Sähköfysiikka (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

Content:
- DC circuit basics: resistance, voltage, current and power.
- Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's current law and voltage law, basics of circuit analysis
- The use of digital multimeters
- Constructing simple circuits on a protoboard
- AC circuit basics: capacitor, coil and impedance.
- The use of oscilloscope and signal generator

Objective

After completing the course the student can:
- Explain the basic concepts and laws of electricity, DC and AC.
- Explain how a circuit functions by using the basic concepts and laws.
- Name the basic components for DC and AC circuits and explain how they work.
- Solve electric circuit problems.
- Build simple circuits.
- Perform measurements for basic circuits.

Content

- Basic concepts of electricity (voltage, resistance, current, and power)
- Direct current and alternating current
- Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s laws
- Circuit diagram
- Circuit calculations
- Protoboard and building a circuit
- Use of basic measuring tools
- Basic components and how they work

Materials

Main reading material is a book that can be found online as a PDF:
Name: Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications
Author: Thomas L. Floyd (or Thomas L. Floyd & David L. Buchla in later editions)
Edition: Any edition

Lesson material, slides and some extra material is also provided in ITSlearning.

Alternative books to use for study. Note that these have much extra content. Choose the corresponding sections only.
- Introductory circuit analysis (by Boylestad)
- OpenStax College Physics AP (free online book, more emphasis on the physics)
- For weaker students any high school book in this topic is helpful

Learning material online:
- electronic-tutorials.ws
- YouTube channels: OrganicChemistryTutor, Engineering Mindset.

Teaching methods

The course consists of
- Traditional lessons which includes theory and example calculations.
- Homework sessions where students can solve homework problems and simulate circuits with the help of the teacher.
- Laboratory work where students use hands-on methods to learn how to use measuring equipment and build circuits which they have have previously calculated / simulated.

Exam schedules

Exam in week 50 or 51.
Re-exams in week 51 and/or in January.
Specific dates will be announced later.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

The course includes traditional classroom lessons, where the aim is to reflect on and discuss topics interactively. The goal is for students to actively strive to understand the subject matter and to recognize their own level of knowledge. At the same time, through active participation, they are encouraged to deepen their understanding.

During calculation sessions, students practice circuit calculations and simulations. This can be done individually or in small groups. The teacher is present to provide help and review teaching as needed. The objective is to practice practical circuit analysis and strengthen mathematical skills. At the same time, students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge by reflecting on the meaning of the calculations and results in terms of circuit operation and how these are reflected in simulations.

Before entering the laboratory, students are expected to prepare independently by reading the lab instructions and understanding what they will be measuring and how the measurements should be performed. To support this, they must complete and simulate the required pre-lab exercises before the laboratory session.

Lab work is done in pairs—or individually if possible. The primary goal is to learn how to use measurement instruments and build circuits on a breadboard through active hands-on work. Additionally, the course aims to foster independent work in small groups and reporting of measurement results. A key objective is also to strengthen the connection between theory and practice. Some lab sessions begin with instruction that covers, for example, the use of measurement instruments in more detail.

Completion alternatives

Those with extensive prior knowledge can complete the course through a demonstration. This must be discussed with the teacher in the beginning of the semester.

Student workload

The working hours are indicative and, for those with prior experience in electronics or the use of measuring devices, the required work load might be slightly smaller. Conversly, if the student has no prior experience for the basic concepts in physics or electronics, or if their mathematical skills are weak, they need more hours to achieve the required level. It is advised to prepare for the lessons by reading through the material in advance. Knowing the basic concepts at least by name makes the learning much easier. Students should also revise their knowledge after classes by going through the material independently.

Lessons: 8x 2 h = 16 h
Homework sessions / simulations: 7x 2 h = 14 h
Doing homework independently in own time: 7x 2h = 14 h
Preparing for the labs independently: 5x 2 h = 10 h
Lab work: 5x 2 h = 10 h
Finishing the reports: 5x 2 h = 10 h
Independent study and recap for the exam: 40 h

Evaluation methods and criteria

Course evaluation consists of attendance (lessons, homework sessions and lab work), Homework assigments and simulations, and completing and reporting on the lab work. The course also includes a final exam.

The course is organized for the first time so the weight of different parts (written below) can change a little. If any changes will occur, these are informed in the beginning of the course and they are corrected in PEPPI.

Minimum attendance: half of the lessons, homework sessions and labs.
Homework and simulations are 33% of the grade.
Laboratory work and reports are 33% of the grade.
Final exam is 33% of the grade.

Failed (0)

Student has not filled the minimum requirements for completing the course.

The students does not have understanding of the basic concepts of electrical physics and/or they cannot complete the related measurements.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Theory:
- The student knows the basic quantities and units of electricity and electronics. They can name them and recognize the corresponding notations or symbols.
- The student understands the fundamental concepts and laws of electrical engineering, though some misconceptions may still exist.
- The student knows what an RLC circuit is and can solve simple calculations related to it.

Practice
- The student can correctly measure the resistance, current, and voltage of individual or multiple resistors in a circuit, using a multimeter.
- The student can read an oscilloscope and interpret basic quantities from the waveform.
- The student can build a simple electrical circuit.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Theory
- The student understands the significance of fundamental concepts and laws in the operation of electrical circuits.
- The student can apply their knowledge to more complex circuits—for example, by designing a simple circuit that meets specific requirements (voltage, current, power, etc.).
- The student can analyze a circuit on an abstract level (i.e., describe its function without performing calculations).
- The student understands the basics of alternating current in RLC circuits (or in RL and RC circuits) and can almost always solve related basic calculations correctly.
- The student is able to describe the operation of an RLC circuit and explain how it can be applied in different contexts.

Practice
- The student can use an oscilloscope correctly and systematically to perform measurements.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has a deep understanding of the theory of electrical engineering and is able to apply it in practice. They understand how electrical circuits operate and can analyze the behavior of basic circuits without error even in abstract situations. They are proficient in using measurement instruments to such a degree that they could teach others how to use them and identify potential measurement errors. The student is capable of independently designing circuits based on given requirements and can justify their design choices and explain their impact on circuit operation.

Qualifications

High school mathematics courses (higher or subsidiary level)
OR
Primary+secondary school and vocational school maths curriculum
OR
equivalent skills

Further information

ITSlearning will be the main platform for information and announcements.
ITSlearning has an anonymous message board.
Messaging with the teacher either via email or through the message board. Note that you can always ask questions during lessons and labs as well.

The course has a mandatory attendance. A student cannot complete the course as lab work requires attendance in the lab. Furthermore, the teaching in lessons and homework sessions is based on personal feedback and interactive discussions.