Placing synthesis before analysis [engineering courses teaching]

A philosophy of the teaching of engineering courses is presented which places synthesis before analysis. With this approach, the first step is to take an overview of the subject matter in the light of the past, present, and projected applications. Typically the hierarchical top-down approach will consider all the various alternatives of engineering design, contrasted with the particular design technique being taught. Alternatively, if all the possible variants are within the curriculum, there will be a critical comparison of them all. Production, manufacturing, reliability, and economics all form part of this overview. The weight given to these aspects will depend on the subject itself. The initial synthesis is then followed by appropriate analysis. The careful choice of the material on synthesis will have given the lecturer, in his preparation, firm ideas of the analytical treatment required and the depth to which it should be pursued. As examples of this approach, digital IC logic and interconnects in VLSI are presented