Electronics is taught as a separate subject and is closely aligned to the Science Department. All boys in Third and Fourth Forms enjoy a varied electronics course which aims to stimulate an interest in the subjects whilst introducing basic skills such as soldering and circuit building. Electronics is then available at both GCSE and A level for those boys who wish to study the subject in greater detail.

Paul Nicholls BSc - Head of Electronics
Mr Nicholls taught in Durham before spending five years teaching in Turkey. He joined the Merchiston staff in September 2002. His interests include sailing, sound & lighting and Engineering. He became Head of Department in September 2003. Mr Nicholls runs the sailing activity, Science club (in the junior school) and Engineering activities (in the senior school).

Adam Dickson BEd 
Mr Dickson joined Merchiston in September 2006, and also teaches Electronics. His pupils regularly enter national competitions such as 'Young Engineers', in which Merchiston has had much success. He is also 5th XV rugby coach, and tutors in Evans.

The Electronics laboratory is well equipped with a wide range of apparatus including IT based tools such as digital oscilloscopes and simulation software. There is also an extensive stock of components available and students are encouraged to undertake their own projects if they are suitably motivated. All examined Electronics courses are supported by significant resources on the School's virtual learning environment.

III Form: learning basic circuit building skills and how simple circuits work through independent practical activities including the use of simulation software. They then learn to solder and put their new found skills to good use to build a simple radio which they are free to take home.

IV Form:  manufacturing a control board for a programmable robot. At the same time, the robot chassis is developed in D&T classes. Having completed the chassis and control circuits, the robot is assembled and students then learn to programme the on-board micro-controller. The robots are based around the popular PICAXE micro-controllers and programmed using flowchart software. Finally, students can upgrade their buggies to add sensors, flashing lights and faster motors before taking them home.

Shell & V Forms: the course does not assume any previous knowledge of electronics and students start by considering basic circuit theory and electrical safety. The remainder of the theory course then considers electronics from a systems approach as each individual system is investigated in isolation before being used to build up more complex projects. The GCSE electronics course is intensely practical and students really develop their circuit building skills, learn to employ a wide variety of standard laboratory equipment and solve their own problems whenever possible. The theory course also considers several more complex systems such as radios, audio systems and microprocessors. Having completed all the necessary theory, students undertake a major project to design, build, test and evaluate a useful electronic product.

VI Form:
AS: the course continues to build upon the work covered at GCSE level although many students entering at sixth form level have successfully completed the AS course having had no previous experience of the subject. The AS theory course covers complex analogue and digital systems including combinational and sequential logic, amplifiers, power supplies and micro-controllers. Students complete three separate coursework projects which allow them to investigate the operation of different circuits in detail. Although coursework is an important part of the course, there is not as much practical work as at GCSE level, instead the AS course adopts a more theoretical and mathematical approach to the subject. Electronics is an excellent AS subject choice for students considering a career in Engineering.

A2: this is not a taught course. Students who have successfully completed the AS course (and ideally achieved a grade A) are able to undertake the A2 course in their own time on a tutorial basis. Students meet with their teacher once per cycle to discuss problems and agree on the next area for study but otherwise study the course independently. This is excellent preparation for university where a more independent approach to academic work is expected. The A2 course requires the students to complete a major practical project involving a significant number of individual subsystems.