BEngTech in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Investigate the relationships between material composition, processing, structure and performance.
About the course
Investigate the relationships between material composition, processing, structure and performance. The proposed outline introduces metallurgical value chains before selecting a coherent applied focus. Southern African cases should consider mineral resources, manufacturing needs, product quality, energy use and the environmental consequences of material decisions.
What you'll learn
Explain how structure and processing influence material properties.
Interpret material-characterisation or processing data.
Compare material and process options against a defined requirement.
Prepare a supervised metallurgical investigation with defensible conclusions.
Requirements
Recommended preparation includes strong mathematics, physical science, technical English and computer literacy. BMIT must publish its approved admissions and recognition-of-prior-learning rules before enrolment decisions. Comparator universities set their own thresholds. Their credits, module codes and duration have not been transferred to this outline.
Course content
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
4 learning stages 30 subjects
1Stage 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations12 subjects
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
- Linear Algebra
- Mechanics and General Physics
- Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
- General Chemistry
- Engineering Drawing and CAD
- Programming Fundamentals
- Engineering Materials
- Engineering Statics
- Academic and Professional Communication
- Engineering Professional Practice
2Stage 2: Core engineering subjects8 subjects
3Stage 3: Specialist and integrative subjects6 subjects
4Stage 4: Design, practice and final project4 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
30 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Stage 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
- Differential Calculus. Examine functions, limits and their relationship within differential calculus. The subject develops differentiation and rates of change, then examines optimisation and model assumptions. Analyse a measured change and compare graphical and algebraic solutions.
- Integral Calculus and Differential Equations. Develop your understanding of integral calculus and differential equations through integration and accumulated quantities. The subject develops first-order equations and second-order equations, then examines initial conditions and numerical checks. Model a simple accumulation process and check the solution against a numerical estimate.
- Linear Algebra. Study vectors and matrices as foundations for linear algebra. The subject develops linear systems and eigenvalues, then examines transformations and computational verification. Solve a small system using manual reasoning and a computational check.
- Mechanics and General Physics. Examine motion, forces and their relationship within mechanics and general physics. The subject develops energy and momentum, then examines oscillations and measurement uncertainty. Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
- Electricity, Magnetism and Waves. Develop your understanding of electricity, magnetism and waves through electric fields and magnetic fields. The subject develops electromagnetic induction and wave behaviour, then examines optical principles and physical models. Interpret measurements from supervised electrical or optical teaching equipment.
- General Chemistry. Study atomic structure and bonding as foundations for general chemistry. The subject develops chemical quantities and solutions, then examines equilibrium and acids and bases. Analyse low-risk teaching data and complete approved laboratory exercises.
- Engineering Drawing and CAD. Examine orthographic views, sections and their relationship within engineering drawing and cad. The subject develops dimensions and tolerances, then examines assembly drawings and digital modelling. Produce drawings for a non-safety-critical teaching component.
- Programming Fundamentals. Develop your understanding of programming fundamentals through variables and control flow. The subject develops functions and data structures, then examines file handling and testing. Develop a small program which processes a defined teaching dataset.
- Engineering Materials. Study material classes and structure and properties as foundations for engineering materials. The subject develops mechanical behaviour and thermal behaviour, then examines corrosion and material selection. Compare material samples or published teaching data against a component brief.
- Engineering Statics. Examine force systems, equilibrium and their relationship within engineering statics. The subject develops free-body diagrams and structures, then examines friction and distributed loads. Analyse a simple structural model and check equilibrium experimentally.
- Academic and Professional Communication. Develop your understanding of academic and professional communication through reading strategies and evidence use. The subject develops report structure and presentations, then examines audience and referencing. Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
- Engineering Professional Practice. Study professional responsibility and ethics as foundations for engineering professional practice. The subject develops technical communication and public welfare, then examines evidence integrity and continuing development. Analyse a regional engineering decision involving conflicting responsibilities.
Stage 2: Core engineering subjects
- Analytical Chemistry. Examine sampling, calibration and their relationship within analytical chemistry. The subject develops volumetric analysis and spectroscopy, then examines chromatographic principles and method uncertainty. Evaluate an approved analytical dataset and a calibration exercise.
- Strength of Materials. Develop your understanding of strength of materials through stress and strain and elastic behaviour. The subject develops bending and torsion, then examines deflection and failure criteria. Interpret supervised material-test results and relate them to a component model.
- Thermodynamics. Study properties and states and energy balances as foundations for thermodynamics. The subject develops entropy and cycles, then examines real-system losses and performance measures. Compare ideal and measured performance using an approved thermal-system dataset.
- Physical Metallurgy. Examine phase relationships, microstructure and their relationship within physical metallurgy. The subject develops heat-treatment concepts and mechanical properties, then examines defects and material performance. Interpret approved micrographs and material-test data.
- Extractive Metallurgy. Develop your understanding of extractive metallurgy through metal-bearing feed and thermal extraction concepts. The subject develops aqueous extraction concepts and refining principles, then examines process integration and environmental duties. Compare extraction routes at conceptual level using public teaching cases.
- Mineral Processing. Study feed characterisation and size reduction concepts as foundations for mineral processing. The subject develops classification and physical separation, then examines product quality and process performance. Reconcile data from safe supervised teaching samples or a supplied flowsheet.
- Applied Statistics. Examine descriptive measures, probability and their relationship within applied statistics. The subject develops sampling and estimation, then examines hypothesis testing and regression. Analyse an approved dataset and distinguish uncertainty from systematic bias.
- Manufacturing Processes. Develop your understanding of manufacturing processes through casting concepts and forming. The subject develops machining and joining, then examines process capability and production quality. Compare manufacturing routes for a teaching component using supervised observations.
Stage 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
- Corrosion and Materials Protection. Study corrosion mechanisms and environmental effects as foundations for corrosion and materials protection. The subject develops material compatibility and protective systems, then examines monitoring and lifecycle costs. Evaluate safe teaching observations or a documented corrosion case.
- Foundry and Metal Forming. Examine casting principles, moulding and their relationship within foundry and metal forming. The subject develops solidification and forming processes, then examines process defects and quality review. Compare manufacturing outcomes using supervised observations or teaching samples.
- Mineral Accounting and Sampling. Develop your understanding of mineral accounting and sampling through sampling bias and grade. The subject develops mass balance and recovery, then examines reconciliation and data quality. Compare alternative interpretations of a mine-to-process teaching dataset.
- Process Safety and Environmental Control. Study hazard studies and containment as foundations for process safety and environmental control. The subject develops protective layers and human factors, then examines waste prevention and incident analysis. Review a public industrial case and identify preventive system improvements.
- Quality Management and Improvement. Examine quality criteria, process variation and their relationship within quality management and improvement. The subject develops traceability and nonconformity, then examines corrective action and improvement measures. Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
- Research Methods. Develop your understanding of research methods through research questions and literature review. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Stage 4: Design, practice and final project
- Engineering Design Methods. Study problem definition and requirements as foundations for engineering design methods. The subject develops concept comparison and constraints, then examines verification planning and design review. Develop and review alternatives for a defined civilian technical need.
- Project Development and Feasibility. Examine problem definition, evidence review and their relationship within project development and feasibility. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
- Supervised Workplace Learning. Develop your understanding of supervised workplace learning through workplace roles and approved task planning. The subject develops professional conduct and technical records, then examines feedback and reflective learning. Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
- Integrated Project and Technical Report. Study implementation and evidence collection as foundations for integrated project and technical report. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment and practical learning
- Proposed assessment: mathematical problem sets and technical reports with calculations, units, assumptions and limitations made explicit.
- Supervised laboratory or workshop tasks assessed through observation, evidence records and an individual explanation of results.
- An integrated design or investigation portfolio, presentation and written assessment. BMIT must approve weighting and progression rules.
Practical application
Access to supervised laboratories and appropriate materials-testing equipment is essential. Practical tasks require approved chemical, thermal and mechanical risk controls. Students should document sampling and measurement limitations. A selected pathway must have adequate depth, rather than implying complete professional preparation in every metallurgical specialism.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Stage 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Differential Calculus
Examine functions, limits and their relationship within differential calculus. The subject develops differentiation and rates of change, then examines optimisation and model assumptions. Analyse a measured change and compare graphical and algebraic solutions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain functions and limits using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving differentiation and rates of change.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing optimisation and model assumptions.
Main topics
- Functions
- Limits
- Differentiation
- Rates of change
- Optimisation
- Model assumptions
Practical task
Analyse a measured change and compare graphical and algebraic solutions.
Assessment
Submit worked problems and a short interpretation of an optimisation case.
Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
Develop your understanding of integral calculus and differential equations through integration and accumulated quantities. The subject develops first-order equations and second-order equations, then examines initial conditions and numerical checks. Model a simple accumulation process and check the solution against a numerical estimate.
Learning outcomes
- Explain integration and accumulated quantities using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving first-order equations and second-order equations.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing initial conditions and numerical checks.
Main topics
- Integration
- Accumulated quantities
- First-order equations
- Second-order equations
- Initial conditions
- Numerical checks
Practical task
Model a simple accumulation process and check the solution against a numerical estimate.
Assessment
Complete an analytical assignment explaining initial conditions and solution limits.
Linear Algebra
Study vectors and matrices as foundations for linear algebra. The subject develops linear systems and eigenvalues, then examines transformations and computational verification. Solve a small system using manual reasoning and a computational check.
Learning outcomes
- Explain vectors and matrices using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving linear systems and eigenvalues.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing transformations and computational verification.
Main topics
- Vectors
- Matrices
- Linear systems
- Eigenvalues
- Transformations
- Computational verification
Practical task
Solve a small system using manual reasoning and a computational check.
Assessment
Submit calculations and an explanation of the meaning of the solution.
Mechanics and General Physics
Examine motion, forces and their relationship within mechanics and general physics. The subject develops energy and momentum, then examines oscillations and measurement uncertainty. Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
Learning outcomes
- Explain motion and forces using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving energy and momentum.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing oscillations and measurement uncertainty.
Main topics
- Motion
- Forces
- Energy
- Momentum
- Oscillations
- Measurement uncertainty
Practical task
Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
Assessment
Submit a laboratory report and quantitative problem set.
Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
Develop your understanding of electricity, magnetism and waves through electric fields and magnetic fields. The subject develops electromagnetic induction and wave behaviour, then examines optical principles and physical models. Interpret measurements from supervised electrical or optical teaching equipment.
Learning outcomes
- Explain electric fields and magnetic fields using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving electromagnetic induction and wave behaviour.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing optical principles and physical models.
Main topics
- Electric fields
- Magnetic fields
- Electromagnetic induction
- Wave behaviour
- Optical principles
- Physical models
Practical task
Interpret measurements from supervised electrical or optical teaching equipment.
Assessment
Complete calculations and a report explaining discrepancies from theory.
General Chemistry
Study atomic structure and bonding as foundations for general chemistry. The subject develops chemical quantities and solutions, then examines equilibrium and acids and bases. Analyse low-risk teaching data and complete approved laboratory exercises.
Learning outcomes
- Explain atomic structure and bonding using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving chemical quantities and solutions.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing equilibrium and acids and bases.
Main topics
- Atomic structure
- Bonding
- Chemical quantities
- Solutions
- Equilibrium
- Acids and bases
Practical task
Analyse low-risk teaching data and complete approved laboratory exercises.
Assessment
Submit a practical record and calculations with units and assumptions.
Engineering Drawing and CAD
Examine orthographic views, sections and their relationship within engineering drawing and cad. The subject develops dimensions and tolerances, then examines assembly drawings and digital modelling. Produce drawings for a non-safety-critical teaching component.
Learning outcomes
- Explain orthographic views and sections using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving dimensions and tolerances.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing assembly drawings and digital modelling.
Main topics
- Orthographic views
- Sections
- Dimensions
- Tolerances
- Assembly drawings
- Digital modelling
Practical task
Produce drawings for a non-safety-critical teaching component.
Assessment
Submit dimensioned drawings and explain design communication choices.
Programming Fundamentals
Develop your understanding of programming fundamentals through variables and control flow. The subject develops functions and data structures, then examines file handling and testing. Develop a small program which processes a defined teaching dataset.
Learning outcomes
- Explain variables and control flow using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving functions and data structures.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing file handling and testing.
Main topics
- Variables
- Control flow
- Functions
- Data structures
- File handling
- Testing
Practical task
Develop a small program which processes a defined teaching dataset.
Assessment
Submit working code, tests and a concise user explanation.
Engineering Materials
Study material classes and structure and properties as foundations for engineering materials. The subject develops mechanical behaviour and thermal behaviour, then examines corrosion and material selection. Compare material samples or published teaching data against a component brief.
Learning outcomes
- Explain material classes and structure and properties using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving mechanical behaviour and thermal behaviour.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing corrosion and material selection.
Main topics
- Material classes
- Structure and properties
- Mechanical behaviour
- Thermal behaviour
- Corrosion
- Material selection
Practical task
Compare material samples or published teaching data against a component brief.
Assessment
Submit a selection report explaining evidence and trade-offs.
Engineering Statics
Examine force systems, equilibrium and their relationship within engineering statics. The subject develops free-body diagrams and structures, then examines friction and distributed loads. Analyse a simple structural model and check equilibrium experimentally.
Learning outcomes
- Explain force systems and equilibrium using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving free-body diagrams and structures.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing friction and distributed loads.
Main topics
- Force systems
- Equilibrium
- Free-body diagrams
- Structures
- Friction
- Distributed loads
Practical task
Analyse a simple structural model and check equilibrium experimentally.
Assessment
Submit calculations, diagrams and a short validation report.
Academic and Professional Communication
Develop your understanding of academic and professional communication through reading strategies and evidence use. The subject develops report structure and presentations, then examines audience and referencing. Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
Learning outcomes
- Explain reading strategies and evidence use using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving report structure and presentations.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing audience and referencing.
Main topics
- Reading strategies
- Evidence use
- Report structure
- Presentations
- Audience
- Referencing
Practical task
Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
Assessment
Submit revised written work and an individual presentation.
Engineering Professional Practice
Study professional responsibility and ethics as foundations for engineering professional practice. The subject develops technical communication and public welfare, then examines evidence integrity and continuing development. Analyse a regional engineering decision involving conflicting responsibilities.
Learning outcomes
- Explain professional responsibility and ethics using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving technical communication and public welfare.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing evidence integrity and continuing development.
Main topics
- Professional responsibility
- Ethics
- Technical communication
- Public welfare
- Evidence integrity
- Continuing development
Practical task
Analyse a regional engineering decision involving conflicting responsibilities.
Assessment
Submit an ethical decision brief and a professional communication exercise.
Stage 2: Core engineering subjects
Analytical Chemistry
Examine sampling, calibration and their relationship within analytical chemistry. The subject develops volumetric analysis and spectroscopy, then examines chromatographic principles and method uncertainty. Evaluate an approved analytical dataset and a calibration exercise.
Learning outcomes
- Explain sampling and calibration using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving volumetric analysis and spectroscopy.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing chromatographic principles and method uncertainty.
Main topics
- Sampling
- Calibration
- Volumetric analysis
- Spectroscopy
- Chromatographic principles
- Method uncertainty
Practical task
Evaluate an approved analytical dataset and a calibration exercise.
Assessment
Submit a method-comparison report and analytical calculations.
Strength of Materials
Develop your understanding of strength of materials through stress and strain and elastic behaviour. The subject develops bending and torsion, then examines deflection and failure criteria. Interpret supervised material-test results and relate them to a component model.
Learning outcomes
- Explain stress and strain and elastic behaviour using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving bending and torsion.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing deflection and failure criteria.
Main topics
- Stress and strain
- Elastic behaviour
- Bending
- Torsion
- Deflection
- Failure criteria
Practical task
Interpret supervised material-test results and relate them to a component model.
Assessment
Submit a test report and justified calculations.
Thermodynamics
Study properties and states and energy balances as foundations for thermodynamics. The subject develops entropy and cycles, then examines real-system losses and performance measures. Compare ideal and measured performance using an approved thermal-system dataset.
Learning outcomes
- Explain properties and states and energy balances using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving entropy and cycles.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing real-system losses and performance measures.
Main topics
- Properties and states
- Energy balances
- Entropy
- Cycles
- Real-system losses
- Performance measures
Practical task
Compare ideal and measured performance using an approved thermal-system dataset.
Assessment
Submit a cycle analysis with assumptions and loss estimates.
Physical Metallurgy
Examine phase relationships, microstructure and their relationship within physical metallurgy. The subject develops heat-treatment concepts and mechanical properties, then examines defects and material performance. Interpret approved micrographs and material-test data.
Learning outcomes
- Explain phase relationships and microstructure using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving heat-treatment concepts and mechanical properties.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing defects and material performance.
Main topics
- Phase relationships
- Microstructure
- Heat-treatment concepts
- Mechanical properties
- Defects
- Material performance
Practical task
Interpret approved micrographs and material-test data.
Assessment
Submit a structure-property report and justified material judgement.
Extractive Metallurgy
Develop your understanding of extractive metallurgy through metal-bearing feed and thermal extraction concepts. The subject develops aqueous extraction concepts and refining principles, then examines process integration and environmental duties. Compare extraction routes at conceptual level using public teaching cases.
Learning outcomes
- Explain metal-bearing feed and thermal extraction concepts using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving aqueous extraction concepts and refining principles.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing process integration and environmental duties.
Main topics
- Metal-bearing feed
- Thermal extraction concepts
- Aqueous extraction concepts
- Refining principles
- Process integration
- Environmental duties
Practical task
Compare extraction routes at conceptual level using public teaching cases.
Assessment
Submit a route-selection appraisal with resource and environmental criteria.
Mineral Processing
Study feed characterisation and size reduction concepts as foundations for mineral processing. The subject develops classification and physical separation, then examines product quality and process performance. Reconcile data from safe supervised teaching samples or a supplied flowsheet.
Learning outcomes
- Explain feed characterisation and size reduction concepts using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving classification and physical separation.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing product quality and process performance.
Main topics
- Feed characterisation
- Size reduction concepts
- Classification
- Physical separation
- Product quality
- Process performance
Practical task
Reconcile data from safe supervised teaching samples or a supplied flowsheet.
Assessment
Submit a process-performance and material-accounting report.
Applied Statistics
Examine descriptive measures, probability and their relationship within applied statistics. The subject develops sampling and estimation, then examines hypothesis testing and regression. Analyse an approved dataset and distinguish uncertainty from systematic bias.
Learning outcomes
- Explain descriptive measures and probability using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving sampling and estimation.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing hypothesis testing and regression.
Main topics
- Descriptive measures
- Probability
- Sampling
- Estimation
- Hypothesis testing
- Regression
Practical task
Analyse an approved dataset and distinguish uncertainty from systematic bias.
Assessment
Submit a reproducible analysis with justified methods and interpretation.
Manufacturing Processes
Develop your understanding of manufacturing processes through casting concepts and forming. The subject develops machining and joining, then examines process capability and production quality. Compare manufacturing routes for a teaching component using supervised observations.
Learning outcomes
- Explain casting concepts and forming using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving machining and joining.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing process capability and production quality.
Main topics
- Casting concepts
- Forming
- Machining
- Joining
- Process capability
- Production quality
Practical task
Compare manufacturing routes for a teaching component using supervised observations.
Assessment
Submit a process-selection and quality-control report.
Stage 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Corrosion and Materials Protection
Study corrosion mechanisms and environmental effects as foundations for corrosion and materials protection. The subject develops material compatibility and protective systems, then examines monitoring and lifecycle costs. Evaluate safe teaching observations or a documented corrosion case.
Learning outcomes
- Explain corrosion mechanisms and environmental effects using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving material compatibility and protective systems.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing monitoring and lifecycle costs.
Main topics
- Corrosion mechanisms
- Environmental effects
- Material compatibility
- Protective systems
- Monitoring
- Lifecycle costs
Practical task
Evaluate safe teaching observations or a documented corrosion case.
Assessment
Submit a corrosion-assessment and prevention proposal.
Foundry and Metal Forming
Examine casting principles, moulding and their relationship within foundry and metal forming. The subject develops solidification and forming processes, then examines process defects and quality review. Compare manufacturing outcomes using supervised observations or teaching samples.
Learning outcomes
- Explain casting principles and moulding using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving solidification and forming processes.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing process defects and quality review.
Main topics
- Casting principles
- Moulding
- Solidification
- Forming processes
- Process defects
- Quality review
Practical task
Compare manufacturing outcomes using supervised observations or teaching samples.
Assessment
Submit a defect interpretation and process-improvement report.
Mineral Accounting and Sampling
Develop your understanding of mineral accounting and sampling through sampling bias and grade. The subject develops mass balance and recovery, then examines reconciliation and data quality. Compare alternative interpretations of a mine-to-process teaching dataset.
Learning outcomes
- Explain sampling bias and grade using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving mass balance and recovery.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing reconciliation and data quality.
Main topics
- Sampling bias
- Grade
- Mass balance
- Recovery
- Reconciliation
- Data quality
Practical task
Compare alternative interpretations of a mine-to-process teaching dataset.
Assessment
Submit checked calculations and a sampling-quality appraisal.
Process Safety and Environmental Control
Study hazard studies and containment as foundations for process safety and environmental control. The subject develops protective layers and human factors, then examines waste prevention and incident analysis. Review a public industrial case and identify preventive system improvements.
Learning outcomes
- Explain hazard studies and containment using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving protective layers and human factors.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing waste prevention and incident analysis.
Main topics
- Hazard studies
- Containment
- Protective layers
- Human factors
- Waste prevention
- Incident analysis
Practical task
Review a public industrial case and identify preventive system improvements.
Assessment
Submit a process-risk review and justified improvement priorities.
Quality Management and Improvement
Examine quality criteria, process variation and their relationship within quality management and improvement. The subject develops traceability and nonconformity, then examines corrective action and improvement measures. Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
Learning outcomes
- Explain quality criteria and process variation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving traceability and nonconformity.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing corrective action and improvement measures.
Main topics
- Quality criteria
- Process variation
- Traceability
- Nonconformity
- Corrective action
- Improvement measures
Practical task
Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
Assessment
Submit a quality review and a measurable improvement proposal.
Research Methods
Develop your understanding of research methods through research questions and literature review. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain research questions and literature review using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving study design and data collection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing ethics and interpretation.
Main topics
- Research questions
- Literature review
- Study design
- Data collection
- Ethics
- Interpretation
Practical task
Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Assessment
Submit a proposal, methods rationale and ethics considerations.
Stage 4: Design, practice and final project
Engineering Design Methods
Study problem definition and requirements as foundations for engineering design methods. The subject develops concept comparison and constraints, then examines verification planning and design review. Develop and review alternatives for a defined civilian technical need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem definition and requirements using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving concept comparison and constraints.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing verification planning and design review.
Main topics
- Problem definition
- Requirements
- Concept comparison
- Constraints
- Verification planning
- Design review
Practical task
Develop and review alternatives for a defined civilian technical need.
Assessment
Submit a requirements-led design dossier with review responses.
Project Development and Feasibility
Examine problem definition, evidence review and their relationship within project development and feasibility. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem definition and evidence review using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving requirements and method selection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing feasibility and evaluation criteria.
Main topics
- Problem definition
- Evidence review
- Requirements
- Method selection
- Feasibility
- Evaluation criteria
Practical task
Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Assessment
Submit a proposal, evidence review and evaluation plan.
Supervised Workplace Learning
Develop your understanding of supervised workplace learning through workplace roles and approved task planning. The subject develops professional conduct and technical records, then examines feedback and reflective learning. Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
Learning outcomes
- Explain workplace roles and approved task planning using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving professional conduct and technical records.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing feedback and reflective learning.
Main topics
- Workplace roles
- Approved task planning
- Professional conduct
- Technical records
- Feedback
- Reflective learning
Practical task
Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
Assessment
Submit an authenticated work portfolio and reflective presentation.
Integrated Project and Technical Report
Study implementation and evidence collection as foundations for integrated project and technical report. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Learning outcomes
- Explain implementation and evidence collection using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving analysis and verification.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing limitations and communication.
Main topics
- Implementation
- Evidence collection
- Analysis
- Verification
- Limitations
- Communication
Practical task
Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment
Submit the final project, report and individual oral defence.
Instructors
