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.

Course Details: RA00049-E028

Course Outline

Day 1

Sec. 1 – Overview of Embedded Systems in Mechatronics
Sec. 2 – Functional Architectures, Components, & Tools used in Embedded Systems
Sec. 3 – Passive Circuit Elements & Analogies
Sec. 4 – DC, AC Power & Three Phase Systems

Day 2

Sec. 5 – Signal Conditioning
Sec. 6 – Semiconductor Devices
Sec. 7 – Common Analog Circuits in Mechatronic Systems
Sec. 8 – Computer Measurement

Day 3

Sec. 9 – Examples of measurement circuits
Sec. 10 – Computer Manipulation
Sec. 11 – Power Semiconductors

Day 4

Sec. 12 – Common Circuits for Actuators
Sec. 13 – Hardware interfaces (Analog & Digital)
Sec. 14 – Communication (Serial/Parallel/ Wired/Wireless)

Day 5

Sec. 15 – Cabling, Grounding, & Shielding
Sec. 16 – Controls
Sec. 17 – Electrical Safety

Course Schedule

Instructors and Program Director

Instructors
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 extensive 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 Department of Medical Physics at UW, consultant for St. Jude Medical, and electrical engineer for Orbital Technologies Corporation and Automation Components. His numerous entrepreneurial experiences include working on blood flow quantification, night vision, bacterial detection, robotics, automation, and general product development.
Dr. Oberstar has a Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WEMPEC) from UW-Madison, and a BS Electrical Engineering from UW-Platteville. He has over 30 publications with over 400 citations and three patents. Dr. Oberstar is a Wisconsin Professional Engineer, Harvey Spangler Award for Technology Enhanced Education winner and judge, as well as a SPIE member and senior member of IEEE.
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.
Program Director
Blake Suhre

Additional Information

Total Credits:

CEU 3,

PDH 30,

Course Administration

Fee Information

Online attendance fee includes online instruction and course materials. Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform.

Discounts

10% discount per person for participants registered in the Electrified Systems certificate series. Promo code needed during registration.

When 2 employees from the same company enroll, the registration fee is $1,795 per person.

When 3 or more employees from the same company enroll, the registration fee is $1,596 per person.

The Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC) Member Discount: $200 off the course fee. Your affiliation will be verified.

DERC members can receive 10% off per member or 20% off per registration fee when 3 or more members enroll. Promo code required.

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

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.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.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.