Introductory description

This module aims to provide the students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts of electrical (charge, voltage, current, power) and electronic (diode, transistor, Op-Amp) engineering as well as their application in components, topologies, and circuit analysis methods, circuits with non-linear and active devices.
Closely aligned with 1st year mathematics, it enables students to apply mathematical techniques in appropriate engineering contexts. Students will be encouraged to develop problem-solving and modelling skills relevant to all branches of engineering.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Outline Syllabus
PART I : Electrical Parameters, Circuit Elements and Analysis:

• Introduction to Charge, Current, Voltage, Energy and Power.
• Circuit elements, energy storage elements,
• Resistive circuits, voltage and current dividers.
• Kirchhoff's laws, DC and AC circuit theorems and analysis methods.
• RLC electric circuits.

PART II : Electrical and Electronic Devices:

• Analogue devices (diodes, transistors, thyristors) and circuits.
• Introduction to power electronic devices, transistor as a switch.
• Digital devices and circuits - fundamentals.
• Sensors, transducers and actuators.

PART III : Electrical and Electronic Circuits and Systems:

• Op-Amps: basic structure, characteristics and utilisation.
• Feedback principles, open and closed loop circuits.
• Transient response & 1st order frequency response, transfer function.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Show an understanding of fundamental electrical circuit analysis techniques (Nodal, mesh, superposition, Thevenin, Norton) for DC, transient, and AC systems;
• Appreciate fundamental aspects of diodes, transistors and operational amplifiers including calculating the voltage, current and power in electronics circuits;
• Make appropriate assumptions to simplify and thus model real-life engineering problems;
• Undertake practical and numerical work and communicate results;

Indicative reading list

1. N. Storey: “Electronics: A Systems Approach” (Pearson), ISBN: 9780273773276, (2013).
2. J.A.Svoboda, R.C.Dorf: “Introduction to Electric Circuits” (Wiley E-book), ISBN: 9781118560587, (2013).
3. J.W.Nilsson, S.A. Riedel: “Electric Circuits”, (Pearson), ISBN: 9780137050512, (2011).
4. M.H.Rashid: "Power Electronics Handbook: Devices, Circuits and Applications”, (Burlington E-book), ISBN 9780120884797, (2006).
5. E. Lipiansky: "Electrical, Electronics, and Digital Hardware Essentials for Scientists and Engineers", (Wiley E-book) ISBN: 9781118414521, (2012).
6. N.Storey: "Electronics: A Systems Approach” (Pearson E-book), ISBN: 9780273719229, (2009).
7. Floyd, Thomas L: “Electronic devices: conventional current version” (Pearson) ISBN: 9780132549868, (2012).
8. Hayt, William Hart, Jack Ellsworth Kemmerly, and Steven M. Durbin. Engineering circuit analysis. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1986.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Gain an understanding of fundamental electrical and electronics principles; the ability to analyse electrical and electronic circuits using suitable techniques , Simplify and thus model real-life engineering problems; undertake practical and numerical work and communicate results.

Transferable skills

Teamwork, technology literacy, problem solving, use of industry-standard software, communication and writing skills, organisational skills and emplyability.