Improve your Engineering Knowledge
Engineering can be defined as the application of pure sciences such as physics, mathematics and chemistry, to provide practical solutions for work that needs to be undertaken by man. This often involves development of structures, machines, apparatus or manufacturing processes to facilitate the work.
This course will help you:
- Advance your knowledge in Engineering in a broad sense,
- Explore possibilities for applying science to create practical solutions in the real world, and
- Consider appropriate and innovative engineering solutions to improve efficiency and productivity in agriculture and horticulture.
This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success.
Lesson Structure
There are 9 lessons in this course:
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Surveying
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Linear surveying
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Triangulation
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Determining slope
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Triangulation
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Contouring
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Traversing
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Levelling terms
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Grid systems -datum line, reduced level, backsight, change point, etc.
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Types of Level -dumpy, quickset, cowley
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Reading the levelling staff
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Levelling procedure
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Levelling a sloping site
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Earthworks
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Construction machinery and equipment
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Bobcats
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Front end loader
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Tractor
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Backhoe
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Bulldozer
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Explosives
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Shovel, Pick
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Cut and fill method
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Excavation
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Contouring and levelling
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Swales
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Types of Cultivator -Chisel ploughs, discs and harrows, tined cultivators, rotary hoes, etc.
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Calculating earth to move
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Primordial rule
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Moving existing earth
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Importing soil
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Shaping and settling soil
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Case Study -Constructing a playing field
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Managing Soil degradation -erosion, compaction, salinity, etc
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Water management
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Irrigation systems
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Sub-surface
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Surface
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Sprinkler
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Trickle irrigation
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Irrigation equipment
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Watering cans
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Sprinklers
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Capillary watering
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Automated systems
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Water -sources, quality, treatment
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Pumps -piston, centrifugal, rotary
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Filters
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Irrigation scheduling
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Pulse watering
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Environmental control
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Atmosphere control
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Carbon dioxide effects
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Greenhouse considerations
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Covering materials
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Temperature control
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Benching
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Shade houses
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Outdoor heating
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Chemical Applications
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Applying pesticides
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Parts of a basic sprayer
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Calibration
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Calibrating a knapsack sprayer
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Mixing chemicals
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Sprayer maintenance
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Safe chemical use
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Chemical labelling
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Material Safety Data Sheet
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Safe chemical storage
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Environmental contamination
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Protecting outdoor structures from chemical contamination
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Paints, Stains and Sealers
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Painting outdoor furniture and structures
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Fencing
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Fencing materials - wire mesh, barbed wire, wire strand, posts, strainer assemblies etc
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Traditional wire fencing
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Semi-suspension fencing
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Suspension fencing
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Electric fencing
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Box end assembly
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Post and stay assembly
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Barriers and walls
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Types of timber fence -panels, slats, pickets, hurdles
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Fencing houses and pools
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Gateways and gates
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Rock and rubble walls
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Brick walls
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Concrete walls
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Free standing walls
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Retaining walls
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Trellises
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Wood engineering -softwoods, hardwoods
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Preservatives
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Hedges
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Mechanisation
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Vehicles
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Tractors
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The clutch
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The transmission
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Harvesters
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Mowers -rotary, cylinder, flail, ride on
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Hedge trimmers - shears, blade, saw, flail.
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Trimmer maintenance
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Chain saw use
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Chain saw characteristics - petrol, electric, bar size, etc
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Chain saw maintenance; extending chain life
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Safety with chain saws
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Mulching machines
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Cultivators
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Milking machines
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Soil mixing machines
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Potting machines
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Planters, seeders, drills
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Harvesters -potato, carrot
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Grading machines
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Engineering efficiency
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Overview
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Costs
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Quality of product
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Replacement parts and servicing
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Developing engineering solutions
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Introduction
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Handling equipment
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Trays boxes, Pellets
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Trolleys and barrows
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Trailers
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Fork lifts
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Tractor loaders
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Continuous conveying systems -conveyor belts, monorails, etc
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Hoppers
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Staff comfort and safety
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Explain surveying, including basic principles and techniques, appropriate for horticulture and agriculture.
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Determine earthworks required for an agricultural or horticultural site.
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Determine appropriate water management for an horticultural/agricultural site.
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Determine technological solutions for environmental control problems, in rural or horticultural situations.
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Explain the operation of equipment commonly used to apply pesticides and other chemicals in both horticultural and agricultural workplaces.
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Determine appropriate fencing to use for different purposes; including security and restricting the movement of animals, pests or traffic, in agricultural and horticultural situations.
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Explain the operation of machinery commonly used to mechanise manual tasks carried out in horticultural and agricultural workplaces.
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Evaluate the effectiveness of engineering applications in agricultural and horticultural workplaces.
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Determine procedures for improving work tasks in agricultural and horticultural situations.
Engineering Solutions underpin Human Advancement
Learning pure sciences such as maths, physics and chemistry, allows us to understand the world around us.
Exploring how to apply those pure sciences, has allowed man to build bigger and better buildings, roads, machines, irrigation systems and much more.
The application of science enables us to determine the slope of land, and use machines to change slopes, so that land can be better used. It allows us to move liquids and solids in ways, and on a scale, that would otherwise be impossible; and it allows us to predict the stability or instability of things we build.
Use this Course as a Platform!
The more that you study and explore engineering solutions, the greater your ability will be to conceive solutions to new problems that arise. When you become attuned understanding how to use and manipulate machines or tools in several different contexts, your mind opens to seeing more possibilities.
This course will make you a better informed and more capable person when it comes to finding engineering solutions, not only for the specific situations you encounter in this course but beyond that.
When you add life and work experience to what you learn here, your abilities will continue to grow. You career and business opportunities will be enhanced, and your potential to meet new challenges will continue to grow.
Why Study with ACS?
Design your own learning pathway.
Study at your own pace, from anywhere, at any time.
Receive prompt, expert support from our team of committed and friendly tutors.
Your learning is our priority. We are flexible and adaptable to meet your educational needs!
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