Unit Code: PHY824

Unit Name: Electromagnetics and Sustainable Development

Description: Our environment contains natural and man-made combinations of invisible electric and magnetic fields of force commonly referred to as electromagnetic fields, which influence our daily lives. The short-term biological and health effects of exposure on humans from natural sources of electromagnetic fields (the Earth, Sun, and ionosphere), extremely low frequency man-made electromagnetic fields (power lines, wirings, and appliances), and high frequency man-made electromagnetic fields (radio, television, mobile phone antenna, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) access points) are well documented. However, studies of long-term low-level electromagnetic field exposure require attention to completely understand the adverse health effects. This course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on the applications and effects of electromagnetic fields on humans, animals, plants, agriculture, and food security which are directly related to Sustainable Development Goals (2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15). Students completing this course will learn to assess the various range of electromagnetic exposures against the safe levels recommended locally and internationally and also gain the ability to develop future projects in electromagnetic field exposure monitoring. The main sources of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the general population are new mobile communication technologies such as mobile phones and their base stations, and WiFi, among others. This course ends with an insight into green communications and electromagnetic energy measurement methods from mobile phone base stations. The student will be introduced to internationally accepted methodologies for exposure assessments. In the delivery of this unit emphasis will be placed on instrumentation techniques for data collection for possible and relevant research projects.

Learning Target Outcomes: The course will involve theoretical and practical aspects. As a result of successfully completing this unit, the students will be able to: 1. Explain the fundamentals of electromagnetic radiation theory, generation and absorption. 2. Analyze personal exposure to environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from modern wireless communication devices. 3. Explain the effects of electromagnetic radiation on animals and plants. 4. Distinguish electromagnetic methods for improving agricultural products and electromagnetic processes to improve food security 5. Develop a research project proposal in either: (i) monitoring electromagnetic field exposure for applications in human health, or (ii) application of electromagnetic processes and methods to improve agriculture and food security.

Prerequisite: Bachelor Degree with Physics as a major subject

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 30

Offered In: Semester 1,2