Course Overview
This course covers the theory of electromagnetism, including field concepts, Maxwell's equations free space and guided wave propagation, transmission lines and radiation from simple structures. Application examples in high-speed circuit board design, ionosphere modeling, and antenna theory are included. Computer simulations are used to help students visualize the concepts presented in the course.
Prerequisite(s)
- 50% in ELEX 7120
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Domestic fees
$771.64
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Solve electromagnetism problems using scalars and vectors.
- Calculate line, surface and volume integrals.
- Use rectangular, cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems.
- Use Coulomb's law, electric field and potential, and electric flux density and displacement to solve problems.
- Calculate capacitance, resistance and power.
- Calculate magnetic fields due to electric currents.
- Use the motor and generator equations to build working models.
- Solve problems using curl.
- Derive and explain Maxwell's equations.
- Explain and apply Coulomb's, Ohm's, Joules's, Ampere's, Faraday's, Lenz's, and Gauss's laws.
- Derive equations for the characteristic impedance and propagation constant for transmission lines.
- Carry out measurements of wavelength and impedance.
- Perform impedance matching.
- Apply field theory for propagation in a transmission line.
- Understand and apply transmission line impedance formulae for energy, power, reflection coefficient and VSWR.
- Derive impedance transformation formula for a transmission line.
- Derive the Poynting vector formula.
- Carry out single and double stub impedance matching using Smith chart.
- Understand transients on transmission lines and draw a bounce diagram.
- Understand space wave propagation, attenuation, polarization, reflection and refraction.
- Make measurements at 10 GHz of plane wave propagation, reflection and refraction.
- Explain dielectric hysteresis and dielectric loss.
- Calculate skin depth.
- Describe the difference between linear, circular, and elliptical polarizations.
- Use Fresnel's equations for perpendicular and parallel polarizations at oblique incidence.
- Describe basic antenna parameters including retarded potential.
- Draw radiation pattern for a dipole.
- Derive Friis's formula.
- Calculate signal to noise ratio for a radio link.
- Plot radiation pattern of antennae.
- Describe critical angle, and theory of fibre optics.
- Make measurements using optical fibres.
- Calculate electromagnetic effects in high-speed digital systems.
- Calculate signal to noise ratio for a radio link.
Effective as of Winter 2007
Related Programs
Electromagnetism (ELEX 7230) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Energy
- Electronics
Bachelor of Technology Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of ELEX 7230 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 33608
Dates
Sep 08 - Dec 08 Loading
- CRN 33608
- $771.64 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
Duration
14 weeks
Instructor
Maryam Dehghani Estarki
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- This course will be delivered 100% in-person at the BCIT Burnaby campus. Please check the Learning Hub-D2L two days after registration. 18 hours of lab work and 15 hours of CAD tutorial work will be scheduled outside of regular class hours, on Saturdays. The specific Saturdays and times for the lab will be discussed and confirmed on the first day of class, and may vary throughout the course. Registrants who are not BTech Electronics students must have program head approval.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.