9352631 McShane Based on the success of our students in learning electronics in the course of their research projects, the introductory electronics program has been revised to provide a similar contextual setting. Experience in a goal-oriented project environment enables students both to learn more effectively and to make significant research contributions much earlier than previously. From the beginning of the course the students are involved with the type of modern instruments they will use at various levels in the larger community: with their fellow students in upper- division laboratories, with local industry, and at several national laboratories and CERN. Two sets of equipment are utilized. The first set is used for learning the basic fundamentals and building blocks of electronic devices. In this category is a digital storage oscilloscope controlled by a microcomputer. The computer also controls a multifunction I/O board, and programs for analysis and simulation. The second set is used for student projects. This category comprises specialized equipment in the areas of communication, data acquisition, and control. Included here are microcontroller modules joined to other and supervised over a microcomputer link. ***
