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Electromagnetism - ELE00057I

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. John Dawson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

The module introduces concepts necessary for high speed circuit design; communications and radar systems. The understanding of the propagations of signals as waves in interconnections is critical to understanding the performance and operation of high speed circuits, data and power networks. The propagation of waves in free-space and interaction with materials is necessary to understanding wireless communications, radar systems, and electromagnetic sensors. The fundamentals of electro- and magnetostatics are necessary both for design and analysis of electronic components and as the first step for understanding waves

Professional requirements

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Additional information

 

 

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

To introduce students to the fundamental principles of electromagnetism and its applications in signal transmission, including electromagnetic waves in transmission lines, waveguides, free space, and materials

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between charges and currents, electric and magnetic fields and fluxes, and of the concepts of scalar and vector potential

  • Understand and be able to use the main theorems of vector calculus, the concepts of gradient, divergence, and curl, Gauss’s and Stokes’s theorems, scalar and vector Poisson’s equations

  • Understand and be able to use the methods of computational electromagnetics for calculating capacitances and inductances of components

  • Describe the propagation mechanisms of electromagnetic waves in transmission lines, waveguides, free space, and materials

  • Be able to express relations for the electric and magnetic fields within a wave and the power density associated with a wave

  • Be able to analyse and design basic signal transmission systems for high speed data transmission, accounting for the imperfections found in such systems and employing techniques required to overcome these problems

Graduate Skills Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to explain commonly encountered technical concepts concisely and accurately

  • Be able to select and apply a range of mathematical techniques to solve problems

  • Have developed skills in problem solving, critical analysis and applied mathematics

Module content

Waves on transmission lines; Static Electric and Magnetic fields, using vector calculus (capacitors inductors and transmission line structures); Maxwell's equations in free space; Waves in materials and waveguides; Transmission lines lab; Waves in materials lab; Computational Electromagnetics lab;

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Electromagnetism		 2 hours 40
Essay/coursework
Continuous Assessment Quiz		 N/A 20
Practical
Laboratory Assessment		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The laboratory assessments are intended to test your understanding of the experiments carried out and provide some feedback on reporting. The continual assessment questions are intended to encourage student engagement and provide fast feed back. As they are open tests they encourage and build understanding of the course materials. They will be provided by an online platform where results are marked on submission giving instant feedback. The closed book exam tests your ability to perform analysis and calculations and explain concepts from the module.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Electromagnetism		 2 hours 40
Essay/coursework
Continuous Assessment Quiz		 N/A 20
Practical
Laboratory Assessment		 N/A 40

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Formative Feedback

  • Questions can be asked at any time, and will be answered as soon as possible.

  • A practice quiz is provided with published answers.

  • Workshops allow questions and feedback and answers are published

Summative Feedback

  • Lab assessments are annotated with some feedback

  • Answers to the assessed quizzes will be published after submission is complete.

Indicative reading

Ulaby, FT, ‘Fundamentals of applied electromagnetics’, Prentice Hall


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.