Design and Delivery of a Course in Electronic Systems through a Competency-based approach

<p dir="ltr">Electronic systems are at the heart of all the technological innovations that an Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate creates as part of her/his daily job in the profession. The competencies required for expertise in this area range from analog circuit design to integration of functional mixed-signal systems. In a traditional undergraduate curriculum with focus on academic excellence, the topic is covered typically through circuit theory, analog electronics and digital electronics typically covered over 2 years as individual modules. Deviating from the traditional approach, we developed a course that encompasses the necessary technical and professional skills, adopting a competency-based approach. The design of the curriculum adopted a backward design with element of knowledge and skills that the current electronics design industry is looking for. Taking reference from the SkillsFuture skills framework for the Electronics sector in Singapore, specific technical skills and competencies in demand for upskilling of the workforce specially in equipment, integration and product engineer roles were considered. The course offered to run across a 13-week trimester was designed to have mix of synchronous online, asynchronous online and face-to-face sessions, leading to an integrated treatment of analog and digital electronics and highlighting the convergence between the two fields in modern day electronics. The course prepares learners in competencies ranging from designing signal conditioning circuits to digitization and high-speed transmission of signals. Unique to our CBE approach, we developed an integrative project that cuts across the competencies in analog, digital and mixed-signal systems analysis and design. A take-home project involving design and analysis of an electronic system viz., synthesis of audio tone and wireless transmission and reception with commercial FM radio was developed. The objective of the project is to lead to authentic assessments where learners journeyed through applying the knowledge elements from basic electronic components and technology to circuit design and integration to realise the audio tone synthesizer and subsequent FM radio transmission. The skills assessed included application of various test and measurement principles, instrumentation techniques for evaluating performance of the prototyped electronic system. The learners were assessed in their ability to use simulation tools, to develop models, to analyse electronics systems and to interpret system performance. The curriculum planning, development and delivery for a diverse group of working adults, with outcomes targeted to be competent in 3 different yet related technical areas of a) analog electronic systems, b) digital electronic systems and c) mixed-signal electronics with assessments for both knowledge and skills will be presented. Unique to the curriculum design is the use of learning aides for just-in-time learning of necessary mathematics such as complex algebra. The feedback received from the diverse group of learners on the over course, specific assessments and the integrated project will be presented.</p>