Engaging Students in Applied Electromagnetics at the University of San Diego

Two possible topical approaches that have been applied to teaching an upper-division undergraduate electrical engineering applied electromagnetics course are presented. Each approach was applied to one of two offerings of the course, taught in different semesters. In either case, the course includes the study of electromagnetic theory and practical applications through laboratory experiments, design and projects. Using basic theory in time-harmonic electromagnetic fields developed early in the course, two different applications of the theory are emphasized in two alternate semesters of the course offering. The two applications that incorporated the common theoretical background of the course are: (1) applications in radio frequency engineering; and (2) radar and antenna design. An extension of the course to a topic beyond the confines of the course textbooks is included. The success of the course is further realized in two industry-sponsored capstone senior design projects.