Cambridge International AS and A Level Design and Technology

by Nandana Surendran

This syllabus encourages learners to be innovative and creative and to develop their ability to design high quality products. Through their studies, they will develop an awareness of the significance of design and technology on society, while also learning more about production processes and industrial practices.

Learners will be encouraged the use ICT to build their design and technological abilities, and develop critical evaluation skills which they can employ in a variety of technical, aesthetic, economic, environmental, social and cultural contexts. As a result, learners will also become discerning consumers of design and technology, able to make informed choices.

Aims of the Syllabus

The aims of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Design & Technology syllabus are to enable candidates to develop-
• The ability to be innovative and creative in design and technology and to recognise constraints and produce high-quality products
• An awareness of the significance of design and technology to society
• The ability to apply essential knowledge, understanding and skills of design production processes to a range of technological activities and develop an understanding of industrial practices
• The ability to use information and communications technology (ICT), as appropriate, to enhance their design and technological capability
• Critical evaluation skills in technical, aesthetic, economic, environmental, social and cultural contexts
• The ability to make informed choices as a discerning consumer
• Positive attitudes of co-operation and citizenship and the ability to work collaboratively

Syllabus

Situation
• Recognise problems which a designer can potentially solve through practical design activity
• Prepare a design brief that accurately describes the need(s)

Research
• Locate, gather and order information and data relevant to the solution

Specification
• Suggest possible improvements for the product
• Form analysis of the situation
• Draw up a comprehensive, succinct and detailed specification of requirements

Concepts
• Generate and record possible solutions
• Appraise possible solutions through a variety of techniques leading to the selection of one idea for development

Modelling
• Model detailed aspects of ideas and proposals using appropriate practical techniques

Development
• Develop and formulate a detailed design proposal for production of the final product
• Identify the resources that they need for the realisation of a solution

Implementation
• Organise the resources for realising the product
• Make the product through the skilful use of appropriate hand and machine tools and other equipment
• Work at all times with regard to mandatory and other necessary safety measures and with proper concern for the efficient use of materials, energy and other resources

Testing and evaluation
• Devise and apply appropriate tests to assess the success of the product
against original needs and others which have emerged and the design has absorbed
• Suggest possible improvements for the product

Design and technology in society
• Recognise rational and intuitive approaches to design
• Show awareness and appreciation of the issues of conservation of resources, built-in obsolescence and the role of recycling
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the significant positive and negative effects of design upon society
• Show awareness of the differences between individual, small-batch and mass production and how each affects the means of production, the product and the people involved

Aesthetics
• Use line, colour, shape, proportion and form to achieve desired effects
• Show appreciation of the effects of light and shade on solid forms and the effects of different surface finishes on visual and tactile senses
• Demonstrate aesthetic sensibility through meaningful use of appropriate vocabulary, such as: harmony, conflict, static and dynamic
• Appreciate the significance of style and the influence of fashion and design

Ergonomics
• Understand the significance of ergonomics in design
• Interpret and apply anthropometric data

Energy
• Identify and compare the main sources of energy using finite supplies,
such as fossil fuels, and regenerative forms such as water, wind and solar
• Describe the different forms of energy storage in use to include: kinetic, potential, thermal, electrical and chemical
• Describe practical and efficient methods of conversion and transmission
through simple mechanisms, machines, engines, turbines and electric motors

Control
• Explain basic principles of manual and semi-automatic and automatic control using input, output, feed-back and amplification
• Appreciate the principles employed in CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacture)

Materials
• Appreciate the significance of the properties: hardness, ductility, toughness, brittleness, elasticity, dimensional stability, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance
• Explain the considerations required in the selection of materials and components to ensure suitability for purpose
• Explain and compare, through the use of examples, the terms destructive and non-destructive testing of materials
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of wood, manufactured boards, metals, plastics, paper and card, being able to select them for appropriate use according to their characteristics, properties and performance

Materials processing
• Mark and set out with reference to data using tools and methods appropriate to the materials and required accuracy
• Cut, shape and form materials using methods appropriate to the task
• Join and assemble using a range of common methods including temporary and permanent fixings
• Apply a finish appropriate to the material and its use, distinguishing between decoration and protection

Product analysis
• Analyse existing products in terms of:
– function
– aesthetics
– ergonomics
– types and properties of materials
– production techniques
– safety

Health and safety
• show awareness of standard risk assessment procedures in product design and manufacture
• understand safe working practices, including identifying hazards and making risk assessments

Assessment

Knowledge and understanding
Weighting– 30%

Design analysis, idea generation and synthesis
Weighting- 48%

Practical implementation
Weighting- 22%

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