Completed Courses
This is a list of the graduate courses that I completed when I pursued my Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering covering two major tracks: RF/microwave and microelectronics at the University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL.,USA., where also I was working as Graduate Research Assistant and/or Graduate Teacher Assistant at the Center for Wireless and Microwave Information Systems (WAMI):
=RF/Microwave Track=
1. Wireless and Microwave Circuits Laboratory (EEL 5936 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: An extensive hands-on introduction to wireless radio frequency and microwave circuits and systems, involving modern measurements, fabrication and computer-aided design experiences at both component and sub -system levels. Not available on an S/U basis.
Final Project: "Superheterodyne Receiver System Characterization and Simulation”
2. RF & Microwave Measurements (EEL 6425 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: This course provides an understanding of the motivation, theory, and practical applications of a wide range of radio frequency (RF) and microwave measurements. Treatment includes scattering parameter, noise, power, spectrum analysis, and non-linear frequency conversion and distortion measurements.
3. RF & Microwave Circuits I (EEL 6426 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: A course in RF & microwave circuit theory with an emphasis on the design and analysis of passive circuits as well a system level perspective of wireless technology.
Final Project: "Wireless RF to DC Converter, fabrication and simulation”.
4. RF & Microwave Circuits II (EEL 6427 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: Active RF & microwave circuit design. Investigate the characteristics of amplifiers and oscillators used in modern microwave systems, the tools used for analysis, and some common circuit topologies for biasing and matching. Substantial coverage of stability analysis, constant gain methods and noise figure.
Final Project: "1.9 GHz Low Noise Amplifier Design, fabrication, simulation and S-Parameters and noise figure measurements".
5. MMIC Design (EEL 6936 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: Gain an appreciation for the design theory, technology, and applications of monolithic microwave integrated circuits. Develop an understanding of the MMIC manufacturing process necessary for effective circuit design. Perform realistic design activities towards a fabricated MMIC chip and develop Advanced Microwave CAD skills.
Project: "2-20 GHz Low Noise Wideband Distributed Amplifier MMIC Design, simulation".
6. RF/MW Power Amp Design. (EEL 6936 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: The goals of the course are to guide students to a working level of understanding about RF & Microwave power amplifier design including such topics as layout issues, non-linear simulation, power amplifier design theory, and broad-band matching techniques. The term project will have as its goal a fabrication ready design and layout of a MMIC or built and tested hybrid power amplifier design.
Final Project: "3.5 GHz, Hybrid Class-AB High Efficiency GaN Power Amplifier, 10.71W, PAE=62.8%".
7. Antenna Theory. (EEL 5462 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: This course is designed to familiarize a student with the field of antenna theory and electromagnetic radiation. The topics will include a review on electromagnetics theory, radiation principles and antenna characteristics, the design of various antenna types, antenna array theory, and modern topics and applications in antenna design.
Final Project: Literature Review: "Advanced Additive Manufacturing of RF/Microwave/mmW 3D-Printed Antennas based on Novel Nanocomposites Materials".
8. Advanced Antenna Theory. (EEL 6463 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: The course is designed to familiarize a student with advanced antenna types and associated design techniques. The topics of the course are:
1) EM Review (Maxwell’s Equations, Boundary Conditions, Plane Waves, and several theorems)
2) Guided Waves (TE, TEM, TE Waves, Parallel Plate and Rectangular Waveguides, Surface Waves)
3) Aperture Antenna Review (Radiation Integrals, Field Equivalence Theorem)
4) Horn Antennas (Analysis Techniques, Key Horn Antenna Properties, Different Horn Antenna Types)
5) Reflector Antennas (Corner Reflectors, Parabolic Reflector, Physical Optics and Aperture Integration Based Radiation Analysis Techniques, Various Reflector Configurations)
6) Propagation in Periodic Media, Dispersion Diagram, Electromagnetic Bandgap Structures
7) Transmission Line Metamaterials (Composite Right Left Handed Metamaterials, Leaky Wave Antennas)
8) Study/review of Various Types of Miniaturized Antennas
9) Frequency Selective Surface based High Gain Antennas
Final Project: Literature Review of "Frequency-tunable (Reconfigurable) Antennas".
9. Wireless Architecture and Protocols. (EEL 6597 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: The world has witnessed an explosion in the development and deployment of new wireless systems from cellular telephony to the ubiquitous “WiFi” networks, to the emerging 4G LTE and other wireless broadband access networks. The goal of EEL 6597 is to provide an understanding of the foundation networking technologies that enable these emerging wireless systems. Rather than only provide descriptive accounts of wireless systems and standards, this course emphasizes conceptual perspectives on the modeling, analysis, design and optimization of these networks, all within the unifying framework of resource allocation and mobility management.
=Microelectronics Track=
1. MEMs I (EEL 6935 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: This Course gives an introduction to MEMS, Microfabrication – Techniques and Processes and to Biological and Chemical Sensors. The course concentrates on basics of MEMS, different processes involved and principles of sensing. Sections of the course are dedicated to fabrication of MEMS devices, and understanding fundamentals of sensors and systems approaches to problems that require MEMS sensors and actuators. The course also aims to introduce writing research proposals and more importantly, to critically review proposals and rate them.
Final Project: "Hand-Portable Gas Chromatograph using a MEMS-based semi-packed column for Detection of Hazardous compounds, project proposal".
2. MEMs II (EEL 6935 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: Design, simulate and model MEMS devices – pressure sensor, micro-mirrors, accelerometer/gyroscope, micro-fluidic channel, imparting hands-on, real-life example of life cycle of MEMS devices and Introduce and work with several design tools & processing techniques and case studies in MEMS and learning testing methodologies and data analysis techniques
Final Project: Build and test (hands-on) a MEMS device – piezoresistive pressure sensor.
3. Integrated Circuit Technology (EEE 5356 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: Physics and chemistry of integrated circuit and discrete device fabrication, materials limitations, processing schemes, failure and yield analysis. A laboratory is integral to the course.
4. Advanced Integrated Circuit Technology (EEL 6935 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: This course is focused on developing the skill set needed to design structures and
processes for the optimum performance of micro-structural and electronic components. Students will learn to integrate advanced process techniques, use simulation tools, and to perform and interpret electrical measurements on devices fabricated as part of the laboratory.
Final Project: "Hafnium (IV) oxide (HfO2) “High-K” thin Gate Oxides deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)".
5. Semiconductor Device Theory I (EEE 6353 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: Development of the theory of semiconductor devices from the fundamental principles of Physics.
6. Semiconductor Device Theory II (EEE 6358 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: The objective of the course is to present to graduate students the development of the theory of semiconductor devices from the fundamental principles of physics, materials, and advanced device concepts.
1. Foundational Knowledge: key components of semiconductor device development, material selection, and assessment;
2. Application: analyze and process the definitions, mechanisms, and control parameters surrounding the physics/theory behind semiconductor materials and devices; evaluate the impact of materials on semiconductor device technology;
3. Integration: consider product and process design for a high yielding semiconductor technology; identify the integrative progression of nanoelectronics.
Project: Literature Review: "Atomic Layer Deposition Technology (ALD) for High-k Thin Films in the Semiconductor Industry"
=Math Track=
1. Engineering apps of Complex Analysis (EGN 5424 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description: Analytic functions, conformal mapping, residue theory, Laurent series, transforms.
Applications to various problems in engineering and physics.
2. Random processes in Electrical Engineering (EEL 6545 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description:Review of probability, functions of random variables, joint Gaussian distribution, autocorrelation, power spectra, ARMA modeling, Wiener and Kalman filters, Wiener/Poisson/Markov Processes.
3. Engineering applications for Vector Analysis (EEL 6935 / 3cr.hr).
Course Description:Vector methods of electromagnetism and fluid mechanics. Vector operators, line and flux integrals,
potential and transport theorems, applications.
=Research=
1. Direct Research I, II,III and IV (EEL 7910 / 5cr.hr).
Research Description: I am conducting scientific research on the design and development of tunable antennas and 3D Printed RF/microwave components employing, high-k, low loss & high permeability nanomaterials, we are fabricating and developing our own composite based in: (MgCaTiO3,NdTiO3, BaTiO3, BaSrTiO3, Fe3O4 and others). (Fall 2012 – Current). My List of publications can be found in my Google Scholar profile.
2. Doctoral Disertation I,II,III and IV (EEL 7980 / 29cr.hr -Current).
Ph.D. Dissertation, “Engineered Nanocomposite Materials for Microwave/Millimeter-Wave Applications of Fused Deposition Modeling”.
3. Electrical Engineering Graduate Seminar I and II (EEL 6936 / 2cr.hr).
Course Description: The course is designed to present students with a series of interesting talks on important topics ranging from cutting-edge research fields to technical writing, career & professional development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and communications skills.
=Extra Curricular Training=
1. Preparing for College Teaching (PCT S2014).
Course Description: This program is ideal for any graduate student interested in teaching at the college level, either while here with us at USF or in your future career. Some of you will go on to become professors, and we are delighted to assist you on your journey. The focus of this class is on teaching college classes, and doing it well. We'll examine best practices in a number of topics related to course design and course delivery, so that by the end of the program, you'll feel like you are well-equipped to build and give a college-level class all by yourself.
Project: "Teaching Portfolio for: EEL 5356- (3cr.hr) (Integrated Circuit Technology), EEL 6935- (3cr.hr) (Advanced Integrated Circuit Technology), and EEL 4423L/ EEL 5936- (3cr.hr) (Wireless Circuits & Systems Design laboratory)".