Lesson Structure: Engineering II – Engineering Applications BSC205

There are 9 lessons:

1. Surveying

• Linear surveying
• Triangulation
• Determining slope
• Triangulation
• Contouring
• Traversing
• Levelling terms
• Grid systems – datum line, reduced level, backsight, change point, etc.
• Types of Level – dumpy, quickset, cowley
• Reading the levelling staff
• Levelling procedure
• Levelling a sloping site

2.  Earthworks

• Construction machinery and equipment
• Bobcats
• Front end loader
• Tractor
• Backhoe
• Bulldozer
• Explosives
• Shovel, Pick
• Cut and fill method
• Excavation
• Contouring and levelling
• Swales
• Types of Cultivator – Chisel ploughs, discs and harrows, tined cultivators, rotary hoes, etc.
• Calculating earth to move
• Prismordial rule
• Moving existing earth
• Importing soil
• Shaping and settling soil
• Case Study – Constructing a playing field
• Managing Soil degradation -erosion, compaction, salinity, etc

3.  Water management

• Irrigation systems
• Sub-surface
• Surface
• Sprinkler
• Trickle irrigation
• Irrigation equipment
• Watering cans
• Sprinklers
• Capillary watering
• Automated systems
• Water – sources, quality, treatment
• Pumps – piston, centrifugal, rotary
• Filters
• Irrigation scheduling
• Pulse watering

4.  Environmental control

• Atmosphere control
• Carbon dioxide effects
• Greenhouse considerations
• Covering materials
• Temperature control
• Benching
• Shadehouses
• Outdoor heating

5.  Chemical Applications

• Applying pesticides
• Parts of a basic sprayer
• Calibration
• Calibrating a knapsack sprayer
• Mixing chemicals
• Sprayer maintenance
• Safe chemical use
• Chemical labelling
• Material Safety Data Sheet
• Safe chemical storage
• Environmental contamination
• Protecting outdoor structures from chemical contamination
• Paints, Stains and Sealers
• Painting outdoor furniture and structures

6.  Fencing

• Fencing materials – wire mesh, barbed wire, wire strand, posts, strainer assemblies etc
• Traditional wire fencing
• Semi-suspension fencing
• Suspension fencing
• Electric fencing
• Bpx end assembly
• Post and stay assembly
• Barriers and walls
• Types of timber fence -panels, slats, pickets, hurdles
• Fencing houses and pools
• Gateways and gates
• Rock and rubble walls
• Brick walls
• Concrete walls
• Free standing walls
• Retaining walls
• Trellises
• Wood engineering – softwoods, hardwoods
• Preservatives
• Hedges

7.  Mechanisation

• Vehicles
• Tractors
• The clutch
• The transmission
• Harvesters
• Mowers – rotary, cylinder, flail, ride on
• Hedge trimmers – shears, blade, saw, flail.
• Trimmer maintenance
• Chain saw use
• Chain saw characteristics – petrol, electric, bar size, etc
• Chain saw maintenance; extending chain life
• Safety with chain saws
• Mulching machines
• Cultivators
• Milking machines
• Soil mixing machines
• Potting machines
• Planters, seeders, drills
• Harvesters – potato, carrot
• Grading machines

8.  Engineering efficiency

• Overview
• Costs
• Quality of product
• Replacement parts and servicing

9.  Developing engineering solutions

• Introduction
• Handling equipment
• Trays boxes, pellets
• Trolleys and barrows
• Trailers
• Fork lifts
• Tractor loaders
• Continuous conveying systems – conveyor belts, mono rails, etc
• Hoppers
• Staff comfort and safety

Learning Goals: Engineering II – Engineering Applications BSC205

• Explain surveying, including basic principles and techniques, appropriate for horticulture and agriculture
• Determine earthworks required for an agricultural or horticultural site
• Determine appropriate water management for an horticultural/agricultural site.
• Determine technological solutions for environmental control problems, in rural or horticultural situations.
• Explain the operation of equipment commonly used to apply pesticides and other chemicals in both horticultural and agricultural workplaces.
• Determine appropriate fencing to use for different purposes; including security and restricting the movement of animals, pests or traffic, in agricultural and horticultural situations.
• Explain the operation of machinery commonly used to mechanise manual tasks carried out in horticultural and agricultural workplaces.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of engineering applications in agricultural and horticultural workplaces.
• Determine procedures for improving work tasks in agricultural and horticultural situations.

This course complements Engineering I, developing skills to apply appropriate and innovative engineering solutions, to improve efficiency and productivity in agriculture and horticulture. It covers: surveying, earthworks, water management, environmental control (eg. heating, cooling, ventilation, etc.), fencing, chemical applications, mechanising manual tasks, improving engineering efficiency/operations and developing engineering solutions to different workplace tasks/problems.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.