The Tricky 5th Semester, EEE, VTU

The Tricky 5th Semester, EEE, VTU

Hi folks, here is my tip to the confused soul of a 5th semester EEE student (VTU)...

Some of you might have faced the 2nd year with courage or sheer stress. But, remain unfazed... Even if you have not been able to do well, there is lots of scope to do well...inspite this being one of the toughest semesters of BE (EEE)

> Management and Entrepreneurship (M&E) is clearly a theory subject which according to me depends on your ability to express your ideas technically. It is an enjoyable subject that does not demand much attention as do the other core subjects of the semester. Recommended textbooks are:

1) Principles of Management - PC Tripati, P N Reddy, THM Hill,

2) Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Development & Management - Vasant Desai Himalaya Publishing House... Both are good reads and very informative. However, people claim they are too big to be digested and buy local author books like one by 'Naidu'. But, scoring is something like sheer luck... don't be sure to score well as the corrections would be...you know ;)

> Signals and Systems (S&S) is clearly one of the best engineering subjects of EEE Branch. It is purely mathematical (called 'Engg Maths-4'). If you can understand the physical significance of the equations you derive and solve, the subject will definitely leave you spell bound from the sheer simplicity of its working and the complexities of its applications. As far as the textbooks are concerned, 1.) Signals and Systems - Simon Haykin and Barry Van Veen, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 is a really good book to grab the concepts, but for you to get some more questions, refer Old Question Papers and Signals and Systems by Chithode or Ganesh Rao. This is a good subject with very bright oppurtunities for a career in electronics industry...

> Transmission and Distribution (T&D) is a core electrical subject which is relatively easy. Only with thorough understanding of the transmission and distribution systems, you will be able to score. Knowledge of Field theory becomes essential in some parts of this subject. The prescribed textbook, 1.) A Course in Electrical Power - Soni Gupta & Bhatnagar, Dhanpat Rai & Sons (New Delhi) is a good book. But with a few topics missing and the apparent complexity of the knowledge in the book, most people stick onto book by Bakshi, Technical Publications.

> DC Machines and Synchronous Machines (DCM) is yet another core Electrical subject which deals with DC and Sync. Machines. It is a really enjoyable subject only if you can go beyond just the mindless formulas and pages of theory. Imagination of the working of these machines will not only help you get a sound understanding, but prepare you for the Laboratory of this subject which appears in the 6th semester. As far as the books are concerned, there are many, yet none are complete. So, you may have to refer a few good books to catch hold of its significance. Locally available book by Bakshi is also a good book, but remember only from the scoring point of view. To get really good marks boost your understanding by reading prescribed textbooks or books by B L Thereja.

> Modern Control Theory (MCT) is a subject which is a continuation of the Control Systems. Deeper you go into the modern aspects of Control Systems, easier it actually gets. Modern Control Theory is one of the subjects of 5th semester where you can score really well. Digital control & state variable methods- M. Gopal, 2nd edition, THM Hill 2003 and Control system Engineering- I. J. Nagarath & M. Gopal, 3rd edition, New Age International (P) Ltd. are the prescribed textbooks. Both are good and deliver a sound understanding of the subject. I took tuitions @ PATE, Jayanagar, B'lore-11 under Mr. Mallikarjun (HOD and Prof.), who made us work lots of problems. Practice is the key to a good score in MCT.

> Linear IC's and Applications (LICA) is one of the tough subject of 5th semester, EEE. A good knowledge of AEC (3rd Sem) will be of much use for the study. There are hundred and above circuits to remember and a dozen design approaches. So, being able to identify and discriminate between different problems is the skill required.

Operational amplifiers and linear IC’s - David A Bell, PHI 2008 and

Operational amplifiers and linear IC's - Ramakanth A Gayakwad, Pearson, 4th edition, 2007

are the important textbooks. There isn't much theory to be studied understood under this subject. A good understanding of LICA is required to simplify the work in Circuit Simulation and Measurements Lab(CSML).

> Circuit Simulation & Measurements Lab (CSML) is an application lab of both electrical measurements and linear ICs. It both actual experiments of LIC as well as their computer simulation using a software package...PSpice Student. Measurements experiments are very easy to conduct, so expect tough viva questions...whereas in LIC expts, getting the output itself is a trick (be strong in your LIC Design).

> Transformers and Induction Machines Lab (TIML) is an application lab of the subject Transformers and Induction Machines. It is clearly the toughest Lab in EEE Branch...Success isn't guaranteed here unless you understand the real basics in TIM. Most of the experiments have elaborate connections to make and more intricate procedures to follow. Beware, every step is a potential fall down the crevice. But, one thing is clear...if you could handle TIM well in either your study/exam, then you can relax in this lab. You can do really well. Ofcourse, the Viva will be testing you to your limits of Knowledge and Guts. 'Relax and Focus' is the key to success. Refer the best available manual...concentrate on the procedure or else you could blow up the lab :D

ALL THE BEST!!!