EPN

MAKER1400 Introduction to Electronics and PCB design Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Introduction to Electronics and PCB design
Study programme
Makerspace Micro Courses
Makerspace Micro Courses
Weight
2.5 ECTS
Year of study
2022/2023
Course history

Introduction

Technology like we know it today cannot exist without electronics and printed circuit boards (PCB). The field of electronics is the study of the behavior of electrons using electronic devices.

Electronics uses active and passive devices and components to control electron flow.

PCB is the fundamental component of the electronics and has the purpose to hold all the components mechanically and conductive together. A PCB can hold hundreds or even thousands of components and makes sure the components and its connections stay unaltered even when we apply mechanical stress.

Students in this hands-on course will be introduced to tools to make basic electronics and PCB available at the Makerspace, including electronic components and soldering tools. Through practical assignments students will learn how to design and fabricate circuit board.

This micro-course will attract students, startups, companies, and individuals interested in learning electronics from the ground up and learn how to build printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student has knowledge of:

  • How to design a basic electronic circuit using breadboard.
  • Basic PCB design tools and software.
  • Different soldering techniques for both throughole and SMD components (surface-mount devices)
  • Basic lab equipment, oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generator and more.
  • Ohm`s and Kirchhoff's laws.

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student has the ability to:

  • Create basic electronic circuits on Breadboard and PCB.
  • Solder SMD (surface-mount devices) components.
  • Troubleshoot electronic circuits and PCB.

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

  • Knows the basic electronic components
  • Knows the difference between throughole and SMD (surface-mount devices) components
  • Knows the physical components present in a PCB

Teaching and learning methods

The course will have hands-on practice work in the makerspace and lectures. 

Course requirements

None.

Assessment

One practical project assignment to be completed individually or in groups of max 2. The project assignment consists of:

  • Development of a physical artifact
  • A digital documentation of the process with pictures and step-by-step descriptions of how the physical artefact was made, including short justifications (maximum 500 words)

The assessment is based on the digital documentation.

The exam can be appealed.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are followed.

Grading scale

Pass/fail.

Examiners

One internal examiners.