Electronics Technology
Associate of Applied Science Degree
- General Electronics Technology Concentration
- Biomedical Electronics Concentration
Certificates of Completion
- Electronics Technology
- Biomedical Electronics
The explosion in the number and diversity of electronic devices used in home and industry settings has greatly intensified the demand for qualified technicians. As orders for high-tech communications equipment and electronic products continue to rise, job opportunities for electronics technicians will expand even more. Salaries in the various branches of electronics are among the highest for all technology areas.
Students in the Electronics Technology program learn using state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation. They work and train in spacious, modern laboratories similar to those used in industry. Students have the opportunity to analyze and troubleshoot actual problems while learning from knowledgeable and experienced instructors.
The Electronics Technology program may be completed on a part-time basis by taking classes during the evening or during the day. Those who wish to pursue a bachelor of science degree in Engineering Technology at New Mexico State University may apply up to 36 credit hours from the Electronics Technology program toward the four-year degree.
While pursuing this program, whether they are taking classes or working as apprentices, students will be required to perform the same job duties and be able to meet the same physical requirements that they will as a graduate in the field. Depending where they find employment, graduates may be required to lift up to 50 pounds from the ground, work safely around electrical equipment using the appropriate safety equipment, work safely using hand and power tools, ascend and descend stairs and ladders, and stand, squat, stoop or kneel for long periods of time.
Two program options are available:
General Electronics Concentration
The General Electronics Concentration prepares graduates for entry-level employment as technical assistants and technicians in the fabrication, testing, maintenance, and repair of electrical and electronic equipment. Job opportunities exist in the areas of manufacturing and repair of electronic instruments, audio and video electronics, computers, medical equipment, and industrial and consumer electronic equipment. While positions for electronics technicians are found in all sectors of the economy, many of the jobs in southern New Mexico are in government and defense-related industries. Opportunities for advancement in the electronics field are above average.
Biomedical Electronics Concentration
The Biomedical Electronics Concentration is a specialized program focusing on medical equipment. Career opportunities exist in hospital and clinical settings, engineering departments, and medical equipment manufacturing companies, as well as other organizations serving the rapidly expanding medical equipment service market. This course of study will also help prepare the electronics student for the Biomedical Equipment Technician Certification Exam of the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology.
Electronics Technology (Biomedical Electronics) - Associate of Applied Science
Electronics Technology (General Electronics) - Associate of Applied Science
ELT 103. Math Study Skills for Electronics
1 Credit (1)
Covers specific math study skills and critical thinking processes to reinforce practical applications of math and its use with electronics. The student will be introduced to electronic mathematical formulas during the problem-solving steps required for circuit analysis. May be repeated up to 4 credits.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): E T 183 OR E T 184. Restricted to Community Colleges only.
ELT 105. Basic Electricity and Electronics
3 Credits (2+2P)
Fundamentals of electricity and electronics, basic circuit devices, meters, transistors, integrated circuits and other solid state devices, computers, fiber optics, and industrial application topics. Minimum math proficiency of CCDM 103 or CCDM 104 required or math placement into CCDM 114 or higher. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Crosslisted with: AERT 111
ELT 110. Electronics I
4 Credits (3+3P)
Fundamentals of electronics including: components, schematics, Ohm's law, Thevenin's and Norton's theorems, and series/parallel circuits incorporating passive, active and magnetic elements. Introduction to AC circuits. Crosslisted with: AERT123. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
ELT 120. Mathematics for Electronics
4 Credits (4)
Includes fundamental mathematics, algebra, sine, cosine, and other elementary functions as they specifically apply to the operation, manipulation, and evaluation of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits. Minimum math proficiency of CCDM 114 required or math placement into MATH 1215 or higher. Restricted to: Community Colleges only. Crosslisted with: AERT 124
ELT 135. Electronics II
4 Credits (3+3P)
Analysis of AC circuits, filters, and resonance. Introduction to solid state fundamentals including diodes and rectifier circuits, voltage regulators, various transistors and transistor characteristics, amplification and amplifiers, photoelectric effects, gates and timing circuits. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
ELT 155. Electronics CAD and PCB Design
3 Credits (2+2P)
Introduction to and the use of commercially available CAD software covering schematic representation of electronic components and circuits. Printed circuit board layout techniques including proper schematic capture, netlist generation, design rule checking and manual routing covered.
ELT 160. Digital Electronics I
4 Credits (3+3P)
Number systems, codes, Boolean algebra, logic gates, Karnaugh maps, combination circuits, flip-flops, and digital troubleshooting techniques. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
ELT 175. Soldering Practices
3 Credits (2+2P)
Methods and techniques of hand soldering in the production of high quality and reliable soldering connections. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
ELT 205. Semiconductor Devices
4 Credits (3+3P)
Analysis and trouble shooting of linear electronic circuits including amplifiers, op-amps, power supplies, and oscillators. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
ELT 215. Microprocessor Applications I
4 Credits (3+2P)
Fundamentals of microprocessor architecture and assembly language with an emphasis on hardware interfacing applications.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ELT 235. Prerequisite(s): ELT 160. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
ELT 220. Electronic Communication Systems
4 Credits (3+2P)
Principles and applications of circuits and devices used in the transmission, reception, and processing of RF, microwave, digital and telecommunications systems.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ELT 205. Prerequisite(s): ELT 135. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
ELT 221. Cooperative Experience I
1-6 Credits
Supervised cooperative work program. Student is employed in an approved occupation and supervised and rated by the employer and instructor. Student will meet in a weekly class. Graded S/U.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ELT 222. Cooperative Experience II
1-6 Credits
Continuation of ELT 221. Maximum of 6 credits. Graded S/U.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ELT 225. Computer Applications for Technicians
3 Credits (2+2P)
An overview of computer hardware, software applications, operating systems, high level programming languages and networking systems.
ELT 230. Microprocessor Applications II
4 Credits (3+2P)
Advanced microprocessor interfacing techniques. Topics in A/D and D/A conversion, I/O port address decoding, direct memory accessing, and peripheral device interfacing applications.
Prerequisite: ELT 215.
ELT 235. Digital Electronics II
3 Credits (2+2P)
Sequential logic circuits, latches, counters, shift-registers, fault analysis and troubleshooting of digital IC s, multiplexers, timers, encoders/decoders, arithmetic circuits, pulse shaping, and memory devices. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Prerequisite(s): ELT 160.
ELT 240. Introduction to Photonics
4 Credits (3+2P)
Nature of light, light emitters, lasers, detectors, fiber optics communications systems, and other applications of light to electronics.
Prerequisite: ELT 135 or consent of instructor.
ELT 245. Radar: Principles and Applications
3 Credits (3)
Explores the principles of operation for microwave radar applications and supporting subsystems.
Prerequisite: E T 246.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will analyze the various factors that comprise the Radar Equation and apply the equation in calculations for various scenarios.
- Students will explain the principles of Moving Target Indication, Pulse Doppler, Phased Array, and Synthetic Aperture Radars, and their advantages and disadvantages.
- Students will analyze and calculate the effects of clutter and environmental noise, earth surface scattering, and atmospheric attenuation, diffraction, and refraction on radar propagation.
- Students will analyze the performance of supporting radar subsystems, including transmitters, receivers, antennas, tracking servos, and signal processing.
- Students will explain the kinds of information that can be obtained from radar signals and perform calculations associated with range determination, target motion resolution, and error.
- Students will explain the use of telemetry, and correlate test radar and telemetry measurements.
- Students will explain and compare radar countermeasures and analyze their effect on radar return cross-sections.
ELT 250. Electronics Systems Analysis
2 Credits (1+3P)
Capstone course emphasizing a systems approach to troubleshooting and maintaining complex electronics systems. Includes program review in preparation for technician certification.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ELT 260. Instrumentation Control and Signal Conditioning
4 Credits (3+2P)
Introduction to sensors and transducers, signal conditioning and transmission for measuring and process control systems. Includes AD, DA converter, small servos and actuators. Prerequisite:ELT 205.
ELT 265. Special Topics
1-6 Credits
Topic to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
ELT 270. Biomedical Equipment Instrumentation
4 Credits (3+2P)
Principles and applications of electronic circuits and devices used in biomedical equipment. Skills taught to include evaluating, troubleshooting and repairing various types of medical equipment.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ELT 260. Prerequisite(s): ELT 205. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Name: James Fredrickson, Department Chair, Architecture and Construction Technologies
Office Location: DAWD 110C
Phone: (575) 527-7592
Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu/academics/programs/electronics-technology/index.html