EE 353 Electronic Circuits Lab Syllabus Spring 2015

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kevin M. Burke

Office: 230N Davis Hall
Contact: kmburke@buffalo.edu LABS: L1: Tues. 5-8:50PM
Office Hour: T 1:00-2:00PM L2: Wed 5-8:50 PM
L3:Thur. 5-8:50 PM
LECTURE: O’Brien 112; T: 11:00 - 11:50 AM L4: Mon. 5-8:50 PM
Teaching Assistants: TBA

I. Academic Integrity:
The university has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop
procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for
the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for
respect for others’ academic endeavors. By placing their name on academic work, students certify
the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. For further
information visit

Undergrads:
http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/course/integrity.shtml

Plagiarism detection software may be used by individual instructors or the institution to aid in
determining the originality of student work.

II. Accessibility Resources:

Information about the Accessibility Resources office can be found at http://www.student-
affairs.buffalo.edu/ods/. The office is located at 25 Capen Hall and the telephone number is (716)
645-2608. Student must register with that office in order to receive accommodation for physical and
learning disabilities.

III. Goals and Philosophy:

An engineering design lab. Fifty-minute lecture and 230-minute lab per week. Involves analyzing and
designing single and multistage electronic circuits using FETs, BJTs, and op amps. Asks students to
design a variety of amplifiers to meet certain specifications. They practice SPICE and use their
knowledge of analog circuits to complete the projects Pre-requisites: EE 352; Approved Electrical
Engineering or Engineering Physics Majors Only Co-requisites: EE 311

IV. Learning Outcomes:

1. Be able to understand principles of BJT’s and FET’s and know how to characterize it.
2. Be able to understand and implement amplifier circuits such as a differential amp, two-stage
amp, Op-amp, and multistage amp.
3. Be able to design, implement, and characterize various electronic circuits.
4. Be able to model a prototype of a design and demonstrate that it meets performance
specifications
5. Be able to operate electronic instrumentation
6. Be able to prepare a technical report

Note: See the UBlearns course site for a linking of learning outcomes to the departmental program
outcomes and how assignments map to the learning outcomes.

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 EE 353 Electronic Circuits Lab Syllabus Spring 2015

V. Course Requirements, Academic Content and Grading Policy:

Text: EE 353 Lab Materials posted on UBlearns
Software: Spice and/or Multisim or any circuit simulation
Grading: Midterm Exam: 30%
Lab Reports 40%
Lab Test Practical: 30%
Grade Distribution: Professor has the right to lower the cutoff grade point. This grading policy
is based on a nonflexible curve. The cut-offs for each letter grade will not be negotiated: A (90%),
B+ (85%), B (80%), C+ (75%), C (70%), D+ (64%), D (60%), (F< 60%)

You may submit any material for re-grading. Re-grading requests need to be submitted in writing to
the instructor, and at the instructor’s discretion, the whole exam, homework, etc. may be re-graded.
To request a re-grade:1. Attach with a staple a SEPARATE sheet of paper to the front of the item
explaining what you think is wrong with the grading (i.e., points not added correctly). Make sure your
explanation is clear and to the point. DO NOT EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN YOUR
EXPLAINATIONS – your written explanations should be adequate and complete by itself. 2. Hand
the stapled package to the instructor during scheduled weekly lecture within one week after receiving
a grade.

Late material, other than exams, is 10% of the maximum point value possible off per calendar day
late (Saturday & Sunday count as one day). No material will be accepted after the last day of
instruction (Friday, May 8, 2015). If you have delinquent items (including re-grade requests) at that
time, grades will be assigned based on your point total at the close of our last class.

Please no ripped out spiral paper; staple all work with your name on all pages. Use 8-1/2" x 11"
paper only. PLEASE DO NOT WRITE OR PRINT on the back of any paper, (Please make sure that
the staple does not interfere with the reading of your name. Failure to follow these directions will
result in the loss of points for each incident.

Strong efforts are made to keep you apprised of graded points received. PLEASE keep a daily
running total of points with corresponding percentages for YOU to KNOW your class performance.
This also allows you to check for possible oops in the process that results in the course grade that
you will receive at the end of this semester. Take no chances, check/double check as the semester
progresses and as points are received. Your final grade will be based upon total points accumulated
by the last day of instruction.

Incompletes: This class follows the University policy on Incompletes. Students should be
familiar with that policy, as expressed in the following documents.
Undergrads: http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/grading/explanation.shtml
A summary of the main points is as follows adapted from the Department of Computer Science and
Engineering:
• An Incomplete will only be given for missing a small part of the course. The remaining work
to be completed will be documented in writing.
• An Incomplete will only be given when the student misses work due to circumstances beyond
his/her control. (Documentation is to be and a letter is to be issued.)
• An Incomplete will only be given when the student is passing the course except for the
missed material.
• An Incomplete will not be given to allow the student to informally retake the entire course, and
have that grade count as the grade of the original course.
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 EE 353 Electronic Circuits Lab Syllabus Spring 2015

VI. Tentative Schedule:

Week # Lecture Title EXP # Deliverable
(Upload to UBlearns by 5pm start of your next lab)
1. Introduction No Lab
2. MOSFET Exp. 0 Curve Tracing
3. JFET Exp. 1. MOSFET
4. BJT advanced Exp. 2. JFET Exp. 1 report
5. Differential Amplifier Exp. 3. BJT-adv Exp. 2 report
6. Two-stage Amplifier Exp. 4. Diff. Amp Exp. 3 report
7. Two-stage Amplifier: cont’d Exp. 5. 2-Stage Amp Exp. 4 report
Spring Break
8. Multi-stage Amplifier Design Exp. 5. 2-Stage Amp
9. Midterm Exp. 6. Multi. Amp Exp. 5 report
10. Operational Amplifier Applications Exp. 6. Multi. Amp
11. Infrared Tx and Rx Exp. 7. Op. Amp Exp. 6 report
12. Amplifier with Negative Feedback Exp. 9. IR Tx & Rx Exp. 7 report
13. Review Exp. 10. Amp. (-) FB Exp. 9 report
14. Review Lab Test Practical Exp. 10 report

VII. Laboratory Groups and Procedures:

1. Students can work in groups of two and select their own partners. Those unable to find partners
will be assigned a partner by the professor.

2. Each student will arrive ON TIME and be PREPARED to their scheduled lab (Attending labs other
than you are registered would REQUIRE advanced arrangement with the instructor) with having
completed the following:
a. Read the lab manual for that experiment.
b. A completed simulation.
c. A pre-built circuit on a breadboard (to be checked at the door)

3. Many hazards exist in laboratories. These can include chemicals, machinery and electric shock.
No food or Drink is allowed in the laboratory.
4. UNIFORM POLICIES: It should be appreciated by all that with many sections, many teaching
assistants, and many students that a uniform policy is essential if all students are to be treated
equally. These policies described here and in the posted EE 353 UBLearns course site will be
applied uniformly to all students. Students requesting an exception to any policy should
understand that an exception given to one student has to be made to all students. Teaching
assistants CANNOT authorize an exception to any policy.
5. Laboratory Reports should follow the format below with a different team member being the
primary author on each lab:
 Title page - A Title Page should include: a title, the author's name, partner, section number,
day, time and date on which the experiment was performed. Laboratory Reports should
contain the following statement signed by the person submitting. “We attest that the
presented works contained herein are ours and only ours, and originally created this
semester.”
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EE 353 Electronic Circuits Lab Syllabus Spring 2015

 Abstract - The Abstract is a concise description of the report including the purpose and an
outline of the most important results. The Abstract should contain from 100 to 200 words. It
should state concisely, but not telegraphically: What the author has done; How it was done (if
that is important); The principal results (numerically, when possible); The significance of the
results.
 Introduction - The Introduction contains a complete statement of the experimental problem. It
should include: The nature of the problem; The background of previous work; The purpose and
significance of the work. Where applicable, the following points may also be included: The
method by which the problem will be attacked; The organization of the material in the work.
 Body - The body should contain the theory, experimental procedure, a discussion of the
experimental methods used, along with all appropriate circuit diagrams. The body contains the
primary message of the paper in detail. The writer should bear in mind that the object is to
communicate information efficiently and effectively to the reader. Even workers in the same
field appreciate clear indications of the line of thought being followed, and frequent guideposts
are essential for non-specialists who want to understand the general nature and significance of
the work. The use of trade names, company names, and proprietary terms should be avoided.
 Results - Results must be described in sufficient detail to be readily and thoroughly understood
by the instructor. Don't expect the instructor to be a mind reader and don't expect him/her to
interpret your results. Include data, tables, graphs, and sample calculations. Discuss
deviations from the expected results. Here you should provide answers to any questions from
the laboratory manual.
 Conclusions - This section contains a brief interpretation of the actual experimental results as
they apply to the objectives of the experiment. The conclusions should be clearly stated, and
should cover the following: What is shown by this work and its significance; Limitations and
advantages.
 References - All references used including any posted EE 353 Material should be listed and
referred to in the report. Please use IEEE reference format.
 Appendix – A “copy” of your “laboratory record” (see below). Additionally, Mathematical details
which are ancillary to the main discussion of the paper, such as many derivations and proofs,
may be included in one or more appendices.

In most reports it will be necessary to present information in graphical form. The following guidelines
should be used in preparing graphs for reports.
 Any graph that included should be located near to the text that discusses it and be referenced
by the figure number. It should include the axes of the graph, the labels on the axes, and the
figure number and the caption for the figure.
 When a graph is turned 90° (landscape rather than portrait format), the top of the graph should
be on the bound edge of the report.
 All data points should be clearly indicated. Note: use symbols instead of different colors.
 No curves should be freehand drawn.

LABORATORY RECORD/NOTEBOOK
Laboratory record/notebook is used extensively in industry; they serve as day to day records of
activity by engineers. Laboratory notebooks also serve as legal documents in patent applications.

Laboratory record/notebook are required in EE 353 for two reasons:

1. To provide a record for each experiment on which to base a report for that experiment.
2. To establish the habit of keeping laboratory notebooks. Laboratory notebooks will be
required in other courses as well as in employment after graduation.
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EE 353 Electronic Circuits Lab Syllabus Spring 2015

Record/Notebook entries must be made neatly and permanently. Pencil is not permitted if keeping a
written record. The information in a laboratory record/notebook should be entered in sufficient detail
 To permit reports to be prepared.
 To permit duplication of experiments at a later date (lab practical) and perhaps by another
person.
Clarity and completeness are essential. Also, keep in mind the following:
 Record/Notebook entries must be made as the experiment progresses. DO NOT wait until the
end of the experiment to make notebook entries.
 It is nearly impossible to put too much information in a laboratory record/notebook.
 Errors and mistakes are permissible as long as corrections are made neatly. It is important to
keep track of errors and mistakes not just delete them. It is often in error that great discoveries
are made. For example, if a circuit diagram is drawn wrong, a single line should be drawn
diagonally across the diagram and a notation such as "incorrect" or "wrong" should be written
in large letters on the diagram. Electronically, you can insert a text box with this notation. A
single line drawn through a sentence is sufficient to show that the sentence should be ignored.
Do not try to obliterate information by erasing, or scribbling over it. Electronically you can use
strikethrough to indicate this.

Information that should be entered into the laboratory notebook for each experiment includes the
following:
 Experiment Title, Lab partner names
 Brief description of the experiment and of what is to be accomplished by the experiment.
 A detailed list of equipment, including type, manufacturer and model number. For example,
oscilloscope, Tektronix, Model T922.
 Schematic diagrams of circuits used, including equipment and circuit connections. Figure
captions are required.
 Each step of the experiment should be described, with references made to figures.
 Results must be described and data listed in tables.
 A short section at the end of the experiment should summarize the results and point out
difficulties encountered.

A copy of each record/notebook page used during an experiment must be included in the Appendix of
the submitted report. These copies will be graded along with the formal laboratory reports.

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