Abstract:

In this work we present the basic lines of the methodology developed to adapt the course “Electrical and Electronic Engineering” of the degree in Materials Engineering to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The course takes place during the second semester of the second year of the degree. It should be pointed out that this is the only course about electronics during the four years.
Different types of objectives are tackled:
1. Conceptual
I. To know the basic rules of electric circuits analysis: Kirchhoff laws, Thévenin and Norton theorems, and the superposition principle.
II. To know most of the common electronic components in a circuit: diode, transistor, and operational amplifier.
III. To know the basics of digital electronics from numbering systems to simple sequential circuits
IV. To know the basics of control theory.
2. Procedural
I. Applying the knowledge acquired on electric circuits to the analysis and design of electronic circuits with basic components.
II. Analyzing and synthesizing real cases of digital circuits.
III. Analyzing basic control circuits.
IV. Using appropriate measuring instruments in the manipulation of signals such as: power supplies, function generators, multimeters, and oscilloscopes.
3. Attitudinal
I. To become aware of the importance of this matter in the context of the degree and, in their further professional development.
II. To participate in planning and carrying out tasks in a team with a respectful attitude to the other team members.
III. To be able to present and defend the work developed in public.

The competences to be acquired by the students are both, general and specific. Among the first ones we are concerned with: to apply the knowledge in mathematics, science and engineering, to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems, to perform experiments, analyze, synthesize and interpret the results, to search information about a specific subject and communicate it effectively, to acquire basic computer skills, to develop critical thinking and teamwork. Among the specific competences we can highlight: to acquire knowledge of standard electronic components, to analyze and design electronic circuits, and the skill of performing measurements and scientific data processing.

In order to achieve these goals in a relative short period of time (15 weeks, 3 hours/week) several activities have been proposed in addition to the master classes. These activities will be relevant for the evaluation of the students:
1) Four short exams along the 15 weeks.
2) Group and individual problem solving activities
3) Seminars given by the students about a current issue related to the course.
4) Laboratory training.
5) Final exam.

On the other hand, Moodle has been used as a tool for creating online dynamic web site for their students.
The evaluation will take into account all these activities being the final rating calculated following the next formula:

N = 0.4 (final exam)+0.2 (short exams) +0.2 (laboratory practice) +0.1 (seminars) +0.1 (problem solving).

The results achieved during the 2010/11 course are the following: 35 % of the students passed the course, while only a 23 % of the students passed the final exam, which indicates the goodness of the methodology used compared with the traditional one.

Keywords:

EHEA, electronics, materials engineering.