Other Upper division undergraduate electronics and circuits textbooks

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around a request for recommendations on textbooks suitable for an upper division undergraduate electronics and circuits class, specifically one that is more aligned with physics rather than engineering. The original poster, Kiley, finds the current textbook, "Basic Electronics for Scientists and Engineers" by Eggleston, unsatisfactory and seeks a more thorough resource covering topics like AC and DC circuits, diodes, transistors, and amplifiers. A respondent suggests that the topics Kiley is studying may be more appropriate for lower division courses and recommends "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill, although noting it is more engineering-focused. Kiley clarifies their background in electronics from a previous physics class and expresses interest in future research in condensed matter and photovoltaics, indicating a desire for a more accessible textbook.
Kiley
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Hello everyone,

I am in an upper division undergraduate electronics and circuits class right now and the textbook that were using (Eggleston: basic electronics for scientists and engineers) is not resonating with me. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a textbook that explains things more thoroughly and covers: AC and DC circuits, diodes, transistors, conventional and operational amplifiers, analog to digital conversion, pulse and digital electronics. Ideally one geared towards physicists rather than engineers. Please let me know.

Thank you,
Kiley
 
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No offense meant, but those subjects seem more like lower division electronics. My experience in upper division EE classes (admittedly decades ago) was with more advanced subjects like RF, advanced feedback topologies, etc.

What classes in basic electronics have you had so far in your lower division classes? I agree that this textbook that you mention seems to be all over the map and fairly incoherent, based on looking at its Table of Contents at Amazon's "look inside" feature:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521154308/?tag=pfamazon01-20

For basic electronics education, I like to recommend "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill, but it is definitely geared more for engineering students than for physics students.

Will this be the only electroncs class that you will take in your physics education? If so, and if you can say what classes you've had before about electronics, I/we should be able to point you to some better learning resources. :smile:
 
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Likes Kiley and WWGD
Hi Berkeman,

Thanks for your reply and suggestion, no offense taken. The previous class I took that involved circuits was an intro to physics class that broadly looked at electromagnetism and circuits and touched on resistors, capacitors ohms, kvl, and kcl. This class I'm currently in is the only official circuits class I will be taking in my undergraduate education but I am going to be taking a condensed matter course and intend to be involved in photovoltaic research during graduate school.
Thank you again for taking the time to help me, I took a brief look at the book you suggested and it seems much easier to follow.

-Kiley
 
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