MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
ELEC 50A - Electronic Circuits (DC)
Syllabus – Fall 2015
CRN 24686 (credit) / 26146 (non-credit/vocational)
Instructor:
Joe Denny
Email/phone/office:
jdenny1@mtsac.edu
Course Website:
http://www.mtsac.edu/electronics/jdenny
Required Materials:
(1) Textbook: Stephen C. Harsany, Fundamentals of Electronics: DC/AC Circuits
(2) Lab Manual: Stephen C. Harsany, Fundamentals of Electronics: DC/AC Circuits Lab Manual
(3) Elec 50A/B parts kit
(4) Sharp EL-W516X or EL-W516 Calculator (ELW516XB-SL)
(5) Mt. SAC student ID card issued by Bursar’s office/MtSAC book store (required by the second week of
school for equipment checkout – no exceptions).
(909) 274 – 4976
Bldg28B Room 402-A
Note: All required materials are available at a discounted, package price from the Day-and-Nite store
across Grand Ave. from campus. The parts kit is included in the price of the lab manual and is required for
all laboratory exercises. Students on scholarship or fee-waiver programs only should obtain materials from
the Mt. SAC bookstore (SAC Book Rac)
Location:
Bldg 28B Room 405
Time:
Monday/Wednesday 8:00 – 11:10 am and 11:30 to 2:40 pm
Important Dates:
Last date to Add Class:
Last date to Drop Class with refund:
Last date to Drop without a “W”:
Last date to Drop with a “W”:
Description/Objectives:
Electronics 50A is an introduction to electronic circuits covering direct current (DC) sources, DC circuits,
series and parallel circuit analysis, test equipment, and troubleshooting. Topics include the study of
resistive circuits, Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s law, network theorems, and test equipment and troubleshooting
methods. The principal course objectives are (1) to develop competence in the analysis of passive circuits
using DC sources, (2) to foster an understanding of laboratory methods of verification of theoretical
concepts; (3) to develop the ability to visualize physical circuits from schematic diagrams; (4) to obtain
experience in circuit construction, using instruments and control devices; and (5) to develop the ability to
analyze, interpret, and explain experimental data.
Useful Websites:
electronics.mtsac.edu (Electronics and Computer Technology Department Website)
August 26, 2015
August 26, 2015
August 31, 2015
September 23, 2015
http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/LMID/Projections_of_Employment_by_Industry_and_Occ
upation.html
www.allaboutcircuits.com
www.salary.com
http://joshmadison.com/software/convert-for-windows/
http://www.spectrum-soft.com/demoform.shtm
www.batteryuniversity.com
http://www.idc-online.com/blogs/?country=United+States
www.assist.org
www.docircuits.com
Useful App:
Electrodroid
Measureable Objectives for this class can be found at: webcms.mtsac.edu/webcms/search.asp
Student Learning Outcomes for this class can be found at: slo.mtsac.edu
Lecture Topics, Reading Assignments, Test Dates (test dates subject to modification):
Date
Chapters
Topic
Covered
Aug 24
Chapter 1
Survey of electronics; overview of the Mt. SAC electronics program
Aug 26
Electrical properties (continued) and quantities
Aug 31
Sept 2
Chapters 3
and 4
Chapter 2
Chapter 5
Sept 7
Sept 9
Chapter 6
Math review; introduction to electrical units and properties
Resistors
No Class - Holiday
Introduction to Ohm’s Law; work, energy, and power
Review
Homework
(Due the following Monday at
the beginning of class)
Coulomb’s Law
Worksheet
Units Worksheet
Resistance and Voltage
Worksheet AND
Pg 85 Prb 1,2
Study for Test 1
Ohm’s Law Practice
Problems Worksheet
HOUR EXAM 1 (Chapters 2 – 5)
Sept 14
Intro to Series Circuits
Sept 16
Chapter 7
Series circuits
Sept 21
Sept 23
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Parallel DC circuits
Series-parallel circuits
Sept 28
Chapter 10
Circuit measurement; introduction to Kirchhoff’s Laws
Sept 30
Chapter 11
HOUR EXAM 2 (Chapters 6 – 9)
Voltage and current dividers; introduction to network theorems
Oct 5
Chapter 12
Network theorems (continued); mesh analysis
Oct 7
Oct 12
Oct 14
Chapter 13
Network theorems (continued); unbalanced Wheatstone bridges;
Thevenin’s Theorem
Thevenin’s Theorem (continued); conductors, cells and
supplemental components
Pg133 Prb 2,3,5
DC Maze
Series Circuit Worksheet
Pg158 Prb 1,4,5,6,7
Pg181 Prb 5,6,7,8
Combo Circuit
Worksheet
Study for Test 2
Calculating Partial
Circuit Quantities
Worksheet
Pg226
Prb 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,11
Mesh Analysis
Worksheet - Homework
Pg260-261
Prb 2,3,4,8,10,12,13
Study for Final
FINAL EXAMINATION
8:00am Lecture Final 9:30am Lab Final
*The above schedule is subject to change upon discretion of instructor. Assignments may be added or deleted to fit the
individual needs of the class.
Notes regarding Laboratory Assignments

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
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Instructor will grade lab in class before you leave for the day if you leave before the end of the session, else the
lab is due at the beginning of the following class session. You are not allowed to leave until all corrections are
made.
Get into the habit of reading over your lab assignments in advance of the period in which they are assigned.
There will be an instructor-led overview as well as a demonstration and question-and-answer session for each
day’s lab activity, and these will be most instructive if you come prepared.
Always answer the questions with complete sentences. Effective written and verbal communication is a critical
aspect of success on the job; use your lab exercises as an opportunity to practice these skills. Also, neatness
counts. Do not turn in to me anything you would not be willing to turn in to your boss.
Give me numbers: whenever a question asks “how closely” measured and calculated quantities agree, tell me the
percentage error. (We will review how to do this in lab.)
Laboratory Assignments (Subject to Modification)
Date
Lab
Topic
Number
Lab 1: Conductivity and Introduction to the Ohmmeter
Aug 24 Lab 1
Discussion of lab safety. Students will learn about proper ohmmeter operation, how to measure
the difference between insulators and conductors, and how to perform continuity tests.
Lab 2: The Protoboard: Bus Connections
Aug 26 Lab 2
Lab 3: The Protoboard: Vertical Connections
and 3
Students will be introduced to the protoboard. Instruction will be given to how its construction
allows for proper operation. Students will learn how to connect components to the breadboard.
Lab 4: The Ohmmeter: Checking Continuity
Aug 31 Lab 4
Lab 5: Reading Scales on the VOM
and 5
Students will be taught how to read and use the volt-ohm meter. Instruction will include proper
calibration of equipment, zeroing, and conduction tests.
Lab 6: Measuring Voltage: Power Supply and Batteries
Sept 2
Lab 6
Students will be instructed on how to make voltage measurements using a variety of power
supply and battery configurations. Demonstration of Analog/Digital Trainer and DMM.
Introduction to Digital Multimeter and its use.
No Class - Holiday
Sept 7
Lab 7: Ohmmeter: Measuring Resistance
Sept 9
Lab 7
Students will be introduced to the ohmmeter within the VOM. Students will be trained on reading
the resistance color code and making measurements based off accuracy calculations.
Introduction to resistors and potentiometers.
Lab 8: Ohm’s Law and Power
Sept 14 Lab 8
Lab 9: Series Circuits
and 9
Introduction to the milliammeter and its proper use. Discussion on the relationship between
voltage, current and resistance through the use of calculations and measurements.
Lab 10: Series Circuits: Troubleshooting
Sept 16 Lab 10
Introduction to circuit troubleshooting. Discussion of distinctive issues found in electronics and
how to assess the problem. Instruction on various troubleshooting techniques in series circuits.
Lab 13: Parallel Circuits: Measurements
Sept 21 Lab 13
Lab 14: Parallel Circuits: Troubleshooting
and 14
Introduction to parallel circuit measurements. Instruction on various troubleshooting techniques
in parallel circuits. Students will be trained on fuses and their implementation in troubleshooting.
Lab 15: Series-Parallel Circuits
Sept 23 Lab 15
Lab 16: Series-Parallel Circuits: Troubleshooting
and 16
Students will be educated on combo circuit measurements including current and voltage
measurements throughout a series/parallel circuit. Introduction to combo circuit troubleshooting.
Lab 17: Voltmeter Loading Effects
Sept 28 Lab 17
Lab 18: Voltage Dividers and KVL
and 18
Discussion and demonstration of loading effects. Explanation of VOM sensitivity. Students will
be instructed on how loading effects alter circuit operation.
Lab 11: Ground and References
Sept 30 Lab 11
Lab 11b: Combo Circuits
and 11b
Introduction and demonstration of reference points. Students will be educated on various
labeling techniques.
Lab 12: Variable Voltage and Current
Oct 5
Lab 12
Discussion of variable voltage and current controllers. Students will be instructed on how to
build a variable voltage controller using trimmer potentiometers, with an introduction to rheostat
operation.
Lab 20: Balanced and Unbalanced Bridges
Oct 7
Lab 20
Introduction to Wheatstone Bridge. Instruction includes demonstration of galvanometer and how
to balance an unbalanced bridge, as well as mesh analysis application.
Lab 21: Thevenin’s Theorem
Oct 12
Lab 21
Lab 22: Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
and 22
Students will be taught how to build Thevenin circuits as well as apply max power transfer rules
using potentiometers.
FINAL EXAMINATION
Oct 14
Lab
8:00am Lecture Final 9:30am Lab Final
Practical
Evaluation
Your final grade in this course will be based on the total number of points earned. The point distribution is as follows:
One Hour Tests (2)
40 each (13.33% each)
Lecture Final
45 points (15%)
Lab Final
15 points (5%)
Homework/In Class work
45 points (15%)
Labs
100 points (33.33%)
Attendance
15 points (5%)
Total: 300 points
Extra Credit (Maximum 15 points)
1) Recognizing Mistakes
2) Helping others
The total points will be converted to letter grades as follows:
90-100%:
A
80-89%:
B
70-79%:
C
60-69%:
D
<60%:
F
You must complete and turn in the final examination to pass the course.
Missed exams can only be made up in the event of illness or unavoidable emergency. If you must miss an exam, you
must email me so it is documented. Notification that the exam will be missed must be done before the exam. Missed
exams must be made up before the next regularly scheduled class meeting.
Late assignments will NOT be accepted in this class. Class assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of
the day that they are due. They will not be accepted if you come in late past the time they are due. If you are
absent the day homework is due, you must email the instructor and turn it in the day you come back.
Attendance and Sleeping
In this course you may be dropped after the second missed class meeting unless you have satisfactorily explained your
absences to the instructor. Roll will be taken at each class meeting. Attendance is worth 5% of your total grade. If you
miss or are tardy for more than 3 classes, you will lose all 15 attendance points; otherwise you will retain all 15 points.
Students are expected to be alert during class and not to be sleeping and/or have their heads down. Many students have
jobs that keep them up through the night before coming to class, however students are still expected not to sleep during
class. Students caught looking like they are sleeping, will be asked to leave and be counted as an absence for that day.
Please respect the classroom environment.
Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as
possible.
Dropping the Class
If you do not intend to complete the class, please go to your banner account online and drop yourself. Do not assume
that the instructor will drop you for not attending the class. Also, the instructor cannot drop you after the “W”
deadline announced in class. This district policy cannot be waived for the convenience of the student.
Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices
As a courtesy to other students and the instructor, please turn off your cell phone and laptop before entering the
classroom, unless using your laptop to take notes. Cell phones will not be permitted to be out during exams. Do not plan
on using your cell phone calculator during the test as a backup! Please inform the instructor in advance if you must
carry a cell phone or other device for work (e.g., “on-call” status) or emergency notifications. I do not want to see people
texting in class. If you need to make a text, please go outside the class and do so. If caught texting during lecture, you
will lose your attendance for the day. Please, NO Electronic Cigarettes in class.
Academic Honesty
Students are encouraged to work together and to help each other during laboratory assignments and other group
activities. However, each student must turn in his or her own work. Among other things, this means that answers to essay
questions must be in the student’s own words. Exams are closed-book unless otherwise announced. Cheating and
plagiarism (passing off someone else’s work as your own) will not be tolerated, and suspected or confirmed instances of
such behavior will be handled in accordance with the College’s policy on student misconduct. “Drylabbing” (turning in
lab work for credit without doing the assigned work in the laboratory) is a form of cheating. Please make
arrangements with the instructor in advance if you wish to do lab work outside scheduled class time. If you must
miss a lab session, please see the instructor so that a make-up period can be arranged.