Module Specifications.
Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025
All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).
As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Date posted: September 2024
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Description This module involves hands-on, discovery-learning based tasks to develop foundational knowledge and skills in relation to the underpinning concepts of electricity and electronics. This active learning approach is supplemented by lecture-based theoretical content throughout. The student will be supported throughout the module within a supervised lab-based learning environment, with the aim of developing their confidence, motivations and abilities to undertake self-directed learning activities. This module will prepare the students to take more advanced electronic engineering modules with the necessary fundamentals. Technological products and systems will be explored to investigate how rather than why individual components and subsequent modules interface with other components/modules to perform a specific electronic function. The module will prepare students to develop a detailed understanding of the concepts associated with a number of control systems used in second level technology classrooms to create innovative solutions to technological design tasks. An emphasis will be placed on the associated health and safety consideration for working with electricity, electronic equipment and associated devices. Electronics Tutorial: The electronic technology theory and concepts of the module will be delivered in a tutorial based session, where the relevant concepts and theories will be further explored through practical demonstrations and experiment based activities. In these tutorial sessions, theory content will be delivered through direct instruction methods and subsequently supported by the subject specialist lecturer responsible for the module, who will ensure that the relevant laws of electronics and theoretical constructs are demonstrated through practical applications. Students will be given the opportunity and encouraged to safely engage with resources and devices that will motivate and consolidate their learning. Electronics Practical Lab: Weekly contact time will also include practical electronics lab based sessions, where students will be given problems to consider and solve independently and as part of a team. This will encourage students to apply their learning from the tutorial sessions and question and support each other to come up with solutions to electronics based problem scenarios. This will lead to the students completing a project that will require them to design, assemble and implement an electronic system that will contain fundamental circuit technology and must include introductory sensor technology. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Read electronic circuit diagrams and recognise and technically describe the main features of fundamental electronic circuits (e.g. voltage dividers, wheatstone bridge, amplifier circuits, sensing circuits). 2. Apply the associated laws of electronics to manipulate voltages, currents and resistances in electronic circuits. 3. Describe direct and alternating current and outline the safety considerations, theory and functions of rectifiers and transformers. 4. Investigate and describe the Sensing-Logic-Actuation cycle for a range of innovative electronic devices. 5. Design and safely create electronic sensor circuits to suitably power and/or control a range of electronic devices to fulfil the requirements of technological design tasks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Indicative ContentThe module content includes: The International Standards Units for Electronics; An introduction to electricity and electrical concepts e.g. Coulombs, Amperes, Watts and Joules; Basic theory of electrical circuits; an introduction to the concepts of voltage, current and resistance and the relationship between these electronic quantities i.e. Ohm's law; Fundamentals of DC circuit analysis (e.g. Kirchoff’s laws); Series and Parallel circuits; An introduction to diodes, transistors, capacitors and inductors; Sensing-Logic-Actuation Cycle of Autonomous Electronic Devices; Fundamental electronic circuits - voltage dividers, Wheatstone bridge, op-amp circuits, sensing circuits. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources 58994, Website, 0, https://www.makerspaces.com/basic-electronics/, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||