Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for MT 113A archive revision 202004

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Effective Term:
Fall 2020 through Summer 2021

Course Number:
MT 113A
Course Title:
Applications of Semiconductor Devices
Credit Hours:
2
Lecture Hours:
10
Lecture/Lab Hours:
20
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Explores semiconductor devices such as diodes, power transistors, thyristors, triacs and their applications specific to automated manufacturing systems. Introduces troubleshooting techniques of electronic circuits such as signal tracing, division in subsections, removal of parallel branches, and swapping identical components. Microelectronics Technology AAS degree-seeking students should take MT 113. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

The laboratory portion of this course provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in the operation of electronics test instruments (signal generators, digital multimeters and oscilloscopes). Students will work in teams of two or more to perform and complete laboratory exercises. Through  the hands-on practice, they will learn how to apply  general troubleshooting strategies to narrow the scope of a problem’s location, and to further isolate it.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Construct, test and troubleshoot circuits that incorporate semiconductor devices.
  • Operate electronic test equipment including multimeters, power supplies, signal generators and oscilloscopes.
  • Recognize and interpret technical documentation such as schematic diagrams and device data sheets.
  • Practice safe operating procedures.

Aspirational Goals

Through the lab experiments and the hands-on practice, the students will learn how to apply s general troubleshooting strategies to narrow the scope of a problem’s location, and to further isolate it.

Course Activities and Design

One hour of lecture followed by two hours of hand-on activities will  be taken every week. Demonstrations and explanations will be provided by the instructor during the lecture lab hours. The emphasis of all the course activities will be on troubleshooting circuits made with semiconductor components.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Homework, one final exam on paper and one final practical exam should be expected. 
The emphasis of each of these examinations is on electronic test equipment 
proper use and on mastering the circuit troubleshooting techniques. 

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

The theme of the course will be diagnosing and fixing problems with electronic circuits made with semiconductor devices such as rectifiers, power amplifiers, inverters, etc. Students will learn how to apply troubleshooting techniques like:

divide system into sections and test each individual section

remove parallel components

swap identical components

A general troubleshooting approach like the one below will be demonstrated and practiced in the lab setting:

Understand the system.

Understand the problem and history.

Eliminate the obvious.

Develop possible causes and theories.

Eliminate causes, start with what is easy, or likely.

Validate and document the solution.