A new course on computational methods in electromagnetics

The authors summarize their three-year experience with a computer-methods course for electromagnetics, introduced as an elective for senior undergraduates. The main features of the course include: (1) the inclusion of the finite-difference method of solving engineering problems formulated in terms of partial differential equations; (2) the use of the finite-difference method to solve engineering problems such as the design of microstrip transmission lines and eigenvalue problems including the propagation characteristics in waveguides of arbitrary cross sections; and (3) the use of the method of moments to solve dynamic field problems including radiation from linear antennas and scattering from two-dimensional inhomogeneous dielectric objects. Key steps in developing the course are noted and results from the various computer programs written by the students are presented.<
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