WAEC WASSCE [SSCE] SYLLABUS FOR BASIC ELECTRONICS/ ELECTRONICS
PREAMBLE
The syllabus is intended to equip candidates with broad understanding of the technology of manufacturing, maintenance and repair of domestic and industrial equipment. It will also offer candidates sufficient knowledge and skills to form valuable foundation for electronic-related vocation or pursue further educational qualifications.
Candidates will be expected to cover all the topics.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the syllabus is to test candidates’
- knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts and principles of electronics;
- ability to use simple electronic devices to build and test simple electronic systems;
- problem-solving skills through the use of the design process;
- preparedness for further work in electronics;
- knowledge in entrepreneurial skills and work ethics.
SCHEME OF EXAMINATION
There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3, all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 shall be composite paper to be taken at one sitting.
PAPER 1: will consist of fifty multiple-choice objective questions all of which are to be answered in 1 hour for 50 marks.
PAPER 2: will consist of seven short-structured questions. Candidates will be required to answer any five in 1 hour for 50 marks.
PAPER 3: will be a practical paper of two experiments both of which are to be carried out by candidates in 3 hours for 100 marks.
Alternative to Practical Test
Alternatively, in the event that materials for the actual practical test cannot be acquired, the Council may consider testing theoretically, candidates’ level of acquisition of the practical skills prescribed in the syllabus. For this alternative test, there will be two compulsory questions to be answered within 2 hours for 100 marks.
DETAILED SYLLABUS
CONTENTS | NOTES |
Types of electron emission Application of electron emission
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES Concept of diodes Biasing of diodes
Concepts of transistor
Thermistor, diac, triac and thyristor, etc
R-L-C circuits Generator principles POWER IN A.C. CIRCUITS
POWER AMPLIFIERS PUSH-PULL AMPLIFIERS OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
MULTIVIBRATORS (Non-sinusoidal) Principles of operation and applications DIGITAL BASICS Number system Logic gates(Combinational)
SERVO MECHANISM
| Qualitative treatment should include : Thermionic emission; photoemission; secondary emission and field emission. Relate it to diode, triode, tetrode, pentode, and cathode ray tube. Qualitative treatment only which should include: Classification – analogue and digital Types and uses of multimeter, voltmeter, ammeter, ohmmeter, oscilloscope etc. Qualitative treatment only. Treatment should include operational principles of diodes Type of diodes Diode ratings – voltage, current and power Application of diodes Construction of a simple circuit using a P-N junction diode Practical demonstration of I-V characteristics of P-N junction diode in the forward and reverse bias modes. Meaning of transistor, biasing of transistor, Uses and advantages. BJT characteristics Advantages of transistor over valves Advantages of MOSFET over BJT Formation, function and principles of Operation. Transistor as a switch, inverter, an amplifier Verification of BJT characteristics. Input, output and transfer characteristics Transfer configuration Qualitative treatment only – formation, functions and principles of operation Advantages over discrete components Circuit symbols Principles of operation Applications. Application of integrated circuits Explanation of RAM, ROM and EPROM Qualitative treatment only Uses of conductors and insulators Differences between direct and alternating current Construction of simple circuit to demonstrate Ohm’s law Qualitative and quantitative treatments Practical determination of the value of a fixed colour code resistor Carry out practical wiring of different circuit arrangement Qualitative and quantitative treatments should include
Principles of operation of an a.c. generator Qualitative and quantitative treatments of
Biasing methods. Treatment of the transistor as single stage. Common-emitter amplifier. Frequency response of an amplifier Advantages and disadvantages of negative feedback Classification: Class A, Class B, Class AB, Class C, application, power gain, methods of biasing and efficiency. Classification of power gain. Qualitative treatment including matched and complementary pairs. Properties of an ideal operational amplifier Inverting and non-inverting operational amplifiers(op-amps) Types of operational amplifiers Applications of op-amps Simple calculations involving inverting, non-inverting, summing amplifiers and voltage follower Dry cells, solar cells, cadium cells, accumulators Batteries: Rechargeable and non-rechargeable Qualitative treatment should include:
Functions of each block Difference between positive feedback(oscillator) and negative feedback (amplifier) Principles of an oscillator Types of oscillators: Hartley, Colpitts, phase shift, tuned (load and crystal) oscillators Advantages of negative feedback Calculations involving negative feedbacks Block diagram of an oscillator Application of oscillator Types of multivibrators (monostable, bistable and astable) Different number system e.g. binary, octal and hexadecimal Simple calculation in binary number Conversion from one base to another and vice-versa Addition and subtraction of binary numbers Qualitative treatments of AND, OR, NOT, NOR and NAND Logic gates using switching arrangements, truth table and Boolean expression Relationship between velocity frequency and wave length Meaning of radio communication Modulation and demodulation Advantages of F.M. over A.M. Phase modulation (mention only) Types of radio receivers Advantages of superheterodyne over direct input receiver Use faulty radio and detect and repair fault Project work on construction and designing of a simple radio receiver Block diagrams of A.M. and F.M. transmitters Block diagrams of A.M. and F.M. superheterodyne radio receivers Block diagrams of mono and colour T.V.chrome receivers Functions of each block and direction of signal flow Qualitative treatment of T.V. standard (NTSC,PAL,SECAM,BIG) Fibre optics, microwave, satellite, cellular phone, digital communication network, etc. Meaning of transducers and sensors Principles of operation Types and uses to include: Acoustic, dynamic electrostatic, electromagnetic, capacitive, pressure sensor, photoelectric, proximity sensor etc. Thermistor as a temperature sensing device Qualitative treatments only Types of acoustic transducers e.g. loudspeaker, microphone, earphone Principles of operation and function Application of acoustic transducers Qualitative treatment only
Qualitative treatment only
Trace magnetic lines of force current-carrying conductor Lenz’s and Faraday’s laws. Definitions only Calculations involving energy stored in a coil Applications of electromagnetism Electric bell, solenoid, loudspeaker, buzzer, moving-coil instrument, moving-iron instrument, earphone and microphone |
