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Course: Textbooks and other resources needed for this class

Textbooks & Other Materials needed for this Class: 

The list of materials you will need for this class is given below.  I realize this is a substantial investment for this class.  The other professors in the program and I have coordinated to make it possible for you to use the textbook, MyDAQ, Matlab, and Office tools in multiple classes.  No, you really can't get by without buying the textbook/software/hardware bundle.  My lectures are not copies of what is in the book.  The material will be obviously very similar, but I try to always do examples that are different than the book, so you have multiple examples to learn from.  The lab will be based on using the MyDAQ, and we really will use this extensively.  Multisim is our key to easy simulation of these circuits, and we will use it in lectures, in class, and also in homework.  Matlab is about 1/4 of the class content, so you absolutely need access to that tool.

I have also provided a number of additional resources linked to each lecture. I hope you will find applications, cool tidbits, etc. that capture your personal creative streak, and perhaps you will even want to pursue them further. I have given a number of extra credit opportunities (which I will expand throughout the semester).  These can be used to bring your homework and lab scores up to 100%, in case you miss a few points or assignments here and there.  If you have something you would really like to do for extra credit, suggest it to me.  If it makes sense to let you do it for points, I will make that opportunity available for everyone else for extra credit too.

1. Textbook/hardware/software bundle:

Circuits Links to an external site. by Fawwaz T. Ulaby, Michel M. Maharbiz, Cynthia Furse.   http://www.ntspress.com/2011/11/ni-mydaq-circuits-textbook-bundle/ Links to an external site. ($250)  (available at the UofU Bookstore (more expensive), or online)

This bundle includes:

  • The textbook, Links to an external site. Links to an external site.which will be used in ECE1250 and ECE2240.  I really like Dr. Ulaby as an author, because he makes things to readable.  This year, I joined the team, and helped write the third edition. (No, I'm not getting rich on this.  All profits I make from sales of the book to this class will be donated to scholarships at the U.)  I hope you will like the book. (It is ok to use the second edition, however you will miss a number of the explanations.  You can find the application notes on the textbook website, however, so that will help.  Homework problems have been added, so the numbers have changed, so please copy those from the third edition.)
  •  MyDAQ hardware Links to an external site., which is like having your own personal electrical engineering lab (power supplies, DVM, scope, function generator, etc.) in your backpack!    The textbook link above has support for the MyDAQ as well. (This has a year warranty, so buying it used is risky.)  You will use the MyDAQ in ECE1250, 2240, and probably ECE2280.
  • Multisim software Links to an external site., which will let you simulate the circuits in the textbook, your homework, and the labs.  We will use this in ECE1250, and (probably) also ECE2240.  The DVD in the back of your textbook has tutorials and support to get you started with Multisim.
  • Labview software Links to an external site., very useful software for general use during your degree.  Not quite sure how much we will use this in this class, but it lets you use MathScript RT, which can substitute for Matlab, if you prefer not to buy Matlab this semester. 

2. Matlab Ebook ($49).  

3.  Student Version of Matlab (software) Links to an external site..  ($99)  Matlab is a simple programming interface that engineers use for quick, effective simulation, computation, and graphing.  We will use it throughout the course (ECE1250 is meant to be your first introduction to this powerful tool), and in several other classes throughout your degree.  The link above also has tutorials and support to get you started.  You can purchase this at the bookstore.

You can also access Matlab remotely from the UofU CADE lab. 

There are other tools (Mathscript and Python, for example) that behave very similar to Matlab and are free. But neither I nor the TAs are prepared to help you debug code other than Matlab, so you are on your own if you choose to use an alternative software. You will be using Matlab quite extensively for the next 4+ years, so investing in it now will pay off throughout your program.

4. You will need access to word processing software for writing.  Microsoft Office (Word) is available to UofU students free from the Office of Software Licensing Links to an external site..  Check out other free and discounted software for students.

5. You will need additional parts and materials for the lab.  They can be purchased in MEB2355 (Electrical Engineering Lab Store/Stockroom).  You will need money (approximately $30) on your U-card in order to make these purchases.

6. Do I NEED a laptop?  Well, technically no.  You are welcome to use the ECE Computer Lab in MEB 2555 Links to an external site. .  To get 24/7 keycard access, fill out the form in the ECE Stockroom (after you get your UofU student ID card).  Software for the MyDaq, Matlab, Microsoft Office, and Labview are all installed in this lab, and you can run MultiSim using the DVD from the back of your textbook.  You can access the video lectures and class website there as well.  BUT it will surely be a LOT easier if you have a computer at home, whether it is a desktop or laptop.  A personal tablet (ipad, etc.) is not enough for this class -- the MyDAQ requires a USB interface.  A tablet is a great supplement to a PC (you'll probably love it for watching video lectures), but not a good substitute.

7. Calculator.  You will also need a calculator to do your homework, and exams.  The calculator needs to be capable of handling matrix math, including complex matrices.  Calculators that will do the job include TI 85 and up, and also TI 36.  The TI 83 and 84 are NOT sufficient.