VCE Systems Engineering (Year 11 and 12) is for students who are interested in innovative systems thinking and problem-solving skills through the application of the systems engineering process (Fig. 1). VCE Systems Engineering integrates mechanical (systems that utilise all forms of mechanical components) and electrotechnological (systems that utilise electrical/electronic circuitry) engineered systems. Students will be provided with opportunities to learn and engage with systems from a practical and purposeful perspective. Students also gain knowledge and understanding about technological systems and their applications. There are five key concepts underpinning the four-unit VCE course: designing, planning, producing, testing, and evaluating in a project management process.
During this unit students focus on engineering fundamentals to form an understanding of the concepts, principles and components that operate in mechanical systems. Students are introduced to physics and to mechanical systems and how they work, however the main focus is on the creation of a system.
Using the systems engineering process students will research, design, and plan an operational mechanical system. They will also be required to research and quantify how their system uses or converts the energy that is supplied to it.
During this process students will make a model or develop a prototype to test their design. Once tested students will fabricate their mechanical system. Testing and refining and documenting their progress is all a part of the learning process for this unit.
During this unit students study the fundamental principles of electrotechnological engineering. Through the application of the systems engineering process, students will create an operational electrotechnological system. Electrotechnology is fun and creative and enables students to respond to real world developments.
Students continue to build their physics knowledge as well as being introduced to electrotechnological systems and how they work. Just as in Unit 1 the focus is on the creation of electrotechnological systems.
In this unit students will also explore emerging technologies and their application in industry. Students will learn about sources and types of energy and make comparisons between the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Students also develop an understanding of technological systems that capture and store renewable energy and developments to improve the credentials of non-renewables.
Assessment will be based on internally set and corrected school-assessed coursework. Assessment tasks may include:
Documentation of the systems engineering process using one or more of:
research investigations
maintaining a workbook of practical and class based activities
preparation of reports and assignments
analyses of data
problem solving tasks
production work to create an electrotechnological/mechanical system
an oral presentation
end of semester examination
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The textbook will be ordered from the booklist