S5 Higher Engineering Science Course

The Systems Approach

role of negative feedback in a system

closed-loop, two-state and proportional feedback

complex system, sub-system and control diagrams

using error detection in a closed-loop system

Energy and Efficiency

calculations related to energy audits

energy losses

efficiency

outputs

inputs

applied calculations involving efficiency, work done and power

Calculations

manipulating and combining given formulae to obtain answers

solving structural problems using trigonometric functions and
substitution in simultaneous equations

Engineering roles
and disciplines

role of the professional engineer within a project, including
communication and team working

skills and specialist knowledge required within projects

Impacts of Engineering

examples of environmental impacts (positive and negative) of
engineering

sustainability of engineering solutions

examples of social and economic impacts (positive and negative)
of engineering

emerging technologies and their impact

Electronic control systems

Drive systems

Pneumatics

Structures and
forces

Materials

Analogue

Digital

variable resistors, light and temperature sensors in voltage
dividers

Digital electronic control

using input transducer characteristics, relevant to the above
bullet, to design voltage dividers to meet a specification

function and purpose of BJTs

designing a BJT circuit as a current amplifier

calculating the current gain (hFE) of an npn transistor

function and purpose of MOSFETs

designing a MOSFET (n-channel enhancement mode) circuit as
a voltage-operated switch

comparing BJT and MOSFET transistors in a given application

function of op-amp configurations:

inverting

non-inverting

comparator

difference amplifier

summing amplifier

voltage followers

calculating relationship between input and output voltages for
different op-amp configurations

logic functions: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, EOR and
combinations with up to four inputs

conversion to NAND equivalent

developing Boolean expressions from truth tables, logic
diagrams or circuit specifications

constructing truth tables and logic diagrams from written
specifications

Programmable control

controlling a motor using pulse-width modulation

control routines with up to four inputs and four outputs,
processing analogue inputs

using infinite and finite loops and time delays

using logic and arithmetic operations to make decisions

using high-level programs to monitor inputs and initiate digital
outputs

using high-level programs to make decisions using arithmetic
and logic functions

selecting and calculating appropriate drive systems:

purpose of couplings (rigid and flexible), radial and thrust
bearings (plain, ball, roller, journal)

diagrams of drive systems

simple and compound gear trains

belt drives and chain drives

rack and pinion

worm and wheel

worm and nut

purpose of friction in brakes and clutches

calculating torque: T = Fr

calculating power in a drive system: P = 2 π nT

sequential control circuits, with up to three cylinders

electro-pneumatic control circuits

equilibrium of concurrent and non-concurrent forces in 2D

resolving triangle/polygon of forces, resultant/equilibrant

using nodal analysis to calculate the size and nature of forces in
frames

diagrams of structures

calculating reaction forces in simply-supported beams or
structures

where loads are not exclusively horizontal or vertical

with hinge and roller supports

with uniformly distributed loads (partial or full length)

stress/strain (load/extension) graphs

using strain gauges

calculating Young’s Modulus of elasticity

calculating factor of safety

calculating elastic strain energy: Es = 1⁄2 Fx

properties of materials:

brittleness

elasticity

ductility

plasticity

strength

malleability