Students should gain a deep understanding of fundamental electric circuit concepts. They should also become familiar with practical circuit building and testing using laboratory equipment. The integration of MATLAB and Simscape simulations helps reinforce theoretical concepts by allowing students to visualize and simulate real-world circuit behavior before testing them practically.

MATLAB is used to solve circuit problems, simulate theoretical models, and run analyses via Simscape. This enhances student learning by providing a visual and interactive environment where they can manipulate variables, run simulations, and compare results between theory, simulation, and practical experiments. The use of MATLAB helps students develop computational skills, allowing them to explore circuit behavior in real-time and better understand complex concepts through visualization.

Students should be able to do by the end of the course:

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of key electric circuit principles by successfully applying these concepts in analysis, simulation, and hands-on experimentation.
• Use MATLAB scripts to solve circuit problems, calculate circuit parameters, and perform numerical analysis. Students will gain computational skills through automating calculations and verifying theoretical results.
• Create and analyze circuit simulations in Simscape, using visualizations to explore real-world circuit behavior and to reinforce their theoretical understanding before hands-on testing.
• Construct and test basic circuits using laboratory equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and power supplies, and effectively measure voltage, current, and resistance in various circuit configurations.
• Critically evaluate any discrepancies between theoretical predictions, Simscape simulations, and experimental results, identifying possible sources of error and understanding the practical implications of these differences.
• Build and adjust circuit models in MATLAB and Simscape, developing skills to predict real-world behavior and analyze the impact of changing variables within a controlled simulation environment.
• Effectively manage time to complete pre-labs, labs, and post-labs, while independently progressing through self-paced online modules, such as MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape Onramps, to deepen their computational and simulation skills.

These lab activities are part of the Electric Circuits course designed for freshman and sophomore Electrical and Computer Engineering students. Prerequisites for this course include Calculus 1, Elementary Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, and Introduction to Electromagnetism and Circuits. Each lab experiment consists of five sections: (1) learning objectives, (2) theoretical concepts with examples using MATLAB and Simscape simulations, (3) pre-lab questions solved using MATLAB and simulations, (4) hands-on lab activities to build circuits and measure or display results, and (5) post-lab analysis to compare theoretical and practical results. The lab period is 3 hours, but students are expected to spend additional time preparing for the pre-lab and writing the final report. MATLAB examples are provided for each lab to help students quickly grasp the material.

This lab is a co-requisite with the Electric Circuits lecture. During the course, students complete self-paced online courses—MATLAB Onramp, Simulink Onramp, and Simscape Onramp—to build foundational skills. In each experiment, MATLAB and Simscape examples are provided to help students quickly engage with the activities.

Our lab sessions accommodate an average of 24 students, with each bench shared by a pair of students. The lab course includes a sequence of twelve experiments, all of which are readily available to students on the Canvas course website. Each experiment focuses on specific circuit concepts, and one experiment is conducted weekly, allowing for consistent hands-on experience and reinforcement of theoretical knowledge over the semester.

Before attending each lab session, students are required to complete a pre-lab assignment, which helps prepare them for the tasks and concepts they'll encounter during the lab. The pre-lab work encourages students to engage with the material independently, laying a foundation for effective teamwork and hands-on application. During the lab session, each pair of students has approximately 3 hours to set up, execute, and troubleshoot their experiment. This collaborative approach enables students to discuss and analyze the tasks in real time, fostering peer learning and problem-solving skills.

Following the lab session, students are tasked with analyzing their data in detail and preparing a formal report. This post-lab work reinforces the learning objectives and helps students draw connections between their theoretical understanding, simulations, and hands-on findings. Reports are submitted online through Canvas, facilitating seamless feedback and assessment.

MATLAB plays a crucial role in these lab activities, allowing students to conduct calculations, simulate circuits, and analyze data. The university supports these efforts by providing students with access to MATLAB through a site-wide license, ensuring that they can work with this industry-standard tool both in and outside the lab..
Operational Amplifier integrator and Differentiator (Acrobat (PDF) 719kB Oct10 24)
Step Response of Serial RLC circuits (Acrobat (PDF) 665kB Oct10 24) 
Transfer Function of circuits (Acrobat (PDF) 707kB Oct10 24) 
Circuit Analysis in S-Domain (Acrobat (PDF) 841kB Oct10 24) 

Before starting, we clarify each lab's objectives and explain how integrating MATLAB and Simscape will deepen understanding of circuit concepts. We begin with a brief tutorial or provide access to "MATLAB Onramp" and "Simscape Onramp" to ensure students have foundational skills. Example MATLAB scripts and Simscape models are provided as references to build students' confidence and help them get started.

Complex concepts are broken down step-by-step, using diagrams, flowcharts, or videos to illustrate circuit behavior and variable changes. We start with simple circuits in MATLAB and Simscape, giving students a low-stress entry to coding and simulation. Students are encouraged to adjust parameters (e.g., resistance or voltage) to see effects on circuit behavior, reinforcing their conceptual understanding. Common troubleshooting tips, like resolving syntax issues and Simscape connections, are also provided.

In pre-labs, students complete calculations and simulations to build a foundation before hands-on work. In the lab, we reinforce safety protocols, especially with oscilloscopes and power supplies, and offer practical troubleshooting tips. Students work in pairs to foster collaboration, peer learning, and critical thinking.

Adequate time is given for in-lab analysis to connect theory and practice, while post-labs encourage students to compare experimental results with MATLAB and Simscape outputs. Prompts help them critically assess discrepancies, exploring reasons for differences and suggesting improvements.

For the assessment of these Electric Circuits lab activities, the following methods is used to measure students' achievement of learning objectives and ensure comprehensive evaluation:

1. Pre-Lab Assessments

• Understanding of fundamental concepts and readiness for lab activities.
• Short quizzes and questions related to theoretical concepts, MATLAB calculations, and Simscape simulations.
• Accuracy of MATLAB and Simscape solutions, understanding of theoretical concepts, and completion of preliminary calculations.

2. In-Lab Assessments

• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to hands-on circuit building and measurement.
• Observations and completion checks during lab activities; students document their procedures, measurements, and observations in worksheets.
• Accuracy and completeness of circuit construction, correct usage of laboratory equipment, and the ability to troubleshoot issues.
• Evaluate practical skills, including circuit assembly, data collection, and troubleshooting techniques.

3. Post-Lab Analysis Reports

• Written lab reports where students compare theoretical predictions, MATLAB/Simscape simulation results, and experimental data, including explanations of discrepancies and reflection on learning outcomes.
• Clarity and accuracy in comparing theoretical and experimental results, ability to explain discrepancies, and insightfulness in reflecting on potential sources of error.

1. Electric Circuits I Lab Manual, Zekeriya Aliyazicoglu 2023
2. Electric Circuits, James Kang, 1st ed. Cengage Learning, 2018
3. Electrical Circuits Virtual Lab,