EAS 200 – Electrical Engineering Concepts For Non-Majors

Blended Course
3 credits – Fall 2020

Facilitator
Presentacion Rivera Facilitator Sections A, B
Email: privera1@buffalo.edu
Virtual office hours: (Check on UBlearns the UB-Webex link to connect)
Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST

Teaching Assistants
Revant Adlakha Recitations
Email: revantad@buffalo.edu
Office hours: TBD
TBD Recitations
Email: TBD
Office hours: TBD

If you need to discuss something with the facilitator or teaching assistants (TA), please try to meet them during virtual office
hours or by email.

Class Time and Location (Course Format)

This blended course is conducted through different formats:
• The coursework (lecture sections A and B) is delivered in asynchronous format via recorded videos, UBlearns, assignments,
and emails, meaning that you are not required to attend lectures on campus. You will complete weekly assignments at your
own pace in accordance with the Master Schedule of the course.
• Recitation sections A3 and B1 will be delivered in an online format. Check on the table below the time for your online
recitation section. Your TA will email you the details of how to connect.
• Recitation sections A1, A2, B2, and B3 will be delivered in class, meaning that you required to attend recitation on campus.
Check on the table below the time and room for your in-class recitation section. Remember to complete your daily health
check before arriving campus, and the use of face covering and physical (social) distance during recitation time.

UB will move to remote instruction after the Thanksgiving recess for the remaining of the semester. For that reason, recitation
sections A1, A2, B2, and B3 will change to online format.

Check carefully the recitation time and format of your recitation section. Ask the facilitator if you are still unsure which
recitation section you are registered.

Title Section Days Time (if applicable) Format (room, if applicable)

Lecture A MWF 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. EST Asynchronous
Recitation A1 F 12:40 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST In class (O’Brian 109)
Recitation A2 F 1:50 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. EST In class (O’Brian 109)
Recitation A3 M 12:40 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST Online
Lecture B MWF 5:20 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. EST Asynchronous
Recitation B1 Th 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. EST Online
Recitation B2 Tu 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. EST In class (NSC 205)
Recitation B3 W 4:10 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST In class (Knox 104)

A synchronous (online) introductory session will be held on the first day of the course at lecture time to get familiar with the
course’s website. You will receive an email from the facilitator indicating how to access to this online session.

Course Description
This course introduces aspects of electrical engineering useful to all the engineering disciplines. Course material includes basic
circuit analysis and networks, fundamentals of power, energy conversion and transmission.
Prerequisites: Approved and Intended Engineering Majors Only and MTH 141.

Requirements
Course
Requirement Quantity Material Covered Date
Exam 3 See Master Schedule See Grading Policy, see Master Schedule
Self-Evaluation Quiz (SEQ) 14 See Master Schedule See Grading Policy, see Master Schedule
Problem-Solving Quiz (PSQ) 13 See Master Schedule See Grading Policy, see Master Schedule
Homework 13 See Master Schedule See Grading Policy, see Master Schedule

Textbook
Introductory Circuit Analysis, 13th ed., Robert L. Boylestad.

Computer Access and Navigating the Course’s Website

To work on UBlearns, you will need a computer that is connected to the internet and an up-to-date browser. You may want to
contact IT support if your computer is not properly running UBlearns or for any other question related to this online learning
platform. Below the contact information for assistance:

UBIT Help Center

Website: https://buffalo.edu/ubit/get-help.html
Email: ubithelp@@buffalo.edu
Call: 716-645-3542 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST)

Check hardware requirement, audio, and video streaming software before starting to participate in the course. Hardware and
peripherals such as web camera and speakers or headphones will be required to watch video lectures and interact in the
synchronous help session. Software such as Microsoft ® Office, Adobe® Reader, and Adobe ® Flash plug-in may be required to
work on assignments, read pdf notes, and watch problem-solving videos. Any other software required for the course will be
announced through UBlearns.

Course Learning Outcomes

The following table list learning outcomes for this course. The statements generally complete the sentence, “Upon completing
this course, students will be able to…”

Program
Course Learning Outcome Assessment Methods
Outcomes*
1. Analyze simple dc circuits using Ohm’s and SEQ 1, 2, 3; PSQ 1, 2, 3; homeworks 1, 2, 3
1, 7
Kirchhoff’s laws Exam 1, Final Exam
2. Analyze dc circuits using node-voltage, mesh-
SEQ 4, 5, 6; PSQ 4, 5, 6; homeworks 4, 5, 6
current, Thevenin equivalent circuits, and 1, 7
Exam 1, Exam 2, Final Exam
superposition
SEQ 7, 8; PSQ 7, 8; homeworks 7, 8
3. Analyze RC and RL transient circuits 1, 2, 7
Exam 2, Final Exam
4. Analyze simple ac circuits using phasor analysis, SEQ 9, 10, 11; PSQ 9, 10, 11; homeworks 9, 10, 11
1, 7
determine steady-state responses of ac circuits Exam 2, Final Exam
5. Perform power calculations in single- and three- SEQ 12, 13; PSQ 12, 13; homework 12, 13
1, 2, 4, 7
phase ac circuits Final Exam
SEQ 14
6. Be familiar with logic circuits 1, 7
Final Exam
*The Student Outcomes from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET have been adopted, see
http://www.abet.org/

Program Outcome Support

0: No Coverage, 1: Introduced, 2: Practiced/Reinforced, 3: Mastered
Program Outcome 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Support Level 2 1 0 1 0 0 2
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Grading Policy
All grades will be posted on UBlearns. You need to check each grade on UBlearns after it is posted. You will have one week
from when a grade is posted to UBlearns to contest the grade. After that, the grade will be final.

Course Requirement Percent of Final Grade

Exams (2) 20% (40% each)
Final Exam 25%
Self-Evaluation Quizzes (14) 10%
Problem-Solving Quizzes (13) 10%
Homeworks (11)* 15%
*The two lowest homework scores will be dropped

Percentage Final Grade Percentage Final Grade

93-100 A 73-76 C
90-92 A- 70-72 C-
87-89 B+ 67-69 D+
83-86 B 60-66 D
80-82 B- < 60 F
77-79 C+

In certain cases, students may be eligible to receive a temporary incomplete (‘I’) grade. Students may only be given an ‘I’ grade
if they have a passing average in coursework that has been completed and establish well-defined parameters to complete
course requirements. Prior to the end of the semester, students must initiate the request for an ‘I’ grade and receive the
facilitator’s approval. Detailed information is available from the Undergraduate Course Catalog:
https://catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/explanation.html

Accessibility Services and Special Needs

If you have a disability and may require some type of instructional and/or examination accommodation, please inform me early
in the period so that we can coordinate the accommodations you may need. If you have not already done so, please contact
the Office of Accessibility Services:

60 Capen Hall
Phone: 716-645-2608 (voice)
716-645-2616 (TTY)
Email: stu-accessibility@buffalo.edu
Web site: https://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/who-we-are/departments/accessibility.html

All information and documentation is confidential.

The University at Buffalo and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are committed to ensuring equal opportunity for
persons with special needs to participate in and benefit from all of its programs, services and activities.

Mental Health & Sexual Violence

As a student, you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning or reduce your ability to participate in
daily activities. These might include strained relationships, anxiety, high levels of stress, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down,
health concerns, or unwanted sexual experiences. Counseling, Health Services, and Health Promotion are here to help with
these or other issues you may experience. You can learn more about these programs and services by contacting:

Counseling Services:
• 120 Richmond Quad (North Campus), 716-645-2720
• 202 Michael Hall (South Campus), 716-829-5800
Health Services:
• Michael Hall (South Campus), 716-829-3316
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Health Promotion:
• 114 Student Union (North Campus), 716-645-2837

UB is committed to providing a safe learning environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including
sexual assault, domestic and dating violence and stalking. If you have experienced gender-based violence (intimate partner
violence, attempted or completed sexual assault, harassment, coercion, stalking, etc.), UB has resources to help. This includes
academic accommodations, health and counseling services, housing accommodations, helping with legal protective orders, and
assistance with reporting the incident to police or other UB officials if you so choose. Please contact UB’s Title IX Coordinator at
716-645-2266 for more information. For confidential assistance, you may also contact a Crisis Services Campus Advocate at
716-796-4399.

Academic Integrity
This course will operate with a zero-tolerance policy regarding cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty. Any act of
academic dishonesty will subject the student to penalty, including the high probability of failure of the course (i.e., assignment
of a grade of ‘F’). It is expected that you will behave in an honorable and respectful way as you learn and share ideas.
Therefore, recycled papers, work submitted from other courses, and major assistance in preparation of assignments without
identifying and acknowledging such assistance are not acceptable. All work for this course must be original for this course. I
have the right to give zero to an assignment (i.e., homework) if I am only suspicious that you have copied from another student
or a web site. Students also will be graded with zero when they would be taken online assignments and performing screen
sharing, asking for assistance or answers, posting notes on the apps and getting recommended answers instantly, getting real-
person answers within minutes, and having other individuals impersonating them by showing the rigged identifications such as
fake driver’s license or school ID which may to be as easy to authenticate virtually.

Please be familiar with the University at Buffalo Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure outlined at
https://catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/integrity.html

Enhanced Guided Notes (EGN)

Enhanced Guided notes (EGN) are facilitator-prepared notes that contain information concerning course topics, but are
incomplete. The EGN will be posted on UBlearns to allow students to print and fill in the missing information during video
lectures. They may consist of essential concepts, ideas, diagrams, graphs, problems to solve, and conclusions that can be made.
These are not mandatory, but are highly recommended for this course. EGN are not a substitute for reading the textbooks. All
the information found in the textbook cannot be covered in the video lectures. You are responsible to keep up your reading.

Video Lectures
All of the topics addressed in this course are covered by video lectures. These videos were carefully segmented by the
facilitator to take students step-by-step through the content of each EGN. These videos are posted on UBlearns to allow
students to play, stop, rewind, and replay as many times as needed to improve upon the live classroom experience. Additional
recordings of solved problems will be posted on UBlearns to reinforce the content of the video lectures and EGNs.

Homeworks
The due dates for homework are described on the Master Schedule. Please complete homework using engineering or grid
paper. Check on UBlearns for the “format” and “guidelines” files of how to submit homework. Submitted homework without
format and guidelines will not be graded. Homework must be scanned and uploaded via UBlearns. Make sure your scanned
homework has good contrast, is legible and easy to read. Late homework will not be accepted because the two lowest
homework scores will be dropped.

Self-Evaluation Quizzes (SEQ)

Throughout the period of the course, students will take self-evaluation quizzes (SEQ) based on the content of each EGN. Each
quiz consists of 5 multiple-choice questions (2 point each, 10 points total). A student may retake (1 attempt) the quiz within the
time the quiz is available on UBlearns (see Master Schedule).

Problem-Solving Quizzes (PSQ)

Throughout the period of the course, students will take problem-solving quizzes (PSQ) based on the content of each EGN. Each
PSQ consists of 1 or 2 problems to solve (10 points total) similar to homework problems. Students will take these quizzes
during recitation time (see Master Schedule). A student will be permitted to take a PSQ before or after the period with a valid
excuse (i.e., illness or emergency).
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Recitation Sessions
A weekly 50-minute help session will be conducted in class or online to review the content of the course and ask questions.
Attending these sessions will aid in learning the vast content of this course in the short time given (see Master Schedule).

Exams
You will be required to take online-proctored exams. Check on UBlearns the instructions before starting the exam online (pre-
check process), how to access the exam online, and during the exam online. Dates for the three exams are as follows:

Exam 1, 90 minutes duration, 10/09, 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST.

Exam 2, 90 minutes duration, 11/06, 4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST.
Final Exam, 120 minutes duration, 12/14, 12:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. EST (final exam is comprehensive).

Students will begin the pre-checking process 15 minutes prior to the start of their exam. This will allow ample time to connect
with the proctor and troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise. The time it takes you to connect to your proctor and
complete the pre-checking process does not count towards exam duration. It is expected that exams 1 and 2 will start at 4:30
p.m., and the final exam will start at 12:15 p.m. on the above-mentioned dates.

A student will be permitted to take an exam before or after the period with a valid excuse (i.e., illness or emergency). Cheating
will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of “F” for that exam (check Academic Integrity Section).

Topics to be Covered During the Course

In the table below, you will find a list of the topics to be covered during the course. Check the Master Schedule for important
information on date/time for optional synchronous session, quizzes, exams, and homework assignments. The schedule may be
adjusted from time to time as necessary. Students are responsible for all readings, video lectures, and quizzes. Please be aware
of any schedule adjustments by checking the Master Schedule frequently.

Date Topic Objective Reading and Video Lecture Material

Week 1 DC Voltage, Current & To introduce basic parameters • Textbook: pp. 33-91
Aug 31 to Sep 06 Resistance - EGN 1 of network analysis. • Video lectures EGN 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 1.5

Week 2 Ohm’s Law, Power, To introduce basic concepts of • Textbook: pp. 105-120
Sep 07 to Sep 13 Energy & Efficiency - network analysis. • Video lectures EGN 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,
EGN 2 2.4
Week 3 Series dc Circuits - EGN 3 To verify the behaviors of • Textbook: pp. 143-175
Sep 14 to Sep 20 series resistive dc networks. • Video lectures EGN 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,
3.4, 3.5, 3.6

Week 4 Parallel and To verify the behaviors of • Textbook: pp. 198-279

Sep 21 to Sep 27 Combinational dc parallel and combinational • Video lectures EGN 4.1, 4.2, 4.3,
Circuits - EGN 4 resistive dc networks. 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

Week 5 Methods of Analysis and To verify different methods of • Textbook: pp. 297-332
Sep 28 to Oct 04 Selected Topics (dc) - analysis in dc networks. • Video lectures EGN 5.1, 5.2, 5.3,
EGN 5 5.4, 5.5

Week 6 Network Theorems - To verify different theorems in • Textbook: pp. 359-392

Oct 05 to Oct 11 EGN 6 dc networks. • Video lectures EGN 6.1, 6.2, 6.3,
6.4, 6.5, 6.6

Week 7 Capacitors - EGN 7 To verify the behavior of • Textbook: pp. 413-459

Oct 12 to Oct 18 capacitors in dc networks. • Video lectures EGN 7.1, 7.2, 7.3,
7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7

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Date Topic Objective Reading and Video Lecture Material
Week 8 Inductors- EGN 8 To verify the behavior of • Textbook: pp. 479-511
Oct 19 to Oct 25 inductors in dc networks. • Video lectures EGN 8.1, 8.2, 8.3,
8.4, 8.5, 8.6

Week 9 Sinusoidal Alternating To verify different parameters • Textbook: pp. 555-587

Oct 26 to Nov 01 Waveforms - EGN 9 of Sinusoidal Alternating • Video lectures EGN 9.1, 9.2, 9.3,
Waveforms. 9.4, 9.5, 9.6

Week 10 The Basic Elements and To verify the behavior of • Textbook: pp. 607-639
Nov 02 to Nov 08 Phasors - EGN 10 impedances in ac circuits. • Video lectures EGN 10.1, 10.2,
10.3, 10.4, 10.5

Week 11 Series and Parallel ac To analyze ac networks. • Textbook: pp. 658-720

Nov 09 to Nov 15 Circuits - EGN 11 • Video lectures EGN 11.1, 11.2,
11.3, 11.4, 11.5

Week 12 Power (ac) – EGN 12 To calculate true, reactive and • Textbook: pp. 869-891
Nov 16 to Nov 22 apparent power in ac • Video lectures EGN 12.1, 12.2,
networks. 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6

Week 14 Polyphase Circuits – EGN To become familiar with three- • Textbook: pp. 1078-1096
Nov 30 to Dec 06 13 phase circuits. • Video lectures EGN 13.1, 13.2,
13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6

Week 15 Logic Circuit - EGN 14 To introduce basic concepts of • Handout: pp. 348-366
Dec 07 to Dec 12 logic circuits. • Video lectures EGN 14.1, 14.2,
14.3, 14.4, 14.5

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Homework Guidelines

1. Use engineering paper, one side only, do not fold.

2. Homework assignment must include on the first page the date, course, section, homework assignment number, name of
the student, identifier, and page number.
3. Staple multiple pages, more than one problem may be worked on the same sheet if space is available, but do not start a
problem in the middle of a sheet if it cannot be finished on that sheet without crowding.
4. Use pencil and erasers, no pens or cross-outs.
5. Print, no script, all printing must be neat and horizontal.
6. Use straight edges, compass, and templates as appropriate for drawing.
7. Include the symbolic form of equations used.
8. Use symbolic variables as much as possible in your solution.
9. Show numerical values with an appropriate number of significant figures.
10. Organize your solution so that it can easily be followed.
11. Double underline final answers.
12. Indicate the final answers with an arrow from the right margin and label the arrow with the name of the variable.
13. Include units with all intermediate and final answers.
14. Reference any tables or figures used to import information.
15. Each solution should be complete and all work shown.
16. Your work must have a professional appearance and be neat.
17. Only submit your own work. Do not submit solutions you do not understand or that has been copied.

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Homework Format

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