Programs and Courses

Source: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/ENGN1218 Parent: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/AACOM

• Code ENGN1218

• Unit Value 6 units

• Offered by School of Engineering

• ANU College ANU College of Systems and Society
• Course subject Engineering

• Areas of interest Mathematics, Photonics, Physics, Software Engineering, Engineering More...

• Academic career UGRD

• Course convener
• Prof Salman Durrani
• Mode of delivery In Person
• Offered in

Second Semester 2026\

See Future Offerings

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Introduction to Electronics (ENGN1218)

• Introduction
• Learning Outcomes
• Indicative Assessment
• Workload
• Inherent Requirements
• Prescribed Texts
• Preliminary Reading
• Assumed Knowledge
• Areas of Interest
• Other Information
• Majors
• Minors
• Fees
• Offerings and Dates

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of electrical and electronic engineering. It provides the students with an understanding of basic electrical quantities, circuit elements and circuit analysis techniques. It also provides an understanding of the principles and operation of diodes (which are the basis of the ubiquitous DC power supply circuit) and operational amplifiers (which provide the easiest method to build an amplifier circuit). Specific topics include:

• Introduction to Electronics: Fundamental electrical quantities (charge, current, voltage) and circuit elements (resistor, capacitor, inductor, voltage and current sources).
• Circuit Analysis Techniques: Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws, Mesh current and Node voltage analysis, Thevenin and Norton Equivalent circuits, Superposition, Maximum power transfer, Wheatstone bridge.
• First-order RC and RL Circuits with DC inputs: Time constant, Transient and steady state responses.
• Diodes: Semiconductor materials, basic diode concepts and diode circuit modes, applications (rectifier and wave shaping circuits), Zener diodes, regulated DC power supply circuit.
• Introduction to Operational Amplifiers: Ideal op-amp, Basic Op-amp configurations, Summing point constraint. Basic amplifier circuits.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the basic circuit elements and calculate current, voltage and power for each element.
2. Apply circuit analysis techniques (Kirchoff's laws, mesh current method, node voltage method, Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits, maximum power transfer) to systematically solve electrical circuits.
3. Analyse first-order switching circuits (RL and RC) and ideal op-amp amplifier circuits.
4. Design a regulated DC power supply and construct it using prototyping boards.
5. Explain in simple terms the electrical properties and circuit behaviour of resistor, capacitor, inductor, semiconductor devices (such as diode and zener diode) and ideal op-amp.
6. Assemble circuits and take measurement of circuit variables using appropriate lab tools (such as oscilloscope, function generator, digital multi-meter, power supply and MOKUs). Simulate circuits using PSPICE. Calculate results using scientific calculator in a knowledgeable and confident manner.
7. Collaborate for the purpose of taking measurements in a lab environment and lab report preparation.

Other Information

1. This course follows the textbook very closely and makes heavy use of the associated Mastering Engineering for Electric Circuits. While additional resources (including weekly problems, handouts and solved examples) will be provided during the semester to supplement the textbook, there is no substitute to reading the material from the textbook. Hence, all students must purchase the textbook (hardcopy or electronic) for their learning.
2. To pass this course, students need to attend and complete at least 8 out of the 9 Labs, including HLab5.

Indicative Assessment

1. Mastering on-line assignments (8 assignments) (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
2. Laboratories (2 computer labs, 7 hardware labs) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
3. Mid-sem Exam (20) [LO 1,2,5]
4. Final Exam (40) [LO 2,3,4,5]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

• A nominal workload of approximately 13 hours/week including the following: 2 x 2hr lectures/week, 10 x 10-20min online lectures, 9 x 3hr laboratories, 8 x online Mastering tutorials (2-6 hours each) and 11 weekly problems (1-3 hours each).
• Weekly average contact hours will be 7 hours (2 x 2 hour lectures and a 3 hour laboratory).
• Expected non-contact (self) study hours are 1-6 hours/week.

Inherent Requirements

Not applicable

Prescribed Texts

Nilsson and Riedel, Electric Circuits, 11th (Global) edition, Pearson, 2019.

Preliminary Reading

1. J. D. Irwin & R. M. Nelms, Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis. http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b1959816
2. Allan R. Hambly, Electrical Engineering Principles and Applications, 7th edition (Textbook for ENGN2218). https://library.anu.edu.au/record=b4927364
3. R. C. Dorf and J. A. Svoboda, Introduction to Electric Circuits. http://library.anu.edu.au/record=b2069408

Assumed Knowledge

• Students are assumed to have achieved a level of knowledge of mathematics comparable to at least ACT Mathematics Methods or NSW Mathematics or equivalent.
• Specifically, students need to be able to (i) solve systems of linear equations using Cramer's rule or scientific/programmable calculator, (ii) apply integration and differentiation to exponential and sinusoidal functions of time, and (iii) solve first order differential equations.

Areas of Interest

• Mathematics
• Photonics
• Physics
• Software Engineering
• Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Electronics
• Communications
• Robotics
• Renewable Energy
• Computer Engineering

Majors

• Mechatronic Systems

Minors

• Engineering Science

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.

Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students\ If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. 

Student Contribution Band: : 2

Unit value: : 6 units

If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) placeor international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Course fees

Domestic International

Domestic fee paying students

International fee paying students

Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only. \

Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

2026

2027

Second Semester

Second Semester