Introduction to electrical engineering: A freshman/sophomore-level course covering the breadth of electrical engineering

We describe our new introductory course in Electrical Engineering, which covers the breadth of the field, rather than in in-depth treatment of circuits. A single unifying example, the CD player, is used to introduce the fundamental areas and their applications. Digital signal processing, coding and communications, control systems, optics, solid state, and electronics are all seen at work in a familiar electronic device. Seven laboratory experiments are included to reinforce the lectures. Our experience after two offerings has been positive, with both EE and non-EE engineering students enrolled.