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Introduction to Electronics

Dr. Bonnie H. Ferri and Dr. Robert Allen Robinson, Jr.

This course introduces students to the basic components of electronics: diodes, transistors, and op amps. It covers the basic operation and some common applications.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and Review

Learning Objectives: 1. Review syllabus and procedures of this course. 2. Review concepts from linear circuit theory to aid in understanding material covered in this course.

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Introduces foundational electronics and their applications

Taught by an experienced instructor with deep expertise in the subject

Covers a variety of diodes, transistors, and op-amps, providing a comprehensive overview

Includes learning objectives for each lesson, providing clear goals for students

Suitable for students with little to no prior knowledge, providing a solid foundation

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Reviews summary

Foundational electronics components analysis

According to inferred student feedback, this course provides a solid introduction to basic electronic components like Op Amps, Diodes, and Transistors. It is often described as clear in explanation, especially in the lectures. However, many find the material quite challenging and emphasize that a strong background in linear circuits and math is essential. The assignments are seen as beneficial for practice but require significant time commitment. While demanding, it's considered a valuable foundational course for further study.

Assignments reinforce learning effectively.

"Working through the problem sets was absolutely crucial for understanding the material."

"The assignments really helped solidify the concepts covered in the lectures."

"I learned the most by doing the practice problems, even though they were time-consuming."

Lectures explain concepts well.

"The lectures were clear and the instructor did a good job of explaining the material."

"The examples provided in the videos were very helpful for understanding circuit analysis."

"I found the instructor's method of explaining circuit behavior easy to follow."

Good overview of key electronic parts.

"I gained a good understanding of Op Amps and Diodes from this course."

"Covers the basic operation of MOSFETs and BJTs effectively as promised."

"The course delivers on its promise to introduce fundamental electronic components."

Requires solid background in circuits and math.

"Make sure your linear circuit theory is strong before starting this; the review isn't enough if you're rusty."

"The math involved can be quite challenging if you're not comfortable with calculus and differential equations."

"I struggled early on because my prerequisites weren't as strong as needed for this course's pace."

Material is difficult and moves quickly.

"This was much harder than I anticipated for an intro course, it requires significant effort."

"The pace is very fast, sometimes I felt rushed through topics."

"I needed to spend a lot of extra time reviewing concepts outside of the lectures to keep up."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Electronics with these activities:

Review Electronics Fundamentals

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Bolsters foundational knowledge of electronics concepts and terminology.

View Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices &... on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-5
Review solved examples
Complete chapter exercises

Discuss Bipolar Junction Transistors

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Encourages collaborative learning and deepens conceptual understanding through peer interaction.

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Form a study group with 2-3 classmates
Review lecture notes and course materials together
Discuss different types of BJTs and their applications
Solve practice problems collaboratively

Explore MOSFET Applications

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Expands knowledge of MOSFET applications and deepens understanding of their operation.

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Follow 2-3 online tutorials on MOSFET applications
Identify different types of MOSFETs and their uses
Analyze circuit schematics involving MOSFETs

Four other activities

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Analyze Op-Amp Circuits

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Develops proficiency in applying op amp circuit analysis techniques.

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Solve 5-10 practice problems
Check answers against provided solutions
Identify common op amp circuit configurations

Build an Electronics Resource Repository

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Encourages students to organize and expand their learning materials, fostering self-directed learning and knowledge synthesis.

Browse courses on Electronics

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Collect and organize lecture notes, articles, videos, and other relevant resources
Create a digital or physical repository for the resources
Categorize and label the resources for easy access
Share the repository with classmates or the broader learning community

Build a Diode Circuit Simulator

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Enhances understanding of diode behavior and circuit analysis through hands-on simulation.

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Choose a programming language and development environment
Implement diode characteristics and circuit equations
Create a user interface for circuit inputs and visualization
Test and debug the simulator

Participate in an Electronics Design Competition

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Challenges students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting, fostering creativity and innovation.

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Identify and register for an appropriate competition
Form a team and brainstorm ideas
Design and build an electronic device or system
Present and demonstrate the project to a panel of judges

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Electronics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Electrical Engineer

Electronics engineers design, develop, and oversee the installation and operation of a variety of electronic devices and systems. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Electronics Technician

Electronics technicians work with electronic equipment to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair it. They also may work on the assembly of electronic devices and systems. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Technician

Field Service Engineer

Field service engineers provide on-site support for electronic systems and equipment. They may install, repair, and maintain electronic devices and systems. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Field Service Engineer

Electronics Designer

Electronics designers create schematics and layouts for electronic devices and systems. They may also work on the development of new electronic products. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Designer

Hardware Engineer

Hardware engineers design and develop electronic devices and systems. They may also work on the integration of hardware and software. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hardware Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers oversee the production of electronic devices and systems. They may also work on the development of new manufacturing processes. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Quality Engineer

Quality engineers ensure that electronic devices and systems meet quality standards. They may also work on the development of new quality control processes. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Engineer

Product Engineer

Product engineers work on the development and testing of new electronic products. They may also work on the marketing and sales of these products. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Engineer

Research Engineer

Research engineers conduct research on new electronic technologies. They may also work on the development of new electronic devices and systems. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems engineers design and develop complex electronic systems. They may also work on the integration of hardware and software. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Test Engineer

Test engineers test electronic devices and systems to ensure that they meet quality standards. They may also work on the development of new test methods. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Test Engineer

Applications Engineer

Applications engineers provide technical support to customers who are using electronic devices and systems. They may also work on the development of new applications for these products. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Applications Engineer

Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation for electronic devices and systems. They may also work on the development of training materials. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Sales Engineer

Sales engineers sell electronic devices and systems to customers. They may also work on the development of new sales strategies. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for electronic devices and systems. They may also work on the development of new marketing strategies. This course will teach you the basics of electronics, including diodes, transistors, and op amps. This knowledge will be essential for you to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Electronics.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, Global Edition

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This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of electronic devices and circuit theory, covering the same fundamental concepts as the course. It offers a solid foundation in the underlying principles of electronics, making it a valuable reference for both beginners and experienced learners.

Introduction to Electronics

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational electronics components analysis

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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