Senior Phase

Engineering shapes the world in which we live, by applying elements of technology, science and mathematics to real-world challenges. Engineers play key roles in meeting the needs of society in fields that include climate change, medicine, IT and transport.

The course helps learners to develop an understanding of the far-reaching impact of engineering on our society. They learn about the central role of engineers as designers and problem-solvers, able to conceive, design, implement and operate complex systems.

Learners develop the ability 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

Please Note – Learners must have good numeracy skills to study this course as they will be required to complete a variety of complex mathematical calculations. Learners need to be studying Maths at National 5 level.

Course Structure

The Engineering Science course consists of 3 units;

Engineering Contexts and Challenges

Candidates develop an understanding of engineering concepts by exploring a range of engineered objects, engineering problems and solutions. This allows them to explore some existing and emerging technologies and challenges and to consider the implications relating to the environment, sustainable development and economic and social issues.

Electronics and Control

Candidates explore a range of key concepts and devices used in electronic control systems, including analogue, digital and programmable systems. They develop skills in problem solving and evaluating through simulation, practical projects and investigative tasks in a range of contexts.

Mechanisms and Structures

Candidates develop an understanding of mechanisms and structures. They develop skills in problem-solving and evaluating through simulation, practical projects and investigative tasks in a range of contexts.

Course Assessment

To gain a National 5 award, learners must complete various unit tasks before completing the Final Course Assignment and a final written exam.

National 5

Question Paper – 110 marks

Final Course Assignment – 50 marks

At National 5 level, the course assessment is graded A–D with a learner’s overall grade determined by their performance in both the Final Course Assignment and the Question Paper.

Higher

Topics and skills covered in the course include:

Engineering contexts and challenges – types of engineering and engineering projects, economic, social and environmental impacts of engineering; emerging technologies; energy and efficiency.
Systems and control – the systems approach to engineering; energy systems; open and closed loop control; two state control; proportional control incorporating negative feedback.
Electronic systems – analogue electronics, including Ohm’s law, Kirchoff’s laws, resistors in series and parallel, electrical power, voltage dividers, and transistor switching circuits, including BJT and MOSFET functions, transistors as drivers, op-amp functions and circuit design; digital electronics including logic circuits (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR), truth tables, Boolean expressions and NAND equivalents; microcontrollers including high-level programming techniques (including pulse width modulation, ramping, incremental counts and other logic operations).
Mechanical systems– motion and forces; mechanisms and drive systems; pneumatic systems (including cascading, group air and electrical control); beams and frame structures; and material properties (including analysis of test results).

Higher is assessed by completing an engineering assignment worth 40% of the final mark. The remaining 60% is assessed by a written examination.

Expectations

Engineering Science is recommended as a pupil choice along with Mathematics, Physics and/or Computing Science – it should not be seen as a replacement for other science subjects.
Strong skills in Mathematics are required to succeed in Engineering Science.
There will be regular past paper question homework.
Meeting deadlines and being resilient are important features of being successful in this course – you will be expected to carry out tasks in your own time.
For entry to Higher, pupils will normally have a National 5 pass at grades A-C.

Pupils can access all the notes for this course on Glow within the Engineering Science Microsoft Team

Design and Manufacture

Course Description

This course provides learners with opportunities to develop skills that are of general value for learning, life and work: the ability to read drawings and diagrams; the ability to communicate design ideas and practical details; the ability to devise and develop practical solutions to design problems; and the ability to manufacture their design ideas.

The Course allows learners to engage with technologies and to consider the impact that design and manufacturing technologies have on our environment and society. It allows them to consider how technologies have impacted on the world of the designer and on manufacturing.

The aims of the Course are to enable learners to develop:

skills in design and manufacturing models, prototypes and products
knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes and materials
an understanding of the impact of design and manufacturing technologies on our environment and society

Course Structure

The Design & Manufacture course consists of 2 units;

Design & Manufacture: Design

This Unit covers the product design process from brief to resolved design proposals, including specification. It helps learners develop skills in initiating, developing, articulating and communicating design proposals.

Design & Manufacture: Materials & Manufacturing

This Unit covers the product design process from design proposals to prototype or product. It helps learners to ‘close the design loop’ by manufacturing their design ideas. It allows learners to develop practical skills that are invaluable in the design/make/test process.

Course Assessment

To gain a National 4 award, learners must pass two mandatory units as well as complete the final Added Value Unit folio and final Added Value Unit model.

To gain a National 5 award, learners must complete various unit tasks before completing the Final Course Assessment folio, Final Course Assessment model and a final written exam.

National 4

National 5

Design Unit – pass

Materials and Manufacturing Unit - pass

Added Value Unit folio – pass

Added Value Unit model - pass

Question Paper – 80 marks

Final Course Assessment folio – 55 marks

Final Course Assessment model – 45 marks

At National 4 level, the Added Value Unit folio and Added Value Unit model will be used to determine a “pass” or “fail”. At National 5 level, the course assessment is graded A–D with a learner’s overall grade determined by their performance in the Final Course Assessment folio, Final Course Assessment model and the Question Paper.

Higher Design and Manufacture

Course Description

The Course provides a broad and practical experience in product design and manufacture. It provides opportunities for learners to gain skills in designing and communicating design proposals and opportunities for learners to refine and resolve their design ideas effectively.

The Course provides opportunities for learners to apply practical skills and an understanding of the properties and uses of materials and manufacturing processes. It does so in a way that allows learners to inform and refine their own design proposals. It offers them opportunities to explore design alternatives and to consider the manufacturing practicalities that these design alternatives bring to light.

The aims of the Course are to enable learners to develop:

· research skills

· skills in designing products

· knowledge and understanding of materials and commercial manufacture

· knowledge and understanding of design factors

· an understanding of the impact of design and manufacturing technologies on society, the environment and the world of work

Course Structure

The Design & Manufacture course consists of 2 units;

Design & Manufacture: Design

Candidates study the design process from brief to design proposal. This helps them to develop skills in initiating, developing, articulating and communicating design proposals. Candidates explore and refine design proposals using the design/make/test process and by applying knowledge of materials, processes and design factors to reach a viable solution. This helps them to develop an understanding of the iterative nature of the design process. Candidates also develop an understanding of the factors that influence the design, marketing and use of commercial products.

Design & Manufacture: Materials & Manufacturing

Candidates study the manufacture of commercial products. They develop knowledge of materials, manufacturing and production processes and strengthen their understanding of how these influence the design of products. This provides candidates with the knowledge and understanding required to develop a viable design proposal for a commercial product and to plan its production.

Integrating the two areas of study is fundamental to delivering the course successfully. It helps candidates to understand the relationship between designing products and manufacturing products and it helps them to see how this connection influences a product’s lifecycle. By combining the study of design with the study of manufacturing, candidates also learn to appreciate the impact design and manufacturing technologies have on society, the environment and the world of work.

Course Assessment

To gain a Higher award, learners must complete various unit tasks before completing the Final Course Assessment folio and a final written exam.

Final Course Assessment folio – 90 marks

Question Paper (2 hours and 15 minutes long) – 80 marks

Entry Criteria

Learners who have achieved National 5 Design & Manufacture at A-C level

Practical Woodwork

National 4 and 5 Practical Woodworking

Course Description

The Course provides opportunities for learners to gain a range of practical woodworking skills and to use a variety of tools, equipment and materials. It allows them to plan activities through to the completion of a finished product in wood.

The aims of the Course are to enable learners to develop:

skills in woodworking techniques
skills in measuring and marking out timber sections and sheet materials
safe working practices in workshop environments
practical creativity and problem-solving skills
an understanding of sustainability issues in a practical woodworking context

Course Structure

The Practical Woodworking course consists of 3 units;

Practical Woodworking: Flat-frame Construction

Learners develop skills in making woodworking joints and assemblies commonly used in flat-frame joinery.

Practical Woodworking: Carcase Construction

Learners develop skills in making woodworking joints and assemblies commonly used in carcase construction. Tasks will involve some complex features and may include working with manufactured board or with frames and panels.

Practical Woodworking: Machining and Finishing

Learners develop skills in using common machine and power tools. They develop skills in a variety of woodworking surface preparations and finishing techniques.

Course Assessment

To gain a National 4 award, learners must pass all of the three mandatory unit models as well as complete the final Practical Activity.

National 4

National 5

Flat Frame Construction Unit – pass

Carcase Construction Unit – pass

Machining & Finishing Unit – pass Practical Activity (100%)

Question Paper – 60 marks (30% - scaled mark) Practical Activity – 70 marks (70%)

At National 4 level, the Practical Activity will be used to determine a “pass” or “fail”.

At National 5 level, the course assessment is graded A–D with a learner’s overall grade determined by their performance in both the Practical Activity and the Question Paper.

	Introduction to Higher Engineering Science	[pdf 237KB]
	Introduction to N5 Engineering Science	[pdf 375KB]