Teaching design while constructing a 100-watt audio amplifier

Juniors in their first semester take the first course in electronics viz. Electronics I. Gradually they are exposed to the concepts of design while learning about semiconductors, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors, and different types of amplifiers including class-B push-pull amplifiers. Three weeks before the end of the semester, they start designing a 100 watt audio amplifier. On completing the design, it is constructed using power transistors and other components. The amplifiers are evaluated by the instructor for power output and fidelity. During the whole process, students go through several additional cycles of learning which could not have been imparted in the typical recitation environment. This paper discusses those topics and the indirect reward the instructor receives while observing the students successfully complete their work