EC Engineering

credits: greedge.com

Today's post is for EC engineering students or those aspiring to take up EC engineering. In this post I'll be writing about the most important subjects you should focus on in the first 2 years of engineering if you want to really grab on to concepts and are passionate about giving something to technology. I learnt this the hard way, so decided to pass this on for anybody interested in conceptual learning. If you are serious on EC engineering, then learn in depth on these subjects:

These are important subjects for the first year:

1. Basic Electronics: This subject is like an intro to EC. Almost all the topics here will be studied in your engineering course. So, this subject is like chapter one of engineering. Spend good amount of time on this subject and if possible, go just a little further than the syllabus but keep it easy on your mind because deeper topics are on their way.

2. Basic Electrical Engineering: Again, this subject also important to set roots on EC engineering. This subject is worth your time, but make sure it  doesn't go too heavy on the mind as its focus is on providing basics of working of electrical devices(like a transformer). It's more like branch out from EC, but the branch is still pretty close to the main road (If you can understand that analogy) In short, for core EC, this subject CAN’T be ignored, but it need not be taken too seriously either.

These are important subjects for the second year:

1. Analog Electronic Circuits: This subject is extremely important. Make sure you spend most of your time learning it, because it explains the working of the most basic components like diodes and transistors at the electrons level. In later stages of your education and career, if you are able to innovate or have breakthrough theories, you'd owe it all to this subject. Read further on this subject apart from your syllabus as well. Its totally worth your time.

2. Fields and Waves: This subject is also quite important if you're interested in learning deeply about communication. It has basics of electric and magnetic fields which have to be studied if you're interested to innovate in the field. You'll learn motion of electrons in different fields and what governs their speed etc., so focus on this subject as well, it's very interesting.

3. Logic Design: This subject is super important and very interesting. The best part, it's actually simple. Major subjects later on, have their basics in this subject. Focus on this subject because, if you plan on taking up masters after engineering, then GRE,GATE etc will test your knowledge of logic design. So in all the four years, keep in touch with this subject and try to update yourself through journals and other info on the net.

4. Signals and Systems: This subject sets the foundation for type of signals (discrete and analog) and their mathematical analysis. Mainly it's like the 1st unit to digital signal processing, so spend enough time for it. This subject may be difficult only for those who have a weak memory and/or dislike math. :D But of course, for those who have been questioning as to WHY math is taught, this subject practically applies math and you can actually see the signal being generated in the lab. So basically, it’s all applied math which is fun for some people, but if you hate math, I know you'll curse this subject. :D

5. Electronic Instrumentation: This subject is relatively easy, read it as a story book or something :D You will enjoy the subject as its pretty simple. Later on you can come back to books on this subject for a quick revision of topics you require to recall. Nothing more on this, just spend time on it when you feel your brain is too filled up for anything mind-taxing.

Just realized that I almost listed all the subjects in your 3rd sem. :D
But, these are important so it’s crucial that you focus on your second year, and get all concepts straight and make sure you ask your doubts (even if you think they may be really silly, don't bother about it. Just ask.)

6. Microcontrollers and microprocessors: This subject is a little tough for those who don't have a computer science background. Assembly language will require your time to understand it thoroughly, but this subject is excellent. By learning this subject, you'll learn how exactly you should proceed with applications of controllers and processors. You can make various applications using these chips easily, if you have complete knowledge of assembly language. To sum up, this subject is really important to learn so you can get habitual to programming chips and making different applications (which is what you'll probably be doing in your career unless you go for VLSI or chip design in general)

7. HDL fundamentals: This subject is awesome! For those who have a knack for programming, this subject is going to be piece of cake, really. This subject is like a state of the art subject (as in, this and microcontrollers and processors subjects are more recent than all other subjects which even our previous generation have probably studied :P ) Basically its designing a chip, by coding either its specifications or its way of functioning, or both. It’s a great subject and its fun. Your 4th sem is more fun-while-learning whereas your 3rd sem will be slightly boring as you'll have to use your mind a lot. Here, you can have fun at the same time. Even HDL lab is going to be fun as you'll see that your code works on the FPGA kit, and/or you can also simulate the chip and see its working.

8. Linear Integrated Circuits: I had a hard time getting used to this one. The first three chapters are all that need your time. Once you get them clear in your head, the rest of it is cake walk. Mainly you need to know how the IC-741 works, in its most basic level.
 The 3 important chapters are 
   1. Introduction (Don’t skip it)
   2. Op Amp parameters, performance - You might take long to understand this chapter because it’s a little complex, but it deals with in-depth learning of the op-amp.
   3. Op Amp as DC amplifiers - In this chapter, you need to know three circuits really well - non inverting amplifier, inverting amplifier and summing amplifier. 
This is a more-work, less-play type of subject; spend your time on it.

The rest of the subjects are also important and they can be handled. (See how I didn’t put math as one of the important subjects? It’s because, practically, you will be using tools and software which are developed by applying these and deeper math concepts; so unless you want to improve working algorithms or something even further, math is just for passing your exams)
Why I stressed on these above subjects is because they're more practical oriented. In your EC career, you will need in-depth knowledge of these subjects, because even if you are required some knowledge from the other subjects, you can always revise a couple of chapters. But these subjects are ones that'll make you an EC engineer. 
In your third and fourth year, knowledge of these subjects will be extremely useful. You'll first learn the technologies prevailing today, and if your basics are right, you'll start getting ideas on how to innovate in these technologies, how to go ahead with practical projects. You can read online magazines, journals and create your own DIY projects and if you have new theories, you can get guided and publish your papers. This stuff is your main work in the last 2 years of your engineering. 
Finally, to sum up everything - EC engineering goes like this- the first and second year are for you to completely understand all the theory and in the third and the final year, you'll spend time in practical application of that theory. So learn with full dedication in your first 2 years, apply them creatively in your last 2 years.
I hope this post is of some help to those who are aspiring to take up EC engineering and want a basic idea of engineering.
To those who’re in their first and second year right now, please take this seriously, it’ll be very helpful if you follow it.