VCE System Engineering
Aim
VCE Systems Engineering involves the design, production, operation, evaluation and iteration of integrated systems, which mediate and control many aspects of human experience. This study can be applied to a diverse range of engineering fields such as manufacturing, transportation, automation, control technologies, mechanisms and mechatronics, electrotechnology, robotics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and energy management. VCE Systems Engineering considers the interactions of these systems with people, society and ecosystems. The rate and scale of human impact on global ecologies and environments demands that systems design and engineering take a holistic approach by considering the overall sustainability of any system throughout its life cycle. Key engineering goals include using a project management approach to maximise system efficiency and to optimise system performance through innovation processes. Lean, agile and fast prototyping engineering and manufacturing concepts and systems thinking are integral to this study.
Assessments
Units 1 and 2: Demonstration of achievement of outcomes and satisfactory completion of a unit is determined by evidence gained through the assessment of a range of learning activities and tasks.
Units 3 and 4:
School assessed Coursework (25%)
School assessed Task (40%)
End-of-year examination (35%)
UNIT 1: Introduction to Visual Communication Design | UNIT 2: Applications of Visual Communication Design |
This unit focuses on using visual language to communicate messages, ideas and concepts. This involves acquiring and applying design thinking skills as well as drawing skills to make messages, ideas and concepts visible and tangible. Students practise their ability to draw what they observe and they use visualisation drawing methods to explore their own ideas and concepts. Students develop an understanding of the importance of presentation drawings to clearly communicate their final visual communications. | This unit focuses on the application of visual communication design knowledge, design thinking skills and drawing methods to create visual communications to meet specific purposes in designated design fields. Students use presentation drawing methods that incorporate the use of technical drawing conventions to communicate information and ideas associated with the environmental or industrial fields of design.
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UNIT 3: Integrated and Controlled Systems | UNIT 4: System Control |
In this unit students study engineering principles used to explain physical properties of integrated systems and how they work. Students design and plan an operational, mechanical and electro-technological integrated and controlled system. They learn about the technologies used to harness energy sources to provide power for engineered systems. Students learn about sources and types of energy that enable engineered technological systems to function. Comparisons are made between the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources and their impacts.- | In this unit students complete the creation of the mechanical and Electro-Technological integrated and controlled system they researched, designed, planned and commenced production of in Unit 3. Students investigate new and emerging technologies, consider reasons for their development and analyse their impacts. Students expand their knowledge of emerging developments and innovations through their investigation and analysis of a range of engineered systems. They analyse a specific emerging innovation, including its impacts. |