EGB120 Foundations of Electrical Engineering


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EGB120
Credit points:12
Equivalent:ENB120
Assumed Knowledge:

MZB125 (including math concepts such as basic integration, complex numbers and simultaneous equation solving. Fundamental knowledge of simple DC circuits is also assumed knowledge.

Anti-requisite:EGD120
Coordinators:Andrew Stephens | a8.stephens@qut.edu.au
Geoff Walker | geoffrey.walker@qut.edu.au
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 begin 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. EGB120 combines real world focused lectures, tutorials and practicals to give a hands on experience learning about these fundamentals. The concepts in this unit will be built upon in future electrical engineering units, and also teaches 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 mangement, sustainability and regulatory 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 circuits, 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

In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:

  • Weekly lecture consultation sessions, with interacting and engaging activities
  • Weekly tutorials in which you will solve problem solving style questions in a group environment with your peers and relate them to practical applications
  • Fortnightly practicals which will help you gain experience in designing, constructing and testing circuits. The laboratory sessions will also introduce you to the use of measuring instruments and circuit analysis tools

To complement timetabled activities, you will be provided with:

  • Lecture topic videos, notes, and reflective questions each week which combine together in an interactive manner for you to learn each weeks topics
  • Supplementary tutorial videos solving problems in full
  • Problem sets and solutions so you can revise topics throughout the semester
  • Practical demonstration videos demonstrating use of the laboratory equipment you will use in your class 
  • A Microsoft Teams page for you to engage with your peers during the semester
  • Practice exams for you to use as part of your final exam revision. 

You are expected to:

  • Engage with the weekly lecture drop in sessions
  • Watch the weekly lecture topic videos, solving the relevant embedded exercises
  • Attend the weekly tutorials, and work with your peers to solve the questions
  • Attend the fortnightly practicals, reading the information ahead of time to make the most out of your weekly sessions
  • Use the supplementary videos as necessary to revise the weekly topics

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will be provided with feedback in face to face contact with tutors in the weekly tutorials, where the tutorial problems are structured in the same format as marked assessment in the design challenge and the final exam. Solutions for problems similar to the tutorials will be given online. The design challenge exercise in the middle of the semester will provide a strong indication of progress in understanding the material. You will similarly be provided with feedback in face to face contact with tutors in the prac sessions, which prepare students for the DC prac assessment in the middle of semester and the AC prac assessment at the end of the semester. You are encouraged to self-assess your understanding against the problems in the text book. Solutions will be provided online for designated text book problems.

Assessment

Overview

Your assessment will be based on practical performance (20%), problem solving tasks (30%) and a final exam (50%). Your practical performance will be based on a demonstration of your prac skills through prac assignments. Your theory performance is assessed in problem solving tasks throughout the semester, 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: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem


You will complete regular textbook questions throughout the semester to reinforce your learning and understanding of various theoretical concepts. This will be done through an online platform. In the middle of the Semester you will complete a larger problem solving exercise. The DC Circuit Design Challenge involves applying your knowledge of DC circuits to an electrical power or measurement system problem. You will be given a design challenge where you will need to meet a set of engineering and user requirements by designing an electric circuit from a limited set of electrical components. You will need to use circuit analysis techniques, software simulations and problem solving skills to demonstrate that your solution meets the stated requirements.

You may be asked to demonstrate your understanding of your submitted problem solving tasks during the semester in the form of an informal discussion with a member of the teaching team. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Throughout Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5
Related Standards: EASTG1CMP: 1, 1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.3, 3, 3.2, 3.4

Assessment: Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical

The Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical involves working through a series of laboratory experiments where you will learn to use electrical engineering laboratory equipment to prototype and analyse electrical and electronic circuits that you design. Your practical will be assessed by the performance of your design as it is demonstrated in the laboratory, and your demonstrated skill is using the laboratory equipment to prototype and analyse your design.

Weight: 20
Individual/Group: Either group or individual
Due (indicative): Weeks 6/7 & 12/13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5
Related Standards: EASTG1CMP: 1, 1.1, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 3, 3.5

Assessment: Final Exam - open book

The exam will consist of a multi-part, integrated problem requiring the design and analysis of an electrical system with both DC and AC components. The exam is open book. 

You may be asked to demonstrate your understanding of your submitted online exam in the form of an informal discussion with a member of the teaching team. 

If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.

Threshold Assessment:

To pass EGB120 you are required to achieve 40% of the available marks in the final exam. This is to ensure you have an understanding of key elements of the learning outcomes, relating to the AC circuit material learnt towards the end of the semester. This understanding is key for future units. 

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Examination Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Related Standards: EASTG1CMP: 1, 1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.3, 3, 3.2, 3.4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Hambley, A. “Electrical Engineering Principles and Applications”, 7th edition

Risk Assessment Statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

Any practical sessions in the laboratory must be done under the supervision of the lecturer or technical staff. In any laboratory practicals you are expected to wear closed in shoes, and not drink or eat in the lab environment. Before the commencement of any practical sessions, you will undergo a health and safety induction and if you do not complete the required safety induction you will be denied access to laboratories.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base


  1. Relates to: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical, Final Exam - open book

2: Engineering Application Ability


  1. Relates to: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Final Exam - open book

  2. Relates to: Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical

  3. Relates to: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Final Exam - open book

  4. Relates to: Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical

3: Professional and Personal Attributes


  1. Relates to: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Final Exam - open book

  2. Relates to: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Final Exam - open book

  3. Relates to: Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

  1. Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
    Relates to: ULO1, Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Final Exam - open book
  2. Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
    Relates to: ULO2, Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical, Final Exam - open book
  3. Engage with and apply regulatory requirements relating to safety, risk management, and sustainability in professional engineering practice.
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
    Relates to: ULO4
  5. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of one engineering discipline, its research directions, and its application in contemporary professional engineering practice.
    Relates to: ULO5

EV01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

  1. Engage stakeholders professionally and communicate the outcomes of your work effectively to expert and non-expert audiences using appropriate modes.
    Relates to: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Final Exam - open book
  2. Manage projects to solve complex engineering problems, using appropriate information, engineering methods, and technologies.
    Relates to: Online Quizzes and DC Circuit Design Challenge problem, Electrical Energy and Measurement Design Practical, Final Exam - open book