Pearson BTEC LEVEL 5 HND Diploma in Electrical Engineering (QCF)

Course details

PEARSON BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Electrical Engineering (QCF) prepares students for a professional career as an Electrical Engineer. The programme encompasses a wide range of topics designed to advance both technical knowledge and communication skills. Students will be equipped with practical applications of electrical engineering with a strong theoretical foundation from instructors with many years of industry experience.
Upon completion of level 5 students are able to progress to Bachelor's Degree at universities recognising BTEC higher Nationals.

MODULE STRUCTURE / DESCRIPTION

Analytical Methods for Engineers
This unit enables learners to develop previous mathematical knowledge obtained at school or college and use fundamental algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics and probability for the analysis, modelling and solution of realistic engineering problems.

Engineering Science
This unit will develop learners' understanding of the key mechanical and electrical concepts that relate to all aspects of engineering.
In particular, learners will study elements of engineering statics including the analysis of beams, columns and shafts. They will then be introduced to elements of engineering dynamics, including the behavioural analysis of mechanical systems subject to uniform acceleration, the effects of energy transfer in systems and to natural and forced oscillatory motion.

Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation
This unit provides opportunities for learners to develop skills in decision making, problem solving and communication, integrated with the skills and knowledge developed in many of the other units within the programme to complete a realistic project.
It requires learners to select, plan, implement and evaluate a project and finally present the outcomes, in terms of the process and the product of the project. It also allows learners to develop the ability to work individually and/or with others, within a defined timescale and given constraints, to produce an acceptable and viable solution to an agreed brief.

Electrical and Electronic Principles
Circuits and their characteristics are fundamental to any study of electrical and electronic engineering and therefore a good understanding is important to any engineer.
The engineer must be able to take complex electrical circuit problems, break them down into acceptable elements and apply techniques to solve or analyse the characteristics. Additionally, fine tuning of the circuits can be performed to obtain required output dynamics.
This unit draws together a logical appreciation of the topic and offers a structured approach to the development of the broad learning required at this level. Learners will begin by investigating circuit theory and the related theorems to develop solutions to electrical networks.

Utilisation of Electrical Energy
Electrical energy needs to be used efficiently in order to reduce wastage, especially given the future limitation of fossil fuels and growing environmental concerns.
The selection of power transformers with their varied characteristics will assist distribution and provide electrical energy at usable voltage and current levels to meet client demands.
As an integrated component, the electrical system needs to be protected at its various stages of transmission and distribution against excessive demands and faults that may occur.
The uses of electrical energy are wide and varied but in many ways they can be categorised into three areas: lighting systems, general power consumption, and motors.

Mechatronic Systems
The material and topics covered in this unit will be broad-based to reflect the fact that mechatronics is, by its nature, multi-disciplinary and not confined to a single specialised area.
The unit will encompass small, single component systems as well as larger systems integrating components from different engineering disciplines. It will develop a methodology that will allow learners to apply mechatronic design philosophy throughout the development cycle of a systems and products. The intention is to encourage the learner to recognise a system not as an interconnection of different parts but as an integrated module.
Learners will investigate the applications of mechatronics, considering the need for integration and the nature of mechatronic systems and products. Typical mechatronics components are examined by before learners look at the design steps and processes for mechatronic systems and mechatronic products.

Further Electrical Power
Energy, either from traditional fossil fuels or sustainable alternative energy sources, needs to be converted into an appropriate format to allow for efficient reliable transmission and distribution to the various users, at acceptable quantities, to meet their requirements.
The dissemination of electrical energy is a problem of ever-growing complexity as our dependency grows on its use and consistency of availability. Our communications, transport and commercial operational systems, to name but a few, would all come to an abrupt halt, should it fail to deliver. Historically, 'heavy current' engineers have focused broadly on thermal/current, voltage and system operation constraints. Now with environmental concerns increasing, aesthetic issues, maximising use of existing systems through upgrades, preventive and fault management and reduction of energy loss throughout the transmission and distribution system all need to be taken into account.
This unit develops an understanding of transmission and distribution topics and focuses on the use of overhead lines and cables within power systems. The origin and propagation of surges and transients are analysed. The subject matter of power system faults is, for simplicity, limited to analysing symmetrical faults and logically relates to aspects of power system protection schemes. The synchronisation, operation and use of synchronous machines are also investigated.

Managing People in Engineering
The unit will give learners an opportunity to examine the various practices, procedures and constraints that influence the management of people within a work environment. This will require learners to consider and explain the processes and procedures involved in the management of people, such as human resource planning, recruitment, selection and contracting. Learners will also investigate a range of working relationships in engineering settings and the lines of responsibility. Management and development of human resources are also covered with an examination of industrial relations and legislation.

Management of Projects
The management of projects is a key element for successful scientific investigation of activities related to academic research, company research and development or consultancy.
Through this unit learners will develop an understanding of what constitutes a project and the role of a project manager. They will examine the criteria for the success or failure of a project, evaluate project management systems and review the elements involved in project termination and appraisal.
Learners will also understand the need for structured organisation within the project team, effective control and coordination and good leadership qualities in the project manager. They will be able to analyse and plan the activities needed to carry out the project, including how to set up a project, how to control and execute a project, and how to carry out project reviews using a specialist software package for project management. They will also appreciate how the project fits into the strategy or business plan of an organisation.

Energy Management
This unit is concerned with energy conservation, including energy conservation awareness for both the organisation and personnel. Integral to the content is environmental management, which is now becoming ever increasingly important in energy conservation. Greater gains, both environmentally and economically, can be achieved by cutting down on waste and maximising the efficient use of energy.
Through case studies learners will investigate how environmental objectives and targets are achieved in different industrial or commercial organisations. Learners will understand how this is achieved through co-ordinating personnel, systems, strategy, resources and structures.
Learners will work on a project to ascertain the overall annual heat energy losses (or gains) of an operational building which houses plant engineering equipment and process plant.
Architectural plans providing details of the building fabric and design may be helpful in calculating any heat energy gains or losses. The energy audit need not be confined to this type of project but to arrive at the outcomes the learner must demonstrate the ability to apply heat energy management concepts.

Employability Skills
All learners at all levels of education and experience require honed employability skills as a prerequisite to entering the job market. This unit gives learners an opportunity to assess and develop an understanding of their own responsibilities and performance in, or when entering, the workplace.
It considers the skills required for general employment, such as interpersonal and transferable skills, and the dynamics of working with others in teams or groups including leadership and communication skills.
It also deals with the everyday working requirement of problem solving which includes the identification or specification of the 'problem', strategies for its solution and then evaluation of the results through reflective practices.

Personal and Professional Development
This unit is designed to enable learners to assess and develop a range of professional and personal skills in order to promote future personal and career development. It also aims to develop learners' ability to organise, manage and practise a range of approaches to improve their performance as self-directed learners in preparation for work or further career development.
The unit emphasises the needs of the individual but within the context of how the development of self-management corresponds with effective team management in meeting objectives.
Learners will be able to improve their own learning, be involved in teamwork and be more capable of problem solving through the use of case studies, role play and real-life activities.

Engineering Design
This unit will enable the learner to appreciate that design involves synthesising parameters that will affect the design solution. The learner will prepare a design specification against a customer's specific requirements. They will then prepare a design report that provides an analysis of possible design solutions, an evaluation of costs and an indication of how the proposed design meets the customer's specification. It is expected that the learner will, during the design processes, make full use of appropriate information and communication technology (ICT).

Health, Safety and Risk Assessment in Engineering
This unit has been designed to develop the learner's awareness of the principles, planning and implementation of health and safety practice within an industrial environment such as those to be found in engineering production, manufacture, services and maintenance and those in the chemical, transport and telecommunication engineering industries.
In particular, the selection, application and evaluation of safe working procedures, for operations appropriate to particular industrial activities, are first considered. Then current UK and EU health and safety legislation, the role of the inspectorate, safety audits and current codes of practice are covered. Next, risk is assessed and evaluated by identifying, rating and assessing the severity of hazards and recording all evidence and actions taken for future monitoring of these hazards.
Finally, risk management activities are considered including the methods used for gathering evidence, disseminating information, complying with current regulations and implementing policy to minimise risk to life and property, for activities within a general engineering environment.

Electrical Power
Our modern world increasingly relies upon electrical power to supply our industries, commercial centres and homes with a convenient, flexible and reliable source of energy.
To meet the client's expectations, electrical energy must be provided at a reasonable cost and transmitted to the point of need, at the appropriate voltage and current levels. The client's utilisation of the energy source needs to be appropriate, without undue complexity, to facilitate energy generation and transmission.
This unit takes the learner through the complex process of analysing three-phase systems with consideration being given to harmonics and their effects. The methods of power distribution through the National Grid are then discussed with final economic considerations taken into account to enhance generation, transmission and distribution, with acceptable costs to clients.
Throughout their working careers, modern engineers will have to consider new technologies and be able to evaluate the options available to make appropriate selections. With our global resources of fossil energy reserves decreasing and concerns over protecting the environment growing, alternative sources of energy are considered.
Evaluative considerations will be made to inform the engineer of the issues associated with this topic, which may need to be considered far more at local and regional levels. Additionally, self-generation of electrical energy is now possible for a broad range of users throughout the world, utilising local environmental facilities.

Business Management Techniques for Engineers
In industry, engineers need to understand other factors which drive the business forward. The current financial state of the business will dictate what resources can be afforded to potential projects. Therefore, it is not always possible to select and use the latest technology. Most often, engineering solutions must also be business solutions which are constrained by budgets and time for example. To this end, engineering management requires understanding of business management techniques in order to advance business interests. This unit will provide the learner with the key knowledge and understanding of management skills required by engineering managers.
This unit is intended to give learners an appreciation of business organisations and the application of standard costing techniques, as well as an insight into the key functions underpinning financial planning and control. It also aims to expand learners' knowledge of managerial and supervisory techniques by introducing and applying the fundamental concepts of project planning and scheduling.
Learners will understand how to justify projects using financial tools such as profitability forecasts and contribution analysis. They will also be able to develop resource and project plans in the form of Gantt charts and with the use of software. They will be able to manage work activities using methods such as Just in Time (JIT) and Statistical Process Control (SPC).

DELIVERY METHOD

Lessons will be conducted face-to-face. Lecturers, on top of teaching the modules, will share with the students their wealth of industry experience.

TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIO

1:40

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

Pearson / Edexcel-BTEC HNC Level 4 in an Engineering field; or
Specialist Diploma in an Engineering field; or
Mature Candidate without HNC Level 4; or
A Specialist Diploma in an Engineering field but has at least 3 years relevant work experience
English Proficiency:

IELTS 5.5; or
Paper-based TOEFL score of at least 400; or
Internet-based TOEFL score of 61; or
Computer-based TOEFL score of 173; or
Pass in GCE 'O' Level English; or
Pass in AEC Cert in General English Level 4 or Equivalent
ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

This programme will be assessed through a combination of attendance and module assignments. The credits will be based on project assignment on every individual module.

GRADUATION CRITERIA

For a student to successfully graduate from this course, the student must achieve at least a pass in all module assignments. This will allow the student to obtain at least 240 credits from this course.

AWARD

The Higher diploma is awarded by Pearson International, UK's largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to schools, colleges, employers and other places of learning in the UK and internationally.
(Formally known as EDEXCEL BTEC)

PROGRESSION PATHWAYS

Graduates of this program are eligible for top-up engineering programs offered by several British universities and their partners all over the world.

PROFESSIONAL BODY RECOGNITION

The PEARSON BTEC Higher Nationals in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electronic Engineering have been developed with career progression and recognition by professional bodies in mind. It is essential that learners gain the maximum benefit from their programme of study.
The development of this qualification has been informed by discussions/relevant publications from the Engineering Council UK (EC (UK)) and the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA).
Further details of professional body recognition and exemptions for PEARSON BTEC Higher Nationals are given in the BTEC Higher Nationals Professional Recognition and Progression Directory 2008 available from our website:

www.edexcel.com/quals/hn/Pages/Keydocuments.aspx.

Please check www.edexcel.com for full list of universities and higher education institutes in United Kingdom, which will accept students with BTEC HND in business on to the Final year of a same subject 3 year degree programme.

INTAKE DATES

12 intakes a year (Monthly Intakes)

Module Title
Intake Dates

Engineering Science
25-Jan-15

Engineering Design
22-Feb-15

Mechatronic Systems
22-Mar-15

Business Management Techniques for Engineers
19-Apr-15

Personal and Professional Development
17-May-15

Electrical and Electronic Principles
14-Jun-15

Electrical Power
12-Jul-15

Utilisation of Electrical Energy
9-Aug-15

Health, Safety and Risk Assessment in Engineering
6-Sep-15

Management of Projects
4-Oct-15

Further Electrical Power
1-Nov-15

Managing People in Engineering
29-Nov-15

CLASS TIMES

Part Time : One Sunday 10 am to 5 pm per week