Academic management

The subject belongs to the field of Physics and a basic training module is taught in the second term of the first course. This course is taught by lecturers of the Area of Applied Physics in the Department of Physics.

It is advisable that students have taken Physics in their 2nd year of secondary school and have previous knowledge of mathematical vector calculus, trigonometry, derivation and integration of functions of a variable.

The objectives of this course are related to the following general competences:

CG4 Capacity of analysis and synthesis. Ability to collect, manage and store relevant information from the field of study in an orderly manner.

CG25 Ability to solve problems with initiative, creativity and critical thinking.

Also, the objectives relate to the following specific competences:

CG1 The ability to internalize, by way of critical understanding, the fundamental concepts of basic experimental science and incorporate critical thinking and skills inside and outside the workplace.

CG3 Abstraction ability.

CG5 Ability to communicate and transmit knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of Computer Engineering.

CG10 To understand and be understood verbally and in writing in their own language and in at least one foreign language relevant to the scientific, technological or commercial field. Ability to develop, present and defend reports, both written and oral.

CG25 Ability to solve problems with initiative, creativity and critical thinking.

CG26 Ability for self-learning, training and adaptation to new challenges, new technologies, new equipment and new working conditions.

BAS.2 Understand and master the basic concepts of the fields and general laws of waves and electromagnetism, theory of electrical circuits, electronic circuits, physical principles of semiconductors and logic families, electronic and photonic devices and  their application to solve problems in the field of engineering.

RA.SFH-1. The above skills must be specified in the following learning results:

• Understand the concept of wave and know both, its mathematical characterization and the basic wave phenomena.
• Understand the concepts and basic Laws of Electromagnetism and apply the simple electromagnetic analysis of situations in a vacuum and material media.
Abilities and skills (knowhow):
• Correction recommended physical symbols, both in terms of magnitudes and units.
• Set up and solve problems related to the fields of waves and electromagnetism
• Acquire skills related to laboratory work and treatment measures and errors in the field of physics.

Unit 1. Electrostatics.

Electric charge. Coulomb´s Law. Electric field. Electric Field Lines. Electric Potential. Electric Field for continuous charge distribution. Electric Dipoles in Electric Field. Gauss´s Law. Conductors and Insulators. Capacitors and Dielectrics. Energy stored in an Electric Field.    

Unit 2. Electric Current.

Current and Electric Current Density. Ohm's Law. Resistance. Joule effect. Generators: Electromotive force. DC circuits.

Unit 3. Magnetostatics

Magnetic Field.  Lorentz force. Hall Effect. Magnetic Force on an Electric Current. Force and Torque on a Current Loop. The Biot-Savart Law. Force between two parallel wires. The fundamental Law of Magnetostatics: Ampere’s Law.

Unit 4. Electromagnetic Fields

Electromagnetic Induction. Faraday's Law of Induction. Self-Induction and Inductance. RL Circuits. Energy  in a Magnetic Field. Maxwell's Equations.

Unit 5. Oscillations

Free Oscillations:Simple Harmonic Motion (revision). Damped oscillations. Forced Oscillations and Resonance. RL, LC and RLC Circuits. Electric Oscillations.

Unit 6. Waves: Overwiew. Mechanical Waves

Concept of Wave Motion. Differential Equations of Waves. Classifications of Waves: Definition of Transverse Waves. Definition of Longitudinal Waves. Characteristics of a Wave: Amplitude, Period, Frequency, Wavelength. Harmonic Waves. Mechanical Waves. Wave Phenomena: Reflection, Refraction, and Interference.

All activities are aimed at helping students acquire general and specific skills related to the subject.  The following table describes the training activities and competencies to be acquired by the student in each kind of activity.

In exceptional circumstances, whenever it comes required by the health conditions, the teaching methodology would include on-line and virtual activities and assignments. In this case, the students will be notified of the introduced modifications.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES

As a general rule, assessment should be continuous. Three different assessment systems and tools can be used:

1. Continuous assessment: for those who regularly attend lectures and participate in the proposed activities.

2. Non-continuous assessment/Final exam evaluation: for those who do not attend lectures regularly and /or do not participate in the proposed activities.

3. Differentiated assessment: for part-time students.  

The following table summarizes the evaluation system of the subject:

1. Continuous assessment (May Exam)

At least 75% participation in all classroom activities is required to access the continuous assessment formula. The student who does not achieve this percentage may access the final evaluation of the theoretical (80%) and practical course 20% (lab (13% + participation 7%).

Scale of grades: 10 (best), 4 is the minimum required to obtain an average mark but it is not sufficient to pass the subject. At least 4 points are required for each examination grade:  E1 (15%), E2 (15%), FE (50%), Lab L (13%), and grades awarded for classwork (P) (7%) to access continuous assessment formula (CA). 

Continuous assessment formula:  CA = E1+E2+FE+L+P

Lab. Assessment (13%) (LA). It is compulsory to attend to all lab sessions. It is compulsory to COMPLETE all the lab experiments and to hand in ALL COMPLETED lab reports.

Scale of grades: LA (1.3p) = Attendance (0.5 p) + grades awarded for participation in lab (PL) (0.4 p) + Oral presentation (0.4 p)

Lab. attendance = 0.5 p is the minimum for passing lab. If a student cannot comply with the requirements of lab assessment, they shall have the right to sit a lab exam.

FINAL mark: 5 points out of 10 is the minimum required to pass the subject (Waves and Electromagnetism).

2. Non-Continuous assessment (May and June Exam)

If students cannot comply with the requirements of continuous assessment,they may access the final evaluation of the theoretical (FE) (80%), practical course (lab) (L) (13%) and participation (P) (7%)

FINAL mark = FE +L + P

3.2 out of 8 points in the theoretical exam (FE), 0.5 out of 1.3 points in the practical course (L) and 0.2 out of 0.7 points in participation (P) are the minima required to obtain an average mark but it is not sufficient to pass the subject. The sum of those three need to be more or equal to 5 out of 10.

An extraordinary final evaluation (June exam) will be held on the theoretical (80%), practical course Lab (13%) and participation (7%) following the non-continuous assessment pattern.

3.2 out of 8 points in the theoretical exam (EFE), 0.5 out of 1.3 points in the practical course (L) and 0.2 out of 0.7 points in participation (P) are the minima required to obtain an average mark but is not sufficient to pass the subject. The sum of those three need to be more or equal to 5 out of 10.

3. Part-Time Student assessment

A differentiated assessment will be held for part-time students of the theoretical (80%) and practical course (20%). 3.2 out of 8 points in the theoretical exam (FE), is the minimum required to obtain an average mark but it is not sufficient to pass the subject.

For the evaluation of the practical sessions (20%) the attendance at certain lab sessions will be arranged.

In exceptional circumstances,whenever it comes required by the health conditions, the subject's assessment would include on-line and virtual exams and tests. In this case, the students will be notified of the introduced modifications.

Throughout the course, each lecturer will specify the recommended bibliographic material for the various thematic units of the subject. For information, then relate texts that can be recommended for some of the thematic blocks. For the development of laboratory practice, practice outlines will be made available to the student. The virtual campus will be made available to the student problem sheets and any other supplementary material.

Tipler, P. A., Mosca, G. Physics for science and technology (2 vols.) Reverté
Serway, R. A., Jewett, J. W., 2005, Physics for Science and Engineering (2 vols.) Thomson
Sears, F. W. Zemansky, M. W., Young, H. D., Freedman, R. A. University Physics (2 vols.), Pearson
Alonso, M., Finn, E. J., 1995. Physics, Addison-Wesley
Halliday, D., Resnick, R., Walker J.. Fundamentals of Physics (2 vols.) Continental Publishing Company, Mexico.