ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

EXPLORATORY AND INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY (3 credits)
All Grade 9 students go through the Exploratory Program.  Please see page 7 for more detail. Students deciding to enter the field of electronics are instructed in trade-specific safety. Students begin their training covering the following topics: proper use of hand tools and common electronic equipment; soldering; parts identification and schematic symbols; Ohm’s law and very basic direct current (DC) circuits; project assembly; and introduction to computers and software. Technology-related mathematics in the Math Lab, reading in the Language Arts Lab writing, vocabulary, electronics schematic reading and science are integrated throughout the curriculum.

DIRECT CURRENT/ALTERNATING CURRENT (DC/AC) CIRCUITS (3 credits)
In Grade 10, students delve into a wide range of topics in the realm of basic electronics theory. Specific topics include series and parallel circuits; direct current (DC) circuits; alternating current (AC) circuits; magnetism and electromagnetism; capacitors, inductors and transformers; instruments and measurements and computer applications. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. Technology-related mathematics, reading, writing, vocabulary, electronics schematic reading and science are integrated throughout the curriculum.

ANALOG ELECTRONICS (3 credits)
In Grade 11, students advance from learning individual components and test circuits to combining each of these into larger circuits. Specific topics include semiconductors; operational amplifiers; oscillators and power supplies; advanced audio circuits and introduction to video electronics; troubleshooting techniques and computer applications; and introduction to integrated circuits. Students will perform in-school electronics projects for customers. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices.  Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work Based Learning (WBL).   Technology-related mathematics, reading, writing, vocabulary, electronics schematic reading and science are integrated throughout the curriculum.

DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (3 credits)
In Grade 12, students begin their final year with the study of digital electronics. They design digital circuits to perform to certain criteria. Emphasis is placed on innovative and creative approaches to problem resolution in their designs. Specific topics include digital electronics, including logic gates; counters, shift registers and memory devices; combinational and sequential logic circuits; industrial microprocessors; basic computer theory; troubleshooting and repair and LAN fundamentals. Special projects are designed to meet the needs of local employers and the interests of the students. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. Students will perform in-school electronics projects for customers. Students will demonstrate the ability to complete a job application and interview, and to perform entry-level job readiness and trade skills as evidenced by their portfolio. Each student will take the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) exam, which is a performance-based test. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work Based Learning (WBL).  Technology-related mathematics, reading, writing, vocabulary, electronics schematic reading and science are integrated throughout the curriculum.

Students successfully completing this course of study will be able to pursue a two year engineering technology degree at state colleges and universities or go on to a four year electrical engineering degree. Students can obtain immediate employment in the electronics field.  Jobs include: engineering assistant; sales; alarm system technician; quality control; and, many others.  Students graduating from Electronics Technology also find great success in the military in fields such as communications, information systems and avionics, to name but a few.

* College Career Pathways – Students successfully completing this program can receive advanced college credit.