Curriculum integration for the ECE undergraduate core courses in electronics

Abstract

This paper discusses the work in progress to restructure the Electronics curriculum in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) in order to improve the system integration learning experience gained by the undergraduate students. The goals of restructuring the ECE Electronics curriculum are as follows: a) train and prepare students to design and analyze complex electronic systems first at the subsystem and system level before teaching and learning electronics at the component level; and b) strengthen the infrastructure for the system integration learning experience with other courses such as power electronics through the use of integrated projects developed for the Electronics curriculum. To realize these goals, the curriculum of Electronics I and Electronics II are redesigned. Electronics I is designed to focus on the design and analysis of electronic circuits, devices, and processes at the system and subsystem level. Electronics II is designed to focus on the study, operation, and analysis of electronic circuits, devices, and processes at the component level. Centralized projects are selected as platforms to allow students to develop the skills in designing and analyzing electronic systems. The students' performance and survey show that the Electronics curriculum restructure has a positive impact on students' learning.