Ranking Electrical Engineering Classes: Hardest to Easiest

Ali the Dazzling
16 Jun 202207:17
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the challenges of various electrical engineering courses, highlighting the abstract nature of subjects like signals and systems, communication systems, and applied electromagnetics. The speaker shares personal experiences and observations on the difficulties students face with theoretical concepts and math-intensive topics. However, they emphasize that the perception of difficulty varies with interest, making seemingly hard subjects enjoyable when they are stimulating and engaging. The speaker's passion for the field led them to pursue a PhD in communication systems.

Takeaways
  • πŸŽ“ The speaker is breaking down electrical engineering courses from the perspective of student difficulty and personal experience.
  • πŸ“š Signals and Systems is often considered the most challenging due to its abstract nature and the introduction of Fourier transforms.
  • 🌐 The follow-up course, Communication Systems, applies concepts from Signals and Systems in the frequency domain, adding to the complexity.
  • πŸ”Œ Applied Electromagnetism is difficult for many students because it deals with invisible electric and magnetic fields and waves.
  • πŸ”„ Transmission lines and matching networks are particularly tricky topics that introduce the complexities of alternating current.
  • πŸ“Š Engineering Applied Probability and Statistics is rigorous and challenging, especially for those without a strong math background.
  • πŸ”§ Microelectronics involves learning about transistors and building amplifiers, introducing complicated circuit analysis.
  • πŸ€– Embedded Systems/VHDL courses are relatively easier due to their hands-on, practical approach to programming microcontrollers.
  • πŸ”’ Digital Principles is an introductory course that's generally easier because it starts from the basics of binary numbers and logic gates.
  • ⚑️ Energy Power Systems, despite being theoretical, is considered easier by the speaker due to dealing with large, more visualizable numbers and focusing on efficiency.
  • πŸ’‘ Personal interest and enjoyment of a subject greatly influence the perceived difficulty of a course, for the speaker, Signals and Systems are fascinating and therefore easier.
Q & A

  • What are the two courses that the speaker finds most challenging for electrical engineering students?

    -The two courses that the speaker finds most challenging are 'Signals and Systems' and its follow-up 'Communication Systems'.

  • Why does the speaker believe 'Signals and Systems' is difficult for most students?

    -The speaker believes 'Signals and Systems' is difficult because it is very abstract, dealing with concepts that are not tangible and may not make sense initially.

  • What is the main challenge in 'Communication Systems' for students?

    -The main challenge in 'Communication Systems' is applying the concepts learned in 'Signals and Systems' to real-world communication through radios, which primarily takes place in the frequency domain, an area most students are unfamiliar with.

  • How does the speaker describe the course 'Applied Electromagnetism'?

    -The speaker describes 'Applied Electromagnetism' as a course that covers the basics of electric and magnetic fields and waves. It is challenging because the concepts are invisible and abstract, and the math can be difficult.

  • What are some of the topics covered in 'Engineering Applied Probability and Statistics'?

    -In 'Engineering Applied Probability and Statistics', topics such as autocorrelations, cross-correlations, various distributions, Gaussian distribution, and stochastic processes are covered, with rigorous mathematical treatment.

  • How does the speaker relate the 'Probability and Statistics' course to 'Communication Systems'?

    -The speaker relates the 'Probability and Statistics' course to 'Communication Systems' by mentioning that the knowledge gained, such as modeling noise in a communication system, is directly applied in the latter course.

  • What is the speaker's perspective on the difficulty of 'Microelectronics'?

    -The speaker views 'Microelectronics' as the fourth most difficult class, where students start learning about transistors and building amplifiers, dealing with more complex circuits.

  • How does the speaker describe the 'Embedded Systems/VHDL' course?

    -The speaker describes 'Embedded Systems/VHDL' as less difficult compared to other courses because it is more hands-on, involving programming of microcontrollers and working with hardware through coding, allowing students to see tangible results and learn from trial and error.

  • What makes 'Digital Principles' an easier course according to the speaker?

    -'Digital Principles' is considered easier because it is an introductory course that starts from scratch, covering binary numbers, systems, and basic logic gates, with straightforward concepts and less intense mathematics.

  • Why does the speaker find 'Energy Power Systems' the easiest course?

    -The speaker finds 'Energy Power Systems' the easiest because it deals with large numbers, making concepts easier to visualize, and focuses on efficiency, which is a straightforward concept.

  • How does the speaker's personal interest in a subject affect their perception of its difficulty?

    -The speaker's personal interest in a subject greatly affects their perception of its difficulty. If they find a topic enjoyable or stimulating, they consider it easier because it becomes more fascinating and engaging, even if the subject is theoretically difficult or abstract.

  • What conclusion does the speaker reach about the definition of easy and hard?

    -The speaker concludes that the definition of easy and hard is subjective and depends on how enjoyable or fascinating one finds the topic. For them, a subject is easy if it sparks their curiosity and they can visualize and understand the concepts in their own way.

Outlines
00:00
πŸŽ“ Overview of Challenging Electrical Engineering Courses

The speaker begins by outlining their approach to discussing electrical engineering courses, planning to cover them from two perspectives: students' views and their own observations. They identify 'Signals and Systems' and 'Communication Systems' as the most challenging due to their abstract nature and the unfamiliarity of the frequency domain. 'Applied Electromagnetics' is noted as the second hardest, with its focus on electric and magnetic fields. The speaker also touches on the complexities of transmission lines and matching networks, the rigorous mathematics of 'Engineering Applied Probability and Statistics,' and how these concepts apply to communication systems. 'Microelectronics' and 'Embedded Systems/VHDL' are mentioned as more hands-on and thus relatively easier, while 'Circuit Analysis' is straightforward, and 'Digital Principles' is an introductory course on binary systems. Finally, 'Energy Power Systems' is described as the easiest due to dealing with larger, more visualizable numbers and focusing on efficiency.

05:00
🌟 Personal Insights on Course Difficulty and Interest

The speaker reflects on their personal experience as a student and teaching assistant, noting that the difficulty of courses is subjective and often tied to one's interest in the subject matter. Despite 'Energy Power Systems' being theoretically easier, the speaker found it challenging due to lack of interest. Conversely, they were fascinated by 'Signals and Systems' and 'Communication Systems,' which they found enjoyable despite their complexity. The speaker emphasizes that the perception of a course's difficulty is highly individual and can be influenced by how stimulating and engaging one finds the material. They conclude by sharing their passion for the abstract aspects of electrical engineering, which led them to pursue a PhD in Communication Systems.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the study, design, and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. In the context of the video, the speaker is discussing various courses related to electrical engineering, highlighting the challenges and concepts students encounter throughout their studies.
πŸ’‘Signals and Systems
Signals and Systems is a core course in electrical engineering that focuses on the analysis and processing of signals, both continuous and discrete, and their interaction with systems. The course introduces key concepts such as the Fourier Transform, which is essential for understanding how signals can be represented and manipulated in the frequency domain.
πŸ’‘Communication Systems
Communication Systems is an electrical engineering course that builds upon the principles learned in Signals and Systems, focusing on the transmission and reception of information through various mediums like radio waves. This course involves understanding how signals are applied in real-world scenarios, such as broadcasting and telecommunication networks.
πŸ’‘Applied Electromagnetics
Applied Electromagnetics is a course that delves into the fundamentals of electric and magnetic fields and their interaction to form electromagnetic waves. This subject is crucial for understanding the behavior of waves in various applications, including antennas and wireless communication.
πŸ’‘Transmission Lines and Matching Networks
Transmission Lines and Matching Networks are concepts in electrical engineering that deal with the efficient transmission of signals along conductors and the optimization of power transfer between different stages of a system. These topics are particularly relevant when dealing with alternating current (AC) circuits at high frequencies.
πŸ’‘Engineering Applied Probability and Statistics
Engineering Applied Probability and Statistics is a course that introduces mathematical tools and methods used in the analysis and design of engineering systems. It covers topics such as autocorrelations, cross-correlations, various distributions, and stochastic processes, which are essential for modeling and understanding the behavior of complex systems.
πŸ’‘Microelectronics
Microelectronics is the branch of electrical engineering that deals with the design and development of small-scale electronic components, such as transistors and integrated circuits. This field is crucial for the advancement of modern electronics, including the creation of amplifiers and complex circuitry.
πŸ’‘Embedded Systems/VHDL
Embedded Systems and VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) are related fields in electrical engineering that focus on the design of systems with microcontrollers and the programming of hardware through logic gates and other digital circuits. This area involves hands-on programming and project development, which can be both challenging and rewarding.
πŸ’‘Digital Principles
Digital Principles is an introductory course in electrical engineering that focuses on the basics of binary numbers, binary systems, and digital logic. It provides the foundation for understanding how digital circuits, like those in computers and calculators, are designed and function.
πŸ’‘Energy Power Systems
Energy Power Systems is a course in electrical engineering that deals with the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy. It focuses on the efficiency of these processes and involves working with large numbers, making it easier to visualize and understand compared to other, more abstract topics.
πŸ’‘Interest and Enjoyment
Interest and Enjoyment refer to the personal motivation and passion a student has for a particular subject or field. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes that the difficulty of a course can be subjective and often depends on how much a student enjoys and finds a topic stimulating.
Highlights

The video breaks down electrical engineering courses from the perspective of student difficulty and the instructor's personal experience.

The most challenging course for many students is 'Signals and Systems' due to its abstract nature and the introduction of new, intangible concepts.

The follow-up course to 'Signals and Systems' is 'Communication Systems', where the concepts learned are applied to real-world communication methods like radio.

The frequency domain, which is unfamiliar to most students, is a significant area of difficulty in these courses.

The second hardest course is 'Applied Electromagnetism', which delves into electric and magnetic fields and waves, presenting abstract and counterintuitive concepts.

The course 'Transmission Lines and Matching Networks' introduces the complexities of alternating current and high-frequency circuits.

The third most difficult class is 'Engineering Applied Probability and Statistics', which involves rigorous mathematics and various distributions.

The difficulty of 'Communication Systems' is amplified by combining concepts from 'Probability Statistics' and 'Applied Electromagnetism'.

The fourth most difficult class is 'Microelectronics', where students learn about transistors and build complex circuits.

The 'Embedded Systems/VHDL' class isη›Έε―ΉθΎƒζ˜“ because it involves hands-on programming and tangible projects.

The 'Digital Principles' course is an easier introductory course about binary numbers and basic logic gates.

The 'Energy Power Systems' course is considered the easiest due to dealing with large numbers and focusing on efficiency.

The instructor's personal experience shows that difficulty is subjective and can be influenced by interest and enjoyment in the subject matter.

The concept of difficulty can be flipped for some, as personal fascination with a subject can make it feel easier and more enjoyable.

The instructor's passion for 'Signals and Systems' led to carrying the textbook everywhere and eventually pursuing a PhD in Communication Systems.

The video also discusses the importance of the abstract nature of certain topics, allowing for creativity and personal interpretation.

The instructor's PhD advisor's work in similar areas was a significant influence on their decision to pursue a PhD.

A previous video by the instructor discusses the value and decision-making process behind pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering.

Transcripts

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