This module introduces the essential principles of electrical circuits and their analysis. Students will gain an understanding of electronic components, devices, and the circuits they constitute. Emphasis is placed on developing circuit analysis techniques through lectures, examples and tutorial problems. Students will enhance their problem-solving skills by applying circuit theory to tackle a variety of circuit problems. The curriculum encompasses both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits. 

• LO1. Define the basic electrical properties and quantities involved in DC and AC circuits, state their units, and identify common symbols and elements. 

• LO2. Identify circuit elements and their connections in electrical circuits 

• LO3. Draw electrical circuits given the components and their connections 

• LO4. Explain the basic laws, rules, and theorems associated with DC and AC circuit analysis. 

• LO5. Select and apply the basic laws, rules and theorems to solve DC and AC circuit problems 

This module is delivered through a blended learning approach, combining in-person lectures and tutorials with online resources such as lecture notes, quizzes, and tutorial problems and solutions. This mix is designed to give students structured classroom learning and flexibility to study at their own pace. 

In face-to-face lectures, students will learn key concepts, basic laws, and theories, with clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive activities that help them connect the material to practical applications and solidify their understanding. 

Tutorial sessions put theory into practice. Students will work through selected problems with support from the tutor, who will also be there to answer their questions. This hands-on approach ensures students can apply what they have learned and get personalized guidance in a collaborative setting. 

To complement in-person learning, students will have access to a range of materials anytime, anywhere including lecture notes for review, quizzes to test their knowledge, and worked solutions to tutorial problems. 

A module map is provided to as a roadmap for their learning journey. It outlines weekly teaching and learning activities and the module’s assessments.  

This combination of engaging in-person sessions, flexible online support, and clear weekly guidance ensures students have the tools and structure to excel throughout the module.

Subject-Specific Skills: 

• Analyse and draw simple electric circuits 

• Perform circuit reductions including combining current or voltage sources, and resistors in parallel or in series  

• Apply Ohm’s Law to find unknown quantities including voltage, current, resistance and power  

• Apply Kirchhoff’s Current and Voltage Laws to circuits to write equations to find unknow quantities  

• Apply Current Divider and Voltage Divider rules to solve DC circuit problems  

• Perform source transformation to DC current and voltage sources 

• Apply Superposition Theorems to solve complex DC circuit problems involving multiple sources 

• Determine characteristics of AC current and voltage waveforms 

• Represent AC phasors of resistance, inductance, capacitance and complex impedance in different forms and convert them from one form to another 

• Analyse AC circuits and perform phasor calculation to find unknow AC quantities 

Transferable/Employability Skills (Graduate Attributes): 

• Effective Communicators: 

  • EC1: Listen to and take account of the views of others 

  • EC2: Communicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences 

  • EC4: Deliver, accept and act on constructive feedback 

  • EC5: Take a professional approach to communication, including their own online/social media profiles, and be alert to how words and actions may be interpreted by others 

• Independent and critical thinkers 

  • ICT1: Identify, define and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgement in evaluating sources of information 

  • ICT2: Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding 

  • ICT3: Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures 

SUMMATIVE ASSSSMENT  

The module is assessed via   

• 2-hour formal examination scheduled during the Spring semester examination period (all LOs). 

• Class test, designed to allow the students to evaluate their progress in the module in relation to the specified learning outcomes (LO1, LO2, LO5). 

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT  

No formative assessments.  

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

Reassessment will be via successful completion of the failed components.  

Electrical Circuits and Analysis

• Units, circuit elements, Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws.
• DC circuit, current-voltage division, Superposition theorem.
• Basic trigonometry, sinusoidal waves, complex number, complex arithmetic, phasor and vector.
• Characteristics of AC current and voltage, phase representation of AC, inductance and capacitance, complex impedance, circuit analysis and calculation of complex AC circuits.