A unified approach for teaching basic nonlinear electronic circuits to sophomores

The philosophy, mechanics, and syllabus of a unified sophomore course in nonlinear electronic circuits are offered as a possible solution to the dilemma, long faced by teachers of electronic circuit theory, of a decreasing amount of time in which to present circuits containing an increasing variety of nonlinear electronic devices. The logic and feasibility of teaching the unified principles of nonlinear circuit analysis which are independent of the devices and their internal physical principles of operation, and which require no prerequisite other than elementary calculus, are illustrated with typical examples of various practical large signal electronic circuits actually taught in the course. The necessity to teach only a few fundamental unifying concepts and techniques, and the high motivational value of the proposed approach are shown to be the overriding factors which led-to-the success of this sophomore course at Purdue University.