Duration
26h Th, 26h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course introduces the fundamental principles, theorems, and systematic techniques of electric circuit analysis. An electric circuit is an interconnected system of physical electrical components. Its fields of application span the entire spectrum of electrical and electronic engineering: microelectronics and integrated circuits, communication and broadcast devices, electronic instrumentation, and large-scale electric power transmission and distribution grids.
As in many engineering disciplines, circuit analysis relies on abstraction and mathematical modeling: a physical system is represented by an interconnection of idealized elements whose terminal characteristics and physical limitations are precisely defined. This course introduces these idealized components, details their constitutive equations, and develops rigorous methods for analyzing the resulting networks.
The pedagogical progression is organized systematically: concepts and techniques are first introduced in the context of direct-current (DC) resistive circuits. They are subsequently extended to transient dynamics, steady-state alternating-current (AC) sinusoidal regimes, and circuits subjected to arbitrary time-varying signals.
The course covers the following topics:
- Fundamental concepts and quantities: Charge, voltage, current, power, energy, elementary circuit components (ideal and real sources, resistors), and Kirchhoff's laws (KCL, KVL).
- Transient analysis: Natural, step, and complete responses of first-order (RC, RL) and second-order (RLC) linear circuits.
- Sinusoidal steady-state analysis: Phasor transform, complex impedance and admittance, active, reactive, apparent, and complex power, resonance, selective filter circuits, and balanced three-phase systems.
- Fundamental network theorems: Tellegen's theorem, the superposition principle, substitution theorem, Thévenin and Norton equivalent circuits, and maximum power transfer.
- Operational amplifiers: Ideal op-amp model, linear feedback circuits, and active filters.
- Systematic analysis methods: Node-voltage method (nodal analysis) and mesh-current method (loop analysis).
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, students will master the fundamental theoretical concepts and analytical methods of electric circuit theory.
Specifically, students will be able to:
- Formulate and solve the mathematical equations describing the complete electrical state of a circuit in DC, transient, or AC sinusoidal steady state.
- Establish comprehensive power and energy balances for any linear circuit.
- Compare alternative circuit analysis methods (Kirchhoff's laws, nodal analysis, mesh analysis, Thévenin/Norton equivalents) and select the most efficient technique for a given problem.
- Model and characterize frequency response, resonance, and filtering properties of passive and active circuits.
- Analyze balanced three-phase systems using the single-phase equivalent circuit.
- Exercise critical judgment by rigorously validating numerical solutions through dimensional analysis, unit consistency, and order-of-magnitude estimates.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
- Physics: Foundational principles of electricity and electromagnetism (Physics 2 of the first year of the engineering bachelor program).
- Mathematics: Strong proficiency in complex algebra, differential and integral calculus, and linear ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course combines lectures and guided tutorial sessions:
- Lectures & Interactive Learning: A portion of the theoretical lectures and problem-solving demonstrations is available as instructional videos on eCampus. This flipped/blended component frees up classroom time for interactive discussions, practical hardware demonstrations, and formative live polling (Wooclap).
- Tutorials (Exercise Sessions): Supervised problem-solving sessions focus on typical engineering exercises. Different solving methods are compared to highlight their respective advantages and computational efficiency.
- Autonomous Practice: Regular, independent practice using the exercises provided in the reference textbook is essential for developing analytical autonomy and problem-solving speed.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Lectures and exercise sessions are conducted in person. Supplementary video capsules, slide decks, exercise materials, and discussion forums are accessible through eCampus and the course web repository.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Primary Textbook (Required, Free & Open-Access): The course textbook is freely available in PDF format on Github. Contributions, corrections, and additions are welcome via GitHub pull requests or issues.
Printed Edition: A printed copy of the textbook is available at the student union book service (Centrale des cours de l'AEES) at the start of the semester.
Digital Resources on eCampus: Video lectures, lecture slides, interactive Q&A forums for theory and exercises, and formative self-assessment quizzes.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Out-of-session test(s)
Further information:
Official Examination Types
- In-session examination: Written examination (multiple-choice questions and open-ended analytical problems).
- In-semester assessment: Two out-of-session written tests.
1. Optional In-Semester Tests (Continuous Assessment) Two written tests are organized during the semester during tutorial hours, covering the exercises completed in recent sessions.
- These tests are optional, but contribute 40% toward the final first-session grade, provided that:
- The student took both tests (except in cases of documented medical absence);
- The average mark obtained in these tests is favorable (i.e., it exceeds the score achieved on Part 2 "Problems" of the June exam).
- Part 1 - Theory (35% weighting): Duration: 1h15. Covers theoretical concepts, circuit properties, and proofs. Includes long-form questions, short-answer questions, and multiple-choice questions. Calculators and notes are forbidden.
- Part 2 - Problems (65% or 25% weighting): Duration: 2h30. Consists of quantitative circuit analysis problems similar to those covered in tutorial sessions. Calculators are required. Closed-book exam, except for a formula sheet (one double-sided A4 sheet provided by the evaluator).
- If in-semester tests are taken and favorable: 35% Theory + 25% Problems + 40% In-Semester Tests.
- If tests were not taken or are unfavorable: 35% Theory + 65% Problems.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is scheduled in the second semester (Q2), spanning one half-day per week: a 2-hour theoretical lecture followed immediately by a 2-hour problem-solving tutorial.
Contacts
- Lecturer: Prof. Bertrand Cornélusse
- Students may ask questions directly after lectures and tutorials, via the dedicated eCampus discussion forums, or by email to schedule an in-person or online appointment.