ECE210 Syllabus
Catalog description
ECE 210 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUITS (3-0-3)(F,S). Fundamental laws,
basic network analysis, and circuit theorems. Capacitors, inductors, and operational-amplifier
circuits. First- and second-order circuits. Sinusoidal steady-state analysis of AC circuits.
Introduction to computer-aided circuit simulation. PREREQ: ENGR 120 or CE 120, and MATH
175. PREREQ/COREQ: MATH 333.
Student conduct
Students are expected to comply with all parts of the BSU Student Code of Conduct found at
http://www.boisestate.edu/osrr/Forms/07.%20BSU%20Code%20FINAL.pdf . In particular all
students should review Section 18 of the code dealing with Academic Dishonesty.
Guideline: Any assignment submitted for this class should not look like it was copied from the
solution manual or another student. Note that the solution manual contains known errors.
University-level specific learning objectives
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
The development of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving skills are essential to lifelong
learning and for professional growth and success. Graduating students are expected to be able to
do the following effectively
Objective
Understand that a variety of strategies for
solving a problem may exist
Apply and evaluate a variety of strategies for
solving a problem.
Analyze quantitative information to understand
a problem or its solution.
Analyze qualitative (symbolic) data to
understand a problem or its solution.
Develop the ability to intuitively view a
problem and determine how to break it into
pieces and approach it in a manageable way.
Example Course Material
Certain problems will be presented that will be
solved using all methods shown in the box
below.
Nodal and Mesh analysis
Cramer’s rule and matrix inversion
Linearity
Superposition
Source transformation
Source Modeling
• Thevenin’s Theorem
• Norton’s Theorem
Units and prefixes
Analyze circuits containing sources, passive
components, and op amps.
Analyze first and second order circuits.
Equations for charge, energy, power, voltage,
current to understand their relationships
Circuits will be presented for analyses that
have numerous extraneous, irrelevant
components that require the students to identify
in order to solve the problem with reasonable
effort.
Department-level specific learning objectives
ABET Outcomes Assessed:
(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.
Examples of Course Learning Outcomes Assessed with Eleven Problems on a previous Final
Exam:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
To solve a problem using Thevenin equivalent sources.
To use critical thinking to analyze a circuit.
To analyze a circuit using nodal analysis.
To analyze a circuit using mesh analysis.
To solve a differential amplifier problem.
To determine the gain in dB of an op amp circuit.
To analyze an integrating op amp circuit.
To solve a first-order circuit problem.
To analyze a first-order RC delay.
To solve a basic second-order circuit.
To compute impedance of fundamental circuit elements.
Assessment Methods:
1. Four to five quizzes, two one-hour midterm exams and one two-hour comprehensive final
exam.
2. Homework due for most classes consists of drill exercises, analysis problems, MATLAB™
and LTspice problems.
3. Several projects involving first- and second-order circuits that are analyzed with a
combination of manual analysis, LTspice, and MATLAB™.
Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes:
The objectives of this course are:
• To develop critical-thinking skills and problem-solving techniques to solve (i.e., formulate
and analyze) using advanced mathematical techniques including differential equations and
linear algebra. (a)
• To simulate circuit problems using advanced mathematical techniques and using tools
including MATLAB and LTspice. (k)
ECE210 Course Topics
Chapters based on content of Dorf/Svobada, Intro to Electric Circuits, 8ed.
Chapter 1
• Units and prefixes
• Equations for charge, energy, power, voltage, current.
Chapter 2
• Linearity, independent and dependent sources
• Ohm’s Law and resistors
• Measurements, transducers, and switches
Chapter 3
• KVL, KCL
• Series and parallel resistors and sources
• Voltage Dividers, Current Dividers
• Introduction to MATLAB
Chapter 4
• Nodal and Mesh analysis including supernodes and supermeshes with independent and
dependent sources.
• Cramer’s rule and matrix inversion using MATLAB
Chapter 5
• Linearity
• Source transformation and Superposition
• Thevenin Theorem and `Norton Theorem
• Maximum power transfer
• Bridges
Chapter 6
• Introduction to semiconductor devices (not in current text, makes op amps more
understandable)
• Op amps – Inverting, Non-inverting, Summing, Difference.
• Practical considerations of op amps
Chapter 7
• Properties of capacitors and inductors – physical, time domain, energy storage. initial
conditions, series and parallel circuits
• Op amps to create integrators, differentiators, analog computers
Chapter 8
• Natural and forced response of first order RC and RL Circuits
• Singularity functions
• Implications to digital delay
Chapter 9
• Determining the differential equation to represent second order circuits
• Natural and forced response of series and parallel second order RLC Circuits
o Underdamped., critically damped, overdamped systems
• Roots in the complex plane
Chapter 10
• Sinusoids
• Phasors
• Impedance (Z) and Admittance (Y) including reactance (X) and susceptance (B)
• Frequency domain analysis
• KVL and KCL in complex environment
• Series and parallel components
• Complex voltage and current dividers
• Complex impedance bridges
• Transformers and mutual inductance
PREPARED BY:Bob Hay
DATE: May 6, 2011