Science: Systems, Technology and Design

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated Total Time Commitment - 160 hours; which includes the 12-week semester and 4 weeks of non-teaching and assessment time

Satisfactory completion of each assessment component of:

Science study to Year 10 level, together with satisfactory completion of at least one VCE Unit 1/2 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Human beings have developed skills in managing their environment, designing and constructing systems to make use of both biological and physical resources. The outcomes of this resource use have also brought about the need to consider carefully the sustainability with which these resources are used, their impact on the living world and ethical questions of resource use. In this subject, students will consider both natural and constructed structures and systems and their impact, integrating the contributions of biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering and physics. Careful development of students’ academic skills will be embedded in this subject.

Topics include:

• Structures: structures in the natural environment (including the human body) and built environment – mechanics of structures (analysis of forces and the behaviour of materials in stable structures);
• Electrical systems and energy use: production and transmission of electrical energy, and efficiency of those processes – transformation of other forms of energy into electrical energy (electric and magnetic forces, electric circuits);
• Transport systems: moving vehicles, efficiency of energy transformation – mechanics of movement, energy transformation from fuel;
• Food systems: sustainable food production and distribution – agricultural science, environmental science, sustainable use and management of our natural resources ensuring adequate quantity and quality of food production.

To enable students to apply the methods of science, technology and engineering systems to understanding structures, production and transmission of electrical energy and transformation of various forms of energy into mechanical energy, production and distribution of food and develop their capacity to:

• explain the principles underpinning our understanding of a range of structures and systems;
• apply these principles using logical reasoning, together with appropriate mathematical reasoning, to a variety of familiar and novel situations and problems in the biological, engineering and physical sciences; and
• acquire experimental data using a range of measurement instruments and interpret these data.

• Ongoing assessment of class activities, including practical and laboratory work, equivalent to 1500 words. Satisfactory completion of this assessment, including 80% attendance, is required for a pass (20%)
• Two 20-minute tests (15%)
• Two written assignments, each equivalent to 500 words (15%)
• 2-hour examination. Satisfactory completion of this assessment is required for a pass (50%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

A student who completes this subject should be able to:

• explain their understanding of science, technology and engineering principles and applications clearly, both in writing and orally;
• acquire and interpret experimental data and design experimental investigations;
• participate as an effective member of a group in discussions and practical work;
• think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning; and
• manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular classes and assessment tasks.