Rex N. Fisher              Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department, BYU-Idaho

ECEN 150 Electric Circuit Analysis I

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[ECEN 150 Assignments]     [ECEN 150 Course Outline] 

 

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IMPORTANT: More details regarding schedules, assignments, and policies are available to registered students on I-Learn.  These items are subject to change, but students will be given advance notification of any changes.

 

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Course Description:

 

Introduction to electrical and computer engineering.  Analysis, design, and troubleshooting of DC and AC circuits.  Resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers, and batteries.  Ohms Law, power and network theorems.  Steady state and frequency domain analysis.  Students must select an electric/electronic circuit project, assemble it using good construction techniques, and demonstrate that it operates correctly.  A student presentation is required.  Laboratory exercises are included.

 

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Course Objectives:

 

At the conclusion of this course you will be able to:

1.  Design, analyze, and troubleshoot electric circuits.
2.  Use CAE software to model electric circuit operation.
3.  Assemble electric circuits using temporary and permanent construction methods.
4.  Measure electric circuit parameters with basic laboratory instruments.
5.  Make technical presentations.
6.  Write technical reports.
7.  Engage in self-directed learning.
8.  Describe what engineers do.

 

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Course Prerequisites:

 

Proficiency in Algebra.

Exposure to Trigonometry.

 

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Concurrent Courses:

 

There are two other courses you should be taking this semester if you are a full-time EE or CompE major.  They are "gateway" courses that fulfill prerequisite requirements for other required courses in the curriculum.  Your graduation will be delayed if you do not take them at the beginning of your academic experience.

 

FDMAT 112

CS 124

 

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Required Texts:

 

 

Note: The 5^th and 6th editions of Bell's book have some differences in content and organization, but are essentially the same in most respects for a lower cost.

 

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Required Software: 

 

You will need computer aided engineering (CAE) software during this course for circuit simulation.  You may choose any circuit simulator you wish.  If you do not already have one, the packages listed below are FREE.

 

CircuitMaker: This is similar to PSpice (below), but it is easier to use. 

 

PSpice Student Version: This is the student version of the Cadence circuit simulation software available in our labs.  Be sure to also download the documentation from the web site. 

 

CAE programs also make it easy to include schematic diagrams in your lab reports.  Use screen capture software to copy them from the circuit simulator to your lab report document.  If you need a screen capture program, download a FREE one called Screen Hunter.

A CD containing circuit simulation software is included with your text.  You also have the option, however, of using one of the packages listed below if you wish.

 

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Recommended Calculators: 

 

You will need a calculator that can solve simultaneous equations, operate with complex numbers (real part and imaginary part), and perform polar <--> rectangular conversions.  Graphing capability is not required.

 

TI 8x calculators (TI 83, TI 84, TI 86, TI 89, etc.) work nicely, but they are expensive ($130 to $150).  These are graphing calculators and many students prefer this, even though it is not required for this course.

 

The Math department has tutorials for some of these calculators.

 

Another good choice, for about $60, is the HP 35s.  The RPN ("enter" key) takes a few minutes to get use to, but you will probably never go back to algebraic calculators again once you try RPN.  Before students started using TI calculators in high school, nearly every engineer had an HP.  The engineers who have been around a while still do.  

 

HP has an online tutorial for the HP 35s. 

 

Another recommended calculator is the Casio FX-115.  At about $15, it is cheaper than the HP 35s and Ti 8x, can do everything you need, and uses algebraic notation like the TI.  

 

A nice thing about the HP 35s and Casio FX-115 is that you can use them on the engineering licensing exams.  None of the TI 8x models are permitted for that test.

 

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Class Score Calculation:

 

Exams & Quizzes:          30%
Homework:                      20%
Lab Experiments:           20%
Preparation                     20%
Construction Project:     10%

Total:                              100%

 

 

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Grading Scale:

 

93% - 100%  A
90% - 92%    A-
87% - 89%    B
83% - 86%    B
80% - 82%    B-
77% - 79%    C
73% - 76%    C
70% - 72%    C-
67%- 69%     D
63% - 66%    D
60% - 62%    D-