National Diploma in Drone Design and Technology
Develop an integrated technical understanding of civilian drone systems and their evaluation.
About the course
Develop an integrated technical understanding of civilian drone systems and their evaluation. The proposed diploma builds on relevant electronics and computing knowledge to connect requirements, components and test evidence. Southern African project briefs should define a lawful mapping, monitoring or inspection use and consider maintainability, data protection and operating conditions.
What you'll learn
Translate a civilian application need into documented technical requirements.
Analyse the relationship between drone hardware, software and sensors.
Evaluate system condition or performance using authorised test evidence.
Prepare a justified design-study or maintenance-improvement project.
Requirements
Recommended preparation is relevant certificate-level knowledge or an approved equivalent, with readiness for technical analysis and supervised applied work. BMIT must determine actual admission and recognition-of-prior-learning rules with the awarding body. This proposal does not assign official credits, duration or a qualification-framework level.
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.
3 learning stages 21 subjects
1Stage 1: Foundations6 subjects
2Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects9 subjects
3Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration6 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.
21 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: Foundations
- Technical Numeracy. Examine units, ratios and their relationship within technical numeracy. The subject develops measurement and geometry, then examines graphs and checking calculations. Solve measurements and costing problems from a practical teaching task.
- Mechanics and General Physics. Develop your understanding of mechanics and general physics through motion and forces. The subject develops energy and momentum, then examines oscillations and measurement uncertainty. Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
- Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals. Study electrical quantities and components as foundations for electrical and electronic fundamentals. The subject develops simple circuits and signals, then examines measurement and safe limits. Use current-limited low-voltage teaching equipment with supervision.
- 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.
- Academic and Professional Communication. Study reading strategies and evidence use as foundations for academic and professional communication. The subject develops report structure and presentations, then examines audience and referencing. Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
- Digital Electronics. Examine binary representation, logic gates and their relationship within digital electronics. The subject develops combinational circuits and sequential circuits, then examines timing and digital interfaces. Implement a small logic function using simulation or approved low-voltage equipment.
- Embedded Systems. Develop your understanding of embedded systems through microcontroller architecture and input and output. The subject develops timing and interrupts, then examines embedded programming and interface testing. Develop a low-voltage sensor application in an approved teaching environment.
- Measurement and Instrumentation. Study sensors and signal conditioning as foundations for measurement and instrumentation. The subject develops calibration and data acquisition, then examines traceability and measurement uncertainty. Compare instruments using approved references and retain a calibration record.
- Civilian RPAS Systems. Examine aircraft components, sensors and their relationship within civilian rpas systems. The subject develops power systems and software, then examines system diagrams and technical records. Inspect non-flying teaching equipment under qualified supervision.
- Civil Aviation Responsibilities. Develop your understanding of civil aviation responsibilities through training roles and aircraft permissions. The subject develops operational approvals and airspace, then examines privacy and incident reporting. Analyse a civilian drone case using supplied current regulatory materials.
- RPAS Maintenance and Testing. Study inspection and configuration records as foundations for rpas maintenance and testing. The subject develops calibration concepts and fault diagnosis, then examines test evidence and maintenance planning. Use an approved non-flying bench setup or simulation for technical evaluation.
- Civilian Drone Applications. Examine mapping, agriculture and their relationship within civilian drone applications. The subject develops environmental observation and inspection, then examines data quality and feasibility. Compare civilian applications using public imagery and teaching cases.
- Geospatial Programming and Databases. Develop your understanding of geospatial programming and databases through spatial queries and automation. The subject develops data formats and coordinate handling, then examines web mapping and reproducibility. Build a small spatial-data workflow using authorised datasets.
- Remote Sensing. Study sensors and spectral response as foundations for remote sensing. The subject develops image geometry and classification, then examines accuracy and environmental monitoring. Analyse public satellite imagery and evaluate a classification result.
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
- Occupational Safety and Risk. Examine hazard identification, exposure and their relationship within occupational safety and risk. The subject develops risk assessment and hierarchy of controls, then examines incident learning and worker participation. Review an authorised workplace case and propose proportionate controls.
- Quality Management and Improvement. Develop your understanding of quality management and improvement through quality criteria and process variation. 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. Study research questions and literature review as foundations for research methods. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
- Supervised Workplace Learning. Examine workplace roles, approved task planning and their relationship within supervised workplace learning. The subject develops professional conduct and technical records, then examines feedback and reflective learning. Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
- Project Development and Feasibility. Develop your understanding of project development and feasibility through problem definition and evidence review. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a 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: short knowledge checks, calculations and interpretation of technical information.
- Direct observation of authorised practical tasks, supported by an individual record of preparation, results and quality checks.
- An applied project and oral explanation. Weighting, external examinations and award requirements remain subject to the approved BMIT and awarding-body arrangements.
Practical application
Provide supervised workshops, approved teaching equipment and controlled simulation. Any flight testing requires separate aviation authorisation, suitable aircraft and appropriately licensed personnel. The programme does not itself confer a pilot licence or authority for commercial operations. Projects must follow a clearly documented civilian scope.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Stage 1: Foundations
Technical Numeracy
Examine units, ratios and their relationship within technical numeracy. The subject develops measurement and geometry, then examines graphs and checking calculations. Solve measurements and costing problems from a practical teaching task.
Learning outcomes
- Explain units and ratios using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving measurement and geometry.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing graphs and checking calculations.
Main topics
- Units
- Ratios
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Graphs
- Checking calculations
Practical task
Solve measurements and costing problems from a practical teaching task.
Assessment
Submit checked calculations with units and a clear explanation.
Mechanics and General Physics
Develop your understanding of mechanics and general physics through motion and forces. 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.
Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals
Study electrical quantities and components as foundations for electrical and electronic fundamentals. The subject develops simple circuits and signals, then examines measurement and safe limits. Use current-limited low-voltage teaching equipment with supervision.
Learning outcomes
- Explain electrical quantities and components using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving simple circuits and signals.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing measurement and safe limits.
Main topics
- Electrical quantities
- Components
- Simple circuits
- Signals
- Measurement
- Safe limits
Practical task
Use current-limited low-voltage teaching equipment with supervision.
Assessment
Submit observed practical evidence and basic circuit explanations.
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.
Academic and Professional Communication
Study reading strategies and evidence use as foundations for academic and professional communication. 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.
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Digital Electronics
Examine binary representation, logic gates and their relationship within digital electronics. The subject develops combinational circuits and sequential circuits, then examines timing and digital interfaces. Implement a small logic function using simulation or approved low-voltage equipment.
Learning outcomes
- Explain binary representation and logic gates using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving combinational circuits and sequential circuits.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing timing and digital interfaces.
Main topics
- Binary representation
- Logic gates
- Combinational circuits
- Sequential circuits
- Timing
- Digital interfaces
Practical task
Implement a small logic function using simulation or approved low-voltage equipment.
Assessment
Submit a logic design, test cases and timing analysis.
Embedded Systems
Develop your understanding of embedded systems through microcontroller architecture and input and output. The subject develops timing and interrupts, then examines embedded programming and interface testing. Develop a low-voltage sensor application in an approved teaching environment.
Learning outcomes
- Explain microcontroller architecture and input and output using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving timing and interrupts.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing embedded programming and interface testing.
Main topics
- Microcontroller architecture
- Input and output
- Timing
- Interrupts
- Embedded programming
- Interface testing
Practical task
Develop a low-voltage sensor application in an approved teaching environment.
Assessment
Submit code, interface diagrams and test evidence.
Measurement and Instrumentation
Study sensors and signal conditioning as foundations for measurement and instrumentation. The subject develops calibration and data acquisition, then examines traceability and measurement uncertainty. Compare instruments using approved references and retain a calibration record.
Learning outcomes
- Explain sensors and signal conditioning using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving calibration and data acquisition.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing traceability and measurement uncertainty.
Main topics
- Sensors
- Signal conditioning
- Calibration
- Data acquisition
- Traceability
- Measurement uncertainty
Practical task
Compare instruments using approved references and retain a calibration record.
Assessment
Submit an uncertainty-aware measurement report.
Civilian RPAS Systems
Examine aircraft components, sensors and their relationship within civilian rpas systems. The subject develops power systems and software, then examines system diagrams and technical records. Inspect non-flying teaching equipment under qualified supervision.
Learning outcomes
- Explain aircraft components and sensors using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving power systems and software.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing system diagrams and technical records.
Main topics
- Aircraft components
- Sensors
- Power systems
- Software
- System diagrams
- Technical records
Practical task
Inspect non-flying teaching equipment under qualified supervision.
Assessment
Submit a system map and component-condition record.
Civil Aviation Responsibilities
Develop your understanding of civil aviation responsibilities through training roles and aircraft permissions. The subject develops operational approvals and airspace, then examines privacy and incident reporting. Analyse a civilian drone case using supplied current regulatory materials.
Learning outcomes
- Explain training roles and aircraft permissions using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving operational approvals and airspace.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing privacy and incident reporting.
Main topics
- Training roles
- Aircraft permissions
- Operational approvals
- Airspace
- Privacy
- Incident reporting
Practical task
Analyse a civilian drone case using supplied current regulatory materials.
Assessment
Submit an authorisation and responsibility brief. No flying permission is conferred.
RPAS Maintenance and Testing
Study inspection and configuration records as foundations for rpas maintenance and testing. The subject develops calibration concepts and fault diagnosis, then examines test evidence and maintenance planning. Use an approved non-flying bench setup or simulation for technical evaluation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain inspection and configuration records using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving calibration concepts and fault diagnosis.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing test evidence and maintenance planning.
Main topics
- Inspection
- Configuration records
- Calibration concepts
- Fault diagnosis
- Test evidence
- Maintenance planning
Practical task
Use an approved non-flying bench setup or simulation for technical evaluation.
Assessment
Submit a maintenance-learning dossier and test report.
Civilian Drone Applications
Examine mapping, agriculture and their relationship within civilian drone applications. The subject develops environmental observation and inspection, then examines data quality and feasibility. Compare civilian applications using public imagery and teaching cases.
Learning outcomes
- Explain mapping and agriculture using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving environmental observation and inspection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing data quality and feasibility.
Main topics
- Mapping
- Agriculture
- Environmental observation
- Inspection
- Data quality
- Feasibility
Practical task
Compare civilian applications using public imagery and teaching cases.
Assessment
Submit an application proposal with permissions and data-quality requirements.
Geospatial Programming and Databases
Develop your understanding of geospatial programming and databases through spatial queries and automation. The subject develops data formats and coordinate handling, then examines web mapping and reproducibility. Build a small spatial-data workflow using authorised datasets.
Learning outcomes
- Explain spatial queries and automation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving data formats and coordinate handling.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing web mapping and reproducibility.
Main topics
- Spatial queries
- Automation
- Data formats
- Coordinate handling
- Web mapping
- Reproducibility
Practical task
Build a small spatial-data workflow using authorised datasets.
Assessment
Submit code, data documentation and validation checks.
Remote Sensing
Study sensors and spectral response as foundations for remote sensing. The subject develops image geometry and classification, then examines accuracy and environmental monitoring. Analyse public satellite imagery and evaluate a classification result.
Learning outcomes
- Explain sensors and spectral response using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving image geometry and classification.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing accuracy and environmental monitoring.
Main topics
- Sensors
- Spectral response
- Image geometry
- Classification
- Accuracy
- Environmental monitoring
Practical task
Analyse public satellite imagery and evaluate a classification result.
Assessment
Submit imagery outputs and an accuracy report.
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Occupational Safety and Risk
Examine hazard identification, exposure and their relationship within occupational safety and risk. The subject develops risk assessment and hierarchy of controls, then examines incident learning and worker participation. Review an authorised workplace case and propose proportionate controls.
Learning outcomes
- Explain hazard identification and exposure using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving risk assessment and hierarchy of controls.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing incident learning and worker participation.
Main topics
- Hazard identification
- Exposure
- Risk assessment
- Hierarchy of controls
- Incident learning
- Worker participation
Practical task
Review an authorised workplace case and propose proportionate controls.
Assessment
Submit a risk assessment and a follow-up evaluation plan.
Quality Management and Improvement
Develop your understanding of quality management and improvement through quality criteria and process variation. 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
Study research questions and literature review as foundations for research methods. 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.
Supervised Workplace Learning
Examine workplace roles, approved task planning and their relationship within supervised workplace learning. 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.
Project Development and Feasibility
Develop your understanding of project development and feasibility through problem definition and evidence review. 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.
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
