Book excerpt: This key course book covers the compulsory core units of the 2006 BTEC First Engineering schemes from Edexcel. Full coverage is given to the common core units of the Certificate / Diploma (units 1 and 2), plus the additional compulsory units for Diploma students (units 3 and 4), for all pathways. It also covers the three common specialist option units found within each pathway: Selecting Engineering Materials (unit 8), Using Computer Aided Drawing Techniques in Engineering (unit 10), and Electronic Circuit Construction and Testing (unit 19). BTEC First Engineering students will find this a clear, straightforward and easily accessible text, which encourages independent study and covers all the core material they will be following throughout their course. Knowledge-check questions and activities are included throughout, along with review questions, innovative Another View features, and worked mathematical examples, all of which relate to real-world engineering contexts. Students will gain a valuable insight into various areas of engineering technology and related industries, providing a potential springboard to further training, eventual progression to qualifications within higher education, or to suitable employment. For those students wishing to progress to BTEC National, this text covers all the vital material required as a prerequisite for progression to NQF Level 3. The book is supported with extensive online resources. At http://www.key2study.com students will find: a 2D CAD package that can be used to carry out the practical CAD activities described in the book downloadable CAD drawing templates and Visio symbol libraries an engineering materials database which can be modified and added to by students spreadsheets for solving some common engineering calculations additional software and an on-line quiz for unit 19. In addition, for lecturers only, http://textbooks.elsevier.com has answers to the review questions in units 3 and 4. Mike Tooleyis formerly Vice Principal and Head of Faculty of Engineering at Brooklands College, Surrey, and is the author of many best-selling engineering books.