Year: 2020
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Engineering 60 Electrical Networks is an introductory class in circuit analysis and design for sophomore engineers at the University of San Diego (USD).The theory in lecture is accompanied by three hours of lab each week.This lab is the first time that engineering students have the opportunity to use basic electrical engineering equipment such as an oscilloscope, a multimeter, a function generator, and a breadboard.One of the primary goals of Engr 60 is to have the students leave the semester with proficiency in all of this equipment.To insure that students are achieving this goal, a laboratory proficiency exam was designed by a junior electrical engineering major.Although students routinely keep a laboratory notebook and do several formal reports during the semester, we decided that a laboratory experience was the best way to gauge a students hands-on laboratory skills.The laboratory skills test is comprised of six different modules.Together, they require proficiency in all the equipment that a student in an introductory circuits class might need.In addition, some of the modules require theoretical knowledge.A group of electrical engineering juniors volunteered to do initial testing of these modules.Feedback from these trials was used to improve the modules.Following this, students in the Engr 60 class at the end of the Spring 2001 semester performed these modules as an extra credit option.Each student performed one randomly chosen module.Response to the modules was enthusiastic in terms of the numbers of students participating as well as their assessment of its usefulness.The modules and student response to them will be discussed in this paper.
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--11177
Authors: Ian Nauhaus, Susan Lord
Institution: University of San Diego
Language: English
Subfield: Architecture
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2614031172