Course Title: Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
Instructor: Yujie Zhang
Email: yujie.zhang396@duke.edu
Office Hours: 10:05 am - 11:20 am Monday and Wednesday

Course Description

This course introduces core Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) concepts, providing a foundation for advanced ECE topics. Key topics include techniques for analyzing linear circuits, semiconductor and photonic devices, frequency representation, filtering, and logic design (combinational and sequential). The course also integrates an extensive hands-on design challenge, culminating in a robot race competition where students apply sensor data acquisition and processing skills to navigate obstacles.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze and design linear electrical circuits.
  2. Understand the basic principles of semiconductor and photonic devices.
  3. Apply frequency domain analysis and filtering techniques.
  4. Design and implement combinational and sequential logic circuits.
  5. Work effectively in teams to complete a practical design challenge.
  6. Integrate theory and practical skills in a robotic system for competition.

Course Schedule

Week Topics Readings/Assignments
1 Introduction to Electrical Circuits: Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Laws Textbook Chapter 1
2 Nodal and Mesh Analysis for Linear Circuits Textbook Chapter 2
3 Thevenin and Norton Equivalents, Superposition Textbook Chapter 3
4 Semiconductor Devices: Diodes and Transistors Textbook Chapter 4
5 Introduction to Photonic Devices and Applications Textbook Chapter 5
6 Frequency Representation and Fourier Series Textbook Chapter 6
7 Filters: Low-pass, High-pass, and Band-pass Filters Textbook Chapter 7
8 Midterm Exam Review Topics
9 Logic Design: Combinational Logic (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR) Textbook Chapter 8
10 Sequential Logic: Flip-Flops, Registers, Counters Textbook Chapter 9
11 Introduction to Microcontrollers and Sensors Handouts
12 Integrating Sensors with Microcontrollers: Data Acquisition Lab Assignment
13 Robot Design Challenge: Overview and Team Planning Project Brief
14 Design Challenge Work: Prototyping and Testing Lab Work
15 Robot Race Competition: Final Design Presentations Project Submission
16 Course Review and Final Exam Review Topics

Design Challenge

The central design project will require students to form teams and design robots capable of navigating a series of obstacles using sensor data. Students will integrate concepts from circuits, logic design, and sensor processing. The project will culminate in a competition during the final week.

Grading Breakdown

Textbook

Course Policies