Syllabus#
Course#
ECE 343 — Intro to Electromagnetics Spring 2027
Instructors#
Instructor |
Office |
|
|---|---|---|
Maj Ellis (Course Director) |
to follow |
to follow |
Dr. Neil Rogers |
— |
Office hours are by appointment. Book EI with either instructor directly.
Meeting time & location#
See the USAFA class schedule for periods and room assignments.
Course description#
At its core, electromagnetics is the study of wave propagation. How do electromagnetic waves differ from the classical understanding of circuits? If they are different, how do we deal with that and use it to our advantage? How does this understanding enable key parts of modern life? Electromagnetics is a crucial part of any electrical engineer’s toolset. In this course we explore wave propagation to answer these questions and more.
Course goal#
Cadets develop the ability to analyze and understand electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic-wave propagation, and their roles in modern electronic systems.
Course objectives#
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Solve transmission-line problems using your knowledge of electromagnetics, including impedance matching techniques, circuit parameters, and the Smith chart.
Explain the meaning of Maxwell’s equations, in both static and dynamic situations, and apply them to the study of electromagnetics.
Set up and solve electromagnetic propagation problems.
Prerequisites#
Physics 215: Coulomb’s, Faraday’s, Ampere’s, and Gauss’s laws.
ECE 346: divergence, gradient, and curl, including the divergence theorem and Stokes’ theorem; partial differential equations (specifically separation of variables).
Learning objectives#
The course is organized around specific, testable learning objectives (LOs), numbered by chapter of the course text. Each LO is assessed at least once, and each assessment is scored Mastered or Not Yet Mastered.
Module 1: Foundations#
Chapter 1: Introduction
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
1.1 |
I can articulate what I will learn and how I will be assessed in this course. |
1.2 |
I can articulate practical applications of electromagnetics. |
Chapter 2: Fields
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
2.1 |
I can recall the definition of scalar fields, vector fields, phasors, and Euler’s identity. |
2.2 |
I can explain the basic terms and quantities used to describe electromagnetic fields. |
Chapter 3: Transmission Lines
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
3.1 |
I can describe the origin of the transmission line equation, understand the method of developing a solution, and interpret the solution. |
3.2 |
I can explain the physical meaning of and calculate the following quantities: propagation constant, phase constant, attenuation constant, characteristic impedance, VSWR, reflection coefficient, and transmission coefficient. |
3.3 |
I can use the transmission line equation to calculate the voltage/current at an arbitrary point on a specified transmission line. |
3.4 |
I can use the transmission line equation to match a load to a source using a length of transmission line. |
3.5 |
I can identify the various quantities represented on the Smith Chart. |
3.6 |
I can use a Smith Chart to design a matching network for a given source and load, using series components, parallel components, shorted stubs, and open stubs. |
3.7 |
I can plot the transient response of a load connected to a source through a transmission line. |
3.8 |
I can measure the reflection coefficient across a range of frequencies and interpret the measurement using a network analyzer. |
Module 2: Electrostatics#
Chapter 4: Vector Analysis
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
4.1 |
I can recognize and apply common vector calculus operations, such as: gradient, divergence, curl, and Laplacian in the three major coordinate systems. |
4.2 |
I can calculate surface and volume integrals in rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems. |
4.3 |
I can differentiate between Stokes’ Theorem and the Divergence Theorem and apply them to various problems to simplify integrals. |
Chapter 5: Electrostatics
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
5.1 |
I can apply Coulomb’s Law to use direct integration to calculate the electric field due to charge density in various geometries, including rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems. |
5.2 |
I can apply the integral and differential forms of Gauss’s Law to calculate the electric field due to charge density in various geometries, including rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems. |
5.3 |
I can calculate the electric field from the scalar electric potential in a variety of geometries. |
5.4 |
I can apply the electric field boundary conditions to calculate electric fields on both sides of a material boundary. |
Module 3: Magnetostatics#
Chapter 6: Steady Current and Conductivity
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
6.1 |
I can calculate the total current through a surface area given a current distribution. |
6.2 |
I can use Ohm’s Law for electromagnetics to calculate the relationship between a current distribution and an electric field. |
6.3 |
I can articulate and identify what makes a material a good conductor and how conductivity relates to resistance. |
Chapter 7: Magnetostatics
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
7.1 |
I can use the Biot-Savart law to simple magnetostatic systems to find the magnetic field at an observation point. |
7.2 |
I can articulate the meaning of both the integral form and point form of Gauss’s Law for magnetism. |
7.3 |
I can use Ampere’s Law to calculate the magnetic field at an observation point for simple magnetostatic systems. |
7.4 |
I can apply the magnetic field boundary conditions to calculate magnetic fields on both sides of a material boundary. |
Module 4: Dynamic Fields#
Chapter 8: Dynamic Fields
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
8.1 |
I can articulate the significance of the displacement current and calculate it, given a time-varying electric field. |
8.2 |
I can articulate the meaning of and calculate the relaxation time for a variety of materials. |
8.3 |
I know the forms of Maxwell’s equations for time-varying fields and use them to calculate electric and magnetic fields for a variety of physical systems. |
Chapter 9: Plane Waves
LO |
Description |
|---|---|
9.1 |
I understand the process of decoupling and finding solutions for Maxwell’s equations for dynamic fields. |
9.2 |
I can articulate what a Uniform Plane Wave (UPW) is and describe key properties that relate the electric and magnetic field. |
9.3 |
I can calculate the electric and magnetic fields for a UPW. |
9.4 |
I can articulate the concept of polarization and determine the polarization for various UPWs. |
9.5 |
I can determine the reflection and transmission of UPW at a boundary for Transverse Electric (TE) and Transverse Magnetic (TM) waves, using boundary conditions. |
Grading#
Grades in this course are based on your mastery of the learning objectives, your engagement with the course material, and traditional exams (the graded reviews and the final exam).
Final grade#
Component |
Weight |
Evaluation method |
|---|---|---|
LO assessments |
40% |
Percent of course LOs mastered |
Graded reviews (GR 1 and GR 2) |
20% |
Specification scale of 0, 0.5, or 1 per problem |
Final exam |
25% |
Specification scale of 0, 0.5, or 1 per problem |
Engagement |
15% |
Practice problems, EI, and an optional research paper |
Progress (midterm) grade#
The progress grade reported at the midpoint is computed from what you have done by then. The final exam has not happened yet, so it carries no weight:
Component |
Weight in the progress grade |
|---|---|
LO assessments |
50% |
Graded review |
25% |
Engagement |
25% |
The progress grade is a report, not a component of the final grade.
LO assessments#
An assessment is given for each learning objective and graded on a binary scale. A 1 means you have mastered the objective; a 0 means you have not mastered it yet. A 0 comes with detailed feedback, and you may revise your work based on that feedback, unless no effort is evident (the assessment is blank, incomplete, or significantly late), in which case no retake is allowed. A retake may also be earned by giving a five-minute technical presentation in class on a relevant topic.
Graded reviews and the final exam#
The GRs and the final exam are individual efforts. Each GR is taken out of class. The final exam is taken during the assigned period in finals week. Both are graded on a specification scale of 0, 0.5, or 1 for each problem.
Engagement credits (EC)#
You may earn engagement points by engaging with the course content in these ways:
Practice problems. Graded for a genuine, documented attempt, not for correctness.
Attending Extra Instruction (EI). Book time with an instructor and come with specific questions.
Research paper. Up to 5 engagement points for a research paper on a relevant, pre-approved topic. It must be in IEEE format, contain at least 3 scholarly references, and meet the submission standards in this syllabus.
Grade scale#
| A | A− | B+ | B | B− | C+ | C | C− | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 93% | 90% | 87% | 83% | 80% | 77% | 73% | 70% | ≤ 60% |
Course policies#
Instructor philosophy#
You have chosen one of the most difficult majors at USAFA, and we applaud your commitment. Our role in your journey is to enable your success. We intend to do that by creating an inclusive environment and putting in the work with you. If you work hard and communicate with us, we will do everything in our power to make sure you succeed.
Have questions? Ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question. Have concerns, especially about your learning environment? Let’s talk.
1. Absences#
Communicate with your instructor beforehand in the event of an absence. If you will miss any graded event due to a scheduled absence (SCA, sport team trip, scheduled medical procedure), a makeup plan should be in place before the absence occurs. In the event of bedrest, notify your instructor by email as soon as possible after receiving approval.
2. Academic honor#
Your honor is extremely important. The course’s academic security policies are designed to help you succeed in meeting academic requirements while practicing the honorable behavior our country rightfully demands of its military. Do not compromise your integrity by violating academic security or by taking unfair advantage of your classmates.
3. Assignment availability & late work#
All work is available through Teams, the course website, and/or Gradescope. A 24-hour grace period is generally observed, after which 25% of available points is deducted for each calendar day the graded assignment is late. Part or all of this penalty may be waived for legitimate, pre-coordinated extenuating circumstances.
5. Collaboration#
Collaboration (not copying) on practice problems is highly encouraged. A good litmus test: you must be able to explain every step of your submitted work. If you can’t, it’s copying, not collaboration. All help received on graded work must be documented per the documentation policy below.
GRs, the final exam, and LO assessments are individual work. Do not work with or get help from anyone else, and use only the authorized resources.
6. Documentation#
In accordance with the Dean’s policy for documentation, all ECE assignments must have a documentation statement, clearly identified with the word “Documentation.” If you did not collaborate, write “Documentation: None.” Assignments without a documentation statement are incomplete and may be returned for completion; a 1-day-late penalty (up to 25%) may be assessed in lieu of returning the assignment.
7. Extra Instruction (EI)#
EI is one of the best and easiest ways to succeed in this class, and it counts toward engagement. Walk-in EI is not generally available; book with your instructor directly.
8. Generative AI#
We are pro-AI; however, we expect you to use generative AI platforms (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, etc.) as a tool, not as a replacement for your own learning. These tools frequently produce incorrect solutions to the field and transmission-line problems in this course, and often suggest approaches that don’t match our objectives. If you use generative AI on any assignment, include a documentation statement as outlined in the Documentation policy.
Course schedule#
The nominal schedule, as the course ran in Spring 2025. Each lesson links to its page; readings are from Ellingson, Electromagnetics, Vol. 1, unless marked Vol. 2. Dates will follow the Spring 2027 academic calendar.
Module 1: Foundations#
Lesson |
Topic |
Reading |
Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|
L1 |
Ch. 1 |
1.1, 1.2 |
|
L2 |
Ch. 2 |
2.1, 2.2 |
|
L3 |
3.1–3.4 |
3.1 |
|
L4 |
3.5–3.6 |
3.1 |
|
L5 |
3.7–3.9 |
3.2 |
|
L6 |
3.10, 3.12–3.14 |
3.2, 3.3 |
|
L7 |
3.15, 3.17–3.19 |
3.3, 3.4 |
|
L8 |
3.21–3.23 |
3.4 |
|
L9 |
3.21–3.23 |
3.4 |
|
L10 |
Supplemental |
3.5 |
|
L11 |
Supplemental |
3.5, 3.6 |
|
L12 |
Supplemental |
3.6 |
|
L13 |
Supplemental |
3.6 |
|
L14 |
Supplemental |
3.7 |
|
L15 |
Lab packet |
3.8 |
|
L16 |
Lab packet |
3.8 |
Module 2: Electrostatics#
Lesson |
Topic |
Reading |
Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|
L17 |
Vector and Coordinate System Review · GR 1 due |
Ch. 4 |
4.1–4.3 |
L18 |
5.1–5.4 |
5.1 |
|
L19 |
5.4 |
5.1 |
|
L20 |
5.5–5.6 |
5.2 |
|
L21 |
5.7–5.8 |
5.2 |
|
L22 |
5.9–5.10, 5.15 |
5.3 |
|
L23 |
5.16 |
5.3 |
|
L24 |
5.18–5.22 |
5.4 |
|
L25 |
5.23–5.24 |
5.4 |
|
L26 |
Lab packet |
5.1–5.4 |
Module 3: Magnetostatics#
Lesson |
Topic |
Reading |
Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|
L27 |
Ch. 6 |
6.1–6.3 |
|
L28 |
7.1–7.3 |
7.1, 7.2 |
|
L29 |
7.4–7.5, 7.9 |
7.3 |
|
L30 |
7.6–7.8 |
7.3 |
|
L31 |
7.10–7.14 |
7.4 |
|
L32 |
Lab packet |
7.1–7.4 |
Module 4: Dynamic Fields#
Lesson |
Topic |
Reading |
Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|
L33 |
8.3, 8.8, 8.9 |
8.1, 8.2 |
|
L34 |
8.3, 8.8, 8.9 |
8.3 |
|
L35 |
9.1–9.2 |
9.1 |
|
L36 |
9.1–9.2 |
9.1 |
|
L37 |
9.4–9.6 |
9.2–9.4 |
|
L38 |
Vol. 2, 5.6–5.7 |
9.5 |
|
L39 |
Vol. 2, 5.6–5.7 |
9.5 |
|
L40 |
Vol. 2, 5.6–5.7 |
9.5 |
|
L41 |
Lab packet |
9.5 |
The final exam is given during the assigned period in finals week.
Textbooks & materials#
See the materials page.