Course Resources
Course Resources
UCard Access to Labs:
- Labs have doors that open with your UCard. Submit the ECE Card Access Request Download ECE Card Access Request form to gain access to your laboratory classroom.
- Request rooms MEB 2555 (ECE computer lab) and MEB 2265 (where our lab is held)
- email completed form to: mel.parkes@utah.edu
UCard Access to Labs:
- Labs have doors that open with your UCard. Submit the ECE Card Access Request Download ECE Card Access Request form to gain access to your laboratory classroom.
- email completed form to: mel.parkes@utah.edu
Computer:
- You will need a computer for this course. Your computer must also have the following features:
A microphone and camera as needed for Zoom
A powered USB port. The Analog Discovery 2 that you will be using draws up to
500 mW or 100 mA at 5 Volts.
Enough memory to run several free software packages (MATLAB and LTspice). See below.
Instrument Package: Analog Discovery 2 Links to an external site. (hardware):
- Buy from the ECE Stockroom in MEB 3255 for $300 or online. You will use this in ECE1245, 2240, and possibly other classes.
- Made by Digilent, the AD2 is a circuit that connects to a computer via USB and provides you with a powerful set of laboratory instruments like a power supply, oscilloscope, waveform generator, and more. Using the AD2, you can do labs at home.
Multimeter: Astro AI TRMS 6000 Counts (Links to an external site.) (hardware): Buy for $35 from Stockroom
- The multimeter is able to measure voltage, current (below 1 mA), and capacitance.
- You may use an equivalent meter, but note that the Astro AI measures small currents, which is an unusual feature.
Parts Kit: Available from the ECE Stockroom
- The 1240 lab kits are $25.26 and include all/most of the parts you will need for the semester.
- Breadboard and wire kit $10.50
- The breadboard has clips inside it that connect components you insert into the holes in the board. The breadboard is an alternative to connecting everything with wires and soldering them. With the breadboard, you can build neat, temporary circuits.
- The wire kit provides you with pre-cut wires for the breadboard so you can build nice, neat circuits. Without the wire kit, you will rue the day. With the wire kit, you will live in limitless delight because your circuits will actually work.
How to buy Parts from the ECE Stockroom:
- ECE_Stockroom_Purchase_Information Download ECE_Stockroom_Purchase_Information form for purchases from ECE Stockroom
Student Version of MATLAB (software): (free from U of U Software Licensing Office Links to an external site. or use remotely for free)
- MATLAB is a simple programming interface that engineers use for quick, effective simulation, computation, and graphing. We will use it throughout the course (which 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 may connect to the U of U machines Download U of U machines, such as CADE Lab, to use MATLAB for free. You may also use the free alternatives to MATLAB with a similar syntax such as Freemat, or Octave. Be sure to specify which language you are using when answering laboratory problems.
LTspice Links to an external site. Circuit Simulation Software: available free online for Windows or Mac
- LTspice is made available for free by Analog Devices. On their website, Analog Devices describes LTspice as follows:
LTspice® is a high performance SPICE simulation software, schematic capture and waveform viewer with enhancements and models for easing the simulation of analog circuits. Included in the download of LTspice are macromodels for a majority of Analog Devices switching regulators, amplifiers, as well as a library of devices for general circuit simulation."
Waveforms Links to an external site. Software for Analog Discovery 2: available free online for Windows, mac OS X, and Linux
- Waveforms is a free software package from Digilent for the Analog Discovery 2 (AD2). Waveforms software turns the AD2 into a suite of high-quality lab instruments implemented in software. Using the AD2 with Waveforms, you can do the labs and final project at home.
Word Processing Software:
- You will need access to word processing software for writing lab reports, particularly at the end of the semester.
- 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.
ECE Resources
ECE Advising
Get help with your schedule, balancing work and school, finding and accessing university resources, and more: https://www.ece.utah.edu/advising Links to an external site.
College of Engineering Counseling
The College of Engineering has a dedicated counselor for engineering students: https://www.coe.utah.edu/students/current/counseling/ Links to an external site.
ECE Student Feedback
For student concerns and other feedback, please fill out the form at: https://www.ece.utah.edu/studentfeedback Links to an external site.
Tutoring Resources
Lab Equipment Support
For technical issues in the lab (broken equipment, software issues, etc) please send an email that describes the issue, description of setup where error occurred, which bench station, etc to: ecelabs@coe.utah.edu
Join IEEE
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering is the main professional society for ECE. Join the student branch here: https://ieee.utahclubs.org/ Links to an external site.
Other Engineering Clubs https://www.coe.utah.edu/students/current/student-organizations-directory/ Links to an external site.
Primary Online Resources
Below is a list of some of the essential resources used when taking an online class at the University of Utah. Not all tools are used in every class. To find out which ones you will need to be familiar with for your class, refer to the expectations outlined in your syllabus. If you are still unsure contact your instructor.
- Canvas
Links to an external site. (Click to view the Canvas Student Guides.)
- If you have any questions about how to navigate your Canvas course contact your instructor or visit the Canvas Student Guides
- Zoom (Download and install the meeting app) (Links to an external site.)
- Zoom is a virtual meeting tool and a common choice for instructors for office hours (one-on-one help). You can share screens, record conversations, and interact. Usually you will access Zoom meetings from Canvas via a link set up by your instructor.
- Requires use of a webcam and microphone.
- ConexED (Login with your university uNid) (Links to an external site.)
- ConexED is a virtual meeting tool accessed from the Canvas left-side navigation. It is often used for scheduling and meeting with advisors here at the U. Some instructors use it for office hours and class live group discussion sessions. You can share screens, record conversations, and hold group meetings with up to 10 people. Students can use their ConexED Cafe for group work and study sessions.
- Requires use of a webcam and microphone.
- Kaltura (Click here to learn more )
- Kaltura is the University supported video recording tool. It can be used to create lecture record your screen or manage your video library inside of Canvas.
- Requires use of a webcam and microphone.
- ProctorU
Links to an external site. (Click here to learn more)
- ProctorU is the online proctoring service used by many faculty on Campus. To find out if your class will be using ProctorU contact your instructor.
- Requires use of a webcam and microphone.
- Microsoft Teams (Download and install the Teams app) (Links to an external site.)
- Microsoft Teams is a message board, chat, and virtual meeting tool. It is used in some classes to enable collaborative group work and idea sharing. You can create team channels for class groups, hold video meetings, live chat and share files.
- Skype for Business (Download and install the meeting app) (Links to an external site.)
- Skype is a virtual meeting tool used by some instructors for office hours (one-on-one help).
Academic Support
Wellness Support
Community Support