includes: Nodal and Mesh
analysis, voltage and current
divider rules, superposition, and
Thevenin and Norton
equivalents.
Recommended Indicators
For various circuit diagrams:
a. Use Nodal analysis to solve
for the voltages in the circuit;
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Find the Thevenin equivalent
circuit at the output of a two
terminal linear circuit.

c. Use the current divider rule to
calculate current distribution
in the circuit;
Find all the Mesh currents in a 3
Mesh LRC circuit with one
voltage and one current source.

d. Use the voltage divider rule to
calculate voltage distribution
in the circuit.
Find the voltage across each
resistor and the current in each
resistor for a given DC circuit.

Design a resistive voltage divider
that has an input to output ratio
of 20:1 and an input impedance
of 300 ohms.
b. Use Mesh analysis to solve for
the currents in the circuit;
e. Use the superposition
technique to calculate all
currents and voltages in a
multi source circuit.
f.

Problem Solving
Find the equivalent non-ideal
voltage or current source at a
given pair of terminals.
9
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
11. Calculate transient circuit
responses for first and second
order circuits.
Recommended Indicators
a. Compute time constants for
RL and RC parallel and series
circuits.
b. Classify the transient
response for RLC circuits as
over, under, or critically
damped behavior.
c. Use initial conditions to find
the time variations of all
currents and voltages in a
circuit.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response

SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Calculate the time constant for a
1M ohm resistor and 22 uF
capacitor.

Calculate the time constant for a
100 ohm resistor and a 4.7 mH
inductor.

For a circuit where a 9 V battery
is connected at t = 0 to a series
RC combination with R = 10 k
and C = 10 uF, express the
voltage across the capacitor as a
function of time.

Calculate R so that an RLC
parallel circuit is critically
damped given L = 1 H and C =
0.5 F.

Calculate the transient response
for a RC circuit with two
sources, one whose transient
occurs at t = 0 and the other at
t = 3 s.
Problem Solving
10
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
12. Understand how to generate
transfer functions for circuits with
one source and how to use
transfer functions to solve
general transient problems.
Recommended Indicators
a. For a given circuit, using
phasors, express the voltage
across or the current through
the appropriate component
relative to the input
b. For a sinusoidal or DC source
of a transient problem, use a
transfer function to find the
steady state and transient
solutions.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response

SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

For a complex RLC circuit with
one voltage source find the
transfer function for the voltage
across one of the components
and use it to write the time
varying response.

For a DC current source which is
connected at t = 0 to an RCparallel combination, find the
transfer function for the voltage
across the capacitor and solve
for the time-variation in the
current through the resistor.

For a second-order circuit with
two inductors and several
resistors, connected to a 115 V
AC wall outlet at t = 0, write the
transfer function for the current
through one of the inductors
and solve for the time variation
of that current for t > 0.
Problem Solving
11
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
13. Understand elementary
operation of electronic circuits
with ideal operational amplifiers
and dependent sources.
Recommended Indicators
a. Design basic inverting and
non-inverting amplifier circuits
used for summing,
differentiating, and
integrating.
b. Analyze single op amp circuits
with resistors, capacitors, and
inductors to find the output
voltage.
c. Compute the output voltage
of a multi-amp circuit where
each individual block is a
basic transfer response.
d. Synthesize the overall
response of a multiple op amp
circuit in terms of each
individual op amp circuit.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response

SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Design a subtraction circuit
where the output voltage, Vout =
(5V1- 5V2), and where V1 and
V2 are input voltage sources.

Design a second-order high-pass
filter with one op amp.

Design a second-order high-pass
filter using one second-order
low-pass filter and two
differentiating op amp circuits.

Use Mesh analysis to find all
currents in a 3 mesh circuit with
both current-dependent current
sources and voltage-dependent
voltage sources.
Problem Solving
e. Apply Nodal and Mesh
analysis to circuits with
dependent voltage and
current sources
f.
Calculate the Thevenin
equivalent non-ideal sources
for circuits that include
dependent voltage and
current sources
12
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
14. Design and analyze
combinational logic circuits.
Recommended Indicators
a. Simplify Boolean Functions
using algebraic manipulations.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

b. Find minimal coverings of
Boolean expressions using Kmaps.
Design a combinational circuit
that converts 4-bit BCD code to
4-bit Excess-3 code.

c. Implement Boolean functions
using NAND and/or NOR
gates.
Implement function
F = xy+xz+yz using 2-input
NAND gates only.

Design a Half Adder using two
4-to-1 multiplexers.

Derive a logical expression to
activate an alarm when a car
door is opened and the key is in
the ignition.
d. For a given combinational
circuit, find the truth table
and the Boolean function that
corresponds to the circuit
output.

Problem Solving
e. Understand various
combinational circuits
including adders, subtractors,
decoders, encoders, and
multiplexers.
f.
Describe and use common
digital logic gates.
g. Use hardware description
language (HDL) to define the
functioning of a simple logic
circuit.
13
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
15. Design and analyze
synchronous sequential circuits.
Recommended Indicators
a. Understand different FlipFlops.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response

SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Design a synchronous sequential
circuit that detects the sequence
“0101”

Derive the state equations, state
table and state diagram for a
synchronous sequential circuit
with two T Flip-Flops. The inputs
of T flip-flops are given.

Design a 3-bit synchronous
counter using JK Flip-flops.

Design an asynchronous Mod-16
counter.

Design a sequential logic circuit
to implement a vending machine
controller.

Use MATLAB and apply LU
factorization/Gauss-Jordan
method to find inverse of a
given matrix.

Using Simpson's rule, integrate a
simple function by hand and
with MATLAB.

Perform least square method to
find the best coefficients of a
function that fits a given data
set and present it in graphical
form.
Problem Solving
b. Be familiar with various
registers, counters and
memory.
c. Derive state equations, state
table, and state diagram of a
sequential circuit.
d. Design synchronous
sequential circuits, including
registers and counters, using
flip-flops and logic gates.
16. Become proficient in a
numerical analysis application,
such as MATLAB or Octave.
Use numerical packages to:

Brief Response
a. Invert matrices and solve
matrix equations with complex
numbers.

Problem Solving

Product
b. Perform numerical integration.
c. Perform least squares analysis,
data reduction, and curve fitting.
d. Present data in graphical form.
14
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
17. Become familiar with
different aspects of numerical
computation and some of its
limitations.
Recommended Indicators
a. Understand the difference
between a continuous
equation and a discrete
equation.
b. Identify numerical
computation algorithms.
c. List limitations of numerical
computation algorithms.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response

Extended response

Problem Solving

Product
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Solve a set of linear equations
with an ill-conditioned matrix to
show the limitations of
numerical techniques.

Answer questions about errors
from numerical methods.

Conduct a literature search to
find an example of a failed
numerical computation and write
a report that describes the
situation and the problem
resolution.

Approximate the eigenvalues
and eigenvectors of a 4X4
matrix with different numerical
methods, such as power
method.

Demonstrate the limitations of a
numerical computation algorithm
by generating a set of input data
that provides a wrong answer.
15
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
18. Master basic tools from linear
algebra for computational use.
Formulate and solve matrix
equations. Be familiar with
eigenvalues and their
applications.
Recommended Indicators
a. Invert matrices and solve
matrix equations with
complex numbers.
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response

SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Take any three linearly
independent equations of three
linear variables with complex
(constant) coefficients and:
o Express the equations as a
matrix problem with a 3x3
(square) matrix
o Find the determinant of the
3x3 matrix
o Find the eigenvalues of the
3x3 matrix
o Find the eigenvectors of the
3x3 matrix
o Find the cofactor matrix
o Find the inverse of the matrix
o Use Kramer’s rule to solve for
any of the unknowns
o Use Gaussian Elimination
(GE) to make the matrix
upper-triangular
o Use GE and back-substitution
to solve for the unknowns
o Use the matrix inverse to
solve for the three unknowns.

Take any 4x4 matrix equation
and write four scalar equations
that convey the same
information as the matrix
equation

Take a set of 5 equations with 3
unknowns. Extract three linearly
independent equations, write
them in matrix form and solve
for the unknowns.
Problem Solving
b. Apply Gaussian elimination.
c. Apply Kramer's rule
d. Calculate the eigenvalues and
eigenvectors of a matrix;
e. Calculate the determinant of a
matrix.
16
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
19. Understanding of the basic
concepts of signals and linear
systems, LaPlace Transforms;
development and application of
FFTs.
Recommended Indicators
a. Produce the FFT of a timebased signal
b. Understand what the FFT
represents
c. Understand the differences in
the mathematics for discrete and
continuous signals;
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Brief Response

Extended response

Problem Solving
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Explain the difference between
the FFT and the discrete Fourier
transform for a specific timevarying signal, take 1024 data
points and compute the FFT

Consider a simple RLC series
circuit connected to a square
wave voltage source. Find the
amplitudes of the first 10 Fourier
components of the input signal
and the voltages across the
inductor, capacitor, and/or
resistor

Study the transient behavior of
first and second order circuits
and relate it to the transient
LaPlace Transform solution.

Study the transfer function of a
first and second order circuits
and relate it to LaPlace
Transforms.
d. Understand the differences in
the mathematics for periodic and
non-periodic signals;
e. Exposure to the concept of the
convolution integral;
f. Articulate the differences
between Discrete and Fast
Fourier Transforms, Fourier
Series, and LaPlace Transforms in
terms of computation, application
and significance
17
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Electrical
Engineering (EE)
20. Understand the programming
and software development flow
and write programs using a high
level programming language (like
C, C++).
Recommended Indicators
a. Demonstrate the ability to
write, test and debug, maintain,
and document source code.
b. Analyze problems to determine
appropriate modular
programming solutions.
c. Create modular programs that
process typical engineering data,
and provide a useful solution.
d. Demonstrate the ability to
identify and use various data
types data structures, operators,
conditional statements, loops,
functions, arrays, formatted data
input/output, file input/output.
e. Recognize and apply
appropriate programming
structures (sequence, selection,
and/or iteration).
Suggested Assessment
Type
 Selected response

Brief Response

Problem Solving

Product
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Write a program to tabulate the
distance achieved by a shell
fired with constant muzzle
velocity as the elevation (angle)
changes. Given distance =
(2v2 * sin  * cos )/g

Write a program that creates
100 random numbers scaled
within a user specified upper
and lower limit with an option to
sort the data and send it to an
external test file.

Write a program to calculate and
output the integral between two
points of function f(x) = x2
utilizing both the rectangular
and trapezoidal approximation
techniques.

Model a natural system,
output data, and analysis
simulated data
o Under-damped,
critically damped , or
over-damped system
o Oscillatory behavior
o Comparison between
the various disciplines’
“natural systems”
18
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Content Area: Physics for EE
The student will know and apply the concepts and laws of physics (at the level of standard calculus-based physics
textbooks, see note below) to understand and explain the behavior of the physical world.
Note: Examples of standard calculus-based introductory level physics text books (including modern physics) are:
Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick & Walker
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Serway & Beichner
Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Tipler & Mosca
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics by Giancoli
University Physics by Young & Freedman
University Physics by Reese
Understanding Physics by the Physics Education Group
Content Knowledge
Mechanics
Vectors and scalars
Kinematics
Statics and dynamics
Work and energy
Energy and
momentum
conservation laws
o Simple harmonic
motion
o Rotational dynamics
o Gravitational fields
o Fluid mechanics
o
o
o
o
o
Electricity and
Magnetism
Static electricity
Electric forces,
potentials, and fields
o Electrical and
magnetic properties
of materials
o AC and DC circuits
and circuit
components
o Magnetic forces and
fields
o Electromagnetic
induction
o Electromagnetic
radiation
o Maxwell’s equations
o
o
Heat and
Thermodynamics
o
o
o
o
Temperature, heat,
heat capacity and
heat transfer
Kinetic molecular
theory
Phase changes
Laws of
thermodynamics
with applications
such as heat
engines
Optics and Waves
o
o
o
o
Transverse and
longitudinal
waves and their
properties and
characteristics
Refraction,
reflection, and
superposition of
waves
Applications to
light and sound
Geometric and
physical optics
Modern Physics
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Atomic models and
their experimental
bases
Structure of the
atoms and molecules
Nuclear reactions
and radioactivity
Special relativity
Photoelectric effect
Wave-particle duality
Introduction to
quantum mechanics
(Physics for EE Outcomes begin on the next page)
19
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Content Area: Physics for EE
Outcome—Physics for EE
Recommended Indicators
a. Select, define, and recall terms.
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Selected Response
1. Students will know the
vocabulary and mathematical
language associated with each
content knowledge area listed
above.

A Newton is a unit of ________.
b. Use terms in context.

Brief response

c. Describe and classify terms.

Extended response
Give an example of work used in
everyday language that fits the
physics definition of work.

Give an example of a transverse
wave.

Rank the following in order of
smallest to largest frequency: xray, visible light, microwaves, radio
waves, and gamma rays.
d. Translate word problems into
proper mathematical expressions
or diagrams.
Sample Assignments
20
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Physics for EE
Recommended Indicators
2. Students will understand the
concepts, relationships, and
principles of each content
knowledge area listed above
and the interrelationships
between related content areas.
a. Explain concepts and use them
to describe physical phenomena.
b. Use graphical representation
when appropriate.
c. Describe relationships among
concepts.
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Brief response

SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Use Newton’s laws to explain the
motion of a person in a car speeding
up, moving at a constant velocity,
slowing down, and making a right
turn.

A ball is thrown vertically into the
air. Sketch graphs of position,
velocity, and acceleration as a
function of time. Label the portions
of the graph where the ball is on its
way up, at the top, and on the way
down.

Compare and contrast series and
parallel circuits.
Extended response.
21
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Physics for EE
Recommended Indicators
3. Students will apply concepts
and relationships to qualitative
problems and quantitative
problems in each content
knowledge area listed above.
a. Solve a simple problem or
break a complex problem into
manageable parts.
b. Apply appropriate concepts,
mathematical techniques (algebra,
graphing, and calculus), and
technology tools to the problem.
c. Synthesize the results.
Suggested
Assessment Type
Selected Response
Brief response
Extended response
Problem solving.
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

As more identical resistors R are
added to the parallel circuit
shown (insert diagram) here,
the total resistance between
points P and Q (choose one)
increases, remains the same, or
decreases. Explain.

A student has a part time job
and is asked to bring a steel rod
of length 85.0 cm and diameter
2.8 cm from the stock room to
the machinist. Will the student
need a cart? Provide
justification.

A sled starts from rest at the top
of a frictionless hemispherical
snow-covered hill of radius R.
As it descends, at what angle
does it leave the hill? Show all
critical aspects of the solution
and present the solution to the
class.
d. Critically assess solutions to
determine if they are valid and
reasonable.
e. Effectively communicate orally
and in writing the explanation of a
problem solution and results.
f. Apply dimensional analysis and
order of magnitude analysis to
check answers.
22
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Physics for EE
Recommended Indicators
4. Students will investigate a
classical physical system
experimentally (in at least each
of the broad content
knowledge areas listed above).
a. Design an investigation to
explore a concept or test the
validity of a hypothesis in a
statistically meaningful way.
b. Carry out the experiment
designed in part a, collect data,
and display the results
appropriately.
c. Use data acquisitions software
and equipment (for example MBLs
or CBLs) for collecting data.
d. Use computer spreadsheets for
plotting and analyzing data.
Apply appropriate mathematical
techniques and technology tools
to the investigation.
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Extended response
 Performance
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments
 Using the phenomena of diffraction,
design and carry out an experiment,
using available equipment, to
determine the average thickness of
human hair.
--Determine if thickness is related to
hair color,
--Aggregate the class results and
compare individual results to the class
aggregate.
--Present a written or an oral report of
the results.
e. Analyze experimental error and
apply a least-squares fit to
compare theory and data.
f. Draw appropriate conclusions
from the investigation.
g. Effectively communicate orally
and in writing the results of an
investigation.
23
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Physics for EE
Recommended Indicators
5. Students will work
individually and cooperatively
in teams on investigations
and/or problem solutions.
a. Identify functions of different
roles in a team.
b. Set goals and objectives.
c. Be aware of and be able to
access resources.
d. Function in each of the roles.
e. Assess the effectiveness of the
group process.
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Selected Response

Extended response

Performance
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Determine the relationship between
the length and period of a pendulum
in a group of four students.
--Identify four appropriate roles for the
members of your team.
--Describe each role in terms of their
functions.
--Set goals and objectives for each
member of the group and for the group
as a whole in order to carry out the
investigation.
--Acquire the equipment and supplies
necessary to carry out the experiment.
--Read background information in the
textbook related to this phenomenon.
–-Carry out an assigned role.
--On a scale of 0 to 5 (with 0 = low and
5 = high) assess individual performance
in the group process and justify ratings.
--On a scale of 0 to 5, assess the
group’s effectiveness and performance
and justify ratings.
24
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Content Area: Chemistry for EE
Outcome—Chemistry for
EE
1. Make measurements and
express those
measurements in common
and metric units; manipulate
units
Recommended Indicators
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Brief response
Sample Assignments

Convert 3.2 lb/gal to g/mL.

Problem solving


Performance
Given an object, determine its mass and
volume and express the resulting density in
units other than those measured.
2. Identify and apply
significant figures and
exponential notation to
measurement
a. Correctly express numbers
in scientific notation with
appropriate significant
figures.

Brief response


Performance
Given an object, determine the mass and
volume and express the resulting density in
units other than those measured. Answer
must be expressed to the correct number of
significant and in exponential notation.
3. Describe nature of science
and scientific investigation
a. Design, conduct, evaluate
and/or interpret a scientific
investigation.

Extended response

You are presented with the question, “Does
the volume of a gas depend on its
temperature?” Determine how you might
answer the questioning in an experimental
manner. Include a hypothesis, list of
independent, dependent and controlled
variables, a basic experimental design and
observations that may be anticipated.
4. Distinguish among states
of matter; explain behaviors
of states based on
particulate nature
a. Identify state;

Brief response

In the sealed flasks below, using small
circles to represent particles, sketch
benzene at –10oC (solid) and 25 oC (liquid).
a. Make measurement;
convert measurements
between systems.
b. Give characteristics of each 
state;
Extended response
C. Explain behavior of state.
25
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Chemistry for
EE
5. Identify basic atomic
structure; describe historical
development of atomic
theory and its relationship to
spectroscopy
Recommended Indicators
a. Identify characteristics of
sub-atomic particles;
b. Know important
contributions to modern
atomic theory;
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Brief response

SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments

Explain what information the gold foil
experiment provided about the nature and
structure of the atom. Include how the
experimental results led to his conclusions.

Explain the cause of spectral lines and why
they are different for each element.
Extended response
c. Relate atomic composition
to element identification and
isotopes;
6. Explain principles of the
quantum mechanical model
of the atom
7. Outline the development
of and trends conveyed by
the periodic table of the
elements
d. Relate to modern
spectroscopy
a. Recognize types and
characteristics of atomic
orbitals;
b. Generate and interpret
electron configurations
a. Use the periodic table to
obtain and predict elemental
properties such as relative
atomic size, ionization
energy, electron affinity, and
electronegativity.

Brief response

What Period 2 element has exactly three p
orbital electrons in its shell?

Brief response


Extended
response.
If a new element was discovered that
should be placed under francium on the
periodic table, what would its properties
be?
26
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Chemistry for
EE
8. Define the concept of
bonding as resulting from
electron interactions;
understand bond nature as a
continuum
Recommended Indicators
a. Distinguish between ionic
and covalent bonding;
b. Give example of each type
of bond;
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Brief response
Sample Assignments

Draw a Lewis dot structure for NO21-.

Extended
response.

A general statement says that metals and
non-metals form ionic bonds. However,
MnO2 has characteristics of a covalent
bond. Explain why.
c. Explain why bond
character may not be purely
ionic or covalent;
d. Identify dipole moment in
bonds;
e. Draw Lewis dot structures.
9. Visualize geometries of
molecules; apply VSEPR
theory and hybridization
theory
a. Predict geometries of
molecules and know
hybridization of atoms in a
molecule

Problem solving

Determine the molecular geometry of SO2.
10. Explain the concept of
chemical change as a
chemical reaction; know
types of chemical reactions
a. Identify types of reactions;

Brief response

b. Recognize process as a
chemical change

Performance
Heat a sample of CuCO3 over a Bunsen
burner for 5 minutes and then cool it. Based
on your observations, determine if the
change is chemical or physical. Explain
your reasoning.
27
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Chemistry for
EE
11. Identify chemical
nomenclature
Recommended Indicators
a. Write formula for chemical
compounds;
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Brief response
b. Write names from
formulas;
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments
 Complete and balance the following chemical
equation:
AgNO3 (aq) + BaCl2 (aq) 
c. Write and interpret
chemical equations;
d. Balance chemical
equations
12. Define the mole concept
and stoichiometry
13. Identify physical and
chemical properties of acids
and bases
a. Calculate molar mass,
moles, empirical formulas, %
composition, mole ratios,
number of particles; reactant
and product amounts

a. Identify acids and bases;
distinguish among
characteristics of acids and
bases;

Brief response
 Calculate the pH of a 0.023 M solution of HCl.

Problem solving

Extended
response.
 Explain how the bicarbonate-carbonic acid
buffer system maintains pH upon a) addition
of an acid and b) addition of a base.
b. Know different definitions
of acids and bases;
Problem solving
C3H8O2 + O2  CO2 + H2O
 If you start the above chemical reaction with
50.0 g of C3H8O2 and 75.0 g of O2, how many
grams of water could be produced? If you
obtain 27.0 grams of water, what is the %
yield?
c) Calculate and interpret pH
for weak and strong acids
and bases;
d. Explain buffer systems and
calculate pH of buffer
systems.
28
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—Chemistry for
EE
14. Describe interactions of
matter and energy
15. Compare concept of
heat exchange in physical
and chemical systems
Recommended Indicators
a. Explain the effect of
absorption or release of
energy on a system

Brief response
b. Apply calorimetry to
measure heat exchange

Problem solving

Performance

Brief response

Performance
a. Use safe laboratory
practices
Sample Assignments

Why does the hydrogen atom absorb only
certain wavelengths of light? What
happens when this absorption occurs?

Using a coffee cup calorimeter, determine
the specific heat of a metal.

Identify the location and purpose of all
safety equipment in this laboratory.

May be assessed by assigning points for
adherence to correct laboratory behavior
such as wearing eye protection, disposing
of chemicals correctly, handling glassware
and other equipment safely, following
instructions carefully.
Extended
response.
a. Employ specific heat and H 
of a material to calculate heat
transfer

c. Interpret phase diagrams
and heating/cooling curves
16. Understand safe
laboratory practice
Suggested
Assessment Type
 Brief response
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Extended response
29
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Content Area: Mathematics for EE
Outcome—
Mathematics for EE
Recommended Indicators
Suggested
Assessment Type
Sample Assignments
1. Calculate the limits of
functions.
a. Analyze problems using the Squeezing
Theorem, one-sided limits, infinite limits,
l’Hôpital’s Rule.

Brief Response


Problem Solving
Evaluate a limit using l’Hôpital’s
Rule
a. Identify continuity and piecewise
continuity of functions and analyze
properties of continuity through the
Intermediate Value Theorem.

Brief Response


Extended Response
Use the Intermediate Value
Theorem to show that the range
of the sine function contains all
numbers in the interval [-1, 1].

Problem Solving

Use the Bisection Method to
prove the Intermediate Value
Theorem.

Brief Response


Problem Solving
Determine the values (if any)
where the line tangent to a
given third degree polynomial is
horizontal.

Calculate a derivative
numerically, using the NewtonRaphson Method.
2. Analyze continuity of a
function
3. Find the derivatives of
functions numerically,
algebraically, and
graphically.
a. Calculate the derivative of a function
(using basic rules of differentiation,
including the chain rule and implicit
differentiation) and use it to find the
slope, tangent, higher derivatives.
b. Estimate approximate values of
functions (with technology), and find the
relation between the derivative of a
function and its inverse.
30
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—
Mathematics for EE
Recommended Indicators
Suggested
Assessment Type
4. Apply the derivative to
a wide range of
problems.
a. Apply the derivative to find related
rates, velocity, and acceleration from
position, properties of graphs of functions
(including relative extrema, asymptotes,
concavity), solutions of maximum and
minimum problems, and exponential
growth and decay.

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving
b. Explain the uses of Rolle’s Theorem and
the Mean Value Theorem.
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments
 Find the maximum volume of a
right circular cylinder that is
inscribed in a given sphere.
 A basketball is being inflated at a
rate of 50 cubic centimeters per
second. How fast is the
basketball diameter increasing
when the diameter is 20
centimeters?
 Given a function for the distance
traveled versus time, find the
instantaneous velocity and
acceleration.
5. Calculate definite and
improper integrals;
find indefinite
integrals.
a. Apply Riemann Sums, the Fundamental
Theorem of Calculus, algebraic and
trigonometric substitutions, integration by
parts, and partial fractions to find
integrals.

Brief Response

Problem Solving

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving
 Calculate the area of the region
bounded above by the sine
function, below by the x-axis,
between x = 0 and x = .
b. Estimate values of integrals by means
of Simpson’s Rule (with technology).
6. Solve a wide range of
problems related to
integration.
a. Using integration, find solutions to
problems involving area, volume, surface
area, work, moments, and length of a
curve, as well as position and velocity
from known acceleration.
 Find the area of the region
formed by a given ellipse.
31
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—
Mathematics for EE
Recommended Indicators
Suggested
Assessment Type
7. Identify the basic
properties of
functions.
a. Identify symmetric, inverse, and
composite functions.

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving
a. Use convergence properties of
sequences to determine the convergence
or divergence of a given sequence.

Brief Response

Extended Response
b. Use the convergence tests (nth term
test, integral test, ratio test, alternate
series test) to determine the convergence
or divergence of given series.

Problem Solving

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving
8. Analyze the
convergence or
divergence of
sequences and series.
b. Classify algebraic, exponential,
logarithmic, trigonometric, hyperbolic, and
elliptic functions.
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments
 Given the graph of a function,
determine whether it is
exponential, logarithmic,
polynomial, trigonometric, etc.
 Find the Taylor series for the sine
function, and determine the
radius of convergence of the
Taylor series.
c. Find the power series and Taylor series
for given functions with the Lagrange
Remainder Formula.
d. Apply Taylor’s Theorem, absolute
convergence to power series, and find the
radius of convergence of a power series.
9. Graph and analyze
polar equations,
parametric equations,
and conic sections.
a. Analyze functions given in polar form or
in parametric form.
b. Analyze rectangular forms of conic
sections.
 Discuss the properties of the
cycloid.
c. Calculate lengths and areas related to
polar and parametric functions.
32
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—
Mathematics for EE
Recommended Indicators
Suggested
Assessment Type
10. Solve elementary
differential equations.
a. Explain basic definitions relative to
differential equations and solve separable
differential equations.

Brief Response

Extended Response
b. Find approximate solutions, for
example, using Euler’s method.

Problem Solving
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments
 Solve the differential equations
for the exponential growth and
decay.
c. Sketch a solution given a slope-field.
11. Explain properties of
vectors and vector-valued
functions.
12. Apply differentiation
rules, including the Chain
Rule, to various
multivariable functions.
Identify these properties
of quadric surfaces.
13. Evaluate multiple
integrals.
a. Calculate dot products, cross products,

distances between points, and lines/planes
in space.

Brief Response
b. Find derivatives, tangents, normals,
curvature for parameterized curves.

Problem Solving
a. Find directional derivatives, gradients,
tangent planes, and approximations (using
technology) by means of partial
derivatives.

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving
b. Find extreme values of multivariable
functions, including the use of Lagrange
multipliers.
c. Describe geometric properties of
multivariable functions, including level
curves and quadric surfaces.
a. Evaluate double and triple integrals
using rectangular, cylindrical, and
spherical coordinates, as well as change of
variables.
b. Find volumes, mass, and moments of
objects in space.
Extended Response
 Find the distance between a
given point and a given line in
space.
 Find the plane tangent to the
graph of a given paraboloid.
 Find the volume of the solid
region that lies inside a given
cone and given sphere
33
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
Outcome—
Mathematics for EE
Recommended Indicators
Suggested
Assessment Type
14. Explain properties of
vector fields and evaluate
various vector field
derivatives and integrals.
a. Explain and calculate the divergence,
gradient, and curl of a given function.

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving

Brief Response

Extended Response

Problem Solving
15. Classify and solve first
order, ordinary differential
equations (ODE).
16. Use numerical tools to
solve basic differential
equations.
b. Evaluate line integrals, and surface
integrals by means of the Fundamental
Theorem of Line Integrals, Green’s
Theorem, Stokes’s Theorem, and the
Divergence Theorem.
a. Identify linear, separable,
homogeneous, and exact equations.
b. Explain the existence and uniqueness of
solutions, properties of nonlinear vs. linear
equations, qualitative methods for
autonomous equations.
c. Solve first order ODE’s using separable
variables, variation of parameters, and
exact differentials.
a. Use a mathematical software system
(MSS) to implement numerical methods
such as Euler, Improved Euler, and
Runge-Kutta.
b. Calculate local and global errors;
estimate reliability of numerical methods
for ODE’s.
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Sample Assignments
 Show that a given line integral is
independent of path.

From a list of first order
differential equations, classify
each as linear, separable,
homogeneous, or exact.

Use MATLAB to solve a simple
inhomogeneous differential
equation with constant
coefficients.
c. Use an MSS to solve higher order
differential equations.
d. Use an MSS to solve systems of first
order differential equations by finding the
eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
34
Associate of Science in Engineering (ASE)—Electrical Engineering, Outcomes
SPRING 2009 FINAL
Outcome—
Mathematics for EE
Recommended Indicators
Suggested
Assessment Type
Sample Assignments
17. Classify and solve
second order, ordinary
differential equations.
a. Identify the different types of second
order differential equations and explain
the different parts of their solutions.

Brief Response


Extended Response
b. Use various methods to solve
homogeneous linear equations with
constant coefficients.

Problem Solving
Given as 100-foot bungee cord
with a known spring constant,
determine the maximum
distance a jumper will descend
after leaving a platform.

Brief Response


Extended Response

Problem Solving
Use Laplace transforms to
calculate the general
homogeneous solution to a
second order differential
equations with constant
coefficients.

Brief Response


Extended Response

Problem Solving
Given a system of three first
order homogenous differential
equations with constant
coefficients, find the eigenvalues
and eigenvectors for the
homogeneous solution.
c. Explain and apply the reduction of order
technique.
d. Apply the methods of undetermined
coefficients and variation of parameters
for non-homogeneous equations.
18. Calculate Laplace
Transforms and apply to
basic differential
equations.
a. Define the Laplace Transform and
calculate for a variety of functions.
b. Identify inverse transforms.
c. Calculate the transform of function
derivatives and apply the Laplace
transform to the solution of differential
equations.
19. Solve basic systems of
first order linear
differential equations.
d. Apply the Laplace transform to
differential equations with discontinuous
forcing functions.
a. Use the eigenvalue-eigenvector method
to solve systems with constant
coefficients.
35