Trinity School Electronics Department AS/A2 Level Information for entry Sept Electronics

AS/A2 Level choices evening Electronics “The biggest shortage on the planet today is competent engineers,” says Robin Saxby, CEO of ARM. (ARM chips power many smartphones) “There’s a declining interest in engineering degrees at the very time we’re expanding and needing the people,” says John Dickson, CEO of Lucent Microelectronics. “Today, not only is the industry experiencing a period of scarce availability of human resources, some even imagine a future slow down in growth because of insufficient availability of skilled and trained people,” says Pasquale Pistorio, CEO of STMicroelectronics.

AS/A2 Level choices evening Electronics Trinity was one of the first schools in the country to teach A level Electronics 30 years ago Few other schools have a purpose built Electronics Laboratory used only for teaching AS / A2 level – and it’s a really nice place to learn!

Why pupils choose AS / A2 Electronics Some select it as a fourth subject (knowing little about it) yet many decide to study it at university. They enjoy computing and want to learn more about how a microcontroller works and how to program it using a flow chart and assembly language. E.g. wondering about PICAXE, a Raspberry Pi or a Beaglebone Black! They already have a curiosity or interest in the subject –from hobby, home, primary, secondary DT/Science/STEM or a club activity.

What do I study in Electronics ? Analogue circuits ( filters, amplifiers, signal processing, power supplies) Digital circuits ( logic gates, counters, memory circuits) Microcontroller circuits - Programming Communication circuits - Radio, Television / Video, Digital Communications

What do I need to be able to study Electronics ? Electronics is a demanding academic / practical subject It is a completely new subject – no previous knowledge is required. It is not Physics or DT or ICT/Computing. Good at Maths / Further – GCSE grade A recommended Good at Physics – GCSE grade A recommended Above all else – large amounts of enthusiasm for E L E C T R O N I C S!

How is the course structured ? For AS Level 3 modules (2 written papers + coursework). 36.5% 27% Coursework % Paper 1 Simple Systems 36.5% Paper 2 Signal Processors

We have 2 very good textbooks. The author is the Chief Examiner

What are the results like ? Outstanding, even at Trinity…. This summer we achieved 62.5% A*, 100% AS Since 2009…… NO grades below B – only 1 this summer. Highest achieving A/A* department in the school over the past 7 years

What do pupils do when they leave ? Many decide during the two years that they want to study Electronics / Computer Systems Engineering at university –students really do “switch on” to this subject! Many students get sponsorship through university. Some go to Oxford / Cambridge & will specialise when able to do so in Electronic Engineering. Many study other branches of engineering - it helps foster interests in a wide range of areas. It teaches you to solve problems…..

Where are they now? Class of 2013….. Lloyd Abbott - Imperial - Electronic and Electrical Engineering Harley Day – Imperial – Biomechanical Engineering George Gillams – Southampton – Software Engineering Costa Georgiou – Surrey – Aerospace Engineering Kent & Allen Zhong (twins) – UCL – Electronic and Electrical Engineering James Humphries – York - Electronic Engineering Preshe Muhunthan – UCL Electronic Engineering with Computer Science Shaun Flint – Plymouth – Computer and Information security (Ethical hacking?) Some destinations once graduated… Tom Dell - Mclaren - Electronic Systems engineer Darmesh Malamm – CEO Bigcalc David Sansome – Software Engineer at Google Adam Turner – Engineer at Cambridge Consultants

Have a look at some of the most successful projects tackled by our students….. …or any of the other things on show

Resistance is Futile... This is the Department of Connection!