AN ELECTRICAL-ENGINEERING DESIGN COURSE SEQUENCE USING A TOP-DOWN DESIGN METHODOLOGY

A sequence of two courses (second term of third (junior) year and both terms of fourth (senior) year) has been developed to introduce studen ts to a structured approach to design. The first course includes lectu re-style presentation of the top-down, step-wise refinement, design me thodology. Realistic documentation and client/consultant communication is fostered as well as the design, fabrication, and testing of a prot otype. In the senior-year course, students divide into teams of three members to undertake a single design problem, with individual faculty members acting as ''clients''. A more complete sequence of the top-dow n design process is undertaken in these senior-year projects. Document ation is required at each stage of the design sequence to ensure compl iance with the client/team ''contract''. Introduction of a formal desi gn process, including time management, has resulted in an increased '' success'' rate in the final designs and in more complex problems being proposed by the ''clients '' than had previously been our experience.