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 approach:

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

Additional Course Costs

You may need to purchase a calculator suitable for engineering, with capability to do basic operations and functions for trigonometry, exponentials, and logarithms, solve systems of linear equations, solve integrations, sketch waveforms and do complex number calculations. We recommend a graphics calculator such as TI-Nspire CX II (or similar). In the final exam for some engineering courses, you may be asked to put the calculator in "exam mode" or clear the memory.

Examination Material or equipment

Any calculator, Two A4 pages with notes on both sides.

Required Resources

This course requires students to learn and use an electronic circuit simulation program such as PSPICE or LTSPICE. PSPICE or LTSPICE can be used not only for this course, but also for the rest of your Electrical Engineering degree.

1. PSPICE (freeware; 9.1 student version) software can be downloaded from within the wattle course site.
2. LTSPICE can downloaded from: https://www.analog.com/en/design-center/design-tools-and-calculators/ltspice-simulator.html
3. PySpice (Python) can also be used (optional). However, the lab manual instructions are only available for PSPICE and LTSPICE.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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 are strongly recommended to 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)

• J. D. Irwin & R. M. Nelms, Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b1959816
• Allan R. Hambly, Electrical Engineering Principles and Applications, 6th edition (Textbook for ENGN2218) http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b3322708
• 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 the 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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Electronics
2	Introduction to Electronics
3	Introduction to Electronics	Mastering M01 due (continuous assessment) Complete CLab01
4	Circuit Analysis Techniques	Mastering M02 due (continuous assessment) Complete HLab01
5	Circuit Analysis Techniques	Mastering M03 due (continuous assessment) Complete CLab02
6	Circuit Analysis Techniques & Revision of Weeks 1-5	Complete HLab02
7	First order RC and RL Circuits with DC Inputs	Mastering M04 and M05 due (continuous assessment) Mid-sem Test (assessing weeks 1-6)
8	First order RC and RL Circuits with DC Inputs	Complete HLab03
9	Diodes	Mastering M06 due (continuous assessment) Complete HLab04
10	Diodes	Complete HLab05
11	Op-amps	Mastering M07 due (continuous assessment) Complete HLab06
12	Op-amps & Revision of Weeks 7-12	Mastering M08 due (continuous assessment)
13	Examination Period	Final Exam

Tutorial Registration

Lab Sign-Ups

Sign up (via MyTimetable) for your preferred Lab Group. There is a strict upper limit for laboratory capacity. Each student will attend labs only at those times during designated lab weeks. Lab work will be done individually (rare cases) or in groups of two. Groups of three are not allowed.

Please make sure you sign up quickly for your preferred Lab Group. From experience, most places are gone within the first minute of signup opening.

Tutorial Sign-Ups

Sign up (via MyTimetable) for your preferred Tutorial Group. Each student will attend tutorials only at those times during Weeks 2-11. Tutorial work will be done in groups of six.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Labs and Project	25 %	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Online Mastering Quizzes (continuous assessment)	15 %	1,2,3,4,5
Mid-Semester Test	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

Students must attend and complete at least 6 out of 8 Labs, including HLab5.

Students must attend at least 6 out of 11 class tutorials.

Examination(s)

The final exam will be a centrally administered in-person exam.

Assessment Task 1

Labs and Project

?Assessment rationale: Engineers need to learn the software and hardware tools used in analysing and designing electronic circuits.

Description: There are 8 Labs. These comprise:

1. Two Computer Labs (CLabs) involving theoretical calculations and circuit simulation (CLabs 1, 2)
2. Two Hardware Labs (HLabs) involving theoretical calculations and hardware electronics (HLabs 1 and 2)
3. Three Hardware Labs (HLabs) involving theoretical calculations, circuit simulations and hardware electronics (HLabs 3,4,5).
4. One HLab (HLab 6) involving MOKU instrument.
5. HLab5 also serves as a course project with a formal lab report requirement.

Due dates and value:

• CLab1: 2% Week 3
• HLab1: 2% Week 4
• CLab2: 3% Week 5
• HLab2: 2% Week 6
• HLab3: 4% Week 8
• HLab4: 4% Week 9 (Due to lab venue not being available, this is the only lab that runs online)
• HLab5: 6% Week 10
• HLab6: 2% Week 11

Lab report requirements:

• All labs are marked during the lab time and completed by students individually or groups of two using the lab report templates provided.

HLab5 (DC power supply circuit project) report requirements:

HLab5 report (due Monday, Week 12) 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.

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. 

Hurdle assessment: To pass this course, students must attend and complete at least 6 out of 8 Labs, including HLab5.

Assessment Task 2

Online Mastering Quizzes (continuous assessment)

?Assessment rationale: The purpose of the continuous assessment is to help students consolidate their technical course knowledge and become effective, self-directed learners, instead of postponing learning to the exams.

Description: There are 8 online mastering quizzes in the course, which are available since the start of semester.

1. The online quizzes related to the material covered in the previous week(s) of the course and are discussed during the Tutorials and Masterclasses. Each quiz is comprised of tutorial questions (which provide adaptive individual feedback to students) and some end of chapter questions (to help prepare for exams).
2. There is no formal attendance requirement for the online Mastering quizzes. You can complete the quizzes at your own convenience at any time before the due date from any computer (home or university). You can save and continue your work as you go along. Each quiz takes on average about 2 hours to complete.
3. Quizzes are submitted individually but you are welcome to study for them in a group with your peers. This is because the majority of the quizzes use randomized numerical values and peer discussion can help you to consolidate your knowledge and master the techniques needed to solve the problems. Detailed "How to do well in Mastering" webpages with hints for the quizzes are also available in wattle.

Due dates and value:

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

Assessment Task 3

Mid-Semester Test

?Assessment rationale: The mid-semester test is designed to give you feedback on your progress through the analytical components of the course (Weeks 1-6), which underpin the application topics in the course (Weeks 7-12). Sample example paper is available in wattle.

Description: The 2 hour mid-semester test will assess the content from the first half of the course (Weeks 1-6). The assessment comprises 15 multiple-choice questions, for a total of 20 marks and 2 problems, for a total of 15 marks. The assessment is marked out of 35 and scaled to be 20% of assessment.

Value: 20%

Due: Week 7 (during the lecture time). Location will be advised.

Redeemable assessment: For each student individually:

• If your average marks in the final exam are GREATER than your average marks in the mid-sem test, then the final exam will be worth 45% for you and mid-sem test worth 15% for you. This will allow you to get more marks.
• However, if your average marks in the final exam are LESS than your average marks in the mid-sem test, then the final exam will be worth 40% for you and mid-sem test 20% for you (i.e., redeemable option will not be applied).
• This calculation has been built into Wattle gradebook and will be applied individually for each student, once the final exam marks are available. It does not disadvantage any student. All you have to do is focus on your learning and the final exam.

Assessment Task 4

Final Exam

?Assessment rationale: The final exam focuses on the conceptual understanding of the course material. Sample example paper is available in wattle.

Description: The 3 hour final exam will assess the content from the second half of the course (Weeks 4-12). The exam comprises 5 problems, for a total of 65 marks. The exam is marked out of 65 and scaled to be 40% of assessment.

Value: 40%

Due: The final exam will be a centrally administered in-person exam.

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

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

In this course:

• Late submission is not permitted for online Mastering quizzes. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date.
• Late submission is possible for HLab4 and HLab5 reports 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 HLab4 and HLab5 reports are returned back in wattle. Other marked reports are returned back to the students during the lab time.

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.

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