ECE 220
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
AS THE END OF THE SEMESTER APPROACHES
EXTRA CREDIT
For those of you planning to submit the extra credit paper, be warned that, in past semesters, ~30% of papers failed to meet the required minimum score of 80%. So, heed the following advice:
1. Make sure that each question is clear and unambiguous (would students raise a hand to ask a question about your question?), that your circuit is valid (e.g. no short ckts across voltage sources, no open switches in series with current sources), and that your solution is correct (check using PSpice). (The latter is often the reason for the paper scoring <80%.)
2. Clearly indicate which are PART I questions and which are PART II questions. Don't make PART I questions too long and complicated. A PART I question will test comprehension of a single concept and should involve minimal computation.
3. Make a list of topics/concepts you want to cover, and work out questions on a blank sheet of paper, before typing. I can often tell when someone has simply modified an existing question.
4. Indicate the points distribution for the exam:
e.g.
PART I (Concepts): N questions, 1pt each
PART II (Analysis): N questions, 2 pts each
(PARTS I & II should take ~ 1hr to solve.)
(Design): 1 question, 4 pts
(It's ok for the points distribution to be slightly different from the above.)
In general, the number of questions per section (N) will depend on which exam you are preparing. Use my exams as a guide.
5. Make the open-ended design question truly open-ended. Such a question will typically be a "word-question." It's unlikely that the question will suggest a specific circuit or give a circuit diagram. The web shows a couple of examples. A poor example, which I have seen a number of times, reads something like: "Find the value of R1 so that this Wheatstone bridge circuit (shown) causes the LED at the op-amp output to turn on." This is not open-ended, since the circuit is given and there is probably only one solution.
6. Follow precisely the format instructions posted on the web.
7. Don't leave it until the last minute. It takes me several days to write an exam, and I have some experience!
8. I've posted my ckt templates
for WORD, should you be planning to submit the extra credit assignment. Just
remember to turn off "snap to grid" in the DRAW tool. You can also
use PSpice to generate your schematics. See the web site for other instructions.
The deadline is at the start of class
on Monday Dec 8.
LABS
As we approach the end of the semester, here is some information regarding the lab schedule for the final two weeks of semester:
1. The course syllabus states:
LABORATORY: Labs are mandatory. Failure to complete all labs will result in a failing term grade. The laboratory work is described on separate handouts. All lab experiments must be completed and reports submitted in order to receive any lab credit. One week before each lab you will complete a Prelab assignment paper, including exercises using the circuit simulation software PSpice. During each lab the TA will verify that you can demonstrate certain instrument skills. The TAs will administer a short practical test during the third or fourth lab. Students who fail this test and who subsequently show little or no improvement in lab skills will be given a separate practical test by Dr. Strickland. Based on these tests, students who fail to demonstrate basic proficiency in lab skills will fail the course.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS.
This policy requires that students must complete all six lab experiments AND submit a report for each one. If you missed one or more lab reports, then you will receive zero credit for labs for the entire semester. (This policy was implemented to discourage people from "blowing off" important labs.) The next 2+ WEEKS are your last chance to arrange make-up labs with the TAs and to submit reports. Labs are scheduled to end on Friday Dec 5. Please note that late reports are subject to the usual grade penalty. For example, if you failed to submit lab #2, you will get a zero for submitting it now, even though doing so is necessary to avoid losing all lab credit for the semester. All make-up lab reports must contain good quality work, otherwise they will not be counted.
The only way to make up earlier labs is to ask the permission of the TAs to do this during Lab 6 sessions, provided there are open bench spaces.
The last scheduled
lab is Friday Dec 5.
2. Lab 6 report format.
You may use this shortened format for the lab 6 report (does not apply to the prelab):
Title etc.
Tabulated Data
Graphs (no schematics needed)
Answer questions on "Experiments" section.
Data Sheet.
3. Due dates for lab 6 reports.
Section Report Due Date
Wk1 Mon (i.e Friday Wk1) Dec 8
Wk1 Tue (i.e. Thu Wk1) Dec 9
Wk 1 Wed Dec 10 (last day of classes)
Wk 2 Mon Dec 10 (last day of classes)
Wk 2 Tue Dec 10 (last day of classes)
Wk 2 Wed Dec 10 (last day of classes)
Wk 2 Fri Dec 11 (Dead Day)
Reports are due in ECE 255 by noon of the posted date.
MISCELLANEOUS
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We WILL hold class on Tuesday Nov 25 (Exam 4), Dec 2 and Dec 9.
I think that covers it for now :)
RNS