National Diploma in Computer Systems Engineering
This course develops your ability to understand computer hardware and electronic systems through assembly, testing and technical diagnosis.
About the course
This course develops your ability to understand computer hardware and electronic systems through assembly, testing and technical diagnosis. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.
What you'll learn
Explain the functions and interfaces of computer-system components.
Use measurements and tests to investigate a system fault.
Document a hardware or embedded-system solution and its verification.
Requirements
Prepare evidence of relevant certificate study or comparable prior learning for the provider's admission review. Refresh the subject knowledge, calculations and practical skills needed for diploma work. Plan access to the supervised workplace, laboratory or project resources required by the course.
Course content
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
3 learning stages 19 subjects
1Specialist subjects14 subjects
- Industrial Circuit Theory Design And Implementation
- Software Engineering
- Cyber Security
- Python Programming
- Network Engineering
- Research And Development
- Industrial Management And Quality Control And Assurance
- Analogue Electronics
- System Administration
- Digital Electronics
- Microprocessor And Embedded Systems
- Computer Architecture
- Project Management
- Draughting And Designing
2Foundations and shared practice3 subjects
3Practical integration2 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
19 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Specialist subjects
- Industrial Circuit Theory Design And Implementation. Explore the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
- Software Engineering. Explore the development of reliable programs from clear requirements. Practice centres on a documented program with test evidence, drawing on requirements, inputs and expected outputs and variables, data structures and control flow. You will record findings, justify decisions and check correctness, readable structure and handling of invalid or unexpected input.
- Cyber Security. Explore the protection and examination of digital systems through authorised, evidence-based work. Practice centres on an isolated defensive-security or digital-evidence case file, drawing on assets, threats and defensive objectives and permissions, scope and handling rules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check authorisation, evidence integrity and the distinction between observation and inference.
- Python Programming. Explore the development of reliable programs from clear requirements. Practice centres on a documented program with test evidence, drawing on requirements, inputs and expected outputs and variables, data structures and control flow. You will record findings, justify decisions and check correctness, readable structure and handling of invalid or unexpected input.
- Network Engineering. Explore the transfer of information through connected communication systems. Practice centres on a network or link design and controlled test report, drawing on signals, information and transmission paths and network components and addressing. You will record findings, justify decisions and check connectivity, configuration consistency and the meaning of performance measures.
- Research And Development. Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
- Industrial Management And Quality Control And Assurance. Explore the assurance of consistent work through specifications, measurement and corrective action. Practice centres on a quality plan, inspection sample and corrective-action report, drawing on customer or product requirements and specifications and acceptance criteria. You will record findings, justify decisions and check criteria, measurement reliability and evidence that the action addresses the cause.
- Analogue Electronics. Explore the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
- System Administration. Explore the configuration and maintenance of dependable computing services. Practice centres on a system-configuration and fault-resolution portfolio, drawing on hardware, software and operating roles and installation and configuration records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check repeatability, access control and evidence of successful recovery.
- Digital Electronics. Explore the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
- Microprocessor And Embedded Systems. Explore the measurement and control of a system through sensors, processing and actuators. Practice centres on a measurement or control-loop investigation, drawing on measured variables and sensor characteristics and signal conditioning and data acquisition. You will record findings, justify decisions and check calibration evidence, response behaviour and stated operating limits.
- Computer Architecture. Explore the configuration and maintenance of dependable computing services. Practice centres on a system-configuration and fault-resolution portfolio, drawing on hardware, software and operating roles and installation and configuration records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check repeatability, access control and evidence of successful recovery.
- Project Management. Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
- Draughting And Designing. Explore the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Foundations and shared practice
- Engineering Mathematics. Explore mathematical reasoning for interpreting measurements and solving vocational problems. Practice centres on a worked problem portfolio using occupational data, drawing on units, ratios and numerical accuracy and algebraic relationships and equations. You will record findings, justify decisions and check units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.
- National Studies. Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Practical integration
- Project. Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving industrial circuit theory design and implementation, software engineering. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate industrial circuit theory design and implementation, software engineering within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Assessment and practical learning
- Suggested learning checks: analyse applied problems and justify your decisions using relevant evidence.
- Suggested practical assessment: complete a supervised project or portfolio with a clear method, results and evaluation.
- Present and defend your recommendations, then revise the work in response to assessor feedback.
Practical application
Build and test a supervised computer or embedded-system project and prepare a technical report with diagrams and test evidence.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Specialist subjects
Industrial Circuit Theory Design And Implementation
Explore the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
Learning outcomes
- Explain circuit behaviour using a diagram and relevant quantities.
- Measure a supervised training circuit and compare results with predictions.
- Locate a fault using a documented sequence of checks.
Main topics
- Electrical quantities and circuit relationships
- Components, symbols and device behaviour
- Analogue and digital signal concepts
- Circuit construction and measurement
- Fault isolation and interpretation
- Documentation, reliability and safe testing
Practical task
For Industrial Circuit Theory Design And Implementation, prepare a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Software Engineering
Explore the development of reliable programs from clear requirements. Practice centres on a documented program with test evidence, drawing on requirements, inputs and expected outputs and variables, data structures and control flow. You will record findings, justify decisions and check correctness, readable structure and handling of invalid or unexpected input.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a requirement into a clear program structure.
- Implement and test a small solution using suitable data.
- Explain errors, revisions and remaining limitations.
Main topics
- Requirements, inputs and expected outputs
- Variables, data structures and control flow
- Functions, modules and readable code
- Input validation and error handling
- Testing, debugging and version records
- Documentation and evaluation against the brief
Practical task
For Software Engineering, prepare a documented program with test evidence in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of correctness, readable structure and handling of invalid or unexpected input.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Cyber Security
Explore the protection and examination of digital systems through authorised, evidence-based work. Practice centres on an isolated defensive-security or digital-evidence case file, drawing on assets, threats and defensive objectives and permissions, scope and handling rules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check authorisation, evidence integrity and the distinction between observation and inference.
Learning outcomes
- Identify a security concern and define an authorised investigation scope.
- Analyse synthetic logs or training evidence with a documented method.
- Report findings and defensive recommendations without overstating the evidence.
Main topics
- Assets, threats and defensive objectives
- Permissions, scope and handling rules
- Security controls and monitoring evidence
- Incident triage and response records
- Digital evidence integrity and analysis
- Recovery, findings and improvement reporting
Practical task
For Cyber Security, prepare an isolated defensive-security or digital-evidence case file in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of authorisation, evidence integrity and the distinction between observation and inference.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Python Programming
Explore the development of reliable programs from clear requirements. Practice centres on a documented program with test evidence, drawing on requirements, inputs and expected outputs and variables, data structures and control flow. You will record findings, justify decisions and check correctness, readable structure and handling of invalid or unexpected input.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a requirement into a clear program structure.
- Implement and test a small solution using suitable data.
- Explain errors, revisions and remaining limitations.
Main topics
- Requirements, inputs and expected outputs
- Variables, data structures and control flow
- Functions, modules and readable code
- Input validation and error handling
- Testing, debugging and version records
- Documentation and evaluation against the brief
Practical task
For Python Programming, prepare a documented program with test evidence in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of correctness, readable structure and handling of invalid or unexpected input.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Network Engineering
Explore the transfer of information through connected communication systems. Practice centres on a network or link design and controlled test report, drawing on signals, information and transmission paths and network components and addressing. You will record findings, justify decisions and check connectivity, configuration consistency and the meaning of performance measures.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the information path through a defined network or link.
- Interpret configuration and performance measurements.
- Recommend a supported service or reliability improvement.
Main topics
- Signals, information and transmission paths
- Network components and addressing
- Wired, radio and optical media
- Capacity, delay and service quality
- Installation records and controlled testing
- Fault reasoning, reliability and reporting
Practical task
For Network Engineering, prepare a network or link design and controlled test report in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of connectivity, configuration consistency and the meaning of performance measures.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Research And Development
Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Formulate a question suited to the available evidence and resources.
- Collect and analyse information using a documented method.
- Present conclusions supported by findings and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Problem definition and research questions
- Finding and evaluating literature
- Sampling and data-collection choices
- Consent, confidentiality and research integrity
- Organising and analysing evidence
- Interpreting results and reporting limitations
Practical task
For Research And Development, prepare a research proposal and small investigation in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Industrial Management And Quality Control And Assurance
Explore the assurance of consistent work through specifications, measurement and corrective action. Practice centres on a quality plan, inspection sample and corrective-action report, drawing on customer or product requirements and specifications and acceptance criteria. You will record findings, justify decisions and check criteria, measurement reliability and evidence that the action addresses the cause.
Learning outcomes
- Define measurable quality criteria for a work output.
- Interpret inspection or process data to identify a quality problem.
- Prepare a corrective action with evidence of follow-up.
Main topics
- Customer or product requirements
- Specifications and acceptance criteria
- Sampling, inspection and measurement
- Process variation and defect analysis
- Corrective action and document control
- Audits, review and continuous improvement
Practical task
For Industrial Management And Quality Control And Assurance, prepare a quality plan, inspection sample and corrective-action report in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of criteria, measurement reliability and evidence that the action addresses the cause.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Analogue Electronics
Explore the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
Learning outcomes
- Explain circuit behaviour using a diagram and relevant quantities.
- Measure a supervised training circuit and compare results with predictions.
- Locate a fault using a documented sequence of checks.
Main topics
- Electrical quantities and circuit relationships
- Components, symbols and device behaviour
- Analogue and digital signal concepts
- Circuit construction and measurement
- Fault isolation and interpretation
- Documentation, reliability and safe testing
Practical task
For Analogue Electronics, prepare a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
System Administration
Explore the configuration and maintenance of dependable computing services. Practice centres on a system-configuration and fault-resolution portfolio, drawing on hardware, software and operating roles and installation and configuration records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check repeatability, access control and evidence of successful recovery.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the resources needed for a specified computing service.
- Configure or diagnose a training system using a recorded procedure.
- Verify function and prepare recovery or support documentation.
Main topics
- Hardware, software and operating roles
- Installation and configuration records
- Users, permissions and resource control
- Storage, backup and recovery
- Monitoring, faults and troubleshooting
- Updates, security and service documentation
Practical task
For System Administration, prepare a system-configuration and fault-resolution portfolio in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of repeatability, access control and evidence of successful recovery.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Digital Electronics
Explore the behaviour and interconnection of electrical and electronic circuits. Practice centres on a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio, drawing on electrical quantities and circuit relationships and components, symbols and device behaviour. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
Learning outcomes
- Explain circuit behaviour using a diagram and relevant quantities.
- Measure a supervised training circuit and compare results with predictions.
- Locate a fault using a documented sequence of checks.
Main topics
- Electrical quantities and circuit relationships
- Components, symbols and device behaviour
- Analogue and digital signal concepts
- Circuit construction and measurement
- Fault isolation and interpretation
- Documentation, reliability and safe testing
Practical task
For Digital Electronics, prepare a circuit-analysis and low-voltage testing portfolio in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of measurement technique, circuit assumptions and repeatability.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Microprocessor And Embedded Systems
Explore the measurement and control of a system through sensors, processing and actuators. Practice centres on a measurement or control-loop investigation, drawing on measured variables and sensor characteristics and signal conditioning and data acquisition. You will record findings, justify decisions and check calibration evidence, response behaviour and stated operating limits.
Learning outcomes
- Select a measurement or control approach for a defined variable.
- Configure or analyse a supervised training loop.
- Evaluate response and document a justified adjustment.
Main topics
- Measured variables and sensor characteristics
- Signal conditioning and data acquisition
- Calibration, uncertainty and records
- Feedback, set points and response
- Controllers, interfaces and communication
- Testing, faults and operating limits
Practical task
For Microprocessor And Embedded Systems, prepare a measurement or control-loop investigation in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of calibration evidence, response behaviour and stated operating limits.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Computer Architecture
Explore the configuration and maintenance of dependable computing services. Practice centres on a system-configuration and fault-resolution portfolio, drawing on hardware, software and operating roles and installation and configuration records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check repeatability, access control and evidence of successful recovery.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the resources needed for a specified computing service.
- Configure or diagnose a training system using a recorded procedure.
- Verify function and prepare recovery or support documentation.
Main topics
- Hardware, software and operating roles
- Installation and configuration records
- Users, permissions and resource control
- Storage, backup and recovery
- Monitoring, faults and troubleshooting
- Updates, security and service documentation
Practical task
For Computer Architecture, prepare a system-configuration and fault-resolution portfolio in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of repeatability, access control and evidence of successful recovery.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Project Management
Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a project brief into a workable plan.
- Track progress, expenditure and changes against the plan.
- Evaluate delivery and identify practical improvements.
Main topics
- Problem, objectives and scope
- Activities, dependencies and schedules
- Resources, budgets and procurement needs
- Stakeholders and communication
- Risk, quality and change control
- Progress measures, completion and lessons
Practical task
For Project Management, prepare a project plan with a progress and completion report in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Draughting And Designing
Explore the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret a drawing using scale, dimensions and conventions.
- Produce coordinated technical views for a stated purpose.
- Check and revise a drawing set using recorded feedback.
Main topics
- Drawing conventions, scale and dimensions
- Views, sections and projection
- Interpreting a technical brief
- Manual and computer-aided drawing tools
- Detail coordination and revision control
- Checking drawings against measurements and specifications
Practical task
For Draughting And Designing, prepare a checked drawing or model portfolio in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Foundations and shared practice
Engineering Mathematics
Explore mathematical reasoning for interpreting measurements and solving vocational problems. Practice centres on a worked problem portfolio using occupational data, drawing on units, ratios and numerical accuracy and algebraic relationships and equations. You will record findings, justify decisions and check units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.
Learning outcomes
- Select a mathematical method suited to a stated problem.
- Show calculations with consistent units and clear assumptions.
- Check the result against an independent estimate or known constraint.
Main topics
- Units, ratios and numerical accuracy
- Algebraic relationships and equations
- Graphs, tables and interpretation
- Geometry and measurement applications
- Descriptive statistics and variation
- Model assumptions, checking and technical reporting
Practical task
For Engineering Mathematics, prepare a worked problem portfolio using occupational data in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of units, numerical accuracy and the reasonableness of the result.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
National Studies
Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
- Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
- Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.
Main topics
- Constitutional principles and public institutions
- Citizenship and civic responsibilities
- Zimbabwean history and national development
- Cultural diversity and community participation
- Work, enterprise and public services
- Evidence, public debate and responsible participation
Practical task
For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Learning outcomes
- Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
- Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
- Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.
Main topics
- Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
- Products, services and value propositions
- Startup resources and operating costs
- Pricing, cash flow and basic records
- Market testing and customer feedback
- Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices
Practical task
For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a computer systems engineering setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Practical integration
Project
Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving industrial circuit theory design and implementation, software engineering. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
Learning outcomes
- Define a feasible project with clear success criteria.
- Develop and evaluate a response using technical evidence.
- Present the completed project and defend its conclusions.
Main topics
- Project problem, purpose and scope
- Review of relevant technical evidence
- Plan, resources and milestones
- Implementation or structured investigation
- Testing, interpretation and limitations
- Final report, demonstration and reflection
Practical task
Build and test a supervised computer or embedded-system project and prepare a technical report with diagrams and test evidence.
Assessment
An approved brief, progress evidence, the final output and an individual presentation are assessed against the stated project criteria.
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate industrial circuit theory design and implementation, software engineering within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
- Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
- Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.
Main topics
- Interpreting an integrated work brief
- Preparing tools, information and resources
- Demonstrating the required technical skills
- Checking output against agreed criteria
- Responding to faults and assessor feedback
- Presenting evidence and explaining decisions
Practical task
Build and test a supervised computer or embedded-system project and prepare a technical report with diagrams and test evidence.
Assessment
Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.
Instructors
