Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Introduction to Advanced Avionics (Avionics I) (Face-to-Face)

AMAV 1100-01

Course: AMAV 1100-01
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Aviation Sciences
CRN: 31403

Course Description


This course provides foundational knowledge and practical skills in aircraft avionics and electronics.  Aligned with industry certification standards, this course directly prepares students for both the National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies Aircraft Electronics Technician (NCATT AET) certification and the Federal Communications Commission General Radiotelephone Operator License (FCC GROL) credentials.
Credential Preparation:

  • NCATT AET (National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies Aircraft Electronics Technician): This course builds core competencies in electrical theory, component testing, AC/DC circuit analysis, solid-state electronics, and digital logic required to pass the NCATT AET primary exam.
  • FCC GROL (Federal Communications Commission General Radiotelephone Operator License): Through targeted study of radio signal characteristics, frequency generation, amplifiers, oscillators, filtering, waveforms, and wave-shaping principles, students gain the foundational knowledge required for FCC Element 1 and Element 3 examination requirements.


Content: Direct and alternating current theory, circuit control and protection devices, batteries and power generation, semiconductor devices, transistors, amplifiers, oscillators, wave filtering and shaping, digital numbering systems, logic functions, and dual-certification test preparation.



Required Texts

Textbook: Avionics: Fundamentals of Aircraft Electronics by Scott Kenney (Avotek)
  • ISBN: 978-1-933189-28-4
Study Guide: ASTM NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) Test Study Guide
  • (Free Online)

Learning Outcomes


  • Electrical Principles: Demonstrate understanding of direct and alternating current principles, basic circuit relationships, and safety practices.
  • Component Function & Safety: Identify, test, and safely work with circuit control devices, protection devices, resistors, batteries, generators, and semiconductor components.
  • Solid-State & Frequency Systems: Explain how diodes, transistors, amplifiers, and oscillators generate, boost, and modify electrical signals and radio waveforms.
  • Digital Fundamentals: Understand digital numbering systems (binary, octal, hexadecimal) and basic computer logic functions used in aircraft systems.
  • Laboratory Proficiency: Demonstrate practical skills using test equipment, such as multimeters and oscilloscopes, to analyze circuits and isolate simple faults.
  • Certification Readiness: Demonstrate knowledge aligned with industry standards in preparation for the NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) exam.


Course Requirements

Prerequisite(s):
  • Courses: AMTG 1200 and AMTG 1300 and AMTG 1400
  • Grade/GPA Requirement:  Prerequisite Min. Grade: C (70%)

Final grades assigned for this course will be based on the percentage of total points earned and are assigned as follows: 

Grade Breakdown:
  • Quizzes / Labs / Projects = 30%
  • Attendance = 30%
  • Midterm & Final Exams = 40%

Letter Grade | Percentage | Performance
A | 90–100% | Excellent Work
B | 80–89% | Good Work
C | 70–79% | Average Work
D | 60–69% | Poor Work
F | 0–59% | Failing Work

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

AI may be used as a learning and drafting tool to brainstorm ideas, organize information, create rough drafts, or improve grammar and writing. However, students must review, verify, and revise AI-assisted work so that the final submission reflects their own knowledge and understanding.  Students may not copy and paste AI-generated content as their own work. This includes discussions, logbook entries, maintenance narratives, research, reports, and study assignments. AI-generated content must not be used to create official aircraft maintenance records or documentation.  Students are responsible for the accuracy of all information they submit.  AI does not replace the student's responsibility to use appropriate FAA regulations, approved technical data, maintenance manuals, and other authorized sources.

  • AI is prohibited during all summative tests, examinations, practical or oral examinations, and other final assessments unless specifically authorized by the instructor.

*Artificial Intelligence (AI) Definition and Disclaimer

For purposes of this course, Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers broadly to computer-based tools or systems that generate, analyze, summarize, revise, or otherwise produce content or information in response to user input.  AI may also be described using related terms such as machine intelligence, machine learning, generative AI, computational intelligence, cognitive computing, large language models (LLMs), AI assistants, or automated content-generation tools. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.  The instructor reserves the right to determine whether a particular technology falls under this policy based on how the technology is being used, rather than solely on how the technology is marketed or labeled.


Course Outline


Week 1 | Direct Current (DC) Terms, Principles & Calculations

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Basic electrical terms and definitions, how magnetism relates to electricity, the relationship between current and voltage, and fundamental DC calculations including how resistance affects power and current flow.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Identify basic electrical concepts and solve introductory direct-current circuit problems.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 1 (DC Principles & Calculations), Avionics Quiz 1


Week 2 | Series/Parallel Circuits & DC Troubleshooting

  • Demonstrates understanding of: How current and voltage move through series and parallel circuit paths, circuit protection devices, and systematic troubleshooting principles.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Measure voltage, current, and resistance in series and parallel circuits using a Digital Multimeter, and locate opens, shorts, or faulty components.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 2 (Series/Parallel Circuits & Troubleshooting), Avionics Quiz 2


Week 3 | Circuit Control Devices, Circuit Protection & Resistors

  • Demonstrates understanding of: How switches, relays, and solenoids control electrical current, how fuses and circuit breakers protect aircraft wiring from damage, and how different types of resistors limit or manage current flow in a circuit.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Identify, test, and safely integrate control switches, protective devices, and resistors into basic aircraft electrical circuits.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 3 (Control Devices, Protection & Resistors), Avionics Quiz 3


Week 4 | Alternating Current (AC) Principles, Inductance & Capacitance

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Basic AC terms and definitions, how AC signals cycle over time, how inductors store energy in magnetic fields, and how capacitors store energy in electric fields to affect current flow.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Identify AC circuit components, analyze AC wave characteristics, and safely handle capacitive and inductive components.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 4 (AC Principles, Inductance & Capacitance), Avionics Quiz 4


Week 5 | AC Calculations & Transformers

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Basic AC circuit relationships, power behavior in AC systems, transformer operation, and how transformers step voltage up or down for aircraft systems.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Solve simple AC circuit problems, test transformer inputs and outputs, and troubleshoot basic AC power conversion setups.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 5 (AC Calculations & Transformers), Avionics Quiz 5


Week 6 | Batteries, Alternators & Generators

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Aircraft battery types, battery safety and maintenance practices, and how alternators and generators convert mechanical energy into electrical power for aircraft systems.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Safely inspect and service aircraft batteries, perform basic operational checks on generators and alternators, and test power output.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 6 (Batteries, Alternators & Generators), Avionics Quiz 6


Week 7 | Midterm Exam Week

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Review and practical application of electrical terms, DC/AC principles, components, circuit calculations, transformers, batteries, generators, and alternators from Weeks 1–6.
  • Measurement: Midterm Exam


Week 8 | Solid-State Terms, Semiconductor Diodes, Transistors & ESD

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Key solid-state terms and definitions, how semiconductor diodes control current direction, how transistors work as electronic switches or amplifiers, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) risks and prevention when handling sensitive electronics.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Identify solid-state components, perform diode and transistor tests using lab meters, and follow proper ESD grounding and handling procedures.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 8 (Solid-State Components & ESD Safety), Avionics Quiz 7


Week 9 | Advanced Solid-State Components: Special Diodes & Advanced Transistors

  • Demonstrates understanding of: How special diodes function in circuits (such as voltage regulation and light emission) and how advanced transistors control and amplify signals in complex aircraft electronic systems.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Identify, test, and troubleshoot special diodes and advanced transistor circuits using standard lab equipment.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 9 (Special Diodes & Advanced Transistors), Avionics Quiz 8


Week 10 | Frequency Generation: Amplifiers & Oscillators

  • Demonstrates understanding of: How amplifier circuits boost signal strength and how oscillator circuits generate stable electronic frequencies used in aircraft radios and signal generators.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Identify, construct, and test basic amplifier and oscillator circuits using lab equipment.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 10 (Amplifiers & Oscillators), Avionics Quiz 9


Week 11 | Radio Signals: Filters, Waves, Waveforms & Wave Shaping

  • Demonstrates understanding of: How radio waves travel, different waveform types, how filter circuits block unwanted noise, and how wave-shaping circuits modify signals for avionics equipment.
  • Demonstrates ability to: View and measure different waveforms on an oscilloscope and test filter circuit performance.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 11 (Filters & Waveforms), Avionics Quiz 10


Week 12 | Flex Week / Holiday

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Scheduled break for Thanksgiving, Spring Break, or summer term adjustments.
  • Measurement: Independent Review / Break (No Quiz or Lab) 


Week 13 | Digital Theory: Numbering Systems

  • Demonstrates understanding of: How computer and avionics systems count and store data using different numbering systems, including decimal, binary (1s and 0s), octal, and hexadecimal.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Convert numbers between decimal, binary, octal, and hexadecimal formats, and interpret basic digital data displays.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 11 (Digital Numbering Systems), Avionics Quiz 11


Week 14 | Digital Theory: Logic Functions

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Basic digital logic decisions (such as AND, OR, and NOT functions), truth tables, and how logic gates work together to control digital aircraft systems.
  • Demonstrates ability to: Build, test, and troubleshoot basic digital logic circuits using test components and logic diagrams.
  • Measurement: Avionics Lab 12 (Digital Logic Functions), Avionics Quiz 12


Week 15 | Final Exam & Certification Prep

  • Demonstrates understanding of: Comprehensive review of electrical theory, aircraft electronics, solid-state devices, and digital systems in preparation for industry certification exams.
  • Measurement: Final Exam, NCATT Practice Test & FCC Prep 


Schedule Flexibility Disclaimer
Due to equipment availability, lab access, weather conditions, and academic calendar variations, learning modules, lessons, and practical evaluation schedules are subject to change. Holiday observances vary by semester, and summer semesters operate on a compressed schedule that is one week shorter. Specific meeting dates and assignment deadlines will be outlined in the Canvas course calendar.



Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

ALL COURSE WORK MUST BE COMPLETED.

Late submissions are strongly discouraged and must still be completed if missed. Assignments submitted after the due date will receive up to a 5% deduction per day late. After three weeks (21 days), the maximum possible score that may be earned on the assignment is 70% of the total available points. Any assignment not submitted by the due date may automatically receive a grade of zero in the Canvas gradebook until the work is submitted and graded.

Grades for all assessed activities will be recorded in the Canvas gradebook. To view your current score, select Grades from the Course Navigation menu on the left side of the screen. Final course grades are determined by the total percentage of points earned across all graded assignments and are assigned according to the established grading scale.

Letter Grade | Percentage | Performance:

A | 90-100% | Excellent Work
B | 80-89% | Good Work
C | 70-79% | Average Work
D | 60-69% | Poor Work
F | 0-59% | Failing Work

Important note: For more information about grading at Southern Utah University, visit the academic and grading policies of the university catalog.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all lectures and labs, with up to three absences permitted. Any missed instruction or lab time must be made up before the end of the semester to receive course credit; exceeding the absence limit or failing to complete make-up work will require retaking the course.  All assignments must be submitted to earn credit, and submissions are due by the stated deadlines in Canvas unless prior approval is granted.  Late work may impact your grade, and discussion assignments must be completed on time.

At the same time, unforeseen circumstances do arise—timely communication with the instructor is essential to work through those situations and determine appropriate options.

*Being more than 15 minutes late will count as an absence.

Course Fees

Please see Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) Program Pricing website located here: https://www.suu.edu/aviation/amt-pricing.htm

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.