7–10Computing Technology 7–10 Syllabus

Describe mechatronic systems

Investigate the development and impact of a mechatronic, robotic and/or automated system in a real-world application

Identify mechatronic and automated systems that operate through human or autonomous control

Describe inputs, storage, transmission, processes and outputs in mechatronic and automated systems

Specify the functional requirements of a mechatronic or automated system, including stating the purpose of a system, describing use cases and developing test cases of inputs and expected outputs

Specify the non-functional requirements of a mechatronic or automated system

Consider the social impacts and ethical and legal responsibilities associated with mechatronic and automated systems

Explore mechatronic and automated systems considering the perspectives of diverse groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people of different ages and gender, and people with disability

Describe how mechatronic and automated systems have evolved in response to people's needs and opportunities

Explore design principles and issues relevant to mechatronic and automated systems

Generate alternative designs and evaluate them against the requirements to select a preferred design

Select and justify control systems, components, microcontrollers and co-processors for a mechatronic or automated system

Select and justify sensors for a mechatronic or automated system

Select and justify actuators for a mechatronic or automated system

Select and justify end effectors/manipulators for a mechatronic or automated system

Investigate motion required for mechatronic and automated systems

Investigate data collection and interpretation adhering to privacy and cybersecurity principles, including specify what data is collected, who owns it, and how it will be protected

Represent data and code to facilitate computation, including selecting appropriate data types, understanding data type limitations and structuring code systematically

Represent algorithms using flowcharts and pseudocode

Design or modify existing algorithms for mechatronic or automated systems

Validate algorithms with desk checking

Investigate a real-world problem or need that can be solved by mechatronic and/or automated systems, including breaking it down into manageable parts and interviewing stakeholders to identify their needs

Evaluate existing solutions to the problem or related problems

Interpret and modify existing programs (code) for mechatronic and/or automated systems

Design and implement modular programs (code) with functions for mechatronic and/or automated systems

Plan and manage a project using an iterative approach

Build a mechatronic system using the preferred design and code in a general-purpose programming language

Apply selected algorithms and data structures for mechatronic or automated systems

Validate programs using test cases and debug a range of errors

Select and use specialist terminology in context

Create a record of project development demonstrating iterative design and evaluation

Evaluate their own project and that of their peers using predetermined functional and non-functional requirements

Develop and apply test criteria for components of a mechatronic and/or automated system

Validate algorithms and programs through tracing and test cases

Propose software and hardware modifications to increase the effectiveness of a mechatronic and/or automated system

Evaluate social, ethical and cybersecurity considerations of mechatronic and automated systems

Explore careers in mechatronic and automated systems design, production, installation or maintenance