New design-oriented laboratory for the introductory circuits core course at Penn State University

A new design-oriented introductory circuits core course in the Electrical Engineering department at Penn State University is described. The course uses an integrated lecture-lab approach with modular lab assignments that are based on the design, construction, and verification of the electronic components of a simple compact disk (CD) player. Each week, new circuit concepts, elements, and topologies are introduced by relating them to a functional block of the CD player. In addition, the use of integrated design tools such as MicroSim DesignLab P-SPICE and PCBOARDS are emphasized. Initial student feedback indicates that the new course goals of providing a solid conceptual foundation for introductory Electrical Engineering circuit concepts while improving motivation and providing an exposure to integrated design have been met.