Programme Specification

1 Title of Programme HNC & HND IN Mechanical Engineering

2 Award (e.g. BA, FdSc)

Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (RQF) Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (RQF)

3 Teaching institution North Lindsey College

4 Awarding body / institution Pearson Edexcel

5 Mode of Study (full or part-time) Part-Time & Full Time

6 Duration (total number of years) HNC – 2 or 3 Years (Part-Time) HND – 1 Year (Top-Up) HND – 2 Years (Full-Time)

7 Number of weeks per academic year 34

8 Location of delivery UTC, Carlton Street, Scunthorpe

9 Accrediting Professional / Statutory Body (if applicable)

N/A

10 UCAS Code (if applicable) 003H

11 Entry requirements

You will normally be required to have achieved

the BTEC National Certificate/Diploma or an A

level/NVQ/VRQ level 3 qualification in a relevant

subject area. If you are over 21 years old with

significant practical experience or craft

qualifications, your application will be considered.

12 Aims of the programme and distinctive features/fit with existing provision

The Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Engineering offers students a broad introduction to the subject area via a mandatory core of learning, while allowing for the acquisition of some sector-specific skills and experience through the specialist units in each pathway, with the opportunity to pursue a particular interest through the appropriate selection of optional units. This effectively builds underpinning core skills while preparing the student for more intense subject specialisation at Level 5. Students will gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace activities. Graduates successfully completing the Level 4 Higher National Certificate will be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of engineering. They will be able to communicate accurately and appropriately and they will have the qualities of personal responsibility needed for employment. They will have developed a range of transferable skills to ensure effective team working, independent working with growing fault finding and problem-solving strategies, and organisational awareness. They will be adaptable and flexible in their approach to work, showing resilience under pressure and the ability to meet challenging targets within a reasonable, pre-set, timeframe. They will also demonstrate regard for the ethical responsibilities of the engineer, for cost and for the importance of protecting and sustaining the environment.

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Engineering offers students five pathways, designed to support progression into relevant occupational areas or onto degree level study. These pathways are linked to Professional Body standards (where appropriate) and can provide progression towards professional status or entry to the later stages of an appropriate degree. Holders of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study, and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. Through this they will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field, and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.

13 Rules of combination for Edexcel BTEC levels 4 & 5 Higher National qualifications

The rules of combination specify the:

total credit value of the qualification

minimum credit to be achieved at the level of the qualification

mandatory core unit credit

specialist unit credit

maximum credit that can be centre commissioned. When combining units for an Edexcel BTEC Higher National qualification it is the centre’s responsibility to ensure that the following rules of combination are adhered to: Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC in Engineering

1. Qualification credit value: a minimum of 120 credits. This is made up of eight units, each with a value of 15 credits.

2. Total Qualification Time (TQT) Higher National Certificate (HNC) = 1,200 3. Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) Higher National Certificate (HNC) = 480 4. There is a required mix of core, specialist and optional units totalling 120 credits. All units

are at Level 4. 5. Core units may not be substituted and are mandatory. 6. Please note that some specialist units are available as optional units and some optional

units are available as specialist units.

Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND in Engineering The Level 5 Higher National Diploma consists of the Level 4 Higher National Certificate (above) plus an additional 120 credits at Level 5.

1. Qualification credit value: a minimum of 240 credits of which 120 credits are at Level 5, and 120 credits are at Level 4 and usually attained via the HNC

2. Total Qualification Time (TQT) Higher National Diploma (HND) = 2,400 3. Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) Higher National Diploma (HND) = 960 4. There is a required mix of core, specialist and optional units for each pathway. The core

units required for each Level 5 pathway (in addition to the specialist units) are 35 Research Project, which is weighted at 30 credits, and 36 Professional Engineering Management, weighted at 15 credits.

5. The requirements of the Higher National Certificate (or equivalent) have to be met. In some cases a maximum of 60 credits can be imported from another RQF Pearson BTEC Higher National qualification and/or from units designed by the centre and approved by Pearson. Core units and specialist units may not be substituted.

6. Please note that some specialist units are available as optional units and some optional units are available as specialist units.

14 Mandatory Curriculum

A knowledge and use of essential scientific principles to produce routine solutions to familiar mechanical engineering problems and using this knowledge to model and analyse routine mechanical engineering systems, processes and products.

Major mechanical scientific principles which underpin the design and operation of static and dynamic engineering systems and provide an overview as the basis for further study in specialist areas of mechanical engineering.

An extended range of mechanical principles for more advanced study which underpin the design and operation of mechanical engineering systems including strengths of materials and mechanics of machines.

Use of skills and knowledge developed during the course to select a project and agree specifications, implement and evaluate the project, and present the project evaluation.

Obtaining accurate information on the requirements for an individual or group engineering project.

Project work that is of a technical nature and supportive of engineering orientation of the Mechanical Engineering Higher National programme, in particular, integrated exercises involving a technical investigation, which incorporates a financial appreciation.

Fundamental analytical knowledge and techniques used for analysis, modelling and solution of realistic engineering problems within mechanical engineering.

A knowledge of routine mathematical methods essential to mechanical engineering including an awareness of the functionality of standard methods.

15 Optional Curriculum

Applying an understanding of mathematics, science, information technology, design, business and engineering practice to solve routine problems.

The engineering principles which underpin the design and operation of engineering systems and equipment including thermodynamic, power transmission, static and dynamic fluid systems and combustion processes and control systems.

A knowledge of the principles of fluid mechanics and the techniques used to predict the behaviour of fluids in mechanical engineering applications.

The properties, selection, processing and use of materials.

An extended range of knowledge and understanding of fluid-power systems, and evaluating such systems in industrial applications.

An awareness of the principles of health and safety planning and implementation in a mechanical engineering environment.

The application of engineering principles to the design and manufacture of products, systems and services.

Using number systems, graphical and numerical methods, vectors, matrices and ordinary differential equations to analyse, model and solve realistic engineering problems.

A broad and in-depth knowledge of a range of manufacturing processes and techniques including CAM, which can be applied across a variety of materials and applications.

Knowledge of the calculation of costs associated with engineered products and services.

An introduction to programmable logic controller concepts and their applications in engineering, and wider instrumentation, control principles and robot technology.

A basic knowledge of energy management principles and techniques used in industry and commercial organisations.

An understanding of the issues involved in managing the work of individuals and teams employed in the mechanical engineering industry.

An awareness of principles and applications of quality management.

16 Higher Level Skills and Abilities

The objectives of the BTEC Higher Nationals in Engineering are as follows:

To provide students with the core knowledge, skills and techniques that all engineers require, irrespective of future specialism, to achieve high performance in the engineering profession.

To build a body of specialist knowledge, skills and techniques in order to be successful in a range of careers in engineering at the Associate Engineer or Operational Engineer level.

To develop the skills necessary to fault find and problem solve in a timely, professional manner, reflecting on their work and contributing to the development of the process and environment they operate within.

To understand the responsibilities of the engineer within society, and work with integrity, regard for cost, sustainability and the rapid rate of change experienced in world class engineering.

To provide opportunities for students to enter, or progress in, employment within the engineering sector, or progress to higher education qualifications such as degrees and honours degree in engineering or a closely related area, by balancing employability skills with academic attainment.

To provide opportunities for students to make progress towards achieving internationally recognised registration with a Professional Body regulated by the Engineering Council.

To allow flexibility of study and to meet local or specialist needs.

17 Teaching and Learning Methods / Strategies

Practical and Professional Skills come from one or more of the following:

Practical workshops

Simulation activities

Laboratories

Collaborative working

Work based learning activities

Class based activities (will be supplemented with Individual and/or group tutorials at appropriate points within the programme)

Blended Learning activities Guided Learning (GL) is defined as the time when a tutor is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. This definition includes lectures, tutorials and supervised study in, for example, open learning centres and learning workshops. Guided Learning includes any supervised assessment activity; this includes invigilated examination and observed assessment and observed work-based practice. Total Guided Learning (GL) Higher National Certificate (HNC) = 480 hours Total Guided Learning (GL) Higher National Diploma (HND) = 960 hours Some examples of activities which can contribute to GL include:

Classroom-based learning supervised by a tutor

Work-based learning supervised by a tutor

Live webinar or telephone tutorial with a tutor in real time

E-learning supervised by a tutor in real time

All forms of assessment which take place under the immediate guidance or supervision of a tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training, including where the assessment is competence-based and may be turned into a learning opportunity.

Independent, self-directed study increases in importance as the course progresses and includes the use of the Virtual Learning Environment (i.e. Moodle).

18 Assessment

Learning Outcomes are specified in each of the Unit Handbooks, and are based upon the Programme Outcomes, which are general. These are assessed by at least one of the following methods to effectively enable students to demonstrate the acquisition of transferable and vocationally-relevant skills:

written reports

time constrained assessments

creation of design documents

projects

production of an artefact

solutions to engineering problems through discourse and/or calculation

academic posters, displays, leaflets

PowerPoint (or similar) presentations

recordings of interviews/role plays

working logbooks, reflective journals

presentations with assessor questioning. The Centre uses the EDEXCEL Criteria for Assessment and Grade Descriptions to discriminate between different levels of performance and determine progression. Additional guidance on contextualisation of grade descriptors can be found in HN Delivery Guides on the Pearson website.

to achieve a Pass, a student must have satisfied all the Pass criteria for the learning aims, showing coverage of the unit content and, therefore, attainment at Level 4 or 5 of the national framework;

to achieve a Merit, a student must have satisfied all the Merit criteria (and, therefore, the Pass criteria) through high performance in each learning outcome;

to achieve a Distinction, a student must have satisfied all the Distinction criteria (and, therefore, the Pass and Merit criteria), these define outstanding performance across the unit as a whole.

19 Programme structure

HNC/D Mechanical Engineering (Part Time)

HNC Mechanical Engineering Year 1

Engineering Science

Engineering Maths

Engineering Design

Automation, Robotics and PLCs

Mechanical Principles

HNC Mechanical Engineering Year 2

Managing a Professional Engineering Project

Thermodynamics and Heat Engines

Materials, Properties and Testing

Lean Manufacturing

Advanced Mechanical Principles

HND Mechanical Engineering Top Up Year

Research Project Professional Engineering Management

Further Mathematics

Virtual Engineering

Thermofluids

20 References used in designing the programme

Pearson BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals in Engineering Specification – Issue 1 - ISBN 978 1 446 94045 7

21 Indicators of quality and standards

Continuous assessment of practice

Student module evaluation feedback

Module reviews incorporating student feedback

Annual monitoring of performance, indicators, inclusive of retention and achievement.

Annual course review, considered by the Higher Education Board of Studies (HEBoS)

Periodic Review and Validation

External Examiner Reports

Programme Committee Meetings

Staff / Student Committee

Module and Programme Boards

Annual Monitoring Report

22 Particular support for learning

Support for learning will be provided via a range of strategies and policy provisions. Modules will be supported by Module Handbooks to guide learning and this will be complemented by resources provided by North Lindsey College (NLC) Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Personal support is provided through the Academic Advocacy (AA) System which sees each student being assigned a named member of college staff to support their progression. NLC also offers support for personal issues other than academic support, via the provision of a confidential counselling service.

23 Methods for evaluating and improving the quality of learning

Mechanisms for review and evaluation of teaching, learning and module / programme content:

HE Board of Studies

Cognate Operational Meetings

Programme Committee Meetings

External Examiners Reports

Modules evaluations

HE Student Survey

National Student Survey

Peer Collaboration Scheme

Staff Performance & Development Appraisal

Committees with responsibility for monitoring and evaluating quality and standards:

Staff – Student Committee

Higher Education Board of Studies

Module and Programme Examination Panel / Boards

24 Other sources of information about this programme

Student Handbook

Academic Advice and Guidance Booklet

College Website

HE Information and Advice Office

Direct correspondence with Subject Coordinators

Course leaflet

Prospectus

Advice and Enrolment events

Careers events

Assessment Map: HNC/HND Mechanical Engineering

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1

Engineering Design

Mechanical Principles

Engineering Science

Engineering Maths

Automation, Robotics and PLCs

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Thermodynamics and Heat Engines

Materials, Properties and Testing

Managing a Professional Engineering Project

Lean Manufacturing

Advanced Mechanical Principles

HND

Professional Engineering Management

Further Mathematics

Research Project

Virtual Engineering

Thermofluids

A – Assignment

DATA NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2018

DATA NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2019

DATA NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2017