Study information

Fundamentals of Electronics - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLEFundamentals of Electronics CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG1009 MODULE CONVENERProf Mustafa Aziz (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
This module takes you into the world of Electronic engineering - a field that covers everything from radio to space flight. In this module you will learn fundamental concepts of charge, current and potential which are the foundation of electrical signals. You will be introduced to the basic electronic components and circuital laws for developing important DC and AC circuits for applications in power supplies, wireless power transfer, signal filters and sensor circuits.
 
As part of modern electronics, this module also gives you a foundation of semiconductors and semiconductor devices both analogue and digital. You will learn the characteristic and operation of fundamental analogue devices such as diodes, transistors and operational amplifiers and their applications as amplifiers, in power suppliers, device drivers, and sensor circuits (such as temperature and strain). In digital electronics, you will study Boolean algebra and fundamentals of logic gates for the design of combinational and sequential logic circuits and their practical applications in decision making circuits and controllers for industrial applications, counters and timers.
 
You will also take part in assessed practical electronic laboratories that introduces and develops your practical electronic skills in soldering and wiring. These practical laboratories will also develop the familiarity with using test and measurement equipment and applies your knowledge in both analogue and digital fields and demonstrate applications of their circuits.
 
You will work through new topics each week with the aid of extensive learning materials, lectures, tutorials and experimental activities. You will undertake numerous elements of online continuous assessment throughout the module which will allow you to evaluate your understanding of the material and diagnose areas that require further attention. Continuous assessments provide ongoing feedback and support you to actively manage your learning.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Electronics, and apply this knowledge and skill to understand and analyse the operation of electronic circuits (both analogue and digital). It also consolidates a common knowledge base, and begins the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a professional engineer. Through both continuous assessment and the end of year exam, the module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner. 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education  

Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes. 

The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module: 

 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge 

On successful completion of this module you should be able to: 

1 Understand and apply knowledge of circuital laws and theorems to solve electronic circuit problems (C1); 

2 Understand the theory, operation and characteristics of discrete analogue and digital circuit components and devices (C1 & C2); 

3 Analyse and design more complex analogue and digital electronic circuits to meet operation and performance requirements (C2); 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge 

4 utilise electronic laboratory equipment correctly and safely, to make measurements and investigate electronic circuit problems 

(M12, C12); 

5 record and interpret the results of laboratory experiments in a logbook (C&M.12); 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge 

6 work with other students in small groups to complete clearly defined tasks. 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Introduction to Electronics: 

  • Electricity, Current, Charge and Potential 

  • Resistors, Potential Dividers 

  • Kirchoff’s Laws 

  • Thevenin and Norton Circuits 

  • Superposition and Nodal Analysis 

  • Alternating Current (AC) 

  • Capacitors and Inductors, Phasors and j notations 

  • Review of Modern Electronics Applications 

 

Analogue Electronics: 

  • introduction to semiconductors; 

  • diodes and applications; 

  • transistors as amplifiers and switches; 

  • operational amplifiers and their applications. 

 

Digital Electronics: 

  • Boolean algebra; 

  • Combinational logic: logic gates and logic design; 

  • Sequential logic: latches, flip-flops and simple counters. 

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 76 Guided Independent Study 74 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category 

Hours of study time 

Description 

Scheduled learning and teaching activities 

44 

Lectures 

Scheduled learning and teaching activities 

22 

Tutorials 

Scheduled learning and teaching activities 

10 

Laboratories 

Guided independent study 

74 

Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading 

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

None

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam 60% 2 hours (Summer) 1 – 3 (C 1, 2) Cohort level feedback. Individual students can request feedback after exam
Practical – laboratory assessments 30% 15 hours 4 – 6 (MC 12) Verbal guidance and feedback during lab sessions + online feedback as part of assessment system
Smart worksheets 10% 10 hours 1 – 3 (C 1, 2) Online feedback

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
All above Written exam (100% - 2 hours) 1 – 3 (C 1, 2) Referral/deferral period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferrals: Reassessment will be by coursework and/or exam in the deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. 

 

Referrals: Reassessment will be by a single written exam worth 100% of the module. As it is a referral, the mark will be capped at 40%. 

 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Crecraft, D. and Gorham, D. Electronics 2 CRC Press 2003 978-0748770366
Set Floyd, Thomas L., Buchla, David M. Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications Pearson 2010 978-0135096833
Set Horowitz, P. and Hill, W. The Art of Electronics 2nd or 3rd CUP 2015 978-0-521-80926-9
Set Hughes, E. Electrical and Electronic Technology Pearson 2012 978-0131143975
Set Roth, C.H (JR), Kinney, Larry, L. Fundamentals of Logic Design 6th International edition Cengage Learning 2010 978-0495667766
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 23rd June 2021 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 10th September 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Electronics; DC circuits; AC circuits; analogue electronics; digital electronics; semiconductors; diodes; transistors; operational-amplifiers

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.