University of Macau
ELEC111 – Electricity and Life
Spring Semester 2012/13
Course Code: ELEC111
Course Title: Electricity and Life
Instructors:
Class 001: Prof. Welsy Choi, Office: BI-A702, Tel: 8397-8468,
Email: welsyc@umac.mo
Class 002: Mr. T. Lam, Office: BI-B503, Tel: 8397-4580,
Email: tlam@umac.mo
Course Description:
This course is about the study of physical science for non-engineering students with
emphasis on basic electricity related topics. The focus of the course is not only the
elementary physics of electricity; but also enlightening applications in Energy,
Telecommunication and Health of electricity of the human life. Some site visits and
experimental demonstrations are also arranged to provide hand-one experiences and
insights for the students on the relative topics.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Identify the physical properties and summarize the phenomenon of the electricity
2. Give examples to the applications of the electricity in Energy,
Telecommunication and Health
3. Illustrate the linkage between applications of electricity and society
4. Read the popular scientific materials about the topics of electricity
5. Comprehend the scientific principle of various applications in modern society
based on the basic properties of electricity
6. Handle and well organized the collecting information
Texts and References:
 Electricty and Electronics Technology, Student Text, 7th ed. By Peter Buban,
Marshall L Schmitt and Charies G Carter, McGraw-Hill, 1999, *
 Schaums’ Outline of Basic Electricity, 2nd ed. (Schaum’s Outline Series), by
Milton Gussow, McGraw-Hill, 2007.
 Electric Universe: How Electricity Switched on the Modern World, by David
Bodanis, Three Rivers Press, 2005.
 Electromagnetic Fields: A Consumer’s Guide to the Issues and How to
Protect Ourselves, by B. Blake Levitt, iUniverse, Inc. 1995.
Course Content:
1. Introduction to Physical Science
2. Discovery of Electricity: History and application reviews; Hand-on
experience
3. Relations of Electricity, Electromagnetic Wave and Light: Discovery of
electromagnetic wave and its relationship to electromagnetism; Photoelectric
effect; Spectrum, frequency, wavelength
4. Basics of Electric Circuits: Power utilization; Power generation, delivery and
safety; Energy efficiency and saving in our daily life; Renewable energy and
sources
5. Energy in Daily Life: What is communication all about? Introduction to
conventional and modern and digital radio and TV broadcasting; Introducation
to mobile communication
6. Communications for Modern Society
7. Emerging Technology of Electricity
8. Electromagnetic Wave and Human Health
9. Visit and Experiment Demonstrations
10. Student Presentation on Specific Topic and Exam
Marking Scheme:
Assignments and exercises
Test/Mid-term
Projects and class presentation/participation:
Class participation
Projects and class presentations
Total:
30%
30%
10%
30%
100%