Physics 6B Basic Electronics (Systems Approach)

Overview:
This course analyzes electronic systems by considering the functions of passive and active
electronic devices such as sources, resistors, capacitors, inductors and semiconductor diodes and
transistors. It seeks to describe the responses of circuits to several parameters. Having familiarized
themselves with electronic devices, students, at the end of the course, are expected to at least assemble if
not develop an electronic system of input-process-output scheme for signals.
Objectives:
At the end of the course, students are expected to
1. analyze circuits consisting of resistors, capacitors, inductors and semiconductor devices
2. provide proper arrangement/configuration of electronic components to meet given input and output
conditions of signals
3. construct and explain the operations, as a system, of an electronic project
Course Requirements
Textbooks: No specific textbook prescribed. See list of suggestions
Software: Circuit Maker (Student Version)
Course Policies
Lecture 65%
Laboratory -25%
Project 10%
3 long Exams 45%
Reports 15%
Final Exam 5%
Performance 10%
Quizzes 15%
Agreement
1. Attendance during lecture is not checked. However, no make-up test will be given for missed quizzes.
2. Long examinations are USUALLY BUT NOT NECESSARILY announced. No reconsideration for
missed long exams except for VERY valid reasons, justified by ORIGINAL support papers.
3. Attendance during laboratory meetings is checked and is credited under performance. A student must
not submit a lab report for a session he/she was not present. Make up classes for lab are scheduled on
the last week of the term, with the student requesting for consideration making ALL necessary room
and equipment arrangement.
4. Laboratory reports MUST be computerized, following a lab report template. Lab reports are due on the
next laboratory schedule. Late laboratory reports are accepted with corresponding deductions. Lab
reports are graded using a scale of 0-5 with 5 as the perfect score.

Physics 6B Basic Electronics (Systems Approach)

Course Topics, Laboratory, Reading and Projects
Unit

Topics

Lab

Readings

Project

Introduction

Voltage and Current

Sources
Circuit Analysis Methods:
Superposition of sources,
Mesh Analysis, Loop
Analysis
Voltage Sources
Current Sources
Network Theorems

LO - Breadboad and
Circuit Maker
Student
Version
(CSMV)
Software
L1 - Kirchoff's Rules
L2 - Network
Theorems

R1 - Ohm's Law,
Kirchoff's
Current and
Voltage Rules,
Current and
Voltage Divider
Rules
R2 - Thevenin's
and Norton's
Theorem

P1 - Short Module on
History of
Electronics
P2 - Table of Electronic
Symbols and
Operations

AC/Filters

Capacitors and Inductors

Frequency Response,
Filters and Bode Plots
RLC Circuits

L3 - Capacitors
L4 - Inductors

R3 - AC theory,
Sinusoidal
Steady State
Analysis,
Phasors

Semiconductors

Conductors, Insulators and

Semiconductors
Intrinsic and Extrinsic
Semiconductors
Doping
Diodes and Biasing

Diode Theory
and Circuits

Diode Curve
Forward and Reverse
Regions
Diode Approximation
Reading Diode Data
Sheets
Rectifiers

L5 -Alternating to
Direct Current
L6 - Half-wave, Fullwave and Bridge
Rectifiers
L6a - Voltage
Multipliers

R4 - Special
Purpose
Diodes

Transistors

Bipolar Transistors
BCE Curves
Ideal Transistor and
Approximations
Transistor as a switch
Transistor Biasing

L7 - Transistors

R5 Transistors
as switches

Electronic
Systems

Projects- Proposal,
Assembly, Evaluation

P4 - TBA

P5 Electronic Project

Physics 6B Basic Electronics (Systems Approach)

Resources
Suggested Textbooks:
[1] N. Storey, Electronics: A Systems Approach, Chapter 3, Prentice Hall, NY, 2000.
[2] P. Horowitz and W. Hill, The Arts of Electronics, Chapter 1, Cambridge University
Press, 2000.
[3] N. Malvino, Electronics: Electronic Principles, Chapters1-6, Glencoe Division of
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill School Publishing , OH, 1989
[4] Johnson, D. (1992). Electric Circuit Analysis. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc.
[5] Grob, B. (1992) Basic Electronics. Illinois: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
[6] Fuller, J.(2000) Electronic Handbook Simplified Reference for Teachers. (See
attachments to this course pack)
Internet Resources:
(Note: The other websites useful for the course are also included on the
references/readings list/links of the following websites)
Basic Electronics online animations and simulations for electronic teachers or students.
http://www.science-ebooks.com/electronics/basic_electronics.htm
Electronics for Beginners and Intermediate Electronics
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/g_knott/index1.htm
Basic Electronics
http://home.att.net/~basicelectronics/
Soldering Techniques
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderfaq.htm