Electronics
A-level
The AS and A-Level AQA Electronics specification course offered at Suffolk One provides an exceptionally good basis for students to progress into further education, following courses in engineering or physics , or to enter employment where a knowledge of modern electronics would be useful. At both AS and A2 the specification reflects up-to-date practice in Electronics and is designed to emphasise the skills and processes of Electronics.
Students are given the opportunity to develop their interest and enthusiasm with a “hands on” approach to learning about electronic circuits in our exceptionally well equipped dedicated electronics classroom. Design protoboards and design software are used in nearly all lessons. To reinforce what is learnt in class it is expected that students would put in a considerable amount of independent study time to develop their appreciation and enjoyment of this subject and regular assignments will be set. A course textbook will be provided along with the opportunities to practice past papers in tutorial sessions. Coursework elements are integral to this specification at both AS and A Level.
AQA
Entry requirements
Students wishing to study AS/A Level Electronics should have at least a grade B at either GCSE Physics or Additional Science or Electronics Products grade C …… An ability in mathematics is necessary a B grade is required.
What will I study
UNIT 1- Introductory Electronics : In this unit by making circuits on protoboard and with design software students will learn about : voltage, current, resistance and power, types of diodes ,resistive input transducers ,transistors and MOSFETs , output devices ,operational amplifiers ,logic gates and Boolean algebra and the design and simplification of combinational logic systems
UNIT 2 - Further Electronics : In a practical context students will learn about : Capacitors , dc RC networks, timing subsystems ,sequential logic subsystems ,counter subsystems ,the operational amplifier ,amplifier subsystems ,power amplifier subsystems
UNIT 3 - Coursework is based on the content of AS units 1 and 2.
UNIT 4 - Programmable Control Systems: In this unit the topics of Control systems, Microprocessor subsystems, programming, input subsystems, output subsystems, interfacing subsystems and robotic systems are taught. Students use AQA Assembly Language to program 28X1PIC microprocessors which can be used very creatively to control systems in their projects.
UNIT 5 -Communication Systems: This unit comprises of the general principles of communication systems, audio systems, the general principles of radio communication, radio receivers, digital communication, mobile communication and optoelectronics
UNIT 6 - Coursework is based on the content of A2 units 4 and 5 it is similar to that for AS but with a focus on higher level skills:
Coursework:
At AS students complete a project in which they will have to Identify a problem , consider alternative solutions ,conduct research into performance parameters ,construct the system, using at least three active devices ,test and modify the system and finally produce a report on all stages of the development, including photographic evidence of the circuit / artefact. At A2 along with the AS criteria more measurements are required along with a more detailed evaluation. Such projects have been an Infra-red shooting game, automatic counting systems and variants of alarm systems to mention but a few.
Assessment
The AS GCE is assessed at a standard appropriate for candidates who have completed the first year of study (both in terms of teaching time and content) of the corresponding two-year Advanced GCE course, ie between GCSE and Advanced GCSE.
The AS GCE is made up of three units, of which two are externally assessed and one is internally assessed and will include the assessment of practical skills [coursework].
UNIT 1- Introductory Electronics: 1 hour paper, 35% of the total AS Level marks, six or seven compulsory questions of varying length
UNIT 2 - Further Electronics: 1 hour paper, 35% of the total AS Level marks, six or seven compulsory questions of varying length
UNIT 3 – Coursework: 30% of the total AS Level marks 15% of the total A Level marks
The Advanced GCE [A2] is made up of six mandatory units. These include the three units from AS now weighted at 50% [UNIT 1 – 17.5%, UNIT 2 – 17.5% and UNIT 3 –15%] and three further units at A2 standard. Once again two are assessed in the form of written papers externally and a third in the form of practical coursework in a similar way to the AS course.
UNIT 4 - Programmable Control Systems: 1 hour 30 minutes paper, 17.5% of the total A Level marks, seven or eight compulsory questions of varying length
UNIT 5 -Communication Systems: 1 hour 30 minutes paper, 17.5% of the total A Level marks, seven or eight compulsory questions of varying length
UNIT 6 - Coursework: 15% of the total A Level marks
Progression
Progression is often to higher education to study a range of Engineering degrees, including Electronic and Electrical engineering. It can also be a route to a high level apprentice qualification in the engineering industrial sector. Employers will also value AS and A level Electronics as they demonstrate the ability of the applicant to organize information and to think logically in a practical way.