Electromagnetic Fields & Waves

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Elif Kaya (Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering)
• Email: ekaya@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Rowan Engineering Center 216
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Thursday: 1:00–2:30 p.m. (In person, Rowan Engineering Center 216)
  • Friday: 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Static electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell's equations, plane waves, transmission lines, waveguides, and antennas. EE 320 provides a comprehensive introduction to classical electrodynamics and high-frequency wave phenomena essential for RF, microwave, and wireless communications engineering. Beginning with vector calculus formulations of static electric and magnetic fields in dielectric and magnetic media, the course builds to Maxwell's time-varying equations and electromagnetic boundary conditions. Students analyze uniform plane wave propagation, reflection, refraction, transmission line dynamics using the Smith chart, and fundamental concepts of waveguides and antennas.

Prerequisites

PHYS 122 and MATH 240.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of EE 320, students will be able to:

1. Evaluate Static Fields and Potentials: Apply Coulomb's, Gauss's, Biot-Savart, and Ampère's laws in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates to calculate static electric and magnetic fields, potentials, and stored energy.
2. Formulate Maxwell's Equations: Express Maxwell's equations in differential and integral forms, incorporating displacement current and Faraday's law, and apply electromagnetic boundary conditions across material interfaces.
3. Analyze Plane Wave Propagation: Calculate propagation constant, attenuation, phase velocity, intrinsic impedance, and Poynting power flow for uniform plane waves traversing lossless, lossy, and conducting media.
4. Solve Transmission Line Problems: Model distributed transmission lines, calculate characteristic impedance, standing wave ratios (SWR), and input impedance, and design stub matching networks using the Smith chart.
5. Characterize Waveguides and Antennas: Determine cutoff frequencies and propagation modes (TE and TM) in rectangular metallic waveguides, and compute radiation resistance, directivity, and gain for fundamental antennas.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Ulaby, Fawwaz T., and Umberto Ravaioli. Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics. 8th ed., Pearson, 2020. Approx. $75 digital rental ($180 purchase; reserve copies available in Alkimi Library).
2. MATLAB PDE Toolbox and Python Electromagnetics Visualization Modules. Free educational access provided through university site licensing.
3. Total estimated cost: Approx. $0 (library reserve & campus tools) to $75 (textbook rental).

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), EE 320 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: Students may use AI tools to generate MATLAB or Python code for visualizing 3D electrostatic and magnetic vector fields, plotting radiation patterns, and automating transmission line Smith chart calculations.
• What is prohibited: AI models must not be used to perform analytical vector calculus proofs, derive boundary condition equations, solve Poisson's equations, or complete graded problem sets without independent derivation. No AI or network-enabled devices are allowed during examinations.
• Disclosure: Any computational code, field plots, or automated impedance matching scripts submitted as part of the computational electromagnetics project must include a declaration identifying the AI assistant consulted, the prompt supplied, and the physical analytical checks performed.

Grading Components and Weights

• Weekly Problem Sets: 15% (Due Wednesdays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas (weeks 2–14; lowest dropped))
• Biweekly Vector & Field Quizzes: 10% (Administered in class on alternate Thursdays (weeks 3, 5, 9, 13; lowest dropped))
• Midterm Exam 1 (Electrostatics & Magnetostatics): 20% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Exam 2 (Maxwell's Equations & Plane Waves): 20% (In class, Thursday, November 5)
• Computational Electromagnetics & Wave Matching Project: 10% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 25% (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in EE 320.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance at every lecture is required. Vector calculus applied to electromagnetic field problems is conceptually intricate, and following blackboard derivations in class is essential for developing physical intuition. If an unavoidable illness or university business conflict arises, notify Dr. Kaya in advance. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Homework problem sets submitted after the deadline will incur a 15% deduction per 24 hours up to 48 hours late, after which solutions will be published and zero credit awarded. The lowest homework grade and lowest quiz grade will be dropped to accommodate unforeseen illnesses.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 3:30–5:30 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).