AS/A Level GCE (for first teaching in 2008) Electronics - H065 H465

A. In general, the syllabus content has been retained as it is believed to give a good grounding in the basics of Electronics. However, the most significant addition to the syllabus has been the introduction of programming to microcontrollers using a flowchart technique. All candidates should find that this section is a good introduction to the power and popularity of microcontrollers and will prepare them well for the microcontroller section found at A2 level, should they decide to continue. Transistor switching using FETs has also been added. To make way for this, some aspects of the previous syllabus have been dropped or moved to A2 level. Notably, the linear power supply and ac have been dropped.

A. No. There are a number of software packages found on the Internet which are free to use. In addition, OCR has been in contact with industry which should enable each Centre to receive at least one free programmer which enables the microcontroller to be uploaded with the flowcharted program.

A. Coursework still has a vital role to play in Electronics. At AS level, candidates will no longer be expected to produce a 'full-blown' project and then write a report of the project. For many candidates at AS level, it was thought that they had not yet developed sufficient skills in order to do justice to the design - build - test - analyse - modify cycle. Thus, at AS Level, candidates are required to build, test and analyse 3 small subsystems of their choice. This must be carried out on a digital subsystem, an analogue subsystem, and a flowcharted microcontroller program (that the candidates develop). This should enable candidates to develop the skills necessary to attempt the project at A2 level. For those candidates who will only study to AS level, they will still experience the development of subsystems and the subsequent testing and analysis of those subsystems.

A. The new syllabus will offer suggestions but Centres are free to choose any suitable subsystem which fits the guidance given in the syllabus. For the digital and analogue subsystems, Centres will provide each candidate with an appropriate circuit diagram of a given subsystem, ideally taken from the AS syllabus. Candidates will then build, test, and analyse the subsystem and produce a written report of this. For the microcontroller part, candidates will choose a suitable simple circuit, develop the program using a flowchart technique, then build, test, and analyse the circuit.

A. The format of the examination is still the same, that is, there are 2 written papers offered and 1 piece of coursework. However, each written paper will have equal weighting and equal level of difficulty. The mark for each paper will be 110/300 UMS whilst that for the coursework will be 80/300 UMS.

A. There are fewer changes to the A2 course than there are for the AS course. There will still be a Communication module, a Control module, and a Coursework module. Communication and Control are considered fundamental to a course in Electronics. The Communication module will be centered more around the processing, storage, and transfer of digital data. Although technologies change at a rapid pace in today's world, the manipulation of digital data is likely to be with us for some time. The Control Module is also very similar, although work on the triac has disappeared. Also, instead of work on a microprocessor, this module considers a generic microcontroller which will be a progression of the work done on microcontrollers done at AS Level.

A. No. The microcontroller considered in this section is a generic one which is programmed using an Assembler language developed by OCR. The Assembler language uses 17 commands, including an ADC input. The language has been developed to work with 2 of the most popular families of microcontroller available today, namely, the Microchip and Atmel families of microcontrollers. As for the AS course, development environments and programmers are available free of charge.

A. Whilst this is possible, it was deemed to give an unfair advantage to those candidates who may have met one of these languages in a Computing course. Also, it is to discourage long winded and lengthy programs which candidates may use for the coursework module. In addition, industry would prefer that candidates have experience of some form of Assembler language rather than high level languages for the programming of microcontrollers.

A. In essence, yes. There will still be 2 written papers and a coursework module. The written papers will have equal weighting of 110/300 UMS, and the coursework has a weighting of 80/300 UMS. There will no longer be a long question on the microprocessor. Instead, shorter questions on the microcontroller will be offered which look at program 'snippets'.

A. The coursework requirement at A2 has not changed. Candidates are still required to design, build, test, analyse, and modify a project of their choice. The major change is the Assessment Criteria used to mark the report of the project. This now comprises 60 marks in a banded mark scheme. The change to the mark scheme has been introduced as it was felt that the previous mark scheme was a little difficult to implement and should be simpler to use.

A. OCR very much encourage the use of microcontrollers in the project but it must not become solely an exercise in programming. It is hoped that candidates will use the Assembler language developed by OCR and that the microcontroller will form only one part of a larger system. A project based entirely around a microcontroller will not access high marks.

A. This is a possibility but for a definite decision, consult the Subject Officer for Electronics at OCR.

A. There are no plans to offer modules in the January session.

A. There is currently no limit to the number of times a module may be retaken.

A. Sign up for email alerts and OCR will send you an email when the final specifications are available.

A. Yes. In response to centre demand, OCR will be publishing past papers for live specifications on the OCR website. These will be free of charge. Question papers from the June 2008 series will be available to download from OCR Interchange only. Further details are available from OCR Interchange.

A. OCR is working in partnership with individual publishers for different subject groups. Comprehensive resources are being developed by these Publishing Partners and others to support the specification and complement the support available from OCR. For details of our partners view the support page.

A. Schemes of work and lesson plans can be downloaded from the OCR website. The materials are available in fixed PDF format, for reference purposes, and also in Word format, so that teachers can adapt the materials for their own use.