VCE Systems Engineering

Subject Profile

Year Level: VCE Units 1-4

Duration: All year

Periods: 5

Subject Type: VCE

VCE Systems Engineering promotes innovative systems thinking and problem-solving skills through the application of the systems engineering process. The study is based on integrated mechanical and electrotechnological engineered systems.

VCE Systems Engineering integrates aspects of designing, planning, producing, testing and evaluating in a project management process. It prepares students for careers in engineering, manufacturing and design through a university or TAFE vocational study pathway, employment, apprenticeships and traineeships.

Prescribed project for Unit 2

Unit 1 Actual student work

Why study VCE Systems Engineering?

You get to make stuff.

You get to choose your own project - a mechanical system for Unit 1, an electrical systems for Unit 2, and an integrated mechanical & electrical system for Unit 3/4. If you cannot decide on your projects for Unit 1 or Unit 2, don't worry, a project will be prescribed.

You learn how to plan.

You will learn how to take a project from concept to realisation using a structured process known as the Systems Engineering Process. This will enable you to work through your project methodically and purposefully to produce your finished system. You will also learn how to write a technical report to formally document your project.

You get to use cool equipment.

3D printers for additive manufacturing, and mini CNC routers for subtractive manufacturing of components and parts are available to students for use in their projects. In addition, various tools and equipment such as drills, scroll saws and hand saws are also available.

It can help balance your academic workload.

A significant portion of the work for Systems Engineering is done in class. Therefore, homework is typically less that other more academic subjects.

Hence when chosen in combination with other subjects, Systems Engineering can help make the academic workload more manageable. It is something to consider especially if one is intending to undertake other subjects that entail a heavy academic workload for VCE.

That said, students choosing this elective are expected to make the most of their time in class.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

VCE Systems Engineering also complements Physics as there is considerable overlap in the theory in several areas. Hence, students taking Systems Engineering will have an advantage in Physics and vice versa.

Course structure

VCE Systems Engineering Unit 1 & 2 course is split into a mechanical component and electrical component, with the mechanical component being covered in Unit 1 and electrical component in Unit 2.

For Unit 1 & 2 students get to choose their project but are prescribed projects if they cannot come up with their own.

For Unit 3 & 4 there is a year-long project that integrates both mechanical and electrical components.
There is also a research task for each of Unit 3 & 4.

The VCE Systems Engineering course comprises of Units 1 & 2 (typically taken in Year 11 in Victoria), and Units 3 & 4 (typically taken in Year 12 in Victoria). In GWSC in is not uncommon for students to accelerate and complete Unit 1 & 2 in Year 10 and Unit 3 & 4 in Year 11.

The full description of the VCE course can be found in the Study Design available on the Systems Engineering page from VCAA:

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/systemsengineering/Pages/Index.aspx

If you are considering doing Systems Engineering for VCE, downloading and examining the Study Design is strongly recommended.

You may notice that the theory component (i.e. the Key Knowledge and Key Skills) for Unit 1 Area of Study 1 Mechanical System Design, and Unit 2 Area of Study 1 Electrotechnological Systems Design, are almost identical to Unit 3 Area of Study 1 Integrated And Controlled Systems Design! This means that students have an opportunity to hone their skills and knowledge over a longer period compared to other subjects.

The VCE Systems Engineering course has four units:

Unit 1: Mechanical systems

Mechanical system design
Producing and evaluating mechanical systems

Unit 2: Electrotechnological systems

Electrotechnological system design
Producing and evaluating electrotechnological systems

Unit 3: Integrated and controlled systems

Integrated and controlled systems design
Clean energy technologies

Unit 4: Systems control

Producing and evaluating integrated and controlled systems
New and emerging technologies

Please note: The study design will be changing in 2026. Minor changes may occur. Please feel free to speak to a systems engineering teacher who can advise you of the changes once published by VCAA.

2021 Results: Perfect Score of 50 achieved in Systems Engineering @ GWSC

Assessment

Assessment includes School Assessed Coursework (SACs), School Assessed Task (SAT) and an external examination.

Unit 1 & 2:

VCE Unit 1 & 2, like other VCE subjects, is assessed on a Satisfactory / Not Satisfactory basis.

Unit 1: SAC (Mechanical concepts test), SAT (Mechanical project)
Unit 2: SAC (Electrical concepts test), SAT (Electrical project)

Unit 3 & 4:

VCE Unit 3 & 4 students are awarded a study score that contributes to their ATAR.
Assessment for VCE Unit 3 & 4 is as follows:

School-assessed Coursework (two research tasks): 20%
School-assessed Task (year long project): 50%
End-of-year exam (external): 30%.

Students choose their own year long project for Unit 3 & 4 which must incorporate both mechanical and electrical concepts.

SCALING

An important consideration when choosing VCE Systems Engineering is the scaling, and the latest scaling report is available from VTAC at:

https://www.vtac.edu.au/reports/

Systems Engineering scales down considerably compared to other subjects, and unfortunately, this may deter some promising students from taking Systems Engineering for VCE.

However, it should be noted that the down scaling for Systems Engineering reduces at higher scores, therefore, students should aim to achieve high to mitigate the scaling. Students may find it easier to achieve a high score in a subject that they enjoy and are good at.

STUDENT COMMENTS

"VCE Systems Engineering allows students to explore both mechanical and electrical concepts. Through the main project, we get to incorporate skills such as coding, use of tools and machinery and also theoretical components. Personally, I enjoyed the practical part as I got to apply the skills I learn through the years. This subject also helped me with my physics as some concepts are similar. I encourage students to choose this subject as it gives a glimpse into the world of Engineering." - Sanika, 2021.

"I would recommend the VCE Systems Engineering course for people who are interested in doing practical work. The Systems Engineering process is an interesting and useful thing to learn how to apply to your needs, and is a useful skill to learn. Learning how to code micro-controllers is also a skill that might come handy in the future. If you are willing to put effort into this course, it is a good course to learn useful skills from, and if you are into practical work, this course is for you." - Adrian, 2021.

"VCE Systems Engineering is an amazing course for those who are interested in a Hands-on VCE subject and those who wants to take a sneak peak into the engineering pathway. During this course, you are able to learn many new skills, including using a large variety of equipment, tools and software to design, build and analyse your own project. If you are going to study Physics, I highly recommend you this subject as many theory concepts in physics are also present in Systems Engineering and you are also able to use those concepts practically to see for yourselves how those concepts work." - Joshua, 2021.

study and career paths

Check out the Careers Paths page

For more information, please speak to Mr. Lynch-Wells (BLW), Mr. McIntosh (JMN) or Mr. Martinek (FMA).

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