Systems Engineering Units 1 and 2
Overview
Systems Engineering is only available to school-based students.
Systems Engineering investigates the design, operation, construction, assembly, maintenance, repair and evaluation of technological systems applicable to a diverse range of fields such as engineering, manufacturing, automation, electrotechnology, robotics, and energy management. The study includes both theoretical and practical components and design folio development. Systems Engineering promotes innovative thinking and problem-solving skills through a project-based learning approach. Units 1 & 2 focus on mechanical and electrotechnology engineering fundamentals:
Unit 1 focuses on fundamentals of engineering, mechanical systems, and relevant physics principles. You will design and produce an operational mechanical system using the systems engineering process.
Unit 2 focuses on fundamentals of electrotechnological engineering principles. Using the systems engineering process, you will design and produce an operational electrotechnological system, which may include mechanical components.
Pre-enrolment forms:
Part A: Student form – to be completed by student and guardian.
Part B: School supervisor form – this form should be completed by the school supervisor when appointed.
Who is it for?
This subject is for students who:
- Like finding out how things work and solving problems in a hands-on, practical setting.
- Enjoy designing and making products with movable and electronic components
- Enjoy a combination of science and design
- Want to study tertiary technology courses, e.g. engineering and applied sciences, or skilled trades and vocational training in the electrotechnology and automotive sectors
What do you do?
- Design, build and test mechanical and electronic systems in the workshop
- Understand the physics concepts behind mechanical and electronic systems
- Design, build and test circuits and draw circuit diagrams using LEDs, switches, resistors, batteries, multimeters and more
• Undertake projects to respond to a project brief that requires you to design, build, test and evaluate products that include mechanical and electronic components.
What skills do you need?
- An openness to experimentation through trial and error
- A ‘can do’ attitude
- Be willing to spend the necessary time required to grasp the theoretical components of the study.
What skills do you develop?
- How to think like an engineer by applying the engineering design process to solve practical problems
- Physics concepts relevant to mechanical and electromechanical systems
- Project management skills
- Soldering, technical drawing CAD (computer aided design) and workshop production skills (woodwork or metalwork)
Requirements
- Systems Engineering requires a fully equipped woodwork or metal workshop in order to fulfil practical course requirements. Additionally, electronics equipment such as soldering irons and multimeters, and components such as batteries, resistors, printed circuit boards, LEDs etc are required.
- Systems Engineering Units 1 and 2 Steven Penna
Pre-enrolment forms:
Part A: Student form – to be completed by student and guardian.
Part B: Supervising Instructor form – this form should be completed by the school supervisor when appointed.
Things to think about
- Systems Engineering is a combination of theory and practice, and it’s important to manage both aspects simultaneously. You should also have a sound knowledge of general mathematical principles to understand the engineering fundamentals involved in the study.
Things you can do now
- Familiarise yourself with the engineering design process (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_design_process) and practise designing and drawing.
Have a look at the study design to see if you already have some of the knowledge and skills covered in Systems Engineering (https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/systemeng/2019SystemsEngineeringSD.pdf)
Things to have a look at
Top Designs
Systems Engineering Projects at the Top Designs 2022 Exhibition
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/learning/top-designs-2022/systems-engineering/