ELECTENG 291 : Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

AC and DC circuit analysis in the context of linear electrical and electronic systems. Time and frequency domain approaches to describing and analysing electrical networks and systems.

Course Overview

This course aims to uncover some of the fundamental tools central to the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of common DC and AC electrical and electronic systems. The broad classification of linear and non-linear systems is made to set the context for unraveling the equivalence between time- and frequency-domain approaches in describing, and analysing, circuit transient and steady-state responses. The topics covered are packaged into three closely integrated modules:

Module 1: Circuit Classification and Analysis Methods:
  • Basic electrical concepts and laws in circuits and systems
  • Linear and non-linear circuits and systems classification
  • Fundamental methods and theorems of circuit analysis
Module 2: DC Transient Circuit Behaviours and Responses
  • 1st-order and 2nd-order transient and steady-state analysis of circuits
  • Circuit analysis using the Laplace transform and its inverse
Module 3: AC Steady-State Circuit Behaviours and Responses
  • Sinusoidal signal representation and characterisation
  • Sinusoidal steady-state circuit analysis
  • AC steady-state power characterisation
  • Frequency response of circuits

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ELECTENG 101 Restriction: ELECTENG 202

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply different methods and theorems of circuit analysis for analysing unfamiliar circuits (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  2. Justify, and audit analyses of unfamiliar problems via computer-aided programs, and/or alternative methods of circuit analysis (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 6.1 and 8.2)
  3. Freely integrate, selectively apply, and critically assess the effectiveness of various methods of analysis in authentic engineering contexts (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 8.2)
  4. Interpret, and explore the results of/from analyses pertaining to authentic engineering contexts. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 17% Individual Coursework
Tests 24% Individual Coursework
Tutorials 7% Group & Individual Coursework
Laboratories 12% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments
Tests
Tutorials
Laboratories
Final Exam
Students must attempt the exam to be eligible for a passing grade. Not sitting the exam will result in a grade of DNS (Did Not Sit).

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, in a typical week you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1-hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 3 hours of work on a mixture of assignments and/or laboratories and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs and tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs and tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests and the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

This course has no prescribed textbook. All learning materials will be made available digitally on Canvas, this includes lecture notes, resources for tutorials and laboratories, self-study materials, and additional readings. 

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

  • More structured collaborative tutorials are to be implemented with increased teaching presence.
  • Adjust laboratory delivery (content and feedback) to better align with the teaching/learning goals. 
  • More in-class interaction to be implemented for engagement and personalised teaching.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.