This course introduces students to the fundamentals of electrical and electronic engineering. It provides the students with an understanding of basic electrical quantities, circuit elements and circuit analysis techniques. It also provides an understanding of the principles and operation of diodes (which are the basis of the ubiquitous DC power supply circuit) and operational amplifiers (which provide the easiest method to build an amplifier circuit). Specific topics include:

• Introduction to Electronics: Fundamental electrical quantities (charge, current, voltage) and circuit elements (resistor, capacitor, inductor, voltage and current sources).
• Circuit Analysis Techniques: Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws, Mesh current and Node voltage analysis, Thevenin and Norton Equivalent circuits, Superposition, Maximum power transfer, Wheatstone bridge.
• First-order RC and RL Circuits with DC inputs: Time constant, Transient and steady state responses.
• Diodes: Semiconductor materials, basic diode concepts and diode circuit modes, applications (rectifier and wave shaping circuits), Zener diodes, regulated DC power supply circuit.
• Introduction to Operational Amplifiers: Ideal op-amp, Basic Op-amp configurations, Summing point constraint. Basic amplifier circuits.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the basic circuit elements and calculate current, voltage and power for each element.
2. Apply circuit analysis techniques (Kirchoff's laws, mesh current method, node voltage method, Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits, maximum power transfer) to systematically solve electrical circuits.
3. Analyse first-order switching circuits (RL and RC) and ideal op-amp amplifier circuits.
4. Design a regulated DC power supply and construct it using prototyping boards.
5. Explain in simple terms the electrical properties and circuit behaviour of resistor, capacitor, inductor, semiconductor devices (such as diode and zener diode) and ideal op-amp.
6. Assemble circuits and take measurement of circuit variables using appropriate lab tools (such as oscilloscope, function generator, digital multi-meter, power supply and MOKUs). Simulate circuits using PSPICE. Calculate results using scientific calculator in a knowledgeable and confident manner.
7. Collaborate for the purpose of taking measurements in a lab environment and lab report preparation.

Research-Led Teaching

This first year course implements research-led teaching using the following three-pronged approach to influence, motivate and inspire students to learn:

• using a Poll Everywhere based question-and-answer discussion technique, surface tablet to record working and real-world examples to motivate and support learning,
• using industry-leading simulation tools and apps for smartphones and tablets to scaffold learning,
• using cognitive apprenticeship model of teaching to systematically enable students to think like experts in the field of electronics engineering.

Field Trips

Not applicable.

Additional Course Costs

Not applicable.

Examination Material or equipment

1. Open book exam (all resources allowed).
2. Calculator (Scientific or Programmable).

Required Resources

Students need to use PSPICE (freeware; 9.1 student version) software. If you are a MAC user or are unable to install PSPICE on your personal computer for any reason, you can access PSPICE by logging into ANU Virtual Commons Desktop. LTSPICE or PySpice (Python) can also be used. However, the lab manual instructions are only available for PSPICE.

Recommended Resources

Textbook J. W. Nilsson & S. A. Riedel, Electric Circuits, 11th edition, Global edition, 2019. http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b5843649

This course follows the textbook very closely. While additional resources are provided to supplement the textbook, there is no substitute to reading the material from the textbook. Hence, all students must purchase the textbook, either hardcopy or PDF, for their learning. The textbook can be purchased from Harry Hartog bookstore (hardcopy or electronic version). You can also purchase the textbook second hand from online retailers or senior students. Copies of the textbook are also available from Hancock library reserve for 2 day loan. Please purchase the 11th edition. It is also possible to follow the course using the 10th edition but due to changes in the problem numbering between the 11th and 10th edition, this will cause confusion for students.

Recommended Textbooks (optional but highly recommended for students’ learning)

1. J. D. Irwin & R. M. Nelms, Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b1959816
2. Allan R. Hambly, Electrical Engineering Principles and Applications, 6th edition (Textbook for ENGN2218) http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b3322708
3. R. C. Dorf and J. A. Svoboda, Introduction to Electric Circuits http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b2069408

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on marked HLab reports by the tutors.
• Verbal comments during the Labs by the tutors.
• Online feedback comments (automated) provided by Mastering Tutorials.
• Verbal/email feedback to students who contact the Lecturer individually to discuss their work.
• Email feedback to whole class via responses posted in Wattle discussion forum.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Contact Please mention ‘ENGN1218 2021’ in email subject, otherwise email may get lost in my inbox.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Circuit Variables
2	Circuit Elements
3	Simple Resistive Circuits	M01 due CLab01 due
4	Techniques of Circuit Analysis	M02 due HLab01
5	Techniques of Circuit Analysis	M03 due CLab02
6	Inductance and Capacitance	M04 and M05 due HLab02
7	Response of first order RC and RL circuits
8	Diodes	HLab03
9	Diodes	M06 due HLab04
10	Diodes	HLab5
11	The Operational Amplifier	M07 due HLab06 MOKU
12	The Operational Amplifier	M08 due CLab03 HLab5 Report due
13	Examination Period	Final exam

Tutorial Registration

Students need to sign up for Lab groups. See link available in wattle.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Labs	19 %	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
HLab5 (DC power supply circuit report)	6 %	4,5,6,7
Mastering	15 %	1,2,3,4,5
Mid-Semester Exam	20 %	1,2
Final Exam	40 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

1. Students perform Mastering individually. There is no formal attendance requirement for Mastering. They can be completed at any time before the due date from any computer (home or university) by the students.
2. Students perform HLabs individually or in groups of two.  To pass this course, students need to attend and complete at least 5 out of 6 Labs, including HLab5.
3. Students complete CLabs individually or in groups of two.
4. Students perform midsem exam individually.
5. Students perform final exam individually.

Examination(s)

This course uses wattle based online exams. Proctorio is not used.

Assessment Task 1

Labs

9 labs, 19% total. All labs are marked during the lab time and completed in groups of two. Any student absent from their HLab will receive a 0 mark

These comprise:

• Three Computer Labs (CLabs) involving theoretical calculations and PSPICE (CLabs 1, 2, 3)
• Two Hardware Labs (HLabs) involving theoretical calculations and hardware electronics (HLabs 1 and 2)
• Three HLabs involving theoretical calculations, PSPICE simulations and hardware electronics (HLabs 3,4,5)
• One HLab (HLab 6) involving MOKU instrument.

Due dates and value:

• CLab1: 2% Week 3
• CLab2: 3% Week 5
• HLab1: 2% Week 4
• HLab2: 2% Week 6
• HLab3: 3% Week 8
• HLab4: 3% Week 9
• HLab6: 2% Week 10
• CLab3: 2% Week 11

Hurdle Assessment: To pass this course, students must attend and complete at least 5 out of 6 HLabs, including HLab5.

Assessment Task 2

HLab5 (DC power supply circuit report)

HLab5 report is marked out of the marks indicated in the HLab manual. The report will be assessed taking into account the following:

1. discussion of the results and/or measurements,
2. theoretical calculations and observations/explanations (where requested in the lab manual at individual lab tasks),
3. answers to the Lab Tasks.
4. standard of the lab report as outlined above.

It is expected that two group members will work together in a professional manner (expected of engineers) and submit a joint report and receive the same mark. 

Value: 6%

Due: Friday, Week 12

Assessment Task 3

Mastering

There are 8 mastering assignments in the course. Detailed announcements regarding each of the eight mastering tutorials will be made during the semester, generally two weeks before the due date of each tutorial. There is no formal attendance requirement for Mastering. They can be completed at any time before the due date from any computer (home or university) by the students

8 assignments, 15% total.

• M01: 1% Week 3
• M02: 1% Week 4
• M03: 1% Week 5
• M04: 2.5% Mid-term break
• M05: 2.5% Mid-term break
• M06: 3% Week 9
• M07: 2% Week 11
• M08: 2% Week 12

Assessment Task 4

Mid-Semester Exam

The 3 hour mid-semester exam will cover the content from the first half of the course (Weeks 1-6).

Value: 20%

Due: Week 7

Assessment Task 5

Final Exam

The 3 hour final exam will cover the content from the latter half of the course (Weeks 4-12), i.e., material in weeks 4-5 will be assessed in both the mid-semester and the final exams.

Value: 40%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

Hard copy submissions will not be accepted.

Late Submission

Late submission is possible with 5% penalty only if submitted within 24hrs of the due date. This cut-off date is built into the wattle submission. The late submission policy will be strictly applied in fairness to everyone.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Marked reports are returned back in wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not applicable.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students