This teaching unit aims to provide fundamental knowledge of linear resistive circuits. The topics are presented in a way that helps students become familiar with both conceptual and lab tools essential for circuit analysis. Lab activities will be proposed, where students learn to simulate and build resistive circuits and measure electrical quantities.
This teaching unit provides the fundamental notions about electrical variables/parameters, their measurements, and circuit equations. These basic concepts are applied to simple circuits and illustrated through lab activities to make the student familiar with both scientific principles at the basis of Engineering and tools for simulating, implementing, and measuring circuits.
Aims
This teaching unit is designed to achieve the following objectives:
• Develop students’ ability to use appropriate terminology related to electrical circuits;
• Provide foundational knowledge of linear resistive circuit analysis;
• Introduce the correct use of laboratory instrumentation;
• Strengthen mathematical and physical concepts through their application to physical systems (electrical circuits);
• Demonstrate the application of theoretical concepts through practical examples;
• Facilitate the comparison between theoretical models and experimental results through laboratory activities;
• Enhance students’ communication skills by encouraging active participation in lectures;
• Foster independent learning and the ability to deepen understanding through self-study.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this teaching unit, students will be able to:
• Understand and correctly use the specific terminology of circuit theory;
• Apply the fundamental principles of circuit analysis, integrating prior knowledge in mathematics and physics (e.g., correctly formulating the topological and descriptive equations of a resistive circuit);
• Analyze linear resistive circuits using appropriate methodologies;
• Identify and apply the most suitable conceptual tools, introduced during the lessons, to solve specific problems. Proficiency in solving complex problems using learned conceptual frameworks is a key component of the scientific and technical competence of an engineer;
• Use laboratory equipment effectively to verify the accuracy of theoretical solutions;
• Demonstrate mastery of the teaching unit's content through problem-solving and related discussion with the examination board;
• Justify the selection of specific conceptual or physical tools in addressing circuit-related problems;
• Study independently using the recommended materials and references.
Basic concepts in Mathematics and Physics: algebraic operations; fractional calculus; physical dimensions; concepts of power, work, and energy.
The teaching unit content is presented and exemplified during lectures (approximately 10 hours) and applied through laboratory activities (approximately 20 hours). Attendance is strongly recommended, especially for the laboratory sessions.
The lectures consist of theoretical explanations and worked examples presented on the board.
During the laboratory sessions, students will use: • Simulation tools (LTspice) • Laboratory instrumentation (breadboard, multimeter, oscilloscope, function generator, power supply)
Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School's contact person for disability at the beginning of teaching to agree on possible teaching arrangements that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns. Contacts of the School's disability contact person can be found at the following link Comitato di Ateneo per l’inclusione delle studentesse e degli studenti con disabilità o con DSA | UniGe | Università di Genova
Measurement of physical quantities.
Fundamentals of Circuit Theory: circuit elements; models; fundamental electrical quantities; Kirchhoff’s laws.
Two-terminal resistive elements and elementary circuits: resistors; independent sources; Thévenin and Norton models; electrical power in two-terminal elements; series and parallel connections; voltage and current divider rules.
Laboratory instrumentation: breadboard; power supply; oscilloscope; multimeter; function generator.
Reference textbook: M. Parodi, M. Storace, Linear and Nonlinear Circuits: Basic & Advanced Concepts, Vol. 1, Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, Springer, 2017, ISBN: 978-3-319-61234-8 (ebook) or 978-3-319-61233-1 (hardcover), doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61234-8.
Additional materials provided by the instructor on specific topics.
The above material should also be suitable for students with valid certifications for SLDs, disabilities, or other educational needs. Otherwise, these students are invited to contact the teacher.
Ricevimento: By appointment, preferably arranged by email.
https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/9273/studenti-orario
The examination consists of a practical laboratory test followed by a critical discussion.
The practical test involves the analytical solution of a resistive circuit and the experimental verification of the obtained results. The outcomes will then be discussed critically with the examination board.
Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities, or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the DITEN contact person for disability to agree on the possible use of specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis, according to the University regulation for the inclusion and right to study of students with disabilities or specific learning disorders.
Learning outcomes are verified through the examination procedures described in the previous section.
The educational objectives are considered achieved insofar as the student is able to: • Communicate clearly, correctly, and effectively, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the teaching unit topics and using appropriate terminology related to circuit theory (communication skills); • Select and correctly apply the conceptual and physical tools introduced during the lessons to analyze linear resistive circuits, providing justification for the chosen methods (independent judgment and synthesis skills); • Demonstrate competence in the subject matter through problem-solving and discussion with the examination board.
Ask the professor for other information not included in this description of the teaching unit.
