ELECTRONICS ROADMAP

I'll mostly repeat mayermakes's recommendations with one addition.

First, "Art of Electronics." It is a fantastic mix of theory, math, and practical application. At the very least, it provides a good foundation for what to search next. Do not let the price tag scare you. You will have and use this book for a very long time.

Second, build stuff. Until you build, measure, and debug circuits, you are not going to understand electronics.

Last, I hear, every day, from students whining that their program doesn't teach them anything. Guess what? It does not matter if you are in a "good" or "bad" program. It is your responsibility to learn something from the curriculum. Keep in mind, even when you narrow the scope of "electronics" to a discipline like "embedded design," it is very difficult to provide a lesson plan that is adaptable to new technology, addresses the basics, and applies to each individual's long-term plan. Some stuff won't stick... and that is okay!

The good news is that looking to see how you can self-learn in parallel is a great step forward. Just like any skill, the more you apply yourself to it, the more you'll get out of it. Having a context for the facts and figures will significantly help you get more value from your classes.

For example, get Art of Electronics, a breadboard, some resistors, and some transistors. Make use of the test equipment in your school labs to build and test the various amplifier circuits in the transistor section. (You may also find if you approach your teachers with "I built this circuit expecting this to happen, but this happened instead, you'll have a much better dialogue with them.)

And you're never too old to get a copy either... although you may have to hide this delicious purchase from your better half...

My copy arrived this morning.

I confess it is a great bathroom read:) Recalling the theory of RC circuits or antenna theory is always enjoyable. Well to me it is. My family thinks it just takes up space in the bathroom.

Thankfully I only paid £46 for mine. When I saw the price I just had to get it,

Argh. Oh well it should give me plenty opportunity and I have the time to stretch myself... that's why the price was too good to be true

Hi Colin, If you're OK with the second edition, I'd be happy to give my copy if you don't mind covering the shipping fee. I have both the 2nd and 3rd edition and don't need both. The 2nd edition is as relevant/useful as the 3rd. The 2nd edition actually has better quality darker print. It is in good condition, near-perfect.

At the back of the class the lone geek raises his hand and says "I call dibs if Colin passes." What does it cost to ship to Canada he says as he looks through his wallet.

Hi Sean, I just weighed it, it is 1.9 kg, there's a chance shipping might end up more than a local secondhand book. Annoying how pricey shipments have got.

I know Colin is nearer but I've not checked shipping costs. But definitely, if Colin doesn't want it, and if the shipping costs are fine for you then I'll send it to you.

I haven't see a copy on any book store shelves. To be honest don't much look for technology stuff anymore. Military and crime noire are my genre. A new copy is $140 buck. I'm waiting to look at the library copy to see if the the copy wets my appetite. I might have to save up my allowance to make the purchase.

Can you confirm we are talking about the same book. I'm thinking the art of electronics is that what you are talking about also?

There is a sample chapter on the book's website:

Voltage Regulation and Power Conversion

https://artofelectronics.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AoE3_chapter9.pdf

That's the one, yes.

That's the one, yes.