BEngTech in Mechanical Engineering (Specialisations)
Develop a broad mechanical-engineering foundation and apply the resulting knowledge to a defined specialisation.
About the course
Develop a broad mechanical-engineering foundation and apply the resulting knowledge to a defined specialisation. The proposed outline considers how machines and thermal systems are designed, manufactured, operated and maintained. Southern African project briefs should reflect available materials, production capability, energy constraints and the needs of equipment users.
What you'll learn
Apply mechanical and thermal principles to an engineering problem.
Interpret drawings, material information and experimental measurements.
Compare design options against performance, maintenance and resource requirements.
Produce a documented project with evidence of analysis and verification.
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
- Strength of Materials. Examine stress and strain, elastic behaviour and their relationship within strength of materials. The subject develops bending and torsion, then examines deflection and failure criteria. Interpret supervised material-test results and relate them to a component model.
- Engineering Dynamics. Develop your understanding of engineering dynamics through kinematics and kinetics. The subject develops work and energy and impulse and momentum, then examines rotating systems and vibration. Model a moving teaching system and compare predicted and measured behaviour.
- Fluid Mechanics. Study fluid properties and pressure as foundations for fluid mechanics. The subject develops continuity and energy equations, then examines pipe flow and flow measurement. Compare flow estimates with data from a supervised water-based teaching rig.
- Thermodynamics. Examine properties and states, energy balances and their relationship within 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.
- Heat Transfer. Develop your understanding of heat transfer through conduction and convection. The subject develops radiation and heat exchangers, then examines transient behaviour and thermal resistance. Evaluate a safe teaching heat-transfer experiment or validated simulation.
- Manufacturing Processes. Study casting concepts and forming as foundations for manufacturing processes. The subject develops machining and joining, then examines process capability and production quality. Compare manufacturing routes for a teaching component using supervised observations.
- Machine Design. Examine design loads, shafts and their relationship within machine design. The subject develops bearings and fasteners, then examines power transmission and design verification. Analyse a non-safety-critical mechanical assembly against a defined brief.
- Applied Statistics. Develop your understanding of applied statistics through descriptive measures and probability. The subject develops sampling and estimation, then examines hypothesis testing and regression. Analyse an approved dataset and distinguish uncertainty from systematic bias.
Stage 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
- Vibration and Condition Monitoring. Study oscillatory models and natural frequency as foundations for vibration and condition monitoring. The subject develops damping and forced response, then examines condition signals and interpretation. Analyse supplied vibration data and compare possible explanations.
- Control Systems. Examine system models, feedback and their relationship within control systems. The subject develops stability and transient response, then examines controller comparison and robustness. Compare control responses in a safe simulation or supervised teaching rig.
- Maintenance and Reliability. Develop your understanding of maintenance and reliability through asset functions and failure modes. The subject develops preventive maintenance and condition information, then examines availability and maintenance records. Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
- Manufacturing Systems. Study process layouts and automation as foundations for manufacturing systems. The subject develops bottlenecks and flexible production, then examines maintenance interfaces and system performance. Model a small production system using a simulation or teaching observations.
- Engineering Economics. Examine time value of money, cost estimation and their relationship within engineering economics. The subject develops lifecycle costs and investment appraisal, then examines sensitivity and resource decisions. Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
- 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
Delivery needs equipped workshops and laboratories with qualified supervision. Practical records should show safe preparation, measurement, interpretation and reflection on errors. Each offered specialisation requires its own coherent subject and facility plan. The title should not imply learners complete all specialist routes within one undifferentiated programme.
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
Strength of Materials
Examine stress and strain, elastic behaviour and their relationship within strength of materials. 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.
Engineering Dynamics
Develop your understanding of engineering dynamics through kinematics and kinetics. The subject develops work and energy and impulse and momentum, then examines rotating systems and vibration. Model a moving teaching system and compare predicted and measured behaviour.
Learning outcomes
- Explain kinematics and kinetics using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving work and energy and impulse and momentum.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing rotating systems and vibration.
Main topics
- Kinematics
- Kinetics
- Work and energy
- Impulse and momentum
- Rotating systems
- Vibration
Practical task
Model a moving teaching system and compare predicted and measured behaviour.
Assessment
Submit a dynamics investigation and calculations.
Fluid Mechanics
Study fluid properties and pressure as foundations for fluid mechanics. The subject develops continuity and energy equations, then examines pipe flow and flow measurement. Compare flow estimates with data from a supervised water-based teaching rig.
Learning outcomes
- Explain fluid properties and pressure using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving continuity and energy equations.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing pipe flow and flow measurement.
Main topics
- Fluid properties
- Pressure
- Continuity
- Energy equations
- Pipe flow
- Flow measurement
Practical task
Compare flow estimates with data from a supervised water-based teaching rig.
Assessment
Submit a laboratory report and engineering calculations.
Thermodynamics
Examine properties and states, energy balances and their relationship within 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.
Heat Transfer
Develop your understanding of heat transfer through conduction and convection. The subject develops radiation and heat exchangers, then examines transient behaviour and thermal resistance. Evaluate a safe teaching heat-transfer experiment or validated simulation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain conduction and convection using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving radiation and heat exchangers.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing transient behaviour and thermal resistance.
Main topics
- Conduction
- Convection
- Radiation
- Heat exchangers
- Transient behaviour
- Thermal resistance
Practical task
Evaluate a safe teaching heat-transfer experiment or validated simulation.
Assessment
Submit calculations and a report explaining thermal performance.
Manufacturing Processes
Study casting concepts and forming as foundations for manufacturing processes. 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.
Machine Design
Examine design loads, shafts and their relationship within machine design. The subject develops bearings and fasteners, then examines power transmission and design verification. Analyse a non-safety-critical mechanical assembly against a defined brief.
Learning outcomes
- Explain design loads and shafts using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving bearings and fasteners.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing power transmission and design verification.
Main topics
- Design loads
- Shafts
- Bearings
- Fasteners
- Power transmission
- Design verification
Practical task
Analyse a non-safety-critical mechanical assembly against a defined brief.
Assessment
Submit calculations, drawings and verification evidence.
Applied Statistics
Develop your understanding of applied statistics through descriptive measures and probability. 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.
Stage 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Vibration and Condition Monitoring
Study oscillatory models and natural frequency as foundations for vibration and condition monitoring. The subject develops damping and forced response, then examines condition signals and interpretation. Analyse supplied vibration data and compare possible explanations.
Learning outcomes
- Explain oscillatory models and natural frequency using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving damping and forced response.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing condition signals and interpretation.
Main topics
- Oscillatory models
- Natural frequency
- Damping
- Forced response
- Condition signals
- Interpretation
Practical task
Analyse supplied vibration data and compare possible explanations.
Assessment
Submit a diagnostic learning report with uncertainty stated.
Control Systems
Examine system models, feedback and their relationship within control systems. The subject develops stability and transient response, then examines controller comparison and robustness. Compare control responses in a safe simulation or supervised teaching rig.
Learning outcomes
- Explain system models and feedback using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving stability and transient response.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing controller comparison and robustness.
Main topics
- System models
- Feedback
- Stability
- Transient response
- Controller comparison
- Robustness
Practical task
Compare control responses in a safe simulation or supervised teaching rig.
Assessment
Submit a model, results and justified control choices.
Maintenance and Reliability
Develop your understanding of maintenance and reliability through asset functions and failure modes. The subject develops preventive maintenance and condition information, then examines availability and maintenance records. Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
Learning outcomes
- Explain asset functions and failure modes using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving preventive maintenance and condition information.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing availability and maintenance records.
Main topics
- Asset functions
- Failure modes
- Preventive maintenance
- Condition information
- Availability
- Maintenance records
Practical task
Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
Assessment
Submit a reliability analysis and justified maintenance schedule.
Manufacturing Systems
Study process layouts and automation as foundations for manufacturing systems. The subject develops bottlenecks and flexible production, then examines maintenance interfaces and system performance. Model a small production system using a simulation or teaching observations.
Learning outcomes
- Explain process layouts and automation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving bottlenecks and flexible production.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing maintenance interfaces and system performance.
Main topics
- Process layouts
- Automation
- Bottlenecks
- Flexible production
- Maintenance interfaces
- System performance
Practical task
Model a small production system using a simulation or teaching observations.
Assessment
Submit an integrated system-improvement report.
Engineering Economics
Examine time value of money, cost estimation and their relationship within engineering economics. The subject develops lifecycle costs and investment appraisal, then examines sensitivity and resource decisions. Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain time value of money and cost estimation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving lifecycle costs and investment appraisal.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing sensitivity and resource decisions.
Main topics
- Time value of money
- Cost estimation
- Lifecycle costs
- Investment appraisal
- Sensitivity
- Resource decisions
Practical task
Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
Assessment
Submit an economic appraisal and sensitivity analysis.
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
