Circuits and systems education: viewpoint of GOLD and industry

Abstract

This paper discusses Circuits and Systems (CAS) education, its strengths and shortcomings, and areas that need improvement from the perspective of two GOLD (graduates of the last decade) members and one industry member. The GOLD members highlight the need for hardware experiments, and active education methods such as self-learning-the-theory through practices, and the importance of lab work to relate theory to practice, and also discuss the impact of new emerging technologies on educational reforms, also suggesting ways to get industry involved in the formulation of a new multi-discipline education curriculum. The GOLD members also discuss the impact of globalization on the CAS education in less-developed countries and the role of the IEEE CAS Society on the subject matter. The author from industry discusses the importance of CAS education, and contrary to the general belief, points out the importance of understanding the fundamentals of electrical engineering in industry. The author also discusses the importance of being flexible in a work environment, and establishing a broad knowledge in engineering to have a positive impact in the company.