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Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year
The bulk of our courses require students to have a background in Mathematics and Physics at GCE Advanced Level or equivalent. The Foundation Year course offers an opportunity for those who have potential, but who do not possess appropriate qualifications, to develop the skills needed to progress to completing one of our electronics degree programmes. The course is aimed at two main groups of people:
- Mature Students (over 21 years of age) who are returning to education after a long break, or have inappropriate qualifications, or have poor or no school leaving qualifications.
- Younger students who have obtained (or are obtaining) qualifications at GCE Advanced Level, or equivalent, but in inappropriate subjects that do not satisfy our entry requirements.
There are therefore no formal entry requirements for the Foundation Year, though candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have the ability and motivation to cope with the demands of the course. For more details find out about applying for the Foundation Year.
The Course
The course syllabus is based on modified versions of GCE Advanced level material in Mathematics and Physics. However, the teaching starts with the assumption of near total ignorance of either topic on the part of the student. Early parts of the course concentrate on Mathematics and Physics at a level that would normally be met by people in early teenage years.
The final examinations, however, are of Advanced Level standard, but based on a syllabus in each subject which would approximate to around two thirds of that found in a typical A Level syllabus. The course also includes a practical electronics element in which students learn about electronic circuits in a well-equipped laboratory.
To move from early secondary school material to University entry level in three terms is a demanding task. The course numbers therefore, are very restricted, permitting teaching in small groups with considerable personal support. The course is taught entirely in the Department. Students are registered students of the University and are treated identically to any other student of the University.
Course Structure
| Maths | Physics | Electronics | |
AutumnCourses in the Autumn term assume virtually no previous knowledge beyond primary school level and with a modest number of exceptions do not trespass beyond the level that would be expected of a good school student at GCSE level. |
Fundamentals of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry Linear and Quadratic Equations Basic Statistics Simple Trigonometry Introduction to Calculus |
Fundamentals of Mechanics Properties of Matter Heat and Temperature Electricity and Magnetism |
Introduction to Laboratory Work Resistive Circuits Diodes Laboratory Practical |
SpringCourses in the Spring term build on the fundamentals established in the first term and move into work of Advanced Level standard. |
Matrix Algebra Differential Calculus Complex Numbers Integral Calculus Vectors Differential Equations Trigonometric Identities |
Mechanics Electricity Electromagnetism Optics
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Internal Resistance AC signals in Resistive Circuits Laboratory Practical |
SummerCourses in the Summer term seek to bring the student to a the standard in Mathematics and Physics that would be expected of a good school student at the termination of their A -level studies. |
Complex numbers Series Expansions Vectors Integral Calculus Differential Equations Matrix Algebra |
Waves Electro-Statics AC Circuits Atomic Physics Gravitation |
RC/RL Circuits Impedance and Resonance Laboratory Practical |
Undergraduate Admissions Tutor: Dr Stuart Porter
Tel: (+44) 01904 322365