Course Orientation

Hello, I am Nita Leighton, the instructor for ELECTR 155, Electronic Drawing and Assembly.
The material contain in this section is very important for your success in this class. It is strongly
recommended that you read it thoroughly and review it as necessary, during this course. Some
of you have a great deal of experience and background in electronics, while others are just
beginning to study it. Since this class no longer has prerequisites, we have students at all stages
of knowledge enrolled in this college course.
This course is part of these certificate programs:
1. Electronics Technology Certificate = 34 units
2. Communications Engineering Technology Certificate = 45 units
3. Computer Engineering Technology Certificate - 42 units
4. Electric Power Technology Certificate = 46 units
5. Avionics Technology Certificate = 52 units
Students may acquire either the certificate in a given area, or take additional classes to obtain
an Associate Degree. Other students may transfer to a university, and earn a 4 year degree.
Please see the SBVC catalog, for more details.
This course is designed to teach the student how to create, design and assemble a printed
circuit board. Most activities will be done in the virtual world of the computer. It is required
that the students actually do a final project, both in the virtual world, and in reality, using real
components, soldering them onto a printed circuit board (PCB) made at a fabrication house,
using the student's own design.
To prepare the student for the final project, there will be a few projects initially, introducing
more information, and complexity with each project.
This initial lesson is:
1. The Simple Starter Circuit (SSC)
Future assignments:
2. The Figure 40-2 Circuit
3. Relay Voltage Comparator Circuit (RVC)

4. Elenco SP-1A (final project to be miniaturized)

5. Reverse Engineering (an unknown circuit)
This is a required capstone class for many certificates/degrees. Many advanced students find
the navigating within the virtual arena easy. However, they may or may not be familiar with
the software packages used in this class. ExpressPCB.com is a free download, and also is the
fabrication house that is reasonable and timely in turnaround, for the final project
requirements for this class. National Instrument's Multisim and Ultiboard are used in several
other classes, in this discipline. There is a student version available at ni.com for approximately
$40 for a year's subscription. This is not a requirement, but highly recommended for those
students who can afford it. So, those students who have taken those classes who have used this
software come well prepared. All students will be expected to learn the various software
packages used in this class. This software is available on the computers in the Learner Center
Lab in the Applied Technical building, where students can use them, when on campus yet, not
in class.
The students will deliver in their ePortfolios the various steps to achieve that final project per
each assignment. The steps are vital for success in obtaining the end result. Only the final
project required a working and assembled PCB. All other projects will be accomplished in the
virtual world. Students will be graded on each step, of each project, using a point system of 03. The rubric will be broken down into quality of work delivered, understanding of project, and
functionality of design and layout.
Explain course technology requirements
Basic computer skills are a necessity for this class. Without these basics the student really
cannot function independently.
PC hardware and software is required. Past experience has shown that a PC using Linux
operating system will not support expressSCH or expressPCB. Therefore, it causes problems for
both the student and the instructor if the student uses other software packages than what is
used in class, SBVC has a site license with National Instrument for Multisim and Ultiboard.
Students may use it in class or in the Learning Center Lab in Applied Technology Building.
All students are requirements to participate in class activities. Discussions are a key element
for sharing information, asking questions and gaining insight on knowledge gain through this
course.

Not with this initial lesson, but in later assignments the students will use an Internet browser to
do research for Bill of Materials (BOM) which are required on several projects. This is to teach
them how to budget and purchase materials for their PCB.
Course-site Orientation
This course site contains all the materials necessary to complete the course with the exception
of ordering the custom PCB from a fabrication house. When the PCB is made and returned to
the student directly, each student must assemble, populate, solder and test the PCB to prove it
works. This site will contain the course PowerPoints, related custom videos, handout sheets
and assignment/project information. Also available are links to websites for further
information. Since this is an ePortfolio based class, there are no formal tests. Their ePortfolio is
the majority of the grade.
Participation will occur via online discussion each week. Students are expected to interact with
one another, and with the instructor. There are no limits placed on how many students can
interact with each other, each week, but they all need to participate with relevant information
and suggestions. A suggestion is to rotate through the class roster, so that each student will
have to opportunity to interact with each classmate. When there is a response or suggestion
made, then that student needs to acknowledge the effort made. This makes for open dialogue.
There are no teaching assistances in this class. If the advance students volunteer suggestions to
aid others, great for all involved. It is hard to get some students to do this therefore it is done
on a volunteer basis. Since many of the students are familiar with http://ngl8on.weebly.com
this is what will be used for this class. The majority of the student population is already familiar
with this site, thus needing very little explanation on how to use it at orientation.
Course policies
Policies regarding this course and SBVC policies can be found on the syllabus for this course.
So, instead of repeating this information, please refer to the syllabus that is attached.