SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY – SEPTEMBER 2012 CURRICULUM EVENTS – COURSE AIMS AND STRU CTURE
SUBJECT:
ENGINEERING SCIENCE
PURPOSE:
The Course provides a broad introduction to engineering. Because of its focus on developing transferable
skills, it will be of value to many learners, and particularly beneficial to learners considering a career in engineering, or one
of its many branches.
National 3
National 4
National 5
Higher
COURSE AIMS
There is no
National 3 Course
in Engineering
Science
The aims of the Course are to enable
learners to:
 apply knowledge and
understanding of basic
engineering facts and ideas
 understand the relationships
between engineering,
mathematics and science
 apply skills in analysis, design,
construction and evaluation to a
range of straightforward
engineering problems
 communicate engineering
concepts clearly and concisely
using appropriate terminology
 develop an understanding of the
role and impact of engineering in
changing and influencing our
environment and society
The aims of the Course are to enable
learners to:
 apply knowledge and
understanding of key
engineering facts and ideas
 understand the relationships
between engineering,
mathematics and science
 apply skills in analysis, design,
construction and evaluation to a
range of engineering problems
 communicate engineering
concepts clearly and concisely,
using appropriate terminology
 develop an understanding of the
role and impact of engineering
in changing and influencing our
environment and society
The aims of the Course are to enable
learners to:
 extend and apply knowledge and
understanding of key engineering
concepts, principles and practice
 understand the relationships
between engineering,
mathematics and science
 apply analysis, design,
construction and evaluation to a
range of engineering problems
with some complex features
 communicate engineering
concepts clearly and concisely,
using appropriate terminology
 develop a greater understanding
of the role and impact of
engineering in changing and
influencing our environment and
National 3
National 4
National 5
Higher
society
STRUCTURE, ASSESSMENT AND HIERARCHIES
Course Structure:
Units and Added Value Unit
Course Structure:
Units and Course Assessment
 Engineering Contexts and
Challenges
1) Investigate simple engineered
objects
2) Investigate engineering
challenges and relate these to
key engineering facts and ideas
3) Describe, in simple terms, some
aspects of the benefits of
engineering
 Engineering Contexts and
Challenges
1) Investigate engineered objects
2) Investigate engineering
challenges and relate these to
key engineering concepts
3) Describe some aspects of the
impact of engineering
 Electronics and Control
1) Develop simple analogue
electronic control systems
2) Develop simple digital electronic
control systems
 Mechanisms and Structures
1) Investigate a range of simple
mechanical and pneumatic
systems
2) Develop mechanical or
pneumatic solutions to solve
straightforward problems
 Electronics and Control
1) Develop analogue electronic
control systems
2) Develop digital electronic
control systems
 Mechanisms and Structures
1) Investigate a range of
mechanical and pneumatic
systems
2) Develop mechanical or
pneumatic solutions to solve
problems
Course Structure:
Units and Course Assessment
 Engineering Contexts and
Challenges
1) Research and describe a
complex engineering system
2) Model aspects of a complex
engineered solution
3) Present a critical analysis of an
engineered solution to a
contemporary problem
 Electronics and Control
1) Develop analogue electronic
control systems
2) Develop digital electronic
control systems
3) Develop programmable control
systems for mechatronic
systems
 Mechanisms and Structures
1) Investigate a range of complex
mechanisms and structures
2) Develop mechanical or
structural solutions to solve
complex problems
National 3
National 4
Added Value Unit
 Engineering Science Assignment
1) Develop, with guidance, an
engineering solution which will
draw on and apply skills and
knowledge of mechanisms,
structures and electronic control
systems
Hierarchies:
Each Unit is hierarchical with
corresponding Unit at National 5.
National 5
Higher
Course Assessment
 Question Paper
 Assignment
Course Assessment
 Question Paper
 Assignment
Hierarchies:
Each Unit is hierarchical with
corresponding Unit at National 4 and
Higher.
Hierarchies:
Each Unit is hierarchical with
corresponding Unit at National 5.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
 analysing, with guidance,
straightforward engineering
problems
 designing, developing, simulating,
building and testing, with
guidance, solutions to
straightforward engineering
problems in a range of contexts
 investigating, with guidance, some
existing and emerging
technologies
 communicating basic engineering
facts and ideas clearly and
concisely using appropriate
terminology
 awareness of the main branches of
 analysing engineering problems
 designing, developing, simulating,
building, testing and evaluating
solutions to engineering
problems in a range of contexts
 investigating and evaluating
existing and emerging
technologies
 communicating engineering
concepts clearly and concisely,
using appropriate terminology
 knowledge of the many types of
engineering
 knowledge of the wide role and
impact of engineering on society
and the environment
 analysing engineering problems
with some complex features
 designing, developing, simulating,
building, testing and evaluating
solutions to engineering problems
in a range of contexts
 investigating and evaluating
existing and emerging technologies
 communicating engineering
concepts clearly and concisely,
using appropriate terminology
 knowledge and understanding of
the many types of engineering
 knowledge and understanding of
the wide role and impact of
engineering on society and the
National 3






National 4
engineering: electrical,
mechanical, civil and chemical
basic knowledge of the wide role
and impact of engineering on
society and the environment
basic knowledge of the workings
of a range of simple engineered
objects
knowledge of key facts and ideas
related to electronic and
microcontroller-based control
systems, and their application
knowledge of key facts and ideas
related to mechanical, structural
and pneumatic systems, and their
application
basic knowledge of the relevance
of energy, efficiency and
sustainability to straightforward
engineering problems and
solutions
applying engineering knowledge
and skills in a range of
straightforward contexts





National 5
knowledge of the workings of a
range of engineered objects
knowledge and understanding of
key concepts related to electronic
and microcontroller-based
systems, and their application
knowledge and understanding of
key concepts related to
mechanical, structural and
pneumatic systems, and their
application
knowledge of the relevance of
energy, efficiency and
sustainability to engineering
problems and solutions
applying engineering knowledge
and skills in a range of contexts





Higher
environment
knowledge and understanding of
the workings of a range of
engineered objects
knowledge and understanding of
key concepts related to electronic
and microcontroller-based systems,
and their application
knowledge and understanding of
key concepts related to mechanical,
structural and pneumatic systems,
and their application
knowledge and understanding of
the relevance of energy, efficiency
and sustainability to engineering
problems and solutions
applying engineering knowledge,
understanding and skills in a range
of contexts