VI-Based Introductory Electrical Engineering Laboratory Course

The introductory electrical engineering laboratory course at the University of Texas has been converted to an approach that relies mainly on virtual instrumentation. Experience with the conversion shows reduced technician demand for the laboratory, increased ease of use for the students, and the capability to add new measurements that were unaffordable with free-standing instruments. The experience also shows how virtual instruments might be adapted to laboratory courses with different emphasis and approach from ours.