A First Course in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Reviewed by Radian Belu, Associate Professor, Southern University Baton Rouge on 6/20/17
Comprehensiveness
The book covers some of the essential areas that are need to be included in a first introduction ECE course, such as complex numbers, phasors or linear algebra. However I rather prefer to see included topics such as: Electrical Quantities, Circuit Principles, Signal Processing Circuits or Error Analysis of Experimental Data, rather than Binary Codes or Vector Graphics. Including MATLAB and a lot of exercises and problems in the book is very convenient and helpful for students. Notice also that chapter 9 has no relevance in the economy of this textbook.
Content Accuracy
Most of the book contents are accurately presented, except some figures and diagrams. The figures use different colors for the plots but the print copy is losing the clarity if without a color printer.
Relevance/Longevity
Content is basic and fundamental and is likely not become obsolete in short run. The only area of the book where obsolescence may eventually appear is because MATLAB is used, and that program may eventually be superseded and replaced with a Computer Algebra Systems.
Clarity
Clearly written and arranged in a well-organized structure, being easy to be understand by the students.
Consistency
The book is consistent in terms of terminology, presentation and framework with the exceptions of chapter 2, which is not using standard notations
Modularity
This book is easily modularized so parts or sections of the book can be extracted as separate study materials, a distinct advantage of this textbook. Each such module can be assigned at different points within a course.
Organization/Structure/Flow
Very well organized textbook, topics are well connected and the material flows from one chapter to the next easily, in a logical segues. However, some issues maybe with chapter 5 to 7
Interface
The book's interface is fine and free of significant interface issues. However, some figures, containing multiple plots need to be redraw to be more convenient and less confusing for users without a color printer.
Grammatical Errors
The book contains no obvious and significant grammatical errors.
Cultural Relevance
The text is strictly technical, is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way. None of the included examples are offensive in any way.
CommentsI was impressed with the presentations of the material and the connectivity between the chapters, especially first four book chapters, covering areas needed in many other ECE courses. It is a very useful text for an introductory or preparatory course for electrical and computer engineering. However, chapter 9 is very short is not strictly needed. It can either be inserted into Chapter 8 as a section, or moved to appendix. Materials of Chapter 10 are useful but are more appropriate to the appendix section.