Mechanical Engineering

Course Overview

Develop an excellent understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics and energy. Examine different materials and investigate their properties and strengths. Gain the skills to use a variety of different measuring instruments. Examine steam and heat energy sources.

Pre-requisites

No previous experience required except for a basic understanding of mathematics.

Qualification

BTEC L3 Advanced Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

Support and benefits

• Gain a nationally recognised award
• Flexible term times
• Access to a dedicated tutor and student advisors to guide you through your studies
• Access to the ICS online Student Community, allowing you to interact with other students and browse our resource library
  

Key topics

• Principles of Mechanics

Develop a clear understanding of matter and motion. In particular the way in which forces can affect the motion of objects. While there is a concentration on the basic theory underpinning this section there is also the opportunity to examine forces and motion in the context of simple machines. Building on the concepts developed in a study of linear motion the unit concludes with a look at how these concepts apply in the context of circular motion.

• Materials

This unit provides an overview of many of the materials currently used in mechanical applications. The unit involves discussions of sources of materials, their manufacture, properties and uses. A study of the use of materials in a variety of tools is included along with uses of materials in beams columns and shafts. In this regard the particular strengths of materials are explored.

• Heat and Steam

The aim of the final unit is to introduce the fundamental concepts of heat and its effects on materials. In particular the relationship between heat and steam is investigated. To begin with the transmission of heat is investigated both with and without material mediums. The effect of heat on the bulk properties of materials is studied, particularly in the context of solids and gases. This then progresses into the examination of the bulk properties of steam and the use of steam tables and charts.

Course Code

W28

Hours of study

12 months / 180 hours

Registration Fees

Please note that there is an Awarding body (Edexcel) registration fee of £70.10 which is additional to your course fee.

Outline

You’ll complete three Scenario Based Assessments (SBAs) towards the completion of your course. The assessments can be submitted to ICS online via the Student Community, or they can be posted to ICS. It is recommended that you submit your assessments online as you will receive your results more quickly this way.

Assessment Breakdown

• Assessment 1: Principle of Mechanics - Short answer written paper
• Assessment 2: Materials - Short answer written paper
• Assessment 3: Heat and Steam - Short answer written paper

Each assignment question may ask you to either write a short answer (of around a paragraph), a short essay (of several paragraphs) or perform a calculation. Study the grading criteria for each assessment prior to completion to ascertain what is required for each paper.