COURSE DESCRIPTION

• Credit Hours: 4
• Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3
• Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 3

COURSE RATIONALE

This course is the first introduction to basic electronics and circuits. It serves as the feeder to the majority of certificate and AAS degree programs of the Engineering Technology department and is the pre-requisite for the subsequent course CETT-1405, AC Circuits. The competencies covered in the course serve as the foundational skills that are important to students pursuing a program in electronics-engineering technology or area of study.

This course is a study of the fundamentals of direct electrical current including Ohm's law, Kirchhoff’s laws and circuit analysis techniques. Emphasis is on circuit analysis of resistive networks and DC measurements. This includes steady-state analysis of magnetism, electromagnetism, inductance, and capacitance.

PREREQUISITES

 MATD 0370 (Elementary Algebra) or higher or department approval

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS/SOFTWARE

Textbook: Introductory Circuit Analysis (13th Edition), Robert L. Boylestad, ISBN: 9780133923605 OR Introductory Circuit Analysis (14th Edition), Robert L. Boylestad, ISBN: 9780137594119

Lab Kit: Adafruit Parts Pal - http://www.adafruit.com/product/2975 - Supplied by the Dept.

Scientific Calculator: Example Included: Texas Instruments Model: TI-30Xa, Casio fx-260, TI 36X Pro, or Sharp EL-W516XBSL 556 Scientific Calculator 

Thumb Drive: 2 GB or larger

Soldering Lab Consumables: - Supplied by the Dept.

• Whadda – Flashing LEDs electronic kit – WSI102 -  Quantity = 1
• 9 Volt Battery – Quantity = 1

Optional Hand Tools: (Example: Jo-Ann Fabrics – in the bead dept.)

             - Wire side cutter (e.g. Multi-strand (flush) Wire Cutter) (≈$10)

            - Needle Nose Pliers (e.g. Bent Chain Nose with spring) (≈$10)

            - Spool of Stainless Steel Bead wire (22 gauge)   

 Software:       Smart Phone - Stop Watch Timer (App Store) or built in clock app

                        Smart Phone – Poll Everywhere (App Store)

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and/or posted as an email.

Topics covered in week number:

1. Course introduction & Calculator Lecture & Lecture Chapter 1
2. Lecture Chapter 2
3. Lecture 3 & 4
4. Labs 1 & 2
5. Lecture 5 & Unit Test 1
6. Labs 3 & 4, and  Lecture 6
7. Labs 5 & 6, and Lecture 7  
8. Lecture 8 and Unit Test 2
9. Lecture 9 and Lab 7
10. Lab 8 & 9 and Lecture 10 Part 1
11. Lecture 10 Part 2 and Unit Test 3
12. Lecture 11 Part 1
13. Lecture 11 Part 2 and Lab 10  
14. Lecture 12
15. Unit Test 4
16. Final Exam w/DAC   

A more detail schedule is available via a separate document.

Required Textbook:

This is a First Day™ class. The cost of required course materials, including an online version of the textbook access, has been added to your tuition and fees bill. The included textbook  is:

Introductory Circuit Analysis (14th Edition), Robert L. Boylestad, ISBN: 9780137594119

Copyright © 2023 by Pearson Education, Inc, or its Affiliates.

A couple of the previous versions of the textbook may also be used if the student already has or wishes to acquire at their expense: 

Introductory Circuit Analysis (13th Edition), Robert L. Boylestad, ISBN: 9780133923605

Copyright © 2016 by Pearson Education, Inc, or its Affiliates.

-----  OR -----

Introductory Circuit Analysis (12th Edition), Robert L. Boylestad, ISBN: 9780137146666

Copyright © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc, or its Affiliates.

Access to First Day™ course materials is via your course entry on Blackboard. In the course menu click on the tab for Tools --> First Day Course Materials. A DC Circuits (89379) icon should open up in the BNC portal. Click on the textbook icon. 

Course Subjects: (from the textbook)

• Chapter 1 - Introduction
• Chapter 2 – Voltage and Current
• Chapter 3 - Resistance
• Chapter 4 – Ohm’s Law, Power, and Energy
• Chapter 5 – Series dc Circuits
• Chapter 6 – Parallel dc Circuits
• Chapter 7 – Series-Parallel dc Circuits
• Chapter 8 – Methods of Analysis
• Chapter 9 – Network Theorems
• Chapter 10 – Capacitors
• Chapter 11 – Inductors
• Chapter 12 – Magnetic Circuits (optional/time permitting)

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

The methods of instruction include hands-on training as well as classroom instruction.

Labs will be performed during class time.

Classroom instruction will consist of interactive lectures, class discussions, exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and video illustrations. It will be based on the assumption that the student has done the reading assignments before class.

Computers with internet access are available in the classroom for in-class exercises.  Homework will primarily be reading assignments, pre-lecture review questions, post-lecture problem sets, and internet research.

GRADING SYSTEM

Participation, Team work, and Attendance

Participation, Team work, and Attendance will primarily consist of attendance on all class days.  There are a number of in-class exercises and labs where working in groups is very important for a successful outcome. In these settings team work, cooperation, and patience is essential for success.  

Labs/Homework/pop quizzes

Labs/Homework/pop quizzes includes the grading of formal lab reports, textbook chapter  pre-lecture review questions, textbook chapter post lecture review problems, and textbook chapter pop quizzes.

• Formal Lab Reports – These lab reports are used to document the results of the in class lab experiments. The lab hand out provides the background and procedures for conducting the lab experiment along with the criteria for documenting the lab results in a specific formal report. Grading is based on correctly answering lab related questions and meeting all of the objectives as described in the lab hand out. The instructor reserved the right to return the lab report as incomplete and request resubmission for any omissions on the report.  The student is allowed to use a PDF form that has been specially designed to meet the formal lab report criteria. This PDF form is available out on blackboard. 
• Textbook Chapter Prelecture Review Questions – These are questions extracted directly from the textbook thus requiring the student to read the assigned textbook chapter. This work is typically done prior to viewing the chapter lecture video (on-line learning) or attending the face-to-face lecture. These questions are located on blackboard. Once the student answers these questions on blackboard and submits them, they are automatically graded and the grade is entered into the blackboard GradeCenter.  There is only one submission allowed on this assignment. 
• Textbook Chapter Post Lecture Review Problems – These are problems that require a mathematical solution. These problems help to illustrate the concepts that were brought out in the textbook. These problems are located on the blackboard LMS. Once the student answers these problems on Blackboard, they are automatically graded and entered into the Blackboard Grade-Center. These problems can be submitted multiple times for grading prior to the due date and time.  By allowing the student to resubmit this homework, allows the student multiple opportunities to correctly solve the problem.
• Pop Quizzes – These are typically one or two question quizzes that can be given at any time during in-class time. These pop quizzes are unannounced and can occur anytime during the class period. There is no make up for a missed pop quiz.   

Chapter Exams

There will be four Chapter Exams each covering two to three chapters worth of material from the textbook.  These chapter exams attempt to validate proficiency with learning the concepts from the textbook and to demonstrate an ability to work mathematical problems related to those concepts.  These exams may contain True/False, Multiple choices, completion, matching, and/or mathematical problems.   The exam times and content are announced in advance of the exam. A pre-exam review sheet is provided out on Blackboard to help the student prepare for each exam. Students are expected to take the exam at the scheduled time and place.

Semester Project

For the Semester Project each student is to pick out, purchase, build, and demonstrate to the class a small inexpensive (< $20) electronic kit that requires soldering. The semester project will be assigned on the first day of class and is due on the specified date towards the end of the semester. A separate grading sheet will be provided to the student explaining the criteria for grading. Some of the high level expectations are for the student to demonstrate proficiency with soldering and debugging a small electronic circuit and to be able to present the findings and project to the rest of the class. This is also an opportunity to develop skills with presentation enabling software like Microsoft Power Point, etc. 

Discipline Assessment Cycle (DAC)

The Discipline Assessment Cycle (DAC) is the process whereby Austin Community College documents the extent to which students have attained the learning outcomes and objectives set before them. The framework of the DAC is designed to promote meaningful assessment. The data gathered is then forwarded to other processes and bodies within the College where such information is needed. A DAC evaluation is imbedded within this course and is included as part of the expected course work.  

Comprehensive Final Exam

The Comprehensive Final Exam will occur on the last week of class and cover concepts and problems from chapters 1 to 11 in the textbook. This test will have a format that is similar to the chapter exams. Students are expected to take the exam at the scheduled time and place.  The DAC is integrated into the final exam.

Grading System Percentages

Based on the total course score calculation as specified above, the final course grade will be as follows:

            90% ≤   “A”   ≤ 100%

80% ≤   “B”   < 90%

70% ≤   “C”   < 80%

60% ≤   “D”   < 70%

0%   ≤   “F”    < 60%

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance/Class Participation

Attendance is very crucial and may make the difference between successfully completing this class or not. All students are expected to attend every class and to be punctual. If more than three unexcused absences or unsatisfactory compliance with other course policies, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Withdrawal Policy

If circumstances arise such that a student cannot complete this course, it is to your advantage to withdraw from the class by the deadline to avoid getting an unsatisfactory grade on your permanent school record. The student or the instructor may initiate a withdrawal anytime during the semester before the official withdrawal deadline.

Students may be withdrawn from the course by the instructor.  However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to initiate the withdrawal process if they are unable to attend or complete their coursework as required. Failure to withdraw by the established deadline will result in a grade of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “F”, based on the student’s recorded performance in the course. Withdrawal forms are available from campus Admissions and Records offices or a student may withdraw from the course by using online services.

The last day to withdraw is 11/21/2024

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

The missed exam and late work policies are as follows:

• Formal Lab Reports – The lab reports are typically due seven(7) calendar days after the lab was performed or scheduled to be performed. There is a penalty of 1% per day late. Missing lab reports will result in the instructor, at his or her discretion, assigning an automatic “Incomplete” or an “F” for a final grade.  Labs are important and are required for successful completion of this course.    
• Textbook Chapter Prelecture Review Questions – These questions have specific due dates and times. If the questions are not completed out on blackboard prior to this date/time, the questions go away and no credit is awarded for this assignment. There is only one submission allowed on this homework. The day after this due date, the answers to these questions are posted on blackboard and become part of the review materials for the chapter exam.
• Textbook Chapter Post Lecture Review Problems – These problem sets have specific due dates and times. If the problem set is not completed out on blackboard prior to this date/time, the problem set goes away and no credit is awarded for this assignment. These assignments may be submitted multiple times prior to the due date. The day after this due date, the answers to this problem set is posted on blackboard and become part of the review materials for the chapter exam.
• Pop Quizzes – These are not announced before hand and there is no make up for a missed quiz. Missed quizzes result in a zero being entered as a grade in GradeCenter. 
• Chapter Exams – It is up to the instructor’s discretion to allow a make-up exam or not. If a make-up exam is allowed, it may be the same or a similar exam and it might be administered at any of the ACC testing centers or another location.         
• Semester Project – The semester project is an opportunity for each student to make a formal presentation to the class on an individually selected project.  The project may consist of an electronic design or a purchased electronic kit, either of which requires soldering.   Failure to present a semester project will result in the instructor, at his or her discretion, assigning an automatic “Incomplete” or an “F” for a final grade.  The semester project is important and is required for successful completion of this course.    
• Final & DAC Exam - It is up to the instructor’s discretion to allow a make-up exam or not. If a make-up exam is allowed, it may be the same or a similar exam.

Incompletes

A student, under vary rare and extreme circumstances, may receive an incomplete as the final grade for this course. It is highly recommended that students should withdraw from the class if they know prior to the withdrawal date that they will be unable to finish the course. See the section on “Withdrawal Policy” for this course. 

A final grade of an incomplete is a temporary grade that allows the student additional time to complete the required course work. The time allotted is typically until the course withdrawal date of the following semester. If the incomplete status has not been changed to a regular grade by this date, the grade is automatically changed to an “F”.   

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (incomplete) at the end of the semester only if the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstance beyond their control. (e.g. major illness after withdrawal date, etc.)  Student time management related issues (job, family, etc.) are not accepted circumstances for requesting an incomplete.

1. The student must have a “weighted grade total” of a “C” or better out on Blackboard Grade- Center on the course withdrawal date. 

1. Prior to the end of the semester, the student must request from the instructor that the final grade of an “I” (incomplete) be awarded.  This request must take the form of an ACC email and the dept. chair must be copied on the email.

1. It is up to the instructor’s discretion to allow an “I” (incomplete) grade to be awarded or not.  

To convert the incomplete “I” into a grade, the student must submit for grading all work required to complete the course to the instructor by a date specified by the instructor within the following semester, but absolutely no later than 1 week prior to the withdrawal date of that semester.

Under no circumstances

• will an “I” (incomplete) status be extended to a second semester for a student to complete the course work.
• will an “I” (incomplete) status be used to bureaucratically withdraw a student from the course after the withdrawal date.

MISC. COURSE POLICIES

Food and Beverages

Other than sealable bottles of water, food/ beverage items are prohibited in the classroom.

Dress Code

During lab, students are required to wear close‐toed shoes at all times. Open-toed footwear (flip-flops, sandals, etc.) are not permitted.

Personal Electronic Media devices

• Cell/Smart phones are to be turned off or muted during lab and class time unless the instructor specifically requests their use for a class related activity. No text messaging is allowed in class unless specifically requested by the instructor.  If you need to make or take a phone call, please step out of the classroom to do so. 
• IPods/MP3 players or headphone/earbuds are not allowed during lab and class time.
• Video recording is not allowed in the class.
• Lecture audio recording is permitted if the instructor allows. 
• Laptops, IPads, and kindle type devices are allowed but limited for note taking and instructor requested activities.  

Teamwork

There are a number of in-class exercises and labs where working in groups is very important for the

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES and GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES

Student Learning Outcomes:

Apply safety techniques while working on and troubleshooting various circuits and components; interpret color codes and other descriptors used in electronics; identify various sources of electricity in DC circuits; interpret characteristics of voltage, current, resistance, and power in DC circuits; measure voltage, current, and resistance in DC circuits using measuring devices.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to...

1. Do simple bread-boarding and soldering
2. Identify various components found in DC circuits
3. Memorize and interpret a resistor color code and tolerance labeling scheme.
4. Identify, Set-up, and Use DC power sources
5. Read and Interpret simple DC Circuit schematic diagrams 
6. Analyze DC Circuits using appropriate formulas, solving for voltage, resistance, current, power,  energy, efficiency, etc. values using the following approaches, laws, theorems, rules and procedures:
   1. Ohm’s law
   2. Series, Parallel, and Series-parallel analysis of resistors, capacitors and inductors
   3. Reduce and return approach
   4. Block diagram approach
   5. Kirchhoff’s voltage law
   6. Kirchhoff’s current law
   7. Superposition theorem
   8. Thévenin’s theorem
   9. Norton’s theorem
   10. Current divider rule
   11. Voltage divider rule
   12. Maximum power transfer theorem
7. Use measuring instruments to measure voltage, resistance, current, inductance, and capacitance. Interpret the instrument reading and determine the value in proper units of measure, the correct number of significant figures, apply appropriate round off techniques, and documenting this value in Engineering Notation.  
8. Present to the class the results of a semester project which involves the selection, purchase, assembly, soldering, and debug of a relatively simple electronic kit. Prepare a presentation to present to the class on the research completed. Demonstrate to the class a working device that required soldering in order to complete the circuit.  
9. Analyze and plot the steady state response of capacitor and inductor circuits

To see the ACC College Policies, please click on the “College Policies and Student Support Services” link found in the Blackboard main menu. 

DEPARTMENTAL ADDENDUM

• Engineering Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Students who are seeking a degree or certificate should visit with an Area-Of-Study advisor:

• Vidal Almanza, Advisor Supervisor (SAC Campus, Student Affairs, 512-223-9160; vman@austincc.edu )
• Sonia Santamaria, Advisor (RVS Campus, Bldg. G, Student Affairs, 512-223-6203; sonia.santamaria@austincc.edu )
• Gabriel Martinez, Advisor (RVS Campus, Bldg. G, Student Affairs, 512-223-6173; Gabriel.martinez@austincc.edu )
• C. Alex Rawlins, Advisor (RRC Campus, Student Affairs, 512-223-0042; calexan4@austincc.edu )
• Laura Garcia, Advisor Supervisor (HLC, Student Affairs, 512-223-9485; laura.garcia@austincc.edu )
• Lauren Martin, Advisor (HLC, Student Affairs, 512-223-7324; lauren.martin@austincc.edu )

Additional Area-Of-Study advisors can be found using this link, Find-My-Advisor

For online advising, please go to the following site:

https://students.austincc.edu/advising/online-advising/

High School students taking classes in dual enrollment or as part of an academy or

institute will have different advisors and counselors assigned to them.

• All students are expected to check their ACC gmail regularly throughout the semester. We will be sending pertinent information about scholarships, the course schedule, job and  internship opportunities, Microsoft Azure free student software program, career fairs, special events, and etc. Your instructor will also be communicating with you in this way.

• All degree and certificate seeking students should declare their major at the Admissions and Records Office if they have not done so already.

• In addition to the Academic Support listed above under Student Support Services, the Engineering Technology department also provides face-to-face tutoring services. Click on the TUTORING SCHEDULE button at http://sites.austincc.edu/electronics/ to see a list of tutors and the times they are available.