Tools of the trade
The Engineering Studies Stage 6 Syllabus is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of the engineering profession as well as the nature of work done by engineers. You can access the syllabus documents and past examination papers from the Board of Studies website.
HSC course requirements
The HSC course of the Engineering Studies syllabus is divided into five modules.
There are resources for each of these modules available at NSW HSC Online.
Three modules focus on engineering applications: Civil structures (for example bridges, buildings); Personal and public transport (for example bicycles, trains); Lifting devices (for example cranes, winches).
The other two modules emphasise the nature of the profession and the scope of engineering activities in the fields of Aeronautical Engineering and Telecommunications engineering.
The content of each module is divided into sections: historical and societal influences; engineering materials; engineering mechanics and hydraulics; and scope of the profession and communication.
Each module requires you to complete an engineering report. Details about what is required in an engineering report can be found on page 11 of the syllabus.
A guide to preparing engineering reports can be found on the NSW HSC Online website.
The HSC examination
The HSC exam for Engineering Studies will be on Thursday, October 21, from 1.55-5.00pm. The paper is divided into three sections.
Section I (10 marks)
All questions are compulsory. There will be ten multiple choice questions. The questions will be based on the application modules.
Section II (70 marks)
All questions are compulsory. There will be six questions. Each question will consist of a number of parts requiring short, structured responses.
There will be one question, worth 10 marks, based on historical and societal influence and the scope of the profession.
There will be three questions, worth 10 marks each, based on the application modules.
There will be two questions, worth 15 marks each, based on the focus modules.
Section III (20 marks)
All questions are compulsory. Each question will consist of a number of parts requiring short, structured responses.
There will be two questions, worth 10 marks each, based on all modules and engineering reports (Engineering Studies Stage 6 Syllabus page 53).
It helps to understand the principles applied by the Board of Studies in the development of HSC examination papers. The questions in the Engineering Studies paper will sample the content and outcomes of the HSC course. From year to year the content and outcomes sampled in the paper will be unpredictable. To be well prepared for the examination you must study the complete HSC course.
It is intended that clear and simple language is used in questions. The instructional words that are commonly used in examination questions - such as explain, compare, discuss or justify - are defined in the Board of Studies Glossary of Key Words. You can access this from the BOS website.
It is important to be familiar with these definitions so that you know exactly what the examination question requires you to do.
The structured free response questions in Sections II and III will include parts sequenced in order of difficulty, with the latter parts in a question becoming more challenging. Typically, more marks are allocated for the more challenging questions.
Preparing for the examination
To be successful in Engineering Studies you must be able to demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the content, as well as an ability to apply your knowledge to practical applications.
In the HSC course you may have studied the various components of the syllabus content through experimental work, practical applications and site visits. You will also have prepared an engineering report for each module. Use these experiences, where relevant, to support your examination answers with specific, practical examples. This helps to show the examiner the depth of your understanding.
The NSW HSC Online website contains excellent resources developed by experienced teachers of Engineering Studies. In preparation for the examination, use this website to consolidate your knowledge and understanding and give variety to your study program.
For all modules there is a range of information and revision activities including:
Normalising in the Lifting devices application module.
Bending stresses in the Civil structures application module.
Polymer composites in the Aeronautical engineering focus module.
Engineering materials - semiconductors in the Telecommunications focus module.
In the examination
Allocate an appropriate amount of time to each question. The proportion of marks allocated to each question is a good indication of the amount of time that is best spent on a question. As an example, allow approximately 15 to 20 minutes for section I, about two hours and five minutes for section II and 35 minutes for section III.
Read all questions thoroughly. Underline or highlight keywords or phrases to help you focus on what the question is asking.
Structure your answer according to the parts of the question.
Use neat, clearly labeled diagrams, where appropriate, to clarify your answer.
Support your answers with specific relevant information and examples, such as those you have referred to in engineering reports.
Use terminology accurately and write legibly so the examiner has no difficulty reading your answer.
Leave time at the end to check through your responses.
Paul Stewart is Head Teacher Industrial Arts/ Computing at Glendale Technology High School. John Gibson is the Engineering Studies Node Coordinator for NSW HSC Online. Bill Blake is Senior Curriculum Adviser, Technology, Curriculum K-12 Directorate, NSW Department of Education and Training.