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