ELEC ENG 2101 - Electronics

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

This course covers the operating principles, analysis and applications of semiconductor devices underpinning electronic systems. It builds on the foundational electrical concepts developed at Level I and provides an in-depth exploration of important non-linear devices: diodes, bipolar junction transistors and field-effect transistors. Equivalent circuit models for these devices are developed and applied to the analysis and design of practical systems, such as voltage rectifiers and amplifiers. Important system concepts are introduced along the way, including amplifier types and gains. The course is delivered on campus, with lectures available to view online and intensive face-to-face workshops. It also includes a practical component which develop key technical skills such as operating test and measurement instruments.

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Course Details

Course Code	ELEC ENG 2101
Course	Electronics
Coordinating Unit	Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 8 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	ELEC ENG 1100 or ELEC ENG 1100UAC or ELEC ENG 1101 or ELEC ENG 1101UAC
Incompatible	ELEC ENG 2105 or ELEC ENG 2008
Assessment	Tutorials, Tests, Practicals, Exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Ali Pourmousavi Kani

Part A (Circuit Analysis) and Part B (Amplifiers, Diodes, Bipolar Transistors, Field-Effect Transistors) Lectures
Name: Dr Ali Pourmousavi Kani
Email: a.pourm@adelaide.edu.au
Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.55

Practical Coordinator
Name: Dr Hong-Gunn Chew
Email: honggunn.chew@adelaide.edu.au
Room: Ingkarni Wardli 3.52

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
The course is presented as three topics. For each topic, there are the following scheduled activities:

Pre-Recorded Presentations: Pre-recorded videos presenting each topic's theory are scheduled for each week.
Workshops: Two-hour workshops occur weekly throughout the semester. There are 2 workshops for each topic. In workshops, students work in small groups on various problems and exercises, including benchtop experiments and simulations.
Tests: One-hour tests occur at scheduled times and are held in person in large venues. Each test covers two topics.
Practicals: Students complete several practical modules.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Gain a basic understanding of semiconductor material and p-n junction properties and ideal current-voltage characteristics
2	Learn DC and small-signal AC analysis techniques for diode circuits with one or more diodes using linear and nonlinear equivalent circuit models
3	Learn about diode application in rectifier circuits, voltage regulators
4	Describe the physical principles, construction, characteristics, modelling and limitations of field-effect and bipolar junction transistors
5	Understand and become familiar with DC (including DC biasing) and small-signal AC analysis of field-effect and bipolar junction transistor circuits and examine three basic applications of these circuits
6	Model and analyse differential and simple amplifier circuits and describe the effect of non-idealities on their small signal, large signal and frequency response performance
7	Use a circuit simulation package to model circuits with passive and active components such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors
8	Construct and test simple amplifier circuits and measure their gain and frequency response

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	3.1	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.6
B	C	C	A	B	—	B	C	B	B	B	B	—	B	B	B

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-8
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1,3,4,5,8
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	6-8
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	6,7

Learning Resources
Required Resources
The following resources are available on the course website:
- Slides: a complete set of lecture slides are available on MyUni.
- Slide Presentations: these pre-recorded video presentations cover key concepts in the course. Students are expected to be familiar with this material in preparation for workshops.
- Weekly online quizzes: weekly formative tests are administered via MyUni.
- Practice problems with solutions
- Workshop questions
- Practical instructions
Recommended Resources
1. Practice Problems: these are available on the course website.
2. Additional Presentations: these pre-recorded presentations provide supplementary coverage of essential concepts in the course.
3. Textbooks: The course slides should provide sufficient information for many students. However, you may find the following textbooks helpful if you are having difficulty with the material or are interested in learning more about any of the topics in this course:
  
  Donald A. Neamen, “Microelectronics Circuit Analysis and Design,” 4th Edition or higher (McGraw Hill).
  
  Adel S. Sedra and Kenneth C. Smith, “Microelectronic Circuits,” 6^th Edition or higher (Oxford University Press).
  
  Behzad Razavi, “Fundamentals of Microelectronics,” 2^nd Edition (Wiley).
Online Learning

This course will use various online resources to support the learning process. Recorded slide presentations (lectures) on key concepts, theories and methods will be made available before scheduled workshops, at which the content of the presentations will be discussed in more detail. Students must view the slide presentations or read the slides before attending lectures.

In addition, the following material will be provided on the course website at the start or during the semester:
Slides, slide presentations (lectures), and tutorial questions
Some past assessment examples (tests and exams)
Additional practice questions
All course announcements will be made via the course website.

The course discussion boards are strongly encouraged for questions relating to course material. Anonymous posts will be permitted where possible. The lecturer and tutors will make the best effort to respond promptly to questions raised on the discussion boards.

The course gradebook will be used to return continuous assessment marks. Students should check their gradebook regularly and confirm their marks have been correctly entered.

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course relies on lectures as the primary delivery mechanism for the material. Tutorials supplement the lectures by providing exercises and example problems to enhance the understanding obtained through lectures. Practicals are used to provide hands-on experience for students to reinforce the theoretical concepts encountered in lectures. Continuous assessment activities provide formative assessment opportunities for students to gauge their progress and understanding.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Activity		Contact Hours	Workload Hours
Pre-recorded presentations			48
Lectures	10 x sessions	10	10 x 2
Workshop	12 x sessions	24	24 x 2
Practicals	6 x sessions	18	18 x 2
Weekly online quizzes	12 x tests	0	12
In-class tests	2 x Tests	4	2 x 6
Examination	1 x Exam	3	3 x 5
Total		59	191

Learning Activities Summary

Semiconductor Materials and Diodes:
Semiconductor materials and properties, the p-n junction, DC analysis and models of diodes circuits, AC equivalent circuit model of diodes, and other types of diodes.

Diodes Circuits:
Rectifier circuits, Zener diode circuits, clipper circuits, multiple diodes circuits.

Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs):
Basic BJT, DC analysis of BJT circuits, basic BJT applications, biasing circuits, multistage circuits.

Basic BJT Amplifiers:
Analog signals and linear amplifiers, The linear amplifier, common-emitter amplifier, common-collector (emitter-follower) amplifier, common-base amplifier, and multistage amplifiers.

Field-Effect Transistors (FETs):
Basic MOSFET, DC circuit analysis of MOSFET circuits, basic MOSFET applications, biasing circuits, multistage circuits.

Basic FET Amplifiers:
MOSFET amplifiers, basic FET amplifier configurations, common-source amplifiers, common-drain (source-follower) amplifiers, common-gate amplifiers, and multistage amplifiers.

Output Stages:
Classes of amplifiers, Class-A power amplifiers, Class-AB push-pull output stages.

Specific Course Requirements

Students are required to have access to Altium software. This is available at various facilities such as the CATS suite or the undergraduate computer labs of the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering. It is the individual student’s responsibility to ensure his or her access to these facilities at appropriate times is available.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes
Weekly online quizzes	10	Individual	Formative	Weeks 1-12	-	1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Workshop participation	5	Individual	Formative	Weeks 1-2,4-13	-	1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Practicals	20	Group	Formative	Weeks 4-6, 9-11	Min 40%	1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Tests	20	Individual	Summative	Weeks 5, 10	-	1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Examination	45	Individual	Summative	End of semester	Min 40%	1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Total	100

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. b. 3.

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

Assessment Related Requirements

The practical and the examination are hurdle requirements for this course. It is necessary to achieve at least 40% in both the practical and the exam. If this is not achieved, the total course mark will be limited to a maximum of 49.

A hurdle requirement is defined by the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs policy as "...an assessment task mandating a minimum level of performance as a condition of passing the course.If a student fails to meet a hurdle requirement (normally no less than 40%),and is assigned a total mark for the course in the range of 45-49, then the student is entitled to an offer of additional assessment of some type. The type of assessment is to be decided by the School Assessment Review Committee when determining final results. The student’s final total mark will be entered at no more than 49% and the offer of an additional assessment will be specified eg. US01. Once the additional assessment has been completed, this mark will be included in the calculation of the total mark for the course and the better of the two results will apply. Note however that the maximum final result for a course in which a student has sat an additional assessment will be a “50 Pass”.

If a student is unable to meet a hurdle requirement related to an assessment piece (may be throughout semester or at semester’s end) due to medical or compassionate circumstances beyond their control, then the student is entitled to an offer of replacement assessment of some type. An interim result of RP will be entered for the student, and the student will be notified of the offer of a replacement assessment. Once the replacement assessment has been completed, the result of that assessment will be included in the calculation of the total mark for the course.

Assessment Detail

Weekly quizzes must be submitted online before the end of the week and will be marked automatically on MyUni.
Workshop attendance and active participation will have a mark.
In-class tests will be written and f2f exams. Your paper will be marked by the course markers.

Submission

"Weekly online quizzes" are due by the end of that week. It is an online assessment that can be accessed on MyUni and is designed to give students a chance to evaluate their understanding of the topic for that week. Those topics will be covered in the following week's workshop.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
The following changes have been made in response to student feedback from 2021 and 2022:
- The course will be delivered as a flipped classroom. Students will be divided into groups to work together in the workshops.
- The course is restructured. The first part of the course on circuit analysis is moved to the newly established course. We only learn about semiconductors, diodes, BJTs and FETs in this course.
- Practical notes have been revised. Also, the course is planned to ensure the students have enough knowledge of the practical questions before their session.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator