An Introduction to Electronic Engineering

Explore electronic and electrical engineering systems

The UK electronics industry is one of the largest in the world, helping produce technological solutions for the evolving needs of our society.

Developed by the UK Electronics Skill Foundation and the University of Birmingham, this three-week course will introduce the fundamentals of electronics in preparation for university or an apprenticeship.

Examine electronic components and their applications

Using real-world examples, you’ll begin the course by exploring electronics at a component level, learning how transducers sense vibrations in musical instruments.

You’ll assess circuit models and, using electronic theory, analyse sensor circuits and design your own, gaining practical experience of work as an electronic engineer.

Discover how electronics are used in extreme conditions

Moving from the everyday to the extraordinary, you’ll examine how electrical power is used both in daily life and to control systems in space.

You’ll learn how to power a satellite and explain how transducers convert energy from electromagnetic radiation into electricity.

With these skills, you’ll be able to plan functioning systems in target environments, appreciating the interdisciplinary nature of engineering.

Investigate a real world control system in action

In the final week of this course, you’ll explore digital electronics and their applications in railway systems engineering.

Featuring technology from the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, you’ll assess the implementation of platform shield walls to enhance railway safety procedures.

By the end of this course, you’ll have begun to explore the broad subject of electronic engineering and have gained insights into the potential areas of study you could pursue when studying electronics in higher education.

This course is designed for sixth formers who are considering studying electronic engineering at university or college.

• What is electronics?
• Welcome to the course
• Introduction to electronic systems
• Transducers and electronics basics
• Sensors in systems
• Summary
• Electronics in extreme environments
• Power budgets and systems in space
• Powering satellites
• Space weather
• Summary and next steps
• Systems and digital electronics
• Railway systems engineering
• Digital electronics
• Platform shield walls
• Course summary and next steps