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UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

ECE2131 Electrical circuits

Faculty of Engineering

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ECE2131 Electrical circuits is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs ENG1005 and (ENG1002 or ENG1013) and unlocks 12 units, leading on to 18 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2025
Semester 1
Clayton, Malaysia
Assessment
Exam 40%
and 5 other tasks
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before ECE2131

Prerequisites

Pass these before you enrol.

All of
One of

After ECE2131

12 units list ECE2131 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Show 4 more

Enrolment rules

Students enrolled in the E6011 Master of Professional Engineering are exempt from the prerequisite rule.

Overview

This unit provides foundation knowledge for analogue circuit analysis and design. The fundamentals of linear electronic circuit analysis and design will be introduced alongside the development of skills in using industry-standard prototyping and measurement tools for these tasks. The topics covered in this course include DC and sinusoidal steady-state analysis, transient analysis, equivalent circuits, phasors and complex impedances, feedback concepts, and solid-state electronics, such as diodes, transistors and operational amplifiers.

The unit will provide a grounding in circuit theory leading to solutions of electrical networks with node and mesh analysis, equivalent sources and circuits, and simulation. AC analysis with phasors, first and second-order transient responses will be included.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonFlexible
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • Learning competenciesDemonstrationCompetency hurdle
    -
  • Mid-semester testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle
    10%
  • AssignmentsExerciseThreshold hurdle
    20%
  • Workshop-related activitiesExerciseThreshold hurdle
    5%
  • Project activitiesProjectThreshold hurdle
    25%
  • Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle
    40%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Derive the governing equations in transient and steady-state operation of linear electrical circuits, using a range of standard techniques in the time and frequency domain.

  2. 2

    Analyse circuits containing amplifiers, diodes, and transistors using simple models.

  3. 3

    Describe the impact of real-world phenomena on the non-ideal operation of the active components modelled.

  4. 4

    Determine the relative accuracy of different approaches to analysing a circuit, such as industry-standard simulation tools, real-world measurements, and hand calculations.

  5. 5

    Select appropriate circuit topologies for analogue functions abstracted as functional circuit blocks, and the appropriate component values required to meet real world performance specifications.

Workload and teaching

  • Workshops24 hours
  • Applied sessions36 hours
  • Applied sessions12 hours
  • Practical activities18 hours
  • Teaching approachOnline learning
  • Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
  • Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
  • Teaching approachActive learning

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Independent study using video, written and online quiz-based resources.

The assignments use a variety of tools for virtual practice of circuit test and measurement. The projects provide a virtual practice environment for problem-solving in circuit design.

In a team of four student engineers, you will work on a project over the course of the semester. You will also work within informal teams in the workshops.

You will work through theory-based, software-based and hardware-based examples during the workshops.

Learning resources

Required resources

  • ElecLab Toolkit - Information regarding how to acquire one on your campus is available on this webpage.
  • BYOD for workshops

Technology resources

  • LTspice
  • Scopy

Where it fits

ECE2131 is part of 9 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Associate Professor Bill Corcoran
Dr Patrick Ho
Dr Tian Goh
Dr Gayathri Kongara
Chief Examiners
Associate Professor Bill Corcoran

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for ECE2131?

You need ENG1005 and (ENG1002 or ENG1013) before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.

What can I take after ECE2131?

ECE2131 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 12 units, including ECE3051, ECE3122, ECE3161, ECE4053, ECE4055 and ECE4063. Those lead on to 18 units in all.

When is ECE2131 offered?

In 2025, ECE2131 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.

How much work is ECE2131?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does ECE2131 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 5 other tasks.

Which majors and minors include ECE2131?

ECE2131 is part of Biomedical engineering; Chemical engineering; Electrical and computer systems engineering; Electric vehicle technology; and Mechanical engineering, and 4 other areas of study.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Organisational unit
Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available
Handbook years
20202021202220232024202520262027