Overview

ECE 241 is an introduction to electrical engineering for mechanical engineering students. Students study electrical components and the techniques of electric circuit analysis in preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

Course structure:

• Lectures, 3 hours per week

• Homework, weekly, may be graded or ungraded

• Labs, one 3-hour lab per week, run by TA, graded lab reports

• Weekly quizzes, one midterm, and a final

• Grading criteria may vary with instructor

More information can be found in the individual Course Description here:

https://www.pdx.edu/electrical-computer-engineering/ece-241-introduction-electrical-engineering

Required TA Skills

1. Solid background in linear algebra, differential and integral calculus, differential equations, and and physics

2. Knowledge of various circuit analysis concepts (nodal and mesh analysis, Norton and Thévenin equivalents), OpAmps, time-frequency concepts (Laplace and Fourier), frequency selective filter topologies (Sallen-Key, multiple feedback, state space), three-phase power, and two-port networks

3. Lab TAs need to be familiar with building circuits on breadboards and with the bench equipment in the circuits lab: DC power supply, multimeter, function generator and oscilloscope. Must be able to help students troubleshoot their circuits and equipment problems in a more complex lab project.

4. Lab TAs must be adept at the use of LTspice and Matlab.

5. Lab TAs must be comfortable talking to and working with a diverse group of students on both an individual and group basis.

TA Responsibilities

The TA position is a 0.30 FTE assignment. The job will be either two lab sections or one lab section plus a lecture assistant.

Lab TAs are required to:

1. Work through lab experiments before the lab.

2. Attend the lab section(s) each week. Be present and help students the entire lab period.

3. Give an introduction to the lab each week, clarifying instructions and highlighting any important information students need to know.

4. Help students during each lab session, answering questions and checking each group’s progress. There may be an undergraduate student assistant to help with large lab sections.

5. Grade their submitted lab reports in a timely manner and upload student scores and feedback to D2L.

6. Be available for an office hour outside of lab time; be responsive to student email questions.

7. Be in contact with the instructor and keep them informed of any problems in the lab.

Lecture TAs are required to:

1. Grade homework and quizzes in a timely manner and upload student scores and feedback to D2L.

2. Hold office hours for 2 hours per week; be responsive to student email questions.

3. There may be other responsibilities depending on the instructor such as holding exam review sessions, proctoring or grading exams, or other assistance to the instructor if requested.

4. Be in contact with the instructor and keep them informed of any problems observed in homework or office hours.