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PROGRAMME HANDBOOK 2017

PEARSON BTEC LEVEL 5 HND

IN ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

ENGINEERING

Block 1, MCLD, Jalan Shell, Lutong, 98000 Miri, Sarawak Tel :+6085622184/194 Fax: +6085622164 www.icats.edu.my

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Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………………… 2

Course Structure and Course Management ………………… 3

i-CATS, Pearson and the Learner-Students ………………… 5

BTEC Level 5 HND Teaching Staff …………………………... 6

Course Units (Modules) Assessment ………………………… 7

Coursework (Assignment) Submission ……………………… 9

A Note on Plagiarism and Academic Offence ………………. 10

College Rules and Regulations ………………………………. 11

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1. Introduction

Welcome to the International College of Advanced Technology Sarawak (i-CATS).

We are delighted to offer this revised Programme Handbook for all our Pearson

registered students. This handbook has been prepared to facilitate students’ learning

in line with the new RQF Pearson BTEC Level 5 (Higher National Diploma) in

Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The handbook covers some key elements such as course structure, units and

assessment process, coursework (assignments) writing and submission, college

rules and regulations, course expectations and issues of plagiarism as well as

academic offences. We hope that the learners will pay attention to these

subsections.

Additional information, including key contact personnel, forms that learners would

have to use during their studies, academic calendar and time table are available on

the college e-Learning portal.

Learners will have to complete fifteen modules successfully with a pass or higher

grade in order to obtain the HND. Here, the learners will find a handful of expected

learning outcomes. Module assessment is mainly based on testing the achievement

of these outcomes by the learners. There is also a reading list for all fifteen modules

that the learner should consider exploring in order to find appropriate course related

reading materials.

If you have any queries regarding the programme, please see either the Course

Coordinator or Programme and Studies Manager. We wish you all the best and hope

you will have a wonderful time studying at i-CATS and a fantastic time living in Miri.

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2. Course Structure and Course Management

The new RQF BTEC HND is a Level 5 qualification consisting of a total of fifteen

units. Students can normally complete the course in two and half years (excluding

the Internship). The Pearson BTEC HND courses are well known all over the world.

Upon completion, learners may continue their studies locally or internationally.

The Pearson BTEC HND courses are internally assessed and externally verified. It is

nationally and internationally recognised and graduates can further their studies at a

university. Some of the advantages of the BTEC HND are as follows:

Nationally and internationally recognised as a qualification to pursue further

studies.

Recognised by employers as a vocational qualification for career and

professional development.

The course consists of fifteen units where the learners can seek competency for

every unit completed with a pass grade. The HND requires a minimum of 240

credits.

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Course Structure

No. Semester/

Year Offered

Name of Course Code Classification Unit

Credit Level

1 1/1 Engineering Science T/615/1477 Core Unit

Mandatory 15 4

2 1/1 Electrical and Electronic Principles

M/615/1493 Specialist Unit

Mandatory 15 4

3 1/1 Engineering Maths M/615/1476 Core Unit

Mandatory 15 4

4 1/1 Instrumentation and Control Systems

D/615/1490 Optional Unit 15 4

5 3/1 Further Mathematics H/615/1507 Specialist Unit

Mandatory 15 5

6 3/1 Engineering Design K/615/1475 Core Unit

Mandatory 15 4

7 3/1 Automation, Robotics and PLC

K/615/1489 Optional Unit 15 4

8 5/2 Managing A Professional Engineering Project

A/615/1478 Core Unit

Mandatory 15 4

9 5/2 Analog Electronic Systems

F/615/1515 Optional Unit 15 5

10 5/2 Embedded Systems A/615/1514 Optional Unit 15 5

11 5/2 Industrial Systems T/615/1513 Specialist Unit

Mandatory 15 5

12 6/3 Industrial Power, Electronics and Storage

M/615/1512 Specialist Unit

Mandatory 15 5

13 6/3 Professional Engineering Management

L/615/1504 Core Unit

Mandatory 15 5

14 6/3 Research Project J/615/1502 Core Unit

Mandatory 30 5

15 6/3 Renewable Energy F/615/1479 Optional Unit 15 4

Total Unit Credits 240

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Course Management

There is an appointed Course Coordinator for the HND programme. The Course

Coordinator is supported by an experienced lecturing team. The overall academic

direction of the programme is managed by the Academic Board Committee that

includes Mr John Rizal Biki, Ms Madihah Haji Muhamad Sedek, Madam Ida Kartini

Hj Shanat and Madam Syuhaira Mohd Zin who are the internal verifiers of the

programme. All learners should contact the Campus Director Mr John Rizal Biki to

register with Pearson. Any problems concerning the programme and/ or personal

problems should be discussed with the Course Coordinator.

Should a learner encounter any problem(s) concerning individual units, he/she

should discuss the problem(s) with the unit tutor. If the problem cannot be resolved,

the matter must be referred to the Course Coordinator.

The Academic Board meets each semester to finalise the grading of assignments

and assessments.

3. i-CATS, Pearson and the Learner-Students

The BTEC qualification is awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body

offering academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and

benchmarked. For further information, please visit the qualifications website at

www.qualifications.pearson.com. Alternatively, you can get in touch with them using

“https://www.pearson.com/corporate/contact-us.html”.

i-CATS is one of the long-established independent colleges in Sarawak. Since 2001,

the college has been recognised by Pearson (previously known as Edexcel) as an

accredited centre for teaching and learning BTEC programmes HND (Level 5) in

Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The Pearson programme is monitored and controlled for highest level of quality from

the type and quality of the students enrolled to the qualification and capability of the

teaching staff in addition to the standards of course delivery and assessment.

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Therefore, the College is responsible for making sure that the quality of programme

delivery meets the prescribed levels and standards. Pearson appoints an External

Verifier to approve assessment procedures and results as well as seeking feedback

from students.

Registration with PEARSON

All enrolled students at i-CATS for the BTEC programme will be registered with

Pearson (there is registration fee) through the Course Coordinator and receive a

student registration number. The learners will pay £250 towards Pearson registration

and other related administrative fees this year.

4. BTEC Level 5 HND Teaching Staff

i-CATS has the reputation for having one of the best teaching faculties among the

independent colleges in Sarawak. All members of our teaching staff are well-

qualified and highly experienced.

Academic Staff

Syuhaira Mohd Zin

BEng (Hons) Electrical Power Industries Engineering

Roziana Abdul Rahman

BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering

Junainah Leman

BEng (Hons) Electronic Industry Engineering

Nurul Busyra Azman

BEng (Hons) Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Mohd Khairun Abdollah

BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering

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Taqiuddin Ahmad Kendong

BEng (Hons) Mechatronic Engineering

5. Course Units (Modules) Assessment

The Pearson qualification will be awarded to learners who meet the assessment

criteria as set by the awarding body. In order to satisfy the assessment criteria,

learners are likely to have demonstrated the following achievements:

A thorough understanding of the key principles of the subject area and the

way in which those principles have developed.

Ability to apply underlying concepts and the key principles in a broader

context as demonstrated by the learner through application in the coursework

assignment.

Basic knowledge of the main methods of enquiry and approaches in the

subject area(s).

Ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving

problems in their field of study.

An understanding of the limits of their knowledge and how this would

influence the analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge.

In the first place, the learners should have successfully completed all the fifteen units

listed in the handbook with at least a passing or higher grade. BTEC Level 5

modules are graded as Pass, Merit, Distinction or Referred and no numerical marks

are used. The learners are informed of the learning outcomes and the assessment

objectives as well as assessment criteria well in advance.

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Assessment Policy

Assessment is defined as the process whereby assessors make judgements on

evidence produced by students against required criteria for the BTEC qualification.

All assessment materials must be internally verified before being issued to students.

a) Completed student assignments will be assessed internally, be subject to

internal verification and external moderation by the Awarding Body.

b) Students must be left in no doubt that any grade awarded will be subject to

internal verification, moderation and that ultimately the final decision rests with

the Awarding Body.

c) The Assessor is responsible for ensuring that assessment processes are

consistent and transparent, that evidence is valid, sufficient, authentic and the

judgement of evidence is valid and reliable.

d) The tutor must decide when the learner is fully prepared to undertake the

assessment. Once learners are working on assignments which will be

submitted for assessment, they must work independently to produce and

prepare evidence for assessment. Before starting an assessment, the tutor

must ensure each learner understands the:

assessment requirement(s)

nature of the evidence they need to produce

importance of time management and meeting deadlines

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment involves both the assessor and the student in two-way

conversation about their progress and takes place prior to summative assessment. It

does not confirm achievement of grades but focuses on helping the students to

reflect on their learning and improve their performance. Feedback on formative

assessment must be constructive and provide clear guidance and actions for

improvement.

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Summative Assessment:

Summative Assessment is a final assessment decision on assignment tasks in

relation to the assessment criteria of each unit. It is the definitive assessment and

recording of the student’s achievement.

Students will need to be familiar with the assessment criteria to be able to

understand the quality of what is required. They should be informed of the

differences between grading criteria so that higher skills can be achieved. The

submitted work will be assessed and the outcome entered in the overall result

summary.

6. Coursework (Assignment) Submission

Students should follow the guideline for submission of assignments. Also, they

should pay attention to the tutor and the assignment brief with notes on guidelines

given to them.

Submission Date:

Assignment(s) must be submitted within the deadline.

Late Submission:

All assignments must be submitted on or before the stated date. If work is submitted

late (up to two weeks after the deadline), the student will be informed that the mark

will be capped at maximum “Pass” grade.

Rework:

A student has the opportunity to rework an assignment that did not meet the Pass

criteria, providing initial deadlines have been met. The student may be given an

opportunity to rework the assignment and submit within the new deadline. The

maximum award is Pass.

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7. A Note on Plagiarism and Academic Offences

A person is said to have committed plagiarism when he/she inserts or includes

someone else’s work in his/her own work (coursework, assignment, article, book,

etc.) in a manner that it misleads the reader into believing that work was that

person’s (former) own work.

Some of the common academic offences committed by students can be summarised

as follows:

Reproducing or paraphrasing published materials without acknowledging the

sources.

Presenting a piece of information from electronic sources such as websites

without acknowledging the sources.

Copying work of another student, presently studying or past student(s) such

as from previous student assignments.

Passing off ideas, designs, inventions or any creative works, belonging to

others, as their own.

Getting someone else to do the work for them.

A student is said to have committed an offence of Assessment Malpractice when

he/she attempts to gain an unfair advantage, either on his/ her own or with the help

of others, to gain a grade that does not reflect his/her own knowledge, competence

or skills. Some of the most common forms of such offences are as follows:

Committing an act of plagiarism outlined above.

Colluding by working collaboratively with others and then passing the work as

his/her own.

Receiving, exchanging or passing information (written or spoken) between

students during time constraint assessments, e.g. examination.

Impersonating another student or having another person pretending to be the

student at time constraint assessments, e.g. examination.

Fabricating results or evidence to simply mislead and get better grades.

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Altering results documents, including certificates, to mislead and give

impression of better grades.

Failing to abide by instructions or advice given by assessors or invigilators

with respect to assignments or time constraint assessments regulations, e.g

number of words in project or writing outside time limit (before or after) during

examinations.

Committing other types of cheating or misconduct to disrupt others and/or to

gain unfair advantage.

A Note on Penalties

Any student committing plagiarism (e.g. failing to reference work properly or failing to

acknowledge the source of a short section of an assignment, etc.) or other

Assessment Malpractice (e.g. copying from unauthorised materials or exchanging

information in examinations) could, depending on the college, either be given a

penalty to lower his/her grade or could have his/her assignment allocated a ’Fail’

Grade or he/she could be disqualified from the course, depending on the

seriousness of the offence.

8. College Rules and Regulations

Student Registration:

As indicated in section 3, all students need to register with Pearson.

Qualifications and Credentials:

All students, before registration, must produce evidence of qualifications and other

credentials. Anyone found to have given false information or forged documents will

be subject to termination from the programme and his/ her registration with Pearson

will be cancelled.

Attendance:

Students are required to attend classes regularly and complete the full course,

including completing all assignments, projects and examinations. All students are

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required to maintain their attendance (at least 80% of their total class hours). Any

illness leading to absences must be informed promptly and absence due to sickness

must be supported by a medical certificate.

Appeal Policy:

An appeal is a request from a learner to revisit an assessment decision which he/she

considers to disadvantage him/her. The student has the right to lodge an appeal

against an assessment decision. The college follows a standard, time-limited,

sequenced and documented process when an appeal is made.

The aims of the appeal policy are:

To enable the learner to enquire, question or appeal against an assessment

decision.

To attempt to reach an agreement between the learner and the Assessor at

the earliest opportunity.

To standardise and record any appeal to ensure openness and fairness.

To facilitate a learner’s ultimate right of appeal to the Awarding Body, where

appropriate.

To protect the interests of all learners and the integrity of the qualification.

In order to do this, the college will:

inform the learner at induction, of the Appeal Policy and Procedure.

record, track and validate any appeal.

forward the appeal to the Awarding Body when a learner considers that the

decision continues to disadvantage him/her after the internal appeals process

has been exhausted.

keep appeal records for inspection by the Awarding Body for a minimum of 18

months.

have a staged appeal procedure.

will take appropriate action to protect the interests of other learners and the

integrity of the qualification, when the outcome of an appeal questions the

validity of other results.

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Accidents and Damage to Property

The College cannot accept any legal liability in the case of accidents, illness, loss of,

or damage to personal properties including mail. Students will be liable to pay for any

damage that they may cause to the College premises or equipment and chattels that

belong to the college.

Termination and Expulsion

i-CATS reserves the right to expel any student for improper conduct or any conduct

that interferes with the well-being of other students. Students will also be subject to

termination and expulsion if he or she violates the College regulations, including

compliance requirements such as attendance and unauthorized absence from

classes/sessions.

Financial Regulations

Students must abide by the College Financial Regulations that are related to

payments, refunds and payment by instalments. This information is updated from

time to time and is available on request.

Prepared by: Programme and Studies Manager Date: 2 May 2017

Final Approval by: Academic Board Committee

Next Review Date: May 2018

Updated On: May 2017