ECE3121 Engineering electromagnetics
Faculty of Engineering
ECE3121 Engineering electromagnetics is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs ENG2005 and ECE2131 and unlocks 3 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 1 other task
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECE3121
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After ECE3121
3 units list ECE3121 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
E6011 Master of Professional Engineering - You are exempt from the prerequisite rule if you are enrolled in this course.
Overview
This unit explores electrostatic, magnetostatic and electromagnetic fields, and their use to create devices and systems. It integrates complementary mathematical concepts and a numerical simulation tool to describe the fields and examine the basic laws governing the generation of fields and their interactions with materials. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how exact mathematical solutions to Maxwell's equations and the related Laplace, Poisson and continuity equations for simple problems relate to more detailed analysis of realistic systems. The unit will then extend these concepts to wave propagation in materials and transmission lines.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- In-semester assignmentsWritten60%
- Final assessmentExamination40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse mathematically the behaviour of electric and magnetic fields and how they relate to suitable applications.
- 2
Examine physical problems based on Maxwell’s equations and associated Laplace, Poisson and continuity equations using an appropriate numerical simulation tool.
- 3
Interpret the similarities and differences between solutions to problems provided by mathematical descriptions and the simulation tool.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- 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.
You will engage with an industry-standard simulation tool to analyse real-world electromagnetic problems and compare with theory.
Workshop and practical sessions will have instructor-led active learning where you will work in a team of your peers to solve problems.
Learning resources
Required resources
Text book:
Applied electromagnetics: Early transmission line approach, Stuart M Wentworth. Publisher: Wiley
Technology resources
- BYOD: You will be required to bring a laptop to class to perform simulations, and conduct take-home assignments.
- Specialist software: You will use the simulation package CST Studio Suite, which is available on the MOVE platform and through a free student version. You will be shown how to access it during the first class meeting.
Where it fits
ECE3121 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Raj Parthiban
- Dr Khong Wei Leong
- Dr Fatemeh Babaeian
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Raj Parthiban
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECE3121?
You need ENG2005 and ECE2131 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
What can I take after ECE3121?
ECE3121 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 3 units, including ECE4058, ECE4086 and ECE4122.
When is ECE3121 offered?
In 2026, ECE3121 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia.
How much work is ECE3121?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECE3121 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.
Which majors and minors include ECE3121?
ECE3121 is part of Biomedical engineering; and Electrical and computer systems engineering.