Pearson BTEC LEVEL 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF) Bukit Merah, Central

Course details

many years of industry experience.

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.

Mechanical Principles
This unit will develop learners' understanding of complex loading systems and will provide an introduction to the concept of volumetric strain and the relationship between elastic constants.

The expressions derived for linear and volumetric strain then form a basis for determining dimensional changes in loaded cylinders.

The unit will build upon learners' existing knowledge of the relationship between the distribution of shear force and bending moment in loaded beams, to include the relationship between bending moment, slope and deflection.

Learners will analyse the use of mechanical power transmission systems, both individually and in the combinations that are used in practical situations. Learners' knowledge of rotating system elements is further extended through an investigation of the dynamic characteristics of the slider crank and four-bar linkage.

The balancing of rotating systems is also investigated, together with the determination of flywheel mass and size to give sufficiently smooth operating conditions.

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.

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.

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).

Strengths of Materials
This unit will introduce learners to the theoretical and experimental methods of complex stress analysis, together with the theories of elastic failure. Appropriate use of these can be made throughout the unit to determine operational factors of safety.

Learners will investigate the theoretical behaviour of structural members under load and will verify the characteristics by experimental testing. They will then analyse loaded structural members from considerations of strain energy and again carry out experimental verification of the analysis.

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 Level 3 diploma in an Engineering Field (or)
3 'O' level (or) Equivalent including English language and 2 science subject with related working experience (or)
3 'A' Level (or) equivalent including English language & 2 science subject
Matured students, who have obtained other qualification (eg: Workplace Literacy Certificate) with relevant work experience will be considered on a case to case basis (or)
Relevant Certificate with other institution are considered case to case basis
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
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 120 credits from this course.

AWARD

The Higher Nationals are 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.

PROGRESSION PATHWAYS

Graduates of this program are eligible for unit exemptions when they progress to the PEARSON BTEC LEVEL 5 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF) programme.

PROFESSIONAL BODY RECOGNITION

The PEARSON BTEC Higher Nationals in Mechanical 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 PEARSON BTEC Higher Nationals Professional Recognition and Progression Directory 2008 available from our website:

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

INTAKE DATES

8 intakes a year (Monthly Intakes)

Module Title
Intake Dates

Engineering science
25-Jan-15

Engineering Design
22-Feb-15

Mechatronic Systems
22-Mar-15

Mechanical Principles
14-Jun-15

Strength of Materials
12-Jul-15

CLASS TIMES

Part Time: Each unit is conducted face to face over 4 Sundays from 10am to 5pm