Electronics Certificate

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Program facts

Credit hours: 16
Stackable to degree: Yes
Potential job outcomes: Technical sales associate, quality control technician, customer service representative

Plan for a career in electronics or other technology-related industries with this 16-credit-hour certificate program. This flexible program allows you to customize your curriculum by choosing from variety of courses across many different areas of technology and electronics. After graduating from the program, you’ll be ready to seek entry-level employment in technical sales, manufacturing, quality control or customer service.

Take classes such as AC/DC/RF network analysis, semiconductor devices and circuits, introductory electronics, digital electronics, analog electronics, communications systems, industrial control systems, embedded microcontroller/processor systems and more. Credit earned for this program can be applied to the Electronics Engineering Technology AAS Degree.

Certificate program requirements

Program Overview

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This 16 credit-hour certificate program is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of electronics and other related technology industries. The curriculum is very flexible as it allows students to choose from a number of electronics courses in many diverse technology areas and is tailored to provide entry-level career training in a relatively short time. A broad range of electronics courses provides considerable emphasis on analysis, operation, application, installation and servicing. Because most courses have prerequisites, students should consult with the Program Coordinator prior to enrolling.

Students completing this program may find employment in various entry-level positions in technical sales, manufacturing and quality control, and customer service.

Students may also continue their education by pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree. Students considering this option are encouraged to meet with the Program Coordinator and an academic advisor prior to beginning the program and also when planning their schedule each semester.

F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course

Electives: Choose any combination of 16 credit hours with Program Coordinator approval:

Number	Course Title	Credits
ELT 101	DC Network Analysis F	4
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Studies direct current (DC) resistive networks. Definitions, symbols and notations for electrical quantities are taught. Circuit properties and their applications to significant circuit configurations are examined. High school algebra is recommended. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 102	AC Network Analysis S	4
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Examines steady state alternating current (AC), resistor-capacitor (RC) and resistor-inductor (RL) circuits. Also examines RC and RL single time constant circuits. Single phase and polyphase AC networks are also studied. Prerequisite: ELT 101 and MTH 103 with grades of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 110	Introductory Electronics	4
Description: Introduces fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Covers basic electrical laws and principles. Presents electrical quantities, units, symbols and notation. Examines foundational electronic materials and components. Presents elementary DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) network analysis, key semiconductor devices, and simple analog and digital circuits. Also covers electrical safety considerations, laboratory instrumentation and test and measurement techniques. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 111	Semiconductor Devices and Circuits S	2
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Examines basic semiconductor component families and characteristics. Fundamentals of proper circuit operation and typical applications are further examined. Prerequisite: ELT 110 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 203	Digital Electronics F	4
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Examines digital logic circuitry from the underlying structure of Field Effect Transistors (FETs) through how these devices are built into complex integrated circuits (ICs). Includes combinational and sequential logic circuits, binary and hexadecimal number systems, error detection and correction, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, counters, state machines, semiconductor memories, and programmable devices with special emphasis on microcontrollers. Prerequisite: ELT 110 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 207	Communications Systems S	4
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Introduces students to communications systems. The historical, technical and commercialization aspects of key technologies and inventions from the onset of early communications equipment to contemporary telecommunications systems are discussed. Covers systems, equipment, and radiating systems and radiation. Topical areas in these segments include wireline and wireless systems, modulation and demodulation, receivers, transmitters and transceivers, transmission lines, antennas, matching networks and wave propagation. Emphasizes system applications, operation and analysis. Prerequisite: ELT 110 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 215	Industrial Control Systems	4
Description: Introduces students to industrial control systems. Covers fluid power fundamentals, and pneumatic and hydraulic circuit theory. Examines the integration of optics, sensors, and various electronic control systems including programmable logic controller (PLC) and personal computer (PC) controllers. Infrared (IR) emitters and detectors, and laser systems are also examined. Introduces the application and control of automated robotic systems. The course culminates with a capstone team project involving the development, design, construction, presentation and ultimate demonstration of a fully operational automated industrial control system. Prerequisite: ELT 110 and ELT 140 with grades of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 218	Embedded Microcontroller /Processor Systems S	4
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. Examines the basics of microcontroller/microprocessor systems. Includes digital and analog input/output (I/O), serial buses, memories/caches, and interfacing to peripherals including sensors, displays, servos and motors. An example of such a system is Arduino hardware and the writing of Arduino C code that are covered in detail. Prerequisite: ELT 203 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025
ELT 281	Topics in Electronics Engineering Technology	1-4
Description: Examines selected problems or topics in electronics engineering technology. The specific course content and instructional methodology will vary from semester to semester depending on the material presented. A syllabus containing specific topics will be available with pre-registration materials each time the course is offered. This course may be repeated to a maximum of four credit hours. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 \| Spring 2025

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Next steps

For more information about Electronics Engineering Technology, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.