All the technical courses required for the Electronics degrees are shown below. For the general education, math, and science courses, see the MCC college catalog or the MCC home page.
| ELE101 Beginning Algebra for Technology | |
| ELE263 Digital Data Communications | |
| ELT298 Special Projects | |
ELE100 Concepts
of Electricity and Electronics
Principles of electric circuits, magnetism, and
electromagnetism including basic motors and generators. Use of basic measuring
instruments. Includes an overview of electronics in the modern world.
Prereq: None. (3 cr, 4 per)
This course provides a broad overview of Electronics for those who are new to this field: those who have not had any electronics courses before and have not had any industry experience in Electronics. This course is designed for people who are just starting out as an Electronics major, people in other majors where some knowledge of Electronics is necessary (such as Music, Computer Networking, etc.), or those who may be considering a career change to Electronics.
If you are an ET or EET major and have already had some background in Electronics, please send a note to the MCC Electronics Program Director so that this course can be waived for you.
ELE100 Official Course Competencies
Back to top of this page | Back to MCC Electronics Home
ELE101 Beginning
Algebra for Technology
Basic axioms of algebra, linear equations in one
or two variables, operations on polynomials, rational expressions, simultaneous
solutions of linear equations, laws of exponents. Prereq: Score of 19
on Tech Math placement test, or grade of "C" or better in GTC107,
or MAT082, or equiv. (3 cr, 3 per)
ELE105 Algebra/Trigonometry
for Technology
Topics from college algebra and trigonometry essential
to the study of electronics; polynomials, exponential, and logarithmic
functions, complex numbers, and trigonometric functions and identities.
Prereq: A grade of "C" or better in either ELE101, or MAT092,
or equiv, or score of 16 on Tech Algebra placement test. (5 cr, 5 per)
This course is normally offered in the Fall only.
ELE111 Circuit
Analysis I
Direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)
electric circuits. Ohm's law, Kirchoff's laws, series, parallel and series-parallel
circuits, fundamentals of inductance and capacitance, and the transient
behavior of circuits containing resistance and capacitance or resistance
and inductance. Prereq: None. Coreq: ELE105, or MAT122, or equiv. (4 cr,
6 per)
This is the first circuits course for ET, EET, EMA, and Microcircuit Mask Design majors. It is the starting point for those who must understand Electronics in their jobs.
This is a standard first course in most comprehensive ET and EET programs throughout the USA. It is sometimes referred to as "AC/DC" because it covers the basics of AC and DC electricity - the fundamental principles upon which all Electronic Systems are based.
Note: A similar version of this course known as ELE113 is no longer offered at MCC. If you have taken ELE113, you will receive credit for ELE111.
ELE112 Circuit
Analysis II
Alternating and direct current circuits containing
resistance and reactance. Detailed coverage of AC/DC circuit parameters,
including theorems, impedance matching, and resonance. Prereq: ELE111.
(4 cr, 6 per)
This course is normally offered in the Spring only.
This course is a follow-on course for ELE111, and covers the principles that were convered in ELE111 in more depth. This depth is especially needed by ET's, EET's, and Microcircuit Mask Design students.
ELE121 Solid-State
Devices & Circuits I
Theory of operation of semiconductor diodes and
transistors. Bipolar junction transistor biasing and load-line analysis.
AC equivalent circuits applied to small signal amplifiers. Characteristics
of large signal and power amplifiers. Prereq: ELE111 (4 cr, 6 per)
ELE131 Digital
Logic and Circuits
Number systems, binary arithmetic, and Boolean
algebra, combinatorial and sequential logic circuits, and memory elements.
Prereq: Grade of "C" or better in GTC107, or MAT082, or equiv,
or score of 19 on Tech Math placement test. (3 cr, 6 per)
This is a standard beginning digital course for all of our MCC Electronics degrees and certificates. In this course, you will learn about the fundamental technology upon which almost all computing technology is based.
In this course, all the materials you need to build your own "LED Vision" optional project will be provided to you...
- Microprocessor-controlled array of 196 LEDs.
- Customizable with any scrolling or blinking messages or images you want.
- All parts and software are provided for you to keep.
- Scroll full-size text, or display simple animations.
- Learn how to write your own programs for this system in ELE241 and reprogram it as a Digital Clock, Voltmeter, Thermometer, or just about anything else you can imagine.
Example LED Vision (Built by student Stephen Delaney)
ELE181 Computer
Programming for Technology
Elementary computer programming techniques. Hands-on
computer usage. Prereq: None. (3 cr, 5 per)
This is the introductory computer programming course for all the MCC Electronics degrees. There are no prerequisites; we start from the very beginning.
Learn how to write computer programs for Linux or Windows PCs. Write simple game programs or useful technology or scientific programs. Get a free bootable Linux DVD that includes ALL the software you need in this course, including a C++ compiler, an office suite compatible with Microsoft Office that includes a Word Processor, Spreadsheet, and Presentation software. The DVD also includes an Adobe Photoshop compatible graphical image manipulation program.
Students in this course may choose to do an optional final project. Previous student projects have included:
- "War Pong"
- "Pak Man"
- Electronic Circuit Calculator
- Inventory Control
- Sudoku generator
- Tic Tac Toe
- Construction materials estimating
ELE222 Solid-State
Devices and Circuits II
Theory and application of differential and operational
amplifiers. Power supplies and regulators; special devices and circuits.
Prereq: ELE121. (4 cr, 6 per)
This course is normally offered in the Fall only.
ELE241 Microprocessor
Concepts
Architecture of selected microprocessors. Presentation
of machine and assembly language programming. Prereq: ELE131. (4 cr, 6
per)
In this course, you will build and program your own microcontroller system. Although the specific technology we use changes often to keep up with this ever-changing technology, we are currently using a Microchip PIC18 device. We program it using the C programming language. We emphasize Input/Output interfacing in this course, so that by the end of the semester you should be able to customize the system that your built, and develop your own projects and inventions. Generally, in the last two weeks of this course, your instructor will help you to complete a project of your own design.
In past semesters, student projects have included a robot arm controller that moved pieces on a chess board, an automatic fooseball scoreboard prototype (one minute, 4 MB), a baby-crying detector, a home alarm system, and an audio sweep generator. Here are some videos of student projects. Each is about a minute long.
- Robot Arm Controller (15 MB)
- Foosball Scorekeeper (5 MB)
- Photographer's Light Meter (15 MB)
- HotShot Basketball (6 MB)
- Robotic Hand
- Miniature Solar Powered House
- Doppler Speed Sensor Interface
- Fuel Injection
All the hardware and software in your system is included in the lab fee for the course and is yours to keep. If you do not yet have a job in the electronics industry, you can bring the system that you built and programmed in this course to your job interviews to show your prospective employers that you have actual, hands-on electronics skills.
Although most of the students in this course are MCC ET and EET majors, there are also electronic hobbyists who want to learn how to add microcontrollers to their projects, and working engineers who want to upgrade their microcontroller skills.
Even though this course is often taken by people with BS and even MS degrees in Electrical Engineering, it is designed for those who have only had one introductory course in Digital Logic, such as MCC's ELE131 course. If you know about logic gates and flip-flops, you already have all the prerequisites you need for this course. Those with more advanced backgrounds will be able to go well above and beyond the basic requirements of this course if they desire, or may simply enjoy an easy introduction to microcontrollers.
- All parts and software are provided for you to keep.
- Includes a Keypad, LCD character display, high current drivers, and analog I/O.
- Classroom projects include: temperature control, stepper motor driver, telephone dialer, piano, voltmeter, reaction timer, USB Data Acquisition System, and more.
- Use as a platform for your own projects and inventions.
- Interface with almost any sensors or output devices.
- Based on the Microchip PIC18 microcontroller.
The stated prerequisite for this course is ELE131. If, however, you have taken a digital logic course somewhere else, send a brief note to the MCC Electronics Program Director, and he will waive this prerequisite for you.
ELE243
Microprocessor Applications
Presents the microprocessor in computing and control
applications. System hardware and software used to control the microprocessor
system to perform input/output operations. Prereq: ELE241. (3 cr, 5 per)
This course is normally offered only once per year. It is not offered every semester. Check the Schedule page for details.
ELE251 Electronic
Measurements
Application and operation of common electronic
and electrical test instruments including: oscilloscopes, analog and digital
multimeters, digital counters and signal sources. Transducers, amplifiers,
and filters, as they apply to instrumentation systems. Laboratory reports
and documentation are emphasized. Prereq: ELE121. (3 cr, 5 per)
This course is normally offered in the Spring only.
ELE261 Communication
Systems
Communication systems. Amplitude modulation (AM),
frequency modulation (FM), single-sideband (SSB), radio receivers, pulse
systems, radiation, antennas and wave propagation. Prereq: ELE121 and
ELE131. Coreq: ELE222 (4 cr, 6 per)
This course is normally offered in the Fall only.
ELE263 Digital
Data Communications
Overview of modern telephone system. Telephone
switching and modulation techniques. Familiarization with AM and FM circuits.
Operation of asynchronous and synchronous modems. Prereq: ELE121 and ELE241.
(4 cr, 6 per)
This course is normally offered only once per year. It is not offered every semester. Check the Schedule page for details.
Organized and tailored around the interests and needs of the individual student. Structured to provide an atmosphere of individualized research and study paralleled by professional expertise and guidance. Professional-type facilities and equipment available for student use. Allows the best aspects of independent study and individualized learning to be combined to maximize student development. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or instructor.
Important note: There are three versions of this course. They differ only in the number of credit hours they contain. This is to accommodate projects of varying complexity.
| ELT298AA | 1 credit hour |
| ELT298AB | 2 credit hours |
| ELT298AC | 3 credit hours |
GTC104 Manufacturing
Processes
Introduces students to manufacturing processes
used in conversion of raw materials into useful products. Presents the
basic manufacturing processes in logical groups, based on similarities
of purpose and applications. Prereq: None. (4 cr, 7 per)
GTC106 Industrial
Safety
Safety, health management, and accident prevention
in industrial work environment. Role of OSHA act, materials handling,
electrical safety, machine safety, first response to fire and medical
emergencies, safety signs and color codes, recognition of safety and health
hazards, accident prevention, and management's responsibilities. Prereq:
None. (2 cr, 3 per)
GTC185 Electro-Mechanical
Devices
Concepts, principles, maintenance, and troubleshooting
of mechanical and electro-mechanical devices; mechanical alignment of
shafts, pillowblocks, gears, and couplers on mechanical breadboard; transmission
devices including lead screws, linkages, worm and worm wheels, gear trains,
speed reducers, chain drives, and belt drives; principles of lubrication;
operation of DC, AC, and stepping motors; application of tachometers,
stepping motors, linear actuators, relays, solenoids, switches, contactors,
starters, and fuses; selection and specification of components from manufacturer's
catalogs. Prereq: ELE101 or MAT122, or equiv. (4 cr, 6 per)