DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC Board Developed Course
Course Description:
Students study design processes, design theory and factors in relation to design projects.
In the Preliminary course, students study designing and producing, which includes the completion of at least two design projects.
In the HSC course, students undertake a study of innovation and emerging technologies, which includes a case study of an innovation. They also study designing and producing, which includes the completion of a Major Design Project.
Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Course
Designing and Producing, including the study of design theory, design processes, creativity, collaborative design, research, management, using resources, communication, manufacturing and production, computer-based technologies, safety, evaluation, environmental issues, analysis, marketing and manipulation of materials, tools and techniques.
HSC Course
Innovation and Emerging Technologies, including a case study of innovation. The study of designing and producing includes a Major Design Project. The project folio includes a project proposal and management, project development and realisation, and project evaluation.
Particular Course Requirements:
In the Preliminary course, students must participate in hands-on practical activities. In the HSC course the comprehensive study of designing and producing that were studied in the Preliminary course are synthesised and applied. This culminates in the development and realisation of a Major Design Project and the presentation of a case study.
ENGINEERING STUDIES
2 Units for each Preliminary and HSC Board Developed Course
Course Description:
The Engineering Studies Stage 6 Syllabus is directed towards the development and application of mathematical, scientific and technological skills and their integration with business and management. It provides students with skills, knowledge and understanding associated with a study of engineering, its practices and associated methodologies. The subject promotes environmental, economic and global awareness, problem-solving ability, engagement with information technology,
self-directed learning, communication, management skills in working as a team.
The Engineering Studies Stage 6 Syllabus is unique in that it develops knowledge and understanding of the profession of engineering. It also provides an opportunity to integrate the science and mathematics disciplines with societal development and change. The syllabus is inclusive of the needs, interests and aspirations of all students and provides opportunities and challenge to deal with engineering concepts.
Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Modules HSC Modules
*120 hours indicative time *120 hours indicative time
Engineering application Engineering application
Module 1 Module 1
Engineering fundamentals Civil structures
Engineering application Engineering application
Module 2 Module 2
Engineering products Personal and public transport
Engineering application Engineering focus
Module 3 Module 3
Braking systems Aeronautical engineering
Engineering focus Engineering focus
Module 4 Module 4
Biomedical engineering Telecommunications engineering
Particular Course Requirements:
The Preliminary course consists of 4 modules. Each module is compulsory. They are comprised of 3 engineering application modules and 1 engineering focus module. During the Preliminary course, students are required to complete a range of assessment tasks in an ‘Engineering Report'. The assessment tasks reflect the broad range of knowledge and skills covered in the course.
The HSC course consists of 4 modules comprising 2 engineering application modules and 2 engineering focus modules. Each module is compulsory. During the HSC course students are required to produce 2 Engineering reports with 1 report from either of the engineering application modules and 1 from either of the engineering focus modules.
FOOD TECHNOLOGY
2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC Board Developed Course
Course Description:
Students will develop knowledge and understanding about the production, processing and consumption of food, the nature of food and human nutrition and an appreciation of the importance of food to health and its impact on society. Skills will be developed in researching, analysing and communicating food issues, food preparation, and the design, implementation and evaluation of solutions to food situations.
Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Course
• Food Availability and Selection (30%)
• Food Quality (40%)
• Nutrition (30%)
HSC Course
• The Australian Food Industry (15%)
• Food Manufacture (30%)
• Food Product Development (30%)
• Contemporary Food Issues in Nutrition (25%)
Particular Course Requirements:
There is no prerequisite study for the 2 unit Preliminary course. Completion of the 2 unit Preliminary course is a prerequisite to the study of the 2 unit HSC course.
In order to meet the course requirements, students must ‘learn about' food availability and selection, food quality, nutrition, the Australian food industry, food manufacture, food product development and contemporary food issues.
It is mandatory that students undertake practical activities. Such experiential learning activities are specified in the ‘learn to' section of each strand.
INFORMATION PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGY
2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC Board Developed Course
Course Description:
Information Processes and Technology is the study of computer based information systems. It focuses on information processes performed by these systems and the information technology that allows them to take place. Social, ethical and non-computer procedures resulting from these processes are considered and discussed. Different types of information systems are studied. Through project work, students will create their own
information system to meet an identified need.
Main topics covered:
Preliminary Course: Introduction to Information skills and Systems
• Information Systems in Context
• Information Processes
• Digital Representation of Data
• Classification of Information Systems
• Social and Ethical Issues
Tools for Information processes
• Collecting
• Organising
• Analysing
• Storing and Retrieving
• Processing
• Transmitting and Receiving
• Displaying
Planning, Design and Implementation
• Understanding the Problem to be Solved
• Making Decisions
• Designing Solutions
• Implementing
• Testing, Evaluating and Maintaining
• Social and Ethical Issues
Personal and Groups Systems and Projects
• Personal Information Systems
• Group Information Systems
HSC Course
Project(s)
• Understanding the Problem
• Making Decisions
• Designing Solutions
• Project Management
• Social and Ethical Design
• Implementing
• Testing, Evaluating and Maintaining
Information Systems and Databases
• Information systems
• Examples of Database Information Systems
• Organisation Methods
• Storage and Retrieval
• Other Information Processes
• Issues related to Information Systems
Communication Systems
• Characteristics of Communication Systems
• Examples of Communication Systems
• Transmitting and Receiving in Communication Systems
• Other Information Processes in Communication Systems
• Issues Related to Communication Systems
Option Strands
Students will select two of the following options:
• Transaction Processing Systems
• Decision Support Systems
• Automated Manufacturing Systems
• Multimedia Systems
Particular Course Requirements:
There are no prerequisites for the 2 unit Preliminary course. Completion of the 2 unit Preliminary course is a prerequisite to the study of the 2 unit HSC course.
SOFTWARE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
Software Design and Development aims to teach students the knowledge, values and communication skills required to develop computer software. The subject provides students with a systematic approach to problem-solving, opportunities to be creative, excellent career prospects and interesting content.
Students interested in the fields of software development and computer science will find this subject valuable. The subject is not only for those who seek further study or careers in this field, but also for students who wish to understand the underlying principles of software design and development. Students with software development skills wishing to acquire team and communication skills will find this subject relevant. In both strands of the course, students are required to complete a significant software project.
Topics
Preliminary Course
- Social and ethical issues
- Hardware and software
- Software development approaches
- Defining and understanding the problem
- Planning and designing software solutions
- Implementing software solutions
- Testing and evaluating software solutions
- Maintaining software solutions
HSC Course
- Social and ethical issues
- Application of software development approaches
- Defining and understanding the problem
- Planning and designing software solutions
- Implementing software solutions
- Testing and evaluating software solutions
- Maintaining software solutions
- The interrelationship between software and hardware
Particular course requirements
There are no prerequisites for the study of the Preliminary course. Completion of the Preliminary course is a prerequisite for the HSC course.
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
2 units for each of Preliminary and HSCBoard Developed Course
Exclusions: Some Industry Focus areas with similar VET Curriculum Framework streams and Content Endorsed Courses.
Course Description:
Industrial Technology Stage 6 consists of project work and an Industry Study that develop a broad range of skills and knowledge related to the industry focus area chosen, and an introduction to industrial processes and practices.
The Focus Areas include Automotive Industries; Building and Construction Industries; Electronics Industries; Graphics Industries; Metals and Engineering Industries; Multimedia Industries; Plastics Industries; Timber Products and Furniture Industries.
Main Topics Covered:
Preliminary Course
The following sections are taught in relation to the relevant focus area:
- Industry Study – structural, technical, environmental and sociological, personnel, Occupational Health and Safety
- Design and Management – designing, drawing, computer applications, project management
- Workplace Communication – literacy, calculations, graphics
- Industry Specific Content and Production
HSC Course
The following sections are taught in relation to the relevant focus area through the development of a Major Project and a study of the relevant industry:
- Industry Study
- Design and Management
- Workplace Communication
- Industry Specific Content and Production
Particular Course Requirements:
In the Preliminary course, students must design, develop and construct a number of projects (at least one group project). Each project must include a management folio. Students also undertake the study of an individual business within the industry. In the HSC course, students must design, develop and construct a major project with a management folio. They also undertake a study of the overall industry related to the specific focus area.
MARINE STUDIES
Course: Marine Studies
Board Content Endorsed Course
Course outline: Marine Australia consists of 69,630 kilometres of coastline, 14.8
million square kilometres of continental shelf, 12000 islands, 783 major estuaries
AND all of the life that this huge area contains. The Marine studies course covers
both practical and theoretical aspects of the marine environment. A key issue is how
to strike a balance between using marine resources for human benefit and protecting
the natural heritage of marine areas. There is a strong focus in the course on solving
real life problems.
Topics: There is an eight-week core that covers the following topics: safety,
first aid, the marine environment, life in the sea and marine employment
opportunities. The rest of the preliminary and HSC course consists of modules
agreed upon by the teacher and class. There are 23 optional modules from which to
choose.
They are:
1 Resuscitation Certificate 2 First Aid Certificate
3 Dangerous Marine Creatures 4 Estuarine Studies
5 Coastal Studies 6 Coral Reef Ecology
7 Local Area Study 8 Sea Birds of Our Coast
9 Commercial and Recreational 10 Fishing
11 Aquaculture 12 Marine Resource Management
13 Marine Aquarium 14 Anatomy of Marine Organisms
15 Seafood Handling and Processing 16 Skin Diving and Diving Science
17 Marine Engineering 18 Marine Archaeology
19 Boating and Seamanship 20 Marine Craft Construction and Repair
21 Pilotage and Navigation 22 Marine Communication
23 Wind Powered Craft
There is a strong emphasis on the real-life aspects of the course and, in particular, the links to practical areas of Marine Studies and how these are important to vital primary industries, tourism, recreation and safeguarding our seas and oceans.