AS/A Level: Computing | Electronics | Information Technology
Applied: AS/A Level Information Communication Technology
BTEC: | Level 3 National Award for IT Practitioners

AS/A Level - Electronics
Entry Requirements:
Good grades of at least grade C in GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science or GCSE Physics or GCSE Electronics but no prior knowledge of physics or electronics will be assumed. A grade C or above in GCSE Mathematics is also required for this course. The interest and ability to be creative when designing new circuits is important. Students need to be able to make careful observations and to analyse data. Electronic circuit design makes extensive use of mathematical skills and students need to be competent at using straight line graph theory and rearranging equations.

Other GCSE grades in line with College admissions requirements.
About the Subject:
Modern society is dependent on electronics, whether it be for communicating, controlling machines, processing information in computers or using modern medical techniques. People with a knowledge of the subject are in demand. Electronics ranges from the behaviour of tiny circuit components through to the operation of complex microprocessor circuits. However, electronics is in essence a practical subject. It is about the skills and knowledge needed to design, make, test and modify circuits to meet an agreed project target.
Suitable Subject Combinations:
Electronics has so many applications that it will be of interest to students considering many types of course and career. The sound, lighting, special effects, techniques and electronic instruments used in modern theatre production and music concerts make the knowledge of the subject increasingly important for careers following Media Studies, Drama and Music courses. The strongly creative and technological design aspect of electronics makes it very suitable for study alongside Design Technology, Information Technology and Computing courses. The extensive use of electronics for instrumentation and control in laboratory research, engineering and many industries make it a good subject to study if you are interested in careers or degree courses which involve either Science or Engineering. It combines well with science subjects and Mathematics. It is recommended that students study to at least AS level in Mathematics in order to support development of the skills needed for the Electronics course and to support progression to Higher Education.
Course Content:

`AS' Level _ First year of course:

To enable students begin to design their own circuits from an early stage the course sets out to develop essential knowledge and understanding of electronics and its applications. Students also develop the skills needed to apply this knowledge in new and changing situations. Accordingly the AS level course has a unit on Digital and Analogue Systems and a unit on Circuits and Components. The third unit on Programmed Control Systems involves completing an individually chosen project focusing on industrial and domestic control systems and how these are programmed.

`A' Level _ Second year of course:

As familiarity with a wide range of circuits grows, students are encouraged to explore the useful way in which different areas of electronics relate to each other and how circuits can be integrated into larger and more complex systems. This is achieved in two study units on Communication Systems and System Applications. The third unit is the exciting Design Project in which an individually chosen circuit is designed, built and tested.
Special features of the course:
Teaching takes place in the College's purpose built Electronics Laboratory.
A computer aided supported self-study approach is used which frees the tutor to give more individual guidance while allowing students to take greater responsibility for their own progress.
Assessment:
The AS forms 50% of the assessment weighting of the full A Level.

The AS Level Units 1 and 2 are each worth 35% of the AS level (17.5% of the A level). Unit 3 consists of two mini-projects worth a total of 30% (15% of the A level) and are internally marked and externally moderated. Unit 1 is assessed in January and Unit 2 is assessed in June.

At A level the Unit 4 paper is worth 15% and assessed in January of the final year, whereas the Unit 5 paper is worth 20% and is assessed in June of the final year. The project is worth 15% and is internally marked and externally moderated.
Progression:
This subject combines well with many different subjects allowing for progression into a wide variety of careers and Higher Education courses. Students are advised that many of the more academic science and engineering based courses require Mathematics A level to have been studied as well. The course will also provide an excellent basis for students who wish to enter directly into employment.