Circuits and Electronics course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This XSeries program offers a rigorous, university-level foundation in circuits and electronics, mirroring MIT’s on-campus curriculum. The course sequence spans approximately 18–24 weeks with a weekly commitment of 6–10 hours, combining analytical depth with real-world applications in semiconductor and hardware engineering. Learners progress from basic circuit theory to advanced system-level design, mastering core concepts essential for careers in electronics and integrated circuit design.
Module 1: Basic Circuit Analysis
Estimated time: 48 hours
- Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws
- Network theorems (Thevenin, Norton, Superposition)
- Node and mesh analysis methods
- Capacitors, inductors, and dynamic circuit behavior
Module 2: Transistor Physics and Amplification
Estimated time: 48 hours
- Transistor operation and characteristics
- Small-signal models and gain analysis
- Design of amplifier circuits
- Signal amplification and biasing techniques
Module 3: Frequency Response and Bandwidth
Estimated time: 48 hours
- Frequency-dependent behavior of circuits
- Bode plots and transfer functions
- Bandwidth limitations in amplifiers
- High-speed circuit behavior
Module 4: Switching Speed and Propagation Delay
Estimated time: 48 hours
- Transient response in digital circuits
- Propagation delay and rise/fall times
- RC and RLC transient analysis
- Signal delay in integrated circuits
Module 5: Multi-Stage Amplifiers and Feedback Circuits
Estimated time: 48 hours
- Design of multi-stage amplifier systems
- Negative and positive feedback configurations
- Stability and frequency compensation
- Nonlinear and dynamic circuit behavior
Module 6: Integrated Circuit Applications and System Design
Estimated time: 48 hours
- Integrated circuit implementation techniques
- Analog and digital system integration
- Application of system-level design principles
- Real-world electronics design challenges
Prerequisites
- Strong foundation in calculus (differentiation and integration)
- Prior knowledge of physics, particularly electromagnetism
- Familiarity with basic mathematical modeling and differential equations
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Analyze and design complex electrical circuits using analytical methods
- Understand and model transistor-level behavior in modern electronics
- Evaluate frequency response and bandwidth in amplifier circuits
- Assess switching speed and propagation delay in digital systems
- Apply system-level thinking to analog and digital integrated circuit design