Electrical Engineering Fundamentals for the Non-Electrical Engineer - Circuits Through Embedded Systems

This course introduces mechanical engineers, technicians, and engineering leaders to the core principles of electrical engineering, from basic circuits to embedded systems and digital control. Through practical examples and system-level thinking, participants will explore sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, power conversion, and control strategies. Whether you're transitioning into electrified systems or collaborating across disciplines, this course builds the fluency needed to engage in modern product and system development.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand and apply basic circuit theory, power laws, and energy storage concepts in engineering contexts.
  • Analyze and interpret embedded system architectures, including microcontrollers, I/O, and digital control logic.
  • Evaluate and integrate electrical power components and conversion systems into multidisciplinary designs.

Who Should Attend:

  • Mechanical and systems engineers transitioning into roles involving embedded or electrical systems.
  • Engineering managers and project leaders overseeing multidisciplinary teams or electrification initiatives.
  • Technicians and senior engineers seeking foundational knowledge in electrical and mechatronic systems.

Upcoming dates coming soon!

Take course number RA00049 when it’s offered next.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand and apply basic circuit theory, power laws, and energy storage concepts in engineering contexts.
  • Analyze and interpret embedded system architectures, including microcontrollers, I/O, and digital control logic.
  • Evaluate and integrate electrical power components and conversion systems into multidisciplinary designs.

Who Should Attend:

  • Mechanical and systems engineers transitioning into roles involving embedded or electrical systems.
  • Engineering managers and project leaders overseeing multidisciplinary teams or electrification initiatives.
  • Technicians and senior engineers seeking foundational knowledge in electrical and mechatronic systems.

Keep Up With This Course

Course Details: RA00049

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Course Outline

Introduction
  • Architecture
  • Sensors
  • Actuators
  • Application Layer
  • Hardware Abstraction Layer
  • Controller
Electrical Circuits Fundamentals
  • Circuit Theory
  • Power Laws
  • Energy Storage Components
  • Microcontrollers and Microprocessors
    • Digital Building Blocks (Latches)
    • Peripherals
    • Computational Capabilities
    • Interrupts and Timers
    • Software
    Interface Circuitry
    • Power Distribution and Wiring
    • Analog I/O A/D, D/A Conversion and Signal Conditioning
    • Digital I/O
    • Serial Comms and Wiring
Digital Embedded Systems
  • Sensors
  • Actuators
  • Interface Circuitry
  • A/D, D/A Conversion and Delta-Sigma Modulation
  • Interrupts and Timers
  • Serial Comms
  • Microcontrollers and Microprocessors
Electrical Power Systems
  • Power Components (MOSFETs/IGBT/SCR)
  • AC-DC converters (rectifiers)
  • DC-DC converters: Buck/Boost
  • DC-AC converters (Inverters) - AC power and motor drives
  • AC-AC converters (transformers)
  • Solar converters (photovoltaic conversion)
  • Energy Storage Elements (batteries/super capacitors)
  • Thermal Management
Digital Control Systems
  • Architecture
  • Sequential Logic
  • Closed-Loop (Feedback Control)
  • Feedback Control Actions (P, I, D)
  • Combined Sequential Logic (Supervisory Control of Subsystems and Scheduling)
  • Feedforward Control (Structure and Uses)
  • Sensor Abstraction (Machine to Physical)
  • Digital Filtering
  • Actuator Abstraction (Physical to Machine)

Program Director & Instructors

  • Blake Suhre

    Program Director

    Blake Suhre is Program Director, Power Engineering in Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro) at UW-Madison. He has over 30 years of experience in many aspects of vehicle and powertrain systems, engine systems, and controls development. He was involved in the initial development of model-based controls for internal combustion engines and has experience applying these techniques to all varieties of combustion system in use today. He was co-founder of the MotoTron Corporation and has held a variety of leadership roles in engine systems development and R&D. Suhre holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  • Erick Oberstar

    Program Director

    Dr. Oberstar is a Program Director with InterPro and has over 28 years of engineering and entrepreneurial experiences. At InterPro he manages programs for and teaches in the areas of AI/ML, Electrification, and Mechatronics. He has deep experience in embedded real time control systems, signal and image processing, robotics, automation, medical devices. He managed the UW-Madison Mechatronics Laboratory for 22 years where he taught courses in mechatronics, manufacturing automation, automatic controls, and discrete time controls.

    He has previous technical roles as a Scientist in the dept. of Medical Physics at UW, consultant for St. Jude Medical, and electrical engineer for Orbital Technologies Corporation, and Automation Components. In addition, he has numerous entrepreneurial experiences working on blood flow quantification, night vision, bacterial detection, robotics, automation, and general product development. 

    Dr. Oberstar has a Ph.D in Biomedical Engr., and MS in Electrical and Computer Engr. (WEMPEC) from U.W. – Madison, and a BS Electrical Engr. from U.W. – Platteville. He has over 30 publications with over 400 citations & 3 patents. Dr. Oberstar is a WI Professional Engineer, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Education winner & judge, as well as a SPIE member & senior member of IEEE

  • Program Director

    Blake Suhre

Total Credits:
CEU 2.1
PDH 21

Course Administration

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Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

  • Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
  • Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
  • You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

  • Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
  • Provide the registrations representative with:
    • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
    • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
  • You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

  • Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
  • Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
  • Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
  • You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Course Notes

This course is part of the Electrified Systems Certificate series. Course may be taken individually as well.

No past courses found for this program.

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