EGD120 Foundations of Electrical Engineering


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Unit Outline: College 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:EGD120
Credit points:12
Co-requisite:EGD125
Equivalent:ENB120
Assumed Knowledge:

It is assumed that EGD125 is studied either prior to or concurrent to EGD120.

Anti-requisite:EGB120
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

In this foundational electrical engineering unit you will learn concepts around the relationship between electrical energy, electronic instrumentation and measurements. This is key to beginning your journey towards being a professional engineer. This unit introduces techniques for circuit analysis, instruments for measurement and practical applications in an engineering context. The ability to analyse and understand electrical circuits and related concepts plays a key role in all engineering disciplines, but plays a key foundation for students studying electrical related majors. EGD120 combines real world focused classes including practicals to give a hands on experience learning. The concepts in this unit are key fundamentals relevant to all engineering majors.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Analyse electrical circuits and systems in written, graphical, and computer-aided modes at an introductory level.
  2. Apply simulation and instrumentation tools to analyse and evaluate electrical circuits and systems, at an introductory level.
  3. Recognise basic safety, risk management, sustainability and regulator principles as they apply to electrical energy and systems, at an introductory level.
  4. Apply electrical circuit theory, mathematical techniques, and computational tools to the analysis of electrical energy and systems, at an introductory level.
  5. Explain the theoretical and practical characteristics and operation of components which compose electrical systems through experiments and calculations, at an introductory level.

Content

  • DC Circuits: measurement of DC electrical quantities, circuit analysis using mesh currents, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, capacitance and inductance, time domain solutions for simple transient behaviour.
  • AC Circuits: sinusoidal signal representation, impedance, circuit analysis using phasors, frequency response, power in AC systems.
  • Electronic Devices and Circuits: Diodes, operational amplifier circuits, filters, rectifiers and voltage regulators.

Learning Approaches

This unit takes a blended approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with both eContent and timetabled activities. eContent will be clearly identified on your course site for you to engage with on a weekly basis before attending classes. eContent includes a combination of videos, readings, and/or exercises designed to enhance your learning experience.

During timetabled activities (for example: workshops, tutorials, practicals), the unit coordinator and/or your tutor will further explore content and you will be provided with opportunities to develop your understanding in a collaborative learning environment.

eContent introduces concepts and techniques illustrated with examples. Workshops and tutorials will help you apply these to problems and relate them to practical applications. Practical work in laboratory sessions will equip you with hands-on experience in designing, constructing and testing circuits for making real-world devices. The laboratory sessions will also provide the training to use technical instruments in the measurement and analysis of electrical circuits.

After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content. Teaching team members will also be available for consultations to assist you with your learning journey (further details provided on your course site).

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback will be provided by tutors in the weekly workshops and tutorials. The problem solving tasks and laboratory exercises will provide a strong indication of your progress in understanding the material. Feedback will also be given by tutors in the practical sessions. You are encouraged to self-assess your understanding against the problems in the textbook. 

Assessment

Overview

Your assessment will be based on practical performance, problem solving tasks and a final exam. You will demonstrate your prac skills through practical assignments. Your theory performance is assessed in problem solving tasks throughout the teaching period, and in the final exam. Both theory assessments use multi-part integrated questions that require synthesis and application of knowledge across multiple modules. The exam is open book to increase emphasis on understanding rather than memorisation.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem solving tasks

You will be given a DC problem solving task due mid-semester and an AC problem solving task due late semester. In these tasks you will analyse a large, applied circuit using theory taught in class. You are encouraged to use programming tools and circuit simulation to support your hand working.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 20
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Throughout the teaching period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5

Assessment: Practical Laboratory sessions

The practical laboratories involve working through a series of laboratory experiments where you will apply the theory taught in class and learn to use electrical engineering laboratory equipment to prototype and analyse electrical and electronic circuits that you design. Your practicals will be assessed by the design work done prior to the laboratory, the performance of your design as it is demonstrated in the laboratory, and your demonstrated competency in using the laboratory equipment to prototype and analyse your design.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Mid and late in the teaching period (refer to course site for prac schedule)
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Final Exam

The exam will consist of engineering design and analysis questions covering concepts learned throughout the semester. The exam will feature some questions designed to test your core competencies as well as more advanced questions focused on your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During exam block
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Hambley, A. (2020). Electrical engineering principles and applications (7th ed.). Pearson.   

Risk Assessment Statement

You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of members in the teaching team and technical staff. Prior to entry to a laboratory space you must complete the Undergraduate Health, Safety and Environment Induction (annual completion requirement). You will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes, lab coat, and safety glasses). The unit’s course site will provide you with a copy of the risk assessment and will provide you with details on how to perform the laboratory tasks safely.

If you do not follow instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session.

You will also be provided with information in relation to a safe workplace. Information will include location of fire exits and meeting points in case of fire.