Problem Set/Electric Circuits Analysis

Dennis Dahlquist, California State University-Sacramento, Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Computer Engineering
Author Profile
Initial Publication Date: September 29, 2020

Summary

Electric Circuit Analysis problem sets for general engineering. Problem examples cover course topics for an engineering accredited program and fundamental engineering professional exam topics on electrical circuits.

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Learning Goals

Fundamental electrical circuit analysis

The problem sets are in MATLAB Grader and Live Script, MATLAB tools assists student leaning by allowing the student to check and verify the student's hand calculations with MATLAB. With Live Script the student is able to develop an "intuitive" feel or understanding of electric circuits.
Too often students are left with working out the math on paper without a way to check or verify their work, or explore changes to the system/circuit. With MATLAB tools a better learning environment is provided, this provides more of an engineering learning environment and helps prepare students with experiential skills for the practicing engineering environment.

The activity provides many higher-order thinking skills. Circuit analysis requires critical thinking, computation, data analysis, synthesis of ideas, and modeling. MATLAB tools enhance this experience and provide students the ability to tie together key circuit analysis concepts and apply them.

The activity could be expanded to include other skills such as; writing, oral presentation, field techniques, lab experiments, and equipment operation.

Context for Use

First year or second year, engineering course.
Class size, 20-40 students
Institution Type: 4-year college undergraduate degree.

These problem sets can be done as a classroom activity, Virtual or in person, as a prelab or lab, or as a part of a project.
Time varies depending on the level of the learner, but the time to complete would be similar to homework problems offered in an electric circuit analysis course, 5 to 30 minutes.

Physics course on electricity, fundamental experience with MATLAB.

Computer skills, and fundamental MATLAB skills are needed. Physics course on electricity and Programming would be helpful.

These problem sets follow the topics of a general engineering course on electrical circuit analysis.
The electrical circuit analysis problems can be used throughout an engineering major. This activity can be used throughout an electrical or computer engineering program.
For later courses these problems could be used as a review of electrical circuit analysis key concepts.
This problem sets can be used for preparing for the electrical circuit analysis portion engineering professional licensing exams.

Fundamental mastery with MATLAB.

Description and Teaching Materials

Link to electrical circuit analysis problem sets:
https://csu-matlab.org
Look for Electrical Engineering Circuit analysis

Teaching Notes and Tips


Assessment

These problem sets can be used with standard assessment methods, exams and quizzes.
The problems are in MATLAB Grader and can be assessed there.
The problem sets can also be used a part of adaptive learn modules.

References and Resources

This is a well-supported area and topic there are many publishers and open educational resources, too many to list.