Circuits
Undergraduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
DC circuit fundamentals
- Voltage, current, power, and energy definitions
- Ohm's law and passive sign convention
- Series and parallel resistive networks
- Kirchhoff's current law (KCL) and voltage law (KVL)
- Node-voltage (nodal) analysis method
- Mesh-current (loop) analysis method
- Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits
- Maximum power transfer theorem
- Superposition principle for linear circuits
- Wye-delta (Δ-Y) transformations
Capacitors, inductors, and transient response
- Capacitor and inductor constitutive relations
- Series and parallel combinations of C and L
- First-order RC and RL circuits
- Initial conditions and continuity constraints
- Step response and time constants
- Second-order RLC circuits: natural response types
- Forced response and complete solution structure
- Phasor introduction for sinusoidal steady state
- Impedance and admittance of R, L, C elements
- AC steady-state power: real, reactive, and apparent
STEM / applied
AC analysis and network theorems
- Phasor diagrams and complex impedance algebra
- Nodal and mesh analysis in the frequency domain
- Magnetically coupled circuits and ideal transformers
- Resonance in RLC circuits: series and parallel
- Bode plot interpretation (introductory)
- Three-phase circuits: balanced wye and delta loads
- Power factor correction in industrial loads
- Laplace transform method for circuit transients (overview)
- Two-port parameters: Z, Y, H parameters (intro)
- SPICE or similar circuit simulation verification
Laboratory and design-oriented circuits
- Breadboard prototyping and measurement technique
- Oscilloscope use for waveforms and phase
- Function generator and signal conditioning basics
- Op-amp ideal model and basic configurations
- Active filters and comparators (survey level)
- Sensor interfacing: voltage dividers and amplification
- PCB layout awareness and parasitics (intro)
- Safety: current limits, grounding, and ESD
- Troubleshooting open/short faults systematically
- Capstone-style mini-design: filter or power supply block
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- DC circuit fundamentals
Voltage, current, power, and energy definitions
Coming soon - Capacitors, inductors, and transient response
Capacitor and inductor constitutive relations
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.