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Engineering Courses

engineering students measuring something in the workshop
Getting Ahead

Engineering Courses at South Downs Campus

Welcome to the Engineering department at HSDC South Downs. Your teaching team are developing new resources and preparing the department for the start of your course in September. One of the most important roles of an Engineer is to find solutions to problems, often in the most challenging of situations.

Did you know? There are many kinds of Engineers. Engineers have the skills to turn products of the imagination into real-world innovation. As humanity’s knowledge and needs increase, the demands on Engineering grow. This means the future will be full of new opportunities for Engineers.

close up of measuring something in the engineering workshop

For your Getting Ahead activity, your teaching team would like to set you a practical challenge.

The challenge is to produce a working prototype model of a smart device stand. The problem to solve is that you can only use items found in the home/garage/shed.

The constraint to your design is that the smart device must recline (lean back) 110°.

a diagram of a 110 degree recline

The material choices could include paper, card, Lego, Meccano, wood, food packets, delivery boxes, metal from drinks cans, salt dough etc – your home is your resource.

Additional fixings will be required – be resourceful: consider tape, staples, sewing stitches, paperclips, glue, split pins, hairgrips, etc.

As with most Engineering solutions, it is often trial and error, so keep a record of the model development. This could be in the form of photographs, video, blog/vlog – you choose.

Bring your model and the record of its development to College when we meet later this year. The teaching team will choose the most inventive and creative design. There may even be a prize!

This course will give you a very good introduction to traditional and modern Engineering practices. When fully achieved the qualification can be used as a starting point for entry to the Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or an Apprenticeship.

Activity – Safety in the Workplace

An Engineering workshop can be an exciting place to work, it can also be a very dangerous place. Spend a few hours investigating the hidden dangers and risk reduction methods in an Engineering workshop.

Activity – Read HSAWA 1974

This document governs the way that everything is executed in the workplace, have a good look at the relevant sections, it will help with two of your units and keep you safe. Focus on the first nine sections, in particular two & seven.

Activity – Watch

These videos will give you an insight into the course. If you watch these videos you will have a better understanding of the language and terms used while you are in lessons. There are many more to watch, but these are the basic starting level that will help you understand.

Beginner Tutorial 1 (AutoCAD 2017) – Designing a Basic House

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to 3D Printing – Part 1

The Centre Lathe – An Introduction

Building Electronic Circuits (Tutorial 1): Electronic Components

This course is designed for students who wish to obtain a higher-level Apprenticeship or progress to university. During the two years, you will gain an understanding of the principles of Engineering as well as gaining hands-on experience in an industry-standard workshop.

Activity – Research

Research into an Engineering sector you would like to make your career, find a job role and identify their responsibilities, career path and average salary. Please bring this with you on skills week.

Activity – Preparation

Watch the following videos.

Laws of Indices – Part 1 | Algebra | Maths | FuseSchool

Ohm’s Law

Fabrication Basics

 


The teaching and support was really great, the quality was really great, all the teachers really care about your education as well as your wellbeing, they take everything into consideration and they’re great.

Katie Whittingham, A Level student

I overcame a couple of barriers by working really hard to get the top grades. My experience was really good, with the course and the lecturers, the residentials and activities, together it was all really good. I had really great teaching support, I could always go to the lecturers and speak to them if I needed to.

David Stenning, Public Services student

My time at the college was definitely life changing, I have learnt a lot of new skills, and obviously it’s a completely new experience. The support was great, there was always people there to help and try make it as easy as they can for you. The college is really fantastic, it has helped me on the way to get to what I want to achieve within my career goals.

Erin Morgan, BTEC student