Directed Study in Electronics Technology

Course Description

EET2905 – Directed Study in Electronics is a one-credit, student-centered independent study course within the Electronic Engineering Technology taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course allows a second-year electronics technology student to pursue an in-depth, individually designed investigation of a specific topic in electronics technology under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor. The scope, objectives, and deliverables of the study are established in a written learning contract negotiated between the student and the supervising instructor prior to enrollment, and approved by the department. Because EET2905 carries a 900-series SCNS number, credit is not automatically transferable; articulation is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

The course is offered within the Electronic Engineering Technology program area, which prepares students for careers in electronics manufacturing, maintenance, testing, and design support across aerospace, defense, medical device, telecommunications, and industrial automation sectors.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of EET2905, all students will be able to:

• Develop and execute a structured, faculty-approved learning contract that defines the study topic, objectives, timeline, and evaluation criteria.
• Apply technical knowledge and skills from prior EET coursework to investigate a focused electronics topic in greater depth.
• Locate, evaluate, and synthesize technical resources (datasheets, application notes, industry standards, peer-reviewed literature) relevant to the chosen topic.
• Produce a written report or technical documentation that clearly communicates findings, methodology, and conclusions in a professional format.
• Demonstrate independent problem-solving and critical thinking by identifying challenges within the study topic and proposing or testing solutions.
• Meet regularly with the supervising faculty member and respond constructively to feedback throughout the study period.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the approved topic and institutional resources, students may also:

• Design, build, and test an electronic circuit or prototype relevant to the study topic using bench equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, function generators, power supplies).
• Utilize simulation software (e.g., Multisim, LTspice, or similar EDA tools) to model and verify circuit behavior.
• Prepare and deliver a formal oral or poster presentation of study results to faculty, peers, or an industry panel.
• Explore an industry certification topic (e.g., IPC standards, MSSC, CompTIA) as the directed study focus.
• Investigate an emerging technology area such as IoT sensors, power electronics, RF communications, or embedded microcontroller systems.
• Conduct laboratory measurements and produce a formal lab notebook or data analysis report aligned with industry documentation practices.

Major Topics

Required Topics (Process Framework)

Regardless of the specific electronics subject chosen, every directed study must address the following process elements:

• Learning Contract Development – problem statement, scope definition, measurable objectives, milestone schedule, and grading criteria
• Literature and Resource Review – identification and critical evaluation of datasheets, application notes, technical standards (IPC, IEEE, ANSI), and textbook references
• Progress Documentation – periodic written or oral progress reports submitted at intervals defined in the learning contract
• Technical Analysis or Experimentation – application of circuit theory, measurement techniques, or system analysis to the chosen topic
• Final Deliverable – a written technical report, design portfolio, prototype demonstration, or equivalent product as specified in the learning contract
• Faculty Supervision Meetings – scheduled one-on-one conferences with the supervising instructor throughout the term

Optional / Topic-Specific Content Areas

Students may elect to direct their study toward any of the following electronics content areas (subject to faculty approval and alignment with program competencies):

• Analog Circuit Design – amplifiers, filters, oscillators, power supplies, op-amp applications
• Digital Electronics – combinational and sequential logic, microcontroller interfacing, FPGA fundamentals
• Electronic Communications – amplitude/frequency modulation, RF circuits, antennas, phase-locked loops
• Electronic Assembly and Quality – IPC J-STD-001 soldering standards, surface-mount technology (SMT), ESD control, inspection techniques
• Test and Measurement – oscilloscope techniques, signal analysis, use of DMMs, spectrum analyzers, and logic analyzers
• PCB Design and Simulation – schematic capture, PCB layout, design rule checking (DRC), simulation with EDA software
• Power Electronics – regulated and switching power supplies, motor drives, energy conversion fundamentals
• Embedded Systems / IoT – microcontroller programming (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi), sensor interfacing, wireless communication protocols
• Troubleshooting Methodology – systematic fault isolation, use of service documentation, component-level repair techniques

Resources & Tools

• Electronic Test Equipment: Digital multimeter, oscilloscope, function generator, DC power supply, frequency counter
• EDA / Simulation Software: NI Multisim, LTspice, Autodesk Eagle, KiCad, or equivalent circuit simulation platforms
• Technical References: Manufacturer datasheets and application notes; IEEE and IPC standards library; Boylestad & Nashelsky Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory or equivalent EET program textbooks
• Florida SCNS Online Database: flscns.fldoe.org – for course equivalency and transfer research
• FLATE Resources: Florida Advanced Technological Education Center curriculum frameworks and industry alignment guides
• IPC Standards: IPC J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, IPC-7711/7721 (rework and repair) as applicable to study topic
• College Library / Databases: Access to technical journals, e-books, and professional periodicals (IEEE Xplore, ProQuest STEM)

Career Pathways

Directed study in electronics supports professional growth in a wide range of technical roles. Florida's electronics and advanced manufacturing sectors—including aerospace (Space Coast), defense, medical devices, and telecommunications—regularly seek graduates with demonstrated ability to work independently and solve applied technical problems.

• Electronics Technician – test, maintain, and repair electronic assemblies and systems
• Electronics Engineering Technologist – support engineers in design, prototyping, and system integration
• PCB / Circuit Design Technician – schematic capture, PCB layout, and design verification
• Quality / Inspection Technician – IPC-certified inspection and rework of electronic assemblies
• Field Service Technician – installation, troubleshooting, and repair of electronic equipment at customer sites
• Manufacturing Process Technician – SMT line operations, ESD control, production quality assurance
• Transfer Pathway: Students completing an A.S. in Engineering Technology (Electronics Specialization) may transfer to B.A.S. or B.S. programs at institutions such as Miami-Dade College (B.S. Electronics Engineering Technology), Seminole State College (B.S. Engineering Technology), or the University of West Florida under Florida's 2+2 articulation agreements.

Special Information

Course Structure and Enrollment Requirements

• Enrollment requires a faculty-approved learning contract completed before or at the start of the term. Students should contact their EET program advisor or department chair to identify a willing supervising instructor.
• As a 900-series SCNS course, EET2905 is not automatically transferable between Florida institutions; students planning to transfer should confirm acceptance with the receiving institution's registrar prior to enrollment.
• The course is typically graded on a letter grade basis using rubrics defined in the learning contract (e.g., quality of final report, adherence to timeline, depth of technical content).

Industry Certification Alignment

• A directed study focused on soldering or electronic assembly may prepare students for IPC J-STD-001 CIS (Certified IPC Specialist) or IPC-A-610 certifications.
• Topics aligned with manufacturing fundamentals may support preparation for the MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) credential, which articulates to 15 credit hours within Florida's Engineering Technology A.S. framework.
• Embedded systems or networking-focused studies may provide foundational preparation toward CompTIA A+ or vendor-specific credentials (e.g., Cisco, Arduino Certification).