Electronics plays a key role in most aspects of modern life and scientific endeavours are no exception. The vast majority of measurements that are made are made using electronic devices. This course will give you a basic understanding of how electronic devices and measurement processes work. As well as understanding the operation of existing electronic systems, this basic understanding will help you to develop your own. There is a large and well developed market place for electronic components and modules, as well as cheap and accessible manufacture on demand services. Together with high quality open source tools. This means that professional grade electronics solutions are often accessible to those with some basic knowledge with very little setup cost.
The course has two lectures a week and one help room session per week. There is a 4-hour lab every fortnight
Assessment:
Important information about assessment for PHSI245
Course Coordinator
Paper Content
Power, Resistivity and Resistance
Circuit Elements
Linear circuits
AC Circuits and Impedance
Resonant circuits
Operational Amplifiers
Semiconductor Devices
Logic and Digital
Microcontrollers
Power electronics
Learning outcomes
The goal of this paper is to provide an introductory understanding of simple, useful electronic circuits, in terms of the underlying DC and AC circuit theory using complex numbers, and the fundamentals of digital logic. Many circuits and principles are tested in the lab by the student.
| Mathematically analyse simple AC and DC circuits including the use of complex numbers | |
| Understand the fundamentals of digital logic and how to program a simple microcontroller | |
| Understand the operation of Op-amps and how to design op-amp circuits for various applications | |
| Gain a basic understanding of semiconductor physics and be able to explain the operation of diodes and transistors | |
| Understand the operation of combinatorical and sequential logic devices |
Formal University Information
The following information is from the University’s corporate web site.
Details
An introduction to key concepts in analog and digital electronics. Linear networks and filters, operational amplifiers, simple transistor circuits, logic gates, microcontrollers and digital applications.
The goal of this paper is to provide an introductory understanding of simple, useful electronic circuits, in terms of the underlying DC and AC circuit theory using complex numbers, and to implement simple functionality using a microcontroller. Many circuits and principles are tested in the lab by the student with the aid of comprehensive computer-based virtual instruments, coupled to a breadboard system that allows effective investigation and experimentation.
| Paper title | Electronics for the Sciences |
|---|---|
| Paper code | PHSI245 |
| Subject | Physics |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,141.35 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- (MATH 130 or MATH 140) or one of PHSI 131, PHSI 132, PHSI 191
- Restriction
- ELEC 253
- Recommended Preparation
- PHSI 132 or PHSI 191
- Schedule C
- Science
- Contact
- More information link
- Teaching staff
- Textbooks
- Practical Electronics for Inventors by Schertz & Monk - 3rd Edition or later.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship,
Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- After completing this paper students will be able to:
- Understand how electronic circuits and devices can provide high-speed, predictable, reliable functionality
- Mathematically analyse simple DC and AC circuits, including the use of complex numbers
- Build, debug and understand simple electronic circuits in the lab using a breadboard, electronic components, and virtual test equipment
- Present a well-structured report of the results of a laboratory investigation
- Understand how to design and program a simple microcontroller circuit to implement basic high-level functionality
