Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Electrical Engineering

Electrical and electronic engineers/technicians are a vital part of the workforce in a variety of types of technical work, such as electrical, electronic or communication design, manufacture, maintenance and technical services areas of the engineering industry. This course will help you to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enable you to make an immediate contribution to employment at the appropriate professional level as well as preparing you for a range of technical and management careers in electrical, electronic or communication engineering

You will study the following modules 

Engineering Maths
The mathematics that is delivered in this unit is that which is directly applicable to the engineering industry, and it will help to increase students’ knowledge of the broad underlying principles within this discipline. This unit will develop students’ skills in the mathematical principles and theories that underpin the engineering curriculum. Students will be introduced to mathematical methods and statistical techniques in order to analyse and solve problems within an engineering context. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to employ mathematical methods within a variety of contextualised examples, interpret data using statistical techniques, and use analytical and computational methods to evaluate and solve engineering problems.

Engineering Principles
This unit introduces students to the fundamental laws and applications of the physical sciences within engineering and how to apply this knowledge to find solutions to a variety of engineering problems. Among the topics included in this unit are: international system of units, interpreting data, static and dynamic forces, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, material properties and failure, and A.C./D.C. circuit theories. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to interpret and present qualitative and quantitative data using computer software, calculate unknown parameters within mechanical systems, explain a variety of material properties and use electromagnetic theory in an applied context.

Electrical and Electronic Principles
A study of electrical or electronic engineering depends very much on the knowledge of underlying principles. The physical principles build initially from our understanding of the atom, the concept of electrical charge, electric fields, and the behaviour of the electron in different types of material. Another set of principles is built around semiconductor devices, which form the basis of modern electronics, and students will also study the key electronic components, primarily different types of diodes and transistors. The final section of the unit introduces the fundamentals of these, using simple applications. In analogue electronics, the amplifier and its characteristics are introduced while in digital electronics, voltages are applied as logic values, and simple circuits made from logic gates are considered.

Electronic Circuits and Devices
This unit introduces students to the use of electronics manufacturers’ data to analyse the performance of circuits and devices, the operational characteristics of amplifier circuits, the types and effects of feedback on a circuit performance, and the operation and application of oscillators. They will also be introduced to the application of testing procedures to electronic devices and circuits, and use the findings of the tests to evaluate their operation. Among the topics included in this unit are: power amplifiers, class A, B and AB; operational amplifiers, inverting, non-inverting, differential, summing, integrator, differentiator; types such as open, closed, positive and negative feedback; frequency, stability, frequency drift, distortion, amplitude, wave shapes and testing procedures.

Automation, Robotics and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
We are all now very familiar with the sight of dancing robots, not only in the production of cars but in everything from washing machines to pharmaceuticals. As a result of this technology the products we purchase may have never been touched by human hands and we all benefit from a reduction in costs and improvement in quality. The aim of this unit is for students to investigate how Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and industrial robots can be programmed to successfully implement automated engineering solutions. Topics will include PLC system operational characteristics, different types of programming languages, types of robots and cell safety features. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to program PLCs and robotic manipulators to achieve a set task, describe the types and uses of PLCs and robots available, write simple PLC programs, and program industrial robots with straightforward commands and safety factors.

Combinational and Logical Sequence
Students will investigate the characteristics and applications of combinational and sequential logic devices. They will then design, construct and test combinational and sequential circuits and will use relevant computer software to simulate and verify circuits. Learners will then go on to design a digital system that meets a specification and will evaluate the design against given criteria. They will investigate the minimisation of digital circuits and will improve the digital system design through the use of programmable logic devices (PLDs).

Electrical Machines
This unit introduces students to the characteristics and operational parameters of a range of electromagnetic powered machines that are used in a variety of applications. Among the topics included in this unit are: principles underlying the operation and construction of transformers, induction motors, synchronous machines, electromagnetic transducers, actuators, and generators; and operating characteristics of electrical machines such as voltage, current, speed of operation, power rating, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and efficiency.

Professional Engineering Project
This unit introduces students to the techniques and best practices required to successfully create and manage an engineering project designed to identify a solution to an engineering need. While carrying out this project students will consider the role and function of engineering in our society, the professional duties and responsibilities expected of engineers together with the behaviours that accompany their actions. Among the topics covered in this unit are: roles, responsibilities and behaviours of a professional engineer, planning a project, project management stages, devising solutions, theories and calculations, management using a Gantt chart, evaluation techniques, communication skills, and the creation and presentation of a project report.

Awarding Body
This HNC is awarded by and delivered in partnership with the University of Portsmouth.