American University of Sharjah

Department of Electrical Engineering

ELE 211, Electric Circuits I (2-3-3)

Fall 2010 Section 01

Course Description (catalog):

Examines physical concepts and mathematical analysis of electric circuits. Includes DC, transient,
and sinusoidal steady state analysis of circuits. Includes laboratory experiments and use of PSpice,
and MATLAB. Prerequisite: PHY 102 and PHY 102L.
Course Format: Lecture/Recitation

Prerequisite(s):
PHY 102, GENERAL PHYSICS II and PHY 102L, GENERAL PHYSICS LABPRATORY.
Textbook(s) and/or Other Required Materials:
Primary: C. K. Alxander and M. N. Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 4 th Edition,
McGraw-Hill, 2009.

Supplemental:
• J. D. Irwin, Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis, 7th Edition, John Wiley, 2002.
• Blackboard: http://ilearn.aus.edu/
• Software: MATLAB AND PSPICE (available on the machines in the computer labs)

Course Goals: This course is designed to help the student:

• Apply different techniques in modeling and analyzing electrical circuits.
• Perform the transient and steady state analysis of DC and AC circuits.
• Recognize the practical implications and calculate the various forms of power in electric
circuits.
• Construct and test electric circuits and document results.

Course Outcomes: This course requires the student to demonstrate the ability to:
1. Apply Ohm’s law to calculate voltage, current, energy, and power in circuit elements.
2. Apply Kirchoff’s laws to analyze electric circuits.
3. Use nodal analysis, mesh analysis and superposition to analyze electric circuits.
4. Use Thevenin and Norton equivalents in circuit analysis to determine maximum power
transfer.
5. Conduct lab experiments to verify Ohm’s law, Kirchoff’s laws, and Norton and Thevenin
theorems.
6. Determine the energy stored in or drawn from capacitors and inductors.
7. Calculate the natural and forced response of RL and RC circuits.
8. Express sinusoids in terms of complex phasors.
9. Determine the impedances of basic circuit elements.
10. Apply circuit analysis techniques to circuits including impedances.
11. Conduct a lab experiment on AC circuit analysis.
12. Determine the average, reactive and complex powers and explain their meaning.
13. Calculate power factors in electric networks.
14. Calculate the effective value of a periodic signal (rms).
15. Design circuits for maximum power transfer.
16. Conduct a lab experiment on maximum power transfer.
17. Use PSpice and MATLAB to simulate DC circuits, transient circuit analysis, AC circuits and
maximum power transfer.
18. Document the steps and findings of the experimental work in written form.
ELE211 – Electric Circuits I (section2) Fall 2010

Topics Covered and Schedule in Weeks:

Circuit Variables: voltage, current, energy, and power 1
Ohm’s law 1
Kirchoff’s laws, sources, resistance 1
Resistive networks: voltage divider and current divider 1
Nodal analysis 1
Mesh analysis 1
Superposition, Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits 2
Capacitors and inductors: stored energy, terminal relations 1
Natural and forced response of RL and RC circuits 2
Sinusoidal steady state: complex phasors, impedance 1
Average, reactive and complex power, effective value 1
Maximum power transfer 1
Review and evaluation 2

Tentative Out-of-class Assignments and Dates:

HW # 1 Basic electric circuit concepts: voltage, current, charge, power, and energy
HW # 2 KVL and KCL, current division, voltage division, and circuit reduction
HW # 3 Nodal analysis
HW # 4 Mesh analysis
HW # 5 Thevenin and Norton
HW # 6 Superposition and source transformation
HW# 7 Capacitors and inductors
HW# 8 Transient analysis for RC and RL circuits
HW# 9 Phasors
HW#10 Impedances and basic AC circuits analysis
HW#11 AC circuits analysis using advanced techniques (nodal, mesh, Thevenin)
HW#12 Power analysis and maximum power transfer

All homework assignments are due one week after the assigned date.

Laboratory:

Week Experiment
1  Lab Introduction; familiarization with lab equipment
2  Ohm’s law and Kirchoff’s Laws
3  DC Circuit Analysis in PSpice_Part1
4  DC Circuit Analysis in PSpice_Part2
5  Thevenin’s Theorem and Maximum Power Transfer
6  Thevenin’s Theorem and Maximum Power Transfer in PSpice 
7  Course First Exam
8  Introduction to Matlab
9  Familiarization with Oscilloscope and Function Generator
10  Transient Analysis in PSpice
11  Transient Response of RC Circuits
12  Course Second Exam
13  Steady State Response of AC circuits
14  AC Analysis in PSpice
15  Lab Exam 

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ELE211 – Electric Circuits I (section2) Fall 2010

Evaluation:
Homework & Quizzes 10%
Laboratory 20%
Two Class Examinations 40%
Comprehensive Final 30%

Test Dates:
Exam 1 Week 7, Tuesday November 9, 2010, 5:00-6:30 pm
Exam 2 Week 7, Tuesday December 21, 2010, 5:00-6:30 pm

Contribution of Course to Meeting Professional Component:

Math and basic science: 0% General education: 0%
Engineering science: 100% Engineering design: 0%

Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes: This course contributes in a significant way to the
accomplishment of the following program outcomes:

BSEE Program Outcomes (in abbreviated form)

Upon graduation, an AUS graduate in electrical engineering should demonstrate
as to analyze & interpret data
conduct experiments, as well

g) an ability to communicate

for, and an ability to engage

knowledge of mathematics,

necessary to understand the

i) a recognition of the need

d) an ability to function on
b) an ability to design and

modern engineering tools

impact of engg solutions
science, and engineering

professional and ethical

multidisciplinary teams
e) an ability to identify,
c) an ability to design a
system, component, or

h) the broad education

k) an ability to use the

f) an understanding of

techniques, skills, and

engineering problems
a) an ability to apply

formulate, and solve

contemporary issues
in life-long learning
j) a knowledge of
responsibility

effectively
process

BSEE Courses

ELE 211 Electric Circuits I ● ◑ ◑ ○ ○ ◑

(● high; ◑ medium; ○ low; none)

Instructor:
Habib-ur Rehman, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering
Office: EB1- 248
Phone: 515-2987
Email: rhabibi@aus.edu

Lab Instructor: Mr. Ibrahim AbuSaif, Office # EB2-031, Phone 515-2405

Online Resources:
• Blackboard: http://ilearn.aus.edu/

Schedule: Theory: UTR 9:00 – 9:50 Room EB1-116

Office Hours: UT (11:00 – 12:00), W (2:00 – 3:00), or by appointment

Course Policies:

ƒ Homework
¾ Homework will be assigned throughout the week.

3
ELE211 – Electric Circuits I (section2) Fall 2010

¾ Homework is due at the beginning of class on the due date.

¾ Late homework is not accepted for any reason.
¾ Submit a neat, detailed, step-by-step solution.
¾ Use one side of a standard A4 size white paper. Spiral note book sheets should be
avoided.
¾ A cover page is required for each assignment. The cover page should include course title,
section number, student name and ID, and homework number.
¾ Students are encouraged to discuss homework problems in small groups, but copied work
will not be accepted and all students involved will be penalized.
ƒ Class attendance guidelines and policies as reported in the AUS catalog will be fully implemented.
ƒ Students must come to class on time. Once the class is in progress, they must stay until the class is
over. Students who are late more than 5 minutes will not be allowed to join the class. Repeated
lateness will be noted and proper action will be taken.
ƒ Mobile phones are to remain switched off as long as class is in session.
Examinations:

All exams are closed book. All examination scores will be counted toward the final grade. Make-up
exams will be given only in emergency, which must be supported by written documentation (e.g.
doctor’s letter approved by AUS Health Center). It is your responsibility to contact your instructor
promptly to receive permission to take a make-up exam. You should, if at all possible, do that before
the exam takes place. The final exam is comprehensive. No make-up for missed quizzes is permitted.

Honor Code: All students are expected to abide by the Code of Academic Conduct set by AUS.
Any reasonable suspicion of an honor violation will be reported.