Circuits: Engineering Concepts and Analysis of Linear Electric Circuits by William Carlson
This text heralds the return to a back to the fundamentals approach to teaching circuits, a trend that is picking up steam in electrical engineering programs around the country. Many professors are rejecting the recent incorporation of open-ended design problems and computer problem-solving tools in the course, in favor of teaching the basic fundamentals of circuits to successfully prepare students for follow-on courses in electronics and digital design in their junior year. Carlson's text has up-to-date topic coverage, but its main claim to fame is that it focuses on the fundamentals in a clear and rigorous presentation of circuit theory. It is distinguished from the competition by excellent in-text pedagogy (chapter-opening learning objectives, and chapter-ending summaries) that provides students with a road map for learning; early and frequent converage of operational amplifiers (Op Amps); and a superior suite of teaching materials for instructors.