VCE Systems Engineering

VCE Systems Engineering promotes innovative systems thinking and problem-solving skills through the Systems Engineering process. It focuses on mechanical and electrotechnology engineered systems, renewable and non-renewable energy and new and emerging technologies. The study provides opportunities for students to learn about and engage with systems from a practical and purposeful perspective. Students gain knowledge and understanding, while learning to appreciate and apply technological systems.

VCE Systems Engineering integrates aspects of designing, planning, fabricating, testing and evaluating in a project management process. It prepares students for careers in engineering, manufacturing and design through either a university or TAFE vocational study pathway, employment, apprenticeships and traineeships. The study provides a rigorous academic foundation and a practical working knowledge of design, manufacturing and evaluation techniques. These skills, and the ability to apply systems engineering processes, are growing in demand as industry projects become more complex and multidisciplinary.

• Learning tasks involving mechanical and electronic theory

• Practical activities to complement the theoretical content

• Coding of microcontrollers

• Using sensors to control circuits

• Individual projects involving integrated electromechanical systems

• Creation of a portfolio to document, explain and evaluate the student designed project

Mechanical systems

In this unit, students are introduced to the Systems Engineering Process. They are introduced to the fundamental mechanical engineering principles, including recognition of mechanical subsystems and devices, their motions, the elementary applied physics, and the related mathematical calculations that can be applied to define and explain the physical characteristics of these systems. While this unit contains the fundamental physics and theoretical understanding of mechanical systems and how they work, the main focus is on the construction of a system. The construction process draws heavily upon design and innovation. Students apply their knowledge to design, construct, test and evaluate operational systems. The focus of the system should be mechanical; however, it may include some electronic components. The constructed operational systems demonstrate selected theoretical principles studied in this unit. 

Areas of Study:

1.  Mechanical system design

2. Producing and evaluating mechanical systems

Integrated systems engineering and energy

In this unit students study the engineering principles that are used to explain the physical properties of integrated systems and how they work. Through the application of their knowledge, students design and plan an operational, mechanical-electrotechnology integrated and controlled system. They learn about the technologies used to harness energy sources to provide power for engineered systems. Students commence work on the design, planning and construction of one substantial controlled integrated system. This project has a strong emphasis on designing, manufacturing, testing and innovation. Students manage the project throughout the Systems Engineering Process, taking into consideration the factors that will influence the design, planning, production and use of their integrated system. Students learn about sources and types of energy that enable engineered technological systems to function. Comparisons are made between the impacts of the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Students learn about the technological systems developed to capture and store renewable energy and technological developments to improve the credentials of non-renewables.

Areas of Study:

1.  Integrated and controlled systems design

2. Clean energy technologies

Systems control

In this unit students complete the production work and test and evaluate the integrated controlled system they designed in Unit 3.  Students investigate new and emerging technologies, consider reasons for their development and analyse their impacts. Students use their investigations, design and planning to continue the fabrication of their mechanical/electrotechnology integrated and controlled system using the Systems Engineering Process. They use project and risk management methods through the construction of the system and use a range of materials, tools, equipment, and components. In the final stages of the Systems Engineering Process, students test, diagnose and analyse the performance of the system. They evaluate their processes and the system. Students expand their knowledge of new and emerging developments and innovations through their investigation and analysis of a range of engineered systems. They analyse a specific new or emerging innovation, including its impacts.

Areas of Study:

1.  Producing and evaluating integrated and controlled systems

2.  New and emerging technologies