BASIC ELECTRONICS COURSE
OUTLINE
ISCED UNIT CODE: 0714 441 04A
TVET CDACC UNIT CODE: IT/CU/ICTA/CC/01/5/MA
Duration: 100 Hours
Course Description
This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of electronics and electrical principles. It
equips trainees with knowledge and practical skills in electrical circuits, electronic
components, semiconductor theory, computer memory classification, logic gates, and
Boolean algebra operations used in modern electronic systems and computer technology.
General Course Objectives
By the end of this course, the learner should be able to:
1. Identify and explain electrical circuits.
2. Identify and apply electronic components.
3. Apply semiconductor theory in electronics.
4. Classify different types of computer memory.
5. Apply logic gates in digital electronics.
6. Perform Boolean algebra operations and simplification.
COURSE OUTLINE
MODULE 1: IDENTIFY ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS (10
HOURS)
Topics
1. Definition of an electrical circuit
2. Components of an electrical circuit
o Source
o Conductors
o Switch
o Load
3. Electrical quantities and SI units
o EMF (Volts)
o Current (Amperes)
o Power (Watts)
o Energy (Joules)
o Resistance (Ohms)
4. Types of electrical circuits
o Alternating Current (AC)
o Direct Current (DC)
Practical Activities
Constructing simple circuits
Measuring voltage and current
Identifying AC and DC sources
Expected Learning Outcomes
Learners should be able to:
Define electrical circuits
Identify circuit components
Differentiate AC and DC circuits
State electrical quantities and units
MODULE 2: IDENTIFY ELECTRONIC
COMPONENTS (10 HOURS)
Topics
1. Introduction to electronic components
2. Types of electronic components
o Resistor
o Capacitor
o Diode
o Inductor
3. Characteristics of electronic components
4. Applications of electronic components
5. Introduction to Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Practical Activities
Identification of components
Reading resistor color codes
Testing capacitors and diodes
Expected Learning Outcomes
Learners should be able to:
Identify common electronic components
Explain characteristics of components
State applications of components
MODULE 3: APPLY SEMICONDUCTOR
THEORY (20 HOURS)
Topics
1. Semiconductor theory
2. Structure of matter
3. Electrons in conductors and semiconductors
4. Types of semiconductor materials
o Silicon
o Germanium
5. P-type and N-type materials
6. P-N junction diode
o Forward bias
o Reverse bias
7. Types of transistors
o PNP transistor
o NPN transistor
8. Applications of semiconductor devices
Practical Activities
Biasing diodes
Identifying transistor terminals
Testing semiconductor devices
Expected Learning Outcomes
Learners should be able to:
Explain semiconductor theory
Differentiate P-type and N-type materials
Describe diode biasing
Explain transistor operations
MODULE 4: CLASSIFY COMPUTER
MEMORY (10 HOURS)
Topics
1. Definition of computer memory
2. Classification of computer memory
o Primary memory
o Secondary memory
3. Types of memory
o RAM
o ROM
o DAM
4. Memory hierarchy
o Registers
o Cache memory
o Main memory
o Secondary storage
o Tertiary storage
5. Memory storage levels
o Internal
o Main
o Online
o Offline bulk
6. Memory technology
o Semiconductor memory
o Magnetic memory
o Optical memory
Practical Activities
Identification of memory devices
Comparing memory speeds
Demonstration of storage devices
Expected Learning Outcomes
Learners should be able to:
Classify computer memories
Explain memory hierarchy
Differentiate memory technologies
MODULE 5: APPLY LOGIC GATES (30
HOURS)
Topics
1. Introduction to logic gates
2. Types of logic gates
o AND gate
o OR gate
o NOT gate
o NAND gate
o NOR gate
o XOR gate
o XNOR gate
3. Truth tables for logic gates
4. Development of logic circuits
5. Simplification of logic circuits
o Boolean Algebra
o Karnaugh Maps (K-Maps)
o Quine-McCluskey Method
o CAD Tools and software
6. Applications of logic gates
Practical Activities
Constructing logic circuits
Drawing truth tables
Using simulation software
Expected Learning Outcomes
Learners should be able to:
Identify logic gates
Construct logic circuits
Simplify logic expressions
Apply logic gates in digital systems
MODULE 6: PERFORM BOOLEAN
ALGEBRA OPERATIONS (20 HOURS)
Topics
1. Introduction to Boolean algebra
2. Boolean variables and expressions
3. Logical operations
4. Laws and rules of Boolean algebra
5. Truth tables
6. De Morgan’s Theorem
7. SOP (Sum of Products) expressions
8. Simplification of Boolean expressions
9. Boolean laws and theorems
Practical Activities
Solving Boolean expressions
Simplifying logic equations
Developing truth tables
Expected Learning Outcomes
Learners should be able to:
Apply Boolean operations
Simplify Boolean expressions
Use Boolean laws and theorems
Construct truth tables