Struggling with Telecom Class as a First Semester EE Undergrad?

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The discussion centers on the challenges faced by a first-semester Electrical Engineering undergraduate struggling with a telecommunications class. Key issues include the lack of prerequisites, a fast-paced curriculum, and difficulty understanding the material, which is extensive and not well-aligned with the student's current knowledge base. The student expresses confusion over the course structure, questioning why telecommunications is introduced so early without foundational courses in electricity and magnetism. Additionally, they are having trouble with lab work involving circuit simulation software due to their inexperience in electronics. Responses suggest that while knowledge of electricity and magnetism isn't strictly necessary for circuits, familiarity with basic circuit laws and math is important. Recommendations include focusing on math resources and reviewing problem-solving strategies to catch up.
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This is my first semester as a EE undergrad and I'm having difficulty with my telecom class.

These are my current classes:
Physics
Calculus
Intro to C Programming
Electronics and telecommunications.

Everything else is fine. For telecom, I don't know why they are making us do it in the first sem. As far as I can see, we need some prerequisites in order to understand the subject. The pace is fast and unlike my other subjects, the lecturer jumps from topic to topic. I tried to read some books, but the material is about 200 pages for the two or three lectures he covered.

In our lab, we have to work with a circuit simulation software and build some circuits as projects. I have never done electronics, so do understand what am I doing.

Isn't electricity and magnetism / electronics supposed to come before this? Problem is that I don't have a clue where to start. I'm already behind and need some help getting started.

Btw this is an Australian university in Malaysia.
 
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ahmadmz said:
This is my first semester as a EE undergrad and I'm having difficulty with my telecom class.

These are my current classes:
Physics
Calculus
Intro to C Programming
Electronics and telecommunications.

Everything else is fine. For telecom, I don't know why they are making us do it in the first sem. As far as I can see, we need some prerequisites in order to understand the subject. The pace is fast and unlike my other subjects, the lecturer jumps from topic to topic. I tried to read some books, but the material is about 200 pages for the two or three lectures he covered.

In our lab, we have to work with a circuit simulation software and build some circuits as projects. I have never done electronics, so do understand what am I doing.

Isn't electricity and magnetism / electronics supposed to come before this? Problem is that I don't have a clue where to start. I'm already behind and need some help getting started.

Btw this is an Australian university in Malaysia.

You technically don't even need E&M to do circuits, the only thing you really need is Kirchoff's circuit laws; if you've had some math (ie up to Calc 2 and differential equations) that's about all you need for communications as well. The Math is probably a good place to start, the Schaum's outline series of books for Electrical Engineering are good book for problem solving strategies and review.
 
Can you provide the syllabus for that lecture ?
 
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