Higher Nationals Programme Specification Higher National Certificate (HNC) in General Engineering 2016/17
In the day to day context, whilst every endeavour will be made to provide the courses and services described in the Programme Specification, Blackpool and The Fylde College reserves the right to make such changes as may be appropriate for reasons of operational efficiency or due to circumstances including industrial action beyond its control. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Page 2 of 10
CONTENTS 1. Introduction... 4 2. Key programme Information... 4 3. Programme Overview... 5 4. Admission Criteria... 5 5. Progression Opportunities... 6 6. Programme Aims... 6 7. Programme Outcomes... 6 8. Programme Content... 7 9. An Overview of Teaching, Learning & Assessment... 8 10. Opportunities for Work based & Placement Learning... 8 11. Summary of Relevant Academic Guidelines... 9 12. Information about the Awarding Body... 9 13. About... 9 13.1 QAA Review May 2013... 9 QAA's judgements about Blackpool and The Fylde College... 9 Good practice... 10 Document Version Tracking Version Date Author(s) Description 0.1 27/03/ Craig Beattie Stage 1 0.2 25/08/16 Leanne Thompson Module Changes 0.3 1.0
1. INTRODUCTION The Programme Specification provides a summary of the main features of the Higher National Certificate in General Engineering programme. BTEC Higher National programmes are derived from specification documents published by Pearson which provide the module outlines and overarching structure of the award. This document outlines the programme available at Blackpool and The Fylde College, and includes valuable information to both current and prospective students. Further detailed information related to this programme and the College can be found in the following resources: Programme handbook B&FC Student handbook B&FC Admissions Policy Work Based and Placement Learning handbook (Foundation Degrees) Student guide to assessment and feedback www.blackpool.ac.uk 2. KEY PROGRAMME INFORMATION BTEC Higher National Specification General Engineering Specification Issue 3 November 2010 Name of the final award Programme title Relevant Subject Benchmarks Teaching institution Name of awarding body/institution Details of Professional/Statutory body accreditation Length of programme/mode of study UCAS code (if applicable) Language of Study Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in General Engineering (QCF) Higher National Certificate (HNC) in General Engineering This programme pays reference to the QAA Honours degree benchmarks for Engineering (UK-SPEC) QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) 20 Blackpool and The Fylde College Pearson The development of this qualification has been informed by discussions/relevant publications from the Engineering Council UK (EC (UK)) and the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance (SEMTA). Full-time: 12 months Part-time: 18 months H100 English Date of Internal Approval Date of next review 5 years from above date
3. PROGRAMME OVERVIEW Blackpool and the Fylde College remains committed to providing a highly responsive curriculum that is employment and futurefocused and will enable students to develop the essential knowledge and skills that will prepare them for future success in work and life. The General Engineering course was initially developed along with EDF Energy in order to meet requirements for an all-round programme of study for their apprentices and staff who attend the college each year. The General Engineering Curriculum has a compulsory core that focuses on Analytical methods, Engineering Science and Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation. The remaining modules selected by the college allow students to develop in both mechanical and electrical engineering. These include Fluid Mechanics, Machine Dynamics, Electrical Power and Electrical & Electronic Principles. All Higher National Certificate (HNC) programmes within the Curriculum Area of Engineering aim to enable the students to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and equip individuals with knowledge, understanding and skills in preparation for a range of technical and management careers in mechanical, electronic and electrical engineering or for progression to an undergraduate degree or further professional qualification in engineering, or a related area. This programme provides local delivery either full-time (two days per week) or part-time (one day per week) with course content to be matched to local needs, offering opportunities to students who would otherwise find it difficult or even impossible to access an appropriate degree level course. Blackpool and the Fylde College s delivery and assessment of courses are tailored to the needs of the local, regional and national population. The HNC develops higher level general engineering skills in a technological and management context thereby providing opportunities for students to develop a range of skills, techniques and attributes essential for successful performance and progression in working life. By the end of the programme students will have developed the practical performance skills and key academic knowledge required to enable progression to further study or pursue a successful career within the mechanical, electronic and electrical engineering based industry spectrum. 4. ADMISSION CRITERIA Admission to level 4 (HNC) would normally be on the basis of the applicant possessing a minimum of 120 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) or above in an appropriate discipline. In order to meet this entry requirement an applicant would need, for example: A Levels (Grade C or above) which must be appropriate for the intended course of study An Engineering based Level 3 Diploma (M, P, P) L3 Extended Diploma (P, P, P,) A student must have studied mathematics up to an equivalent of level 3, or have sufficient recent maths experience. We also welcome applications from those with substantial work experience in engineering in lieu of the minimum entry requirements.
5. PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES Upon completion of the Level 4 HNC in General Engineering students can choose to progress onto further study at Blackpool & The Fylde College. We currently offer two degree courses accredited by Lancaster University: B.Eng. (Hons) in Mechanical and Production Engineering B.Eng. (Hons) in Mechatronics Both of which extend upon the knowledge acquired at Level 4, but choice of programme depends upon the student s preference for either the mechanical or electrical engineering route. Alternative progression is onto either a Level 4 or Level 5 Foundation Degree or onto another honours degree programme, depending on the match of the units from this General Engineering HNC Programme. Many students choose to use their HNC qualification to gain employment at technician, supervisor or possibly management levels at local, national or international companies in the engineering sector. 6. PROGRAMME AIMS Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to provide a specialist vocational programme, linked to professional body requirements and National Occupational Standards where appropriate. They offer a strong, sector-related emphasis on practical skills development alongside the development of requisite knowledge and understanding. The qualifications provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required in their sector and their national recognition by employers allows direct progression to employment. Specifically this programme aims: to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enable learners to make an immediate contribution to employment at the appropriate professional level to prepare for a range of technical and management careers in engineering to provide specialist studies relevant to individual vocations and professions in which students are working or intend to seek employment in mechanical or electrical engineering and its related industries to enable progression to or counting towards an undergraduate degree or further professional qualification in engineering to provide a significant engineering base for progression to incorporated engineer level. 7. PROGRAMME OUTCOMES On completing the programme students will be able to: analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically read and use appropriate literature with a full and critical understanding think independently, solve problems and devise innovative solutions take responsibility for their own learning and recognise their own learning style apply subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems design, plan, conduct and report on investigations use their knowledge, understanding and skills to evaluate and formulate evidence-based arguments critically and identify solutions to clearly defined problems of a general routine nature communicate the results of their study and other work accurately and reliably using a range of specialist techniques identify and address their own major learning needs within defined contexts and to undertake guided further learning in new areas apply their subject-related and transferable skills in contexts where the scope of the task and the criteria for decisions
8. PROGRAMME CONTENT All Higher Education programmes delivered at Blackpool and The Fylde College consist of modules. A module is a coherent unit of subject material, which is complete with its own learning outcomes and assessments. More detailed information on module content is available in the programme handbook. Higher National Certificate (HNC) FHEQ Level 4 Award Part-time study: 18 Months Full-time study: 12 months A Higher National Certificate may be awarded following the successful completion of the following modules: Module Code Level Title Credits 01 4 Analytical Methods for Engineers 02 4 Engineering Science 03 5 Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation 20 35 5 Further Analytical Methods for Engineers 41 4 Fluid Mechanics 60 4 Dynamics of Machines 63 4 Electrical Power 05 5 Electrical & Electronic Principles
9. AN OVERVIEW OF TEACHING, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT The course is taught at the Bispham campus of Blackpool and the Fylde College where students will have the opportunity to experience high quality teaching and learning facilities, including the new Advanced Technology Centre which opened in September 20. The assessment on the programme is 100% through coursework assignments. Modules are delivered and assessed with three to four assignments per module which progressively evidence your achievement against the learning outcomes. Assignments can be a mix of analysis, calculation, experimental reports and essays which are set with clearly defined learning outcomes and assessment criteria to achieve a level of pass, merit or distinction. Assignments are designed not just to test what you know, but to help you develop your knowledge, skills and confidence. A number of teaching methods are employed by the college which will include lectures, computer based sessions, academic workshops and practical sessions. The style of lecturing varies depending on the member of staff and the material to be covered. Some lectures include lots of group participation and others take a more traditional style, giving a coherent and lucid explanation of a complex theory. The college offers support for all Higher Education students in the form of our Higher Education Learning Mentors who provide one-to-one support and advice on the techniques you need to be a successful student. This can include help with: returning to education as a mature student; essay writing; presentation skills; editing and web skills; and research skills. You will have a designated programme leader throughout your studies who is an academic member of staff who will provide additional academic and pastoral support. You can meet with your tutor throughout the year, as well as one-to-one progress meetings each semester. This HNC is fully supported by an interactive Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Moodle, where additional course materials, supplementary activities and other related course information are made available. This is commonly used by students during or after sessions to consolidate and support learning. During your course, you'll go on to develop the independence, creativity and excellent communication skills that we know employers look for in successful graduates. 10. OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK BASED & PLACEMENT LEARNING Although there is no formal work placement requirement on the HNC in General Engineering, the programme is designed to enable students to experience real world vocational activities, problems and assignments by utilising live briefs and industry specific problems during some specialist modules.
11. SUMMARY OF RELEVANT ACADEMIC GUIDELINES UK Quality Code for Higher Education QAA Subject and Foundation Degree Benchmark Statements QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) B&FC Teaching Learning and Assessment Strategy B&FC Undergraduate Regulatory Framework Validating Partner s Undergraduate Regulatory Framework B&FC Undergraduate Assessment Regulations4 BTEC Higher National Specification for General Engineering B&FC BTEC Higher National Award Regulations 12. INFORMATION ABOUT THE AWARDING BODY This higher national programme is awarded by Pearson. Pearson publish a higher national specification which provides the nationally devised and accredited programme structure, curriculum content and related guidance for educational institutions to deliver a programme which is appropriate to local market conditions and local student needs. As the awarding body, Pearson appoint a suitably qualified academic to act as the standards verifier for this programme at Blackpool and The Fylde College. The standards verifier is equivalent to the external examiner role identified within the QAA Quality Code for UK Higher Education, Chapter B7: External Examining. Annual reports from the appointed standards verifier are published within the College Moodle site and made available to all current students. 13. ABOUT BLACKPOOL & THE FYLDE COLLEGE 13.1 QAA REVIEW MAY 2013 QAA'S JUDGEMENTS ABOUT BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE The QAA review team formed the following judgements about the higher education provision at Blackpool and The Fylde College. The academic standards that the College offers on behalf of its awarding bodies meet UK expectations for threshold standards. The quality of student learning opportunities at the College meets UK expectations. The quality of information produced by the College about its learning opportunities is commended. The enhancement of student learning opportunities at the College is commended.
GOOD PRACTICE The QAA review team identified the following features of good practice at Blackpool and The Fylde College: the clear link between the College's commitment to inclusivity and employability, and the resulting innovative assessment tasks the variety of assessment tasks and their relevance to the world of work, which was valued by students and employers the College's anticipatory approach to the consideration of and investment in learning resources the extensive and valuable contribution of students to the quality assurance and enhancement activities of the College the integrated approach to the provision of learning opportunities to enable the entitlements of disabled students to be met in the wider context of a College ethos of inclusivity the integrated and innovative approach to the provision of blended learning opportunities and e-resources using the virtual learning environment, which is both comprehensive and reliable the high-quality website, which provides a user-friendly point of contact for the College's intended audiences the positive contribution made by the role of the Higher Education Development Manager to the development and production of high-quality and accessible course data and management information the comprehensive and continuing development of the virtual learning environment that facilitates effective dissemination of information, providing a 'one-stop shop' for students and staff the positive contribution of the College's equality and diversity agenda to the enhancement of learning opportunities across its higher education provision the embedded culture of enhancement, as exemplified by the strategic leadership provided by the Higher Education Directorate and the complementary high levels of awareness among, and involvement of, staff and students across the College