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COURSE:
A.
Draw electronic schematics and related mechanical enclosures, using Computer Aided
Design (CAD) tools for schematic capture, circuit simulation and documentation,
including bill of materials and net-lists.
B.
Reverse-engineer all aspects of an existing printed circuit board (PCB) circuit, with
intention of subsequent, improved redesign, layout, fabrication, and assembly, including
a full electronic documentation package to support Gerber-file export to a professional
PCB fabrication company.
C.
Capture and simulate given electronic circuits, adjust circuit operational parameters as
directed; then, modify the original design and include a mix of "through-hole" (TH),
"surface-mount technology" & devices (SMT/SMD), and one external connector, onto a
completely fabricated PCB; assemble it; then, make it function according to the adjusted
parameters of the simulation.
Regardless of your accumulated grade points, you cannot pass this course without passing ALL the
required SLOs (A through C above; these cannot be averaged, but are individual, per accreditation).
FREE CLASS
WEBSITE:
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS:
Your electronic Portfolio (computer file folder) is the primary instrument by which you will be assessed
and graded. Within that electronic folder file, you will put examples of all of your best work, so you can
receive the highest possible point scores. Other work, such as homework and class participation, and
certain key achievement projects will add to that score. While you cannot be graded on your SLOs, you
MUST satisfactorily complete each and every part, of each, and every, SLO (A-C) in order to be able to
pass this course. Without satisfactory performance on your portfolio, it is impossible to pass this course.
So, it is up to you to present your best work inside of your e-portfolio. A blank template for that
e-portfolio will be supplied to you in the lab, to help you get off to a good start. The sub-folders within it
are titled, but initially empty. You must populate each sub-folder, and maintain them after that, to
succeed.
We will be using CAD software that has been purchased by the college. This is National Instrument's
Multisim and Ultiboard which are expensive software programs. In addition to these, we will be
downloading software that is free to you, such as expressSCH, expressPCB, Open Office, and Google
SketchUp, for your use at school and home. You may practice your drawing, design and circuit layout
skills on those simpler, free CAD packages, and utilities.
Grades in this class will be based upon your rating among your peers, related to your competence, CAD
drawing, node-layouts and listing, schematic capture, printed circuit board designs, assembly, soldering,
class participation, group/team projects, oral class presentations, quizzes, homework, and especially
your final ePortfolio. I grade on a curve, so you are competing with each other for grades. Work that
receives a low score may usually be corrected and resubmitted for a higher grade (called remediation), if
you resubmit the corrected work within 2 weeks.
Individual, group, or team, projects may be as short as 5 minutes or several weeks long. Then, they must
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be orally presented, either in the week it is assigned, or the next class session. Part of the purpose of this
is to see how well you work with others, and how quickly you can resolve issues. In life, things happen
quickly. Therefore, reaction time, appropriateness of your response, and strategy need to be
considered.
In order to pass this class, you MUST satisfactorily complete your FINAL ePortfolio, including all SLOs
(A-C, above). Unless you are hospitalized, with timely notice to the instructor, and adequate
documentation to qualify for an Incomplete, you must receive a grade. More than 2 unexcused
absences, totaling 6 hours, or more, may qualify you to be dropped from this class. It is up to you to
officially DROP this class (or risk an-F). Don't just stop attending and assume the instructor will drop
you!
All cell-phones, computer tablets, MP3-players, ear buds, and similar electronic devices (except
dedicated calculators) are to be turned off, or otherwise disabled during the class periods, and should
not disrupt instruction.
GRADING:
The grades earned for this course will be determined by the number of points each student
accumulates, assuming to pass all of the SLOs. Points will be awarded for each aspect of your portfolio
for this course, along with class participation, homework, and other listed items. This class will be
graded on a curve.
Grades are determined by the following:
Quizzes (may not be made-up)
Class/group participation, soldering & PCB Design/Bid
Homework, highly recommended
Custom Printed Circuit Boards (& PCBs assembly)
Final Portfolio, required
Totaling
Regardless of your accumulated points, you cannot pass this course without passing ALL the required
SLOs being completed and with a passing score of 2, 3 or 4 (SLOs A through C, listed atop this syllabus).
ATTENDANCE:
All Students are expected to attend classes regularly. In the event an absence is unavoidable, students
are responsible for notifying instructor (by email if possible, before class). Failure to attend class
meeting(s) during the first week of class may result in the student being dropped from the class. After
the first week of class, a student may be dropped if:
The student fails to attend regularly without an excused absence; Missing more than 6 class hours; or
Attends so irregularly that it is unlikely that the student will be successful in the class. Students must
attend at least 60% of the scheduled class time in order to be counted as present for that day. Signing
in late and/or disappearing after a short amount of time, does not count as attending that class.
CHEATING:
Cheating constitutes academic dishonesty, and in general, will be handled as part of the course grading
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process. Penalty may range from no credit for the assignment, up to, and including, expulsion from SBVC
and/or an F grade for the course.
Plagiarism is also considered cheating. Plagiarism is copying the work of someone else, where credit is
not given to the originator (using more than 5 words in a row, originated by someone else, without
credit given to them). If you borrow the work of another, you must list them in your references page, or
in a bibliography. That also goes for Internet materials.
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations for a Student with a Disability
If you require a disability-related accommodation please let me know as soon as possible so that I can
assist you in a timely manner. You should also contact Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS)
directly to make your request. You will be required to provide DSPS with professional verification of your
disabling condition(s). DSPS is located in ADSS 105. The phone numbers are: Voice: 909-384-4443; TTY
888-2357.
THE LIBRARY:
Open Monday through Saturday. Call 909-384-8841 for current hours.
COUNSELORS:
Are available to assist students with career and curriculum planning decisions, as well as personal
problems such as drug and alcohol dependency. Call (909) 384-4404 for current hours and additional
information.
HELP DESK
Available for 24/7 Assistance with technical matters (e-mail, Blackboard, Registration, Campus Central
Log-in, etc.) (877) 241-1756
DIVISION: Technical (Electricity and Electronics Department)
DIVISION Office: Tech 108
DIVISION Secretary: Sharen 909-384-8902
DIVISION Office Hours: Monday Friday - 8am-6pm
ePORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENTS
Since this is a portfolio-based class, you are to put your assignments into your eportfolio, continuously
throughout the semester. The more you continue to place in your eportfolio, on a regular basis, the
further along you will be, in terms of accumulated points, toward a higher grade. The portfolio
requirements are:
Items by folder (not week#)
Introduction to soldering with ELENCO SP-1A Kit
ePortfolio folders
The sub-folder, named "Folder 1-4" contains:
1 - Cover page
2 - Table of Content (ToC)(update throughout semester)
3 - Current Student Photo
4 - Self Introduction
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NOTE: the words ePortfolio, and portfolio, are used interchangeably, and both denote the same electronic,
computer file-folder that contains all of your coursework, arranged into logically-named sub-folders, according to a
required Table of Contents (ToC) that you must create, in the top-level folder 1-4. The ToC will show where your
work has been placed (into what sub-folder), so that the instructor does not have to hunt for it, but can go directly
there to view it for assessment and grading. Also, modifications to this syllabus may be made at any time, with
notice to my classjump.com site.