At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand signals and frequencies (Bode Plots)
• Characteristics, analysis, and design using operational amplifiers
• Characteristics of diodes, BJTs, and FETs
• Analysis and design of diodes, BJTs, FETs in electronic circuits
• Efficient at using Electronics Simulation Software
• Be a better problem solver

Materials required for this course are:

• Fundamentals of Microelectronics, Behzad Razavi, 2^nd Edition or better
• Circuit Simulation Software (LTSpice supported) (PSpice, or MicroSim also accepted)
• Webcam & microphone or video recording device
• A strong internet connection
• Way to upload answers on paper to CANVAS (scanner, camera, etc) quickly

Ensure you have these ahead of time as they will be required to complete assignments, activities, and exams throughout the course.

Please review the communication methods and requirements for this course:

Preferred Contact Methods

The easiest way to contact your instructor directly is to use the   Inbox, located in the far left Canvas menu.

You can also contact your instructor in the following ways:

• Email: Angela.rasmussen@utah.edu
• Phone: (801) 581-6952
• Zoom: Room 716 321 8363

Office Hours

The instructor will hold office hours according to the following schedule:

Day(s): TBD

Time(s): TBD

By appointment

Virtual Meeting Rooms(s)

I will be available at:

https://lms-utah.zoom.us/j/7163218363 

Meeting ID: 716 321 8363

The following is a brief tentative schedule for this semester:

Your performance in this course will be evaluated by:

• Assignments/Assessments/Quizzes – 15%

  • Assignments/Attendance: 2% (3 lowest scores will be dropped)

  • Assessments: 5% (lowest score will be dropped)

  • Quizzes: 8% (lowest score will be dropped) 

• Lab/Simulations/Projects – 25%

• 3 Exams – 60%

Assignments/Quizzes:

Each unit of material has assignments/attendance (10pts), assessments(50pts), and quizzes(100pts).  Assignments and assessments can be done at your own pace and will be used to prepare you for the quiz and exams.  The quizzes will be timed and open note/book.  The lowest score in each area for assessments(50pts), and quizzes(100pts) will be dropped. The 3 lowest scores for the assignments/attendance(10pts) will be dropped.  These dropped scores are to account for life situations and so NO MAKEUP's will be accepted.

Labs/simulations/projects:

Lab will be held every week starting the 1st week.  Many of the subjects covered in lab aren’t covered anywhere else in class, so make sure you pay attention and read the lab handouts. 

Labs are not optional. Be sure to make-up any labs you miss or fail by making arrangements with your TA. You will be given an F grade for the course if lab work falls below 70%. Lab work is accepted late and is penalized.

Each lab description will be posted on Canvas.  You will keep an official lab notebook which consist of writing on the lab description along with additional figures, pictures, graphs from simulation and testing. You are also welcome to keep everything electronically as an alternative but you need to make sure each page includes your name and date for either version. Each lab grading rubrics will also be posted. Pre-lab work must be done and written in your lab note book before lab session. Your lab TA will spend 5-10 minutes at beginning of each lab session to describe the scope of the lab work or a video describing the scope of the lab work will be available. This is to help you get a better understanding of the lab work. Therefore, you should be there on time.

Submitting lab work:

You need to submit your lab report (the lab description and all additional material in the exact page as request) as ONE pdf file on Gradescope. Make sure the pages are in the correct order else you may not receive credit.  Labs will be due by 5pm on the date indicated in the syllabus. Feedback on your lab report will be returned to through Gradescope. 

There will be three lab design projects during the semester. Just like the regular lab sessions, each design project with its grading rubrics will be posted on Canvas. Each project due date is listed in the tentative course schedule sheet. You submit your design project report on Canvas by the specified deadline. Your graded design project report will be returned to you on Canvas.

The first design project is a computer simulation. The second design project will be a computer simulation assignment and a built prototype. The third design project will need to contain both a computer simulation and built prototype. It is very important you simulate your design before building it in lab and make sure your simulation results match your design specifications. The simulation report due dates are also listed in the tentative course schedule sheet. You can submit your simulation reports on Canvas by the specified deadline.

The final design proposal, PDR, CDR, and FDR will be graded by your lab TA.

Exams:

Three exams and a final will be given as noted on the class schedule.  Exams are open notes and book but I suggest you make 1 sheet (8 ½ by 11) front and back of handwritten notes for each exam due to time.  The final is optional retakes for the 3 exams.  The higher grade (original or retake) will be used to calculate your grade.   You will have the day indicated on the schedule to complete the exam.  Exams will typically be 1 hr 30 min per exam.  DO NOT discuss exam content with a classmate until the day after the exam is scheduled.  In NO CASE will make-up exams be given unless the student obtained approval from the instructor PRIOR to the time of the exam.  In emergency situations, students will be expected to produce a doctor’s certificate indicating the nature and time of the medical emergency or other documentation to justify the emergency.

Each unit will need all the material in it to be completed including the exam for that unit by a specified date.  Please note the assignment, lab, quiz, and exam due dates.

All assignments, unless otherwise announced, must be submitted to the designated area of Canvas. Do not submit assignments via email.

Quizzes/Exams will not be accepted late.  They will only be available from 8am-8pm the day they are due. If you can not make the department proctored time for the exam, you can schedule the exam through ProctorU. 

Lab work can be completed late for a 10% penalty for up to 2 weeks after a lab finishes.  After that date, the lab can be submitted up to the end of the semester with an additional late penalty of 25% (the maximum you can get for a late lab is 75%).

Extra Credit will be available throughout the semester.

Grading for this course

• • Assignments/Assessments/Quizzes – 15%

    • Assignments/Attendance: 2% (3 lowest scores will be dropped)

    • Assessments: 5% (lowest score will be dropped)

    • Quizzes: 8% (lowest score will be dropped) 

  • Lab/Simulations/Projects – 25%

  • 3 Exams – 60%

Course grading scale

Disclaimer

Accommodations will be considered on an individual basis and may require documentation.

Please contact your instructor and/or teaching assistant as soon as possible (preferably shortly before the semester begins) to request accommodations of any kind.

Extreme personal circumstances

Please contact your instructor as soon as possible if an extreme personal circumstance
(hospitalization, death of a close relative, natural disaster, etc.) is interfering with your ability to complete your work.

Religious Practice

To request an accommodation for religious practices, contact your instructor at the beginning of the semester.

Active Duty Military

If you are student on active duty with the military and experience issues that prevent you from participating in the course because of deployment or service responsibilities, contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Disability Access

All written information in this course can be made available in an alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services (CDS). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations. Prior notice is appreciated. To read the full accommodations policy for the University of Utah, please see Section Q of the Instruction & Evaluation regulations.

If you will need accommodations in this class, contact:

Center for Disability Services
801-581-5020
disability.utah.edu
162 Union Building
    200 S. Central Campus Dr.
     Salt Lake City, UT 84112

This syllabus is not a contract. It is meant to serve as an outline and guide for your course. Please note that your instructor may modify it to accommodate the needs of your class.

You will be notified of any changes to the Syllabus.

Though the online format allows students greater flexibility to complete their work, this course does have a structure and timeline! As such, the following is expected of all students in this class:

• Students must be self-motivated, organized, and willing to stay on top of their schedule. Students should take control of their learning while in this course.
• Students are expected to follow the Core Rules of Netiquette at all times while participating in the class and communicating with others.
• Students will log in to the course a minimum of 3 times per week.
• Students are not expected to interact with their classmates in person. Students may be expected to work with classmates via online communication options like Canvas Discussions, video conferencing, or another communication technologies of choice (Groupme, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, etc).
• Students will regularly check for course updates and will update their Canvas notification settings to ensure they receive timely notifications from the course.
• Students will contact their instructor or teaching assistant in a timely manner if they have any questions, are struggling with course materials, or need further assistance from their instructor.
  • If you do not hear back within 3 days after sending a message, please contact your instructor/TA again.
• Students will follow all official University of Utah policies regarding interpersonal conduct, academic dishonesty, and other rights and responsibilities of students outlined in the University of Utah Student Handbook and Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
  • If you have any questions about this, please contact the Dean of Students.

Your course instructor is an expert in the topics you will learn about this semester. Your instructor is your mentor and facilitator of the classroom experience, aided by teaching assistants. Instructors are committed to:

• The instructor will design the course to include lectures, learning materials, and assignments that are accessible and provide students with opportunities to learn and practice course content.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will ensure that the course remains a safe space where students can engage with difficult content thoughtfully and respectfully.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will interact with the class regularly via announcements, virtual office hours (one-on-one video conferencing), emails/the Canvas Inbox, feedback on assignments, and comments on Discussions, among other methods.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will respond to students in a timely manner: within 48 hours, not including weekends and holidays. If you don't receive a response within that time, please email them again. 
• The instructor and teaching assistants will be available for individual consultation via virtual office hours (one-on-one video conferencing), email, or phone and will not require students to meet in person.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will provide relevant feedback in a timely manner.
• The instructor and teaching assistants will follow all official University of Utah policies regarding interpersonal conduct, accommodations, and other important duties.