Courses
Air Force Academy Courses I have taught and/or course directed:
Circuits I – A standard mathematical introduction to circuits. Topics included KVL, KCL, AD/DC circuit analysis, RC/RL circuit analysis, phasors, op-am circuits and amplifiers.
Circuits II – A continuation of Circuits I. Topics included RLC circuit analysis with differential solutions as well as studies in Laplace and Fourier transform analysis as applied to circuit analysis.
Electronics I – Semiconductor physics, diodes, bipolar transistors, CE/CC/CB amplifier designs, laboratory techniques, notebook etiquette, and large/small signal analysis.
Electronics II – An extension of electronics I, this course studied class A and B amplifiers, simple power amplifiers, FET transistors, simple CMOS logic circuits including timing, delay, logic, and several types of memory circuits. About a third of this course was dedicated to hands-on lab time designing and debugging various circuits. The final topic was a introduction to board design including chemical etching and soldering.
Power Systems I – As an introduction to power, this course introduced three-phase Delta and Wye circuits, synchronous and asynchronous rotating machines, DC motors, transmission line analysis, generation systems, and one line diagrams. A section on renewable energy such as wind and solar was also included.
Freshman Engineering – Required by all 1st year cadets at USAFA, this course introduced electrical, computer, mechanical, civil, aeronatical, and astro engineering. Students designed and built circuits, rockets, gliders, deployment camps, and many other things in a fun, educational, and very hands-on environement.
Senior Capstone Project – Teams of 3-8 students worked together for two semesters in their final year at the academy. Topics include project management, presentations, budgeting, resource allocation, etc. This course was often sponsored by an outside agency for funding and presentations.
Electrical Engineering for Non-Majors – Required by all non-engineers, this 300 level course covered the basics of electric circuits, digital logic, radio and radar concepts including the FRIIS equation, data transmission via multiplexing and modulation, A/D and D/A conversions, and GPS. The course also included three group design projects.
Summer Scientific Seminar – This 2-week summer course gave an introduction to electronics or computer electronics to rising high school seniors who were likely to attend the academy in subsequent years. The course was geared to hands on mini-projects to generate interest and a desire to learn more.
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) – A set of short courses to engage middle and high school students in engineering concepts to spur interest in the engineering fields.