MCP201E/101/0/2015

Tutorial letter 101/0/2015

Mechanical Engineering Practice II

MCP201E
Year Module
Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3

PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE............................................................... 3

2.1

Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 3

2.2

Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................... 3

LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS................................................................................... 3

3.1

Lecturer ........................................................................................................................................ 3

3.2

Department ................................................................................................................................... 3

3.3

University ...................................................................................................................................... 4

MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES ............................................................................................. 4

4.1

Prescribed books .......................................................................................................................... 4

4.2

Recommended books ................................................................................................................... 4

4.3

Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)................................................................................................. 4

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE ............................................................... 4

MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................. 5

ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 7

7.1

Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 7

7.2

General assignment numbers ....................................................................................................... 8

7.2.1

Unique assignment numbers ........................................................................................................ 8

7.2.2

Due dates for assignments ........................................................................................................... 8

7.3

Submission of assignments .......................................................................................................... 8

7.4

Assignments ................................................................................................................................. 9

OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS ............................................................................................. 9

EXAMINATION ............................................................................................................................. 9

10

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 9

11

SOURCES CONSULTED ............................................................................................................. 9

12

CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................. 9

13

ADDENDUM ............................................................................................................................... 10

ANNEXURE A ASSIGNMENTS .......................................................................................................... 10

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MCP201E/101/0/2015

INTRODUCTION

Dear Student
Welcome to the Work Integrated learning (WIL) phase of your studies. This is probably the
most interesting and important facet of your studies at UNISA. By now, you are undoubtedly
aware that you must have completed a minimum of 12 months applicable experiential learning,
and the 24 theoretical subjects, before the National Diploma in Engineering can be awarded to
you.
This module is a 60-credit module, and an introduction to the field (equivalent to the National
Quality Framework level 6). This module is part of the qualification, National Diploma in
Engineering: Mechanical. This is your first tutorial letter (TL); read it carefully before you start
studying. It provides you with an overview and specific information about this module. You
should use it as a guideline to your studies in this course.
This tutorial letter also provides you with general administrative information as well as specific
information about the subject. Read it carefully and keep it safe for future reference. We trust
that you will enjoy this course.

PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE

2.1

Purpose

The Purpose of this training is to provide you with an opportunity in the workplace to apply and
develop the academic knowledge you acquired during your theoretical studies to relevant
problem situations in industry and commerce. It also gives you exposure to typical organization
culture, human relations and working conditions.
2.2

Outcomes

At the end of the training, the student would have applied the theoretical concepts learned from
the theoretical modules. The student would have understood what is expected of him/her in this
career of Mechanical Engineering.

LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

3.1

Lecturer

Your WIL lecturer is:

Tel nr:
E-mail:

Mr. T. Sithebe
011 471 3864
sithet@unisa.ac.za

Availability: Mondays to Fridays from 09h00 to 15h00

Please adhere to these hours only
3.2
Department
You may contact the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering by post, e-mail,
telephone, or online through My Studies @ Unisa.
Please refer to the booklet: My Studies @ Unisa

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MCP201E/101/0/2015
Departmental Address:
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Unisa Science Campus
Private Bag X6
Florida
1710
Phone: 011 471 2963
Use the general E-mail address: nkambule@unisa.ac.za
Find our department on the Internet at the online address: http://www.unisa.ac.za
Always state your STUDENT NUMBER and your Module Code MCP201E in all correspondence
and enquiries.
Whenever you contact the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, ensure that
the first thing you mention after greeting is your subject code!
3.3

University

If you need to contact the university about matters not related to the content of this module,
please consult the publication My studies @ Unisa, which you received with your study material.
This brochure contains information on how to contact the university (e.g. to whom you can write
for different queries, important telephone and fax numbers, addresses and details of the times
certain facilities are open).
Always have your student number at hand when you contact the university.
The details are as follows:
Email:
study-info@unisa.ac.za
Assignment queries:
assign@unisa.ac.za
Examinations:
exams@unisa.ac.za
Study material:
despatch@unisa.ac.za
Student accounts:
finan@unisa.ac.za
Graduation:
gaudeamus@unisa.ac.za
Assistance with MyUnisa: myUnisaHelp@unisa.ac.za

MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES

4.1

Prescribed books

None
4.2

Recommended books

None
4.3

Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)

None

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE

Important information appears in your my Studies @ Unisa brochure.

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MCP201E/101/0/2015

MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN

The lecturer will visit your place of attachment at least once in 2015. The dates and times will be
communicated to you prior the visit through the mylife email.
MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING
The study material for this course consists of:
Tutorial letter, 101, as well as any subsequent tutorial letters you may receive during the year,
with electronic copies online, on myUnisa.
Log Book
Logbook has to be completed at intervals during your Work Integrated Learning.
Mentors Guide
Mentors Guide to indicate to your mentor/line manager what is expected of the organization
you are doing your Work Integrated Learning with to ensure that you qualify for your diploma.
Please ensure that your mentor receives this guide at the start of your Work Integrated
Learning.

a. Prerequisites:
MCP201E Mechanical Engineering Practice II:
Recommended, Twelve study units successfully completed towards the national
diploma.
All students must register for Mechanical Engineering Practice I or II except for the
following
A student who has completed an (in-house or in-company) apprenticeship in a
mechanical engineering discipline may apply to be exempted for Mechanical
Engineering Practice I.
A student who has completed an apprenticeship and has been evaluated by a
governmental service provider in a mechanical engineering discipline may apply to
be exempted for Mechanical Engineering Practice I & II.
A student with a Mechanical Certificate of Competency, Mines or Works may apply to
be exempted for both Mechanical Engineering Practice I and II.
b. Period:
6 Months per module
c. What work-integrated learning entail/ about/ scope?
Mechanical Engineering Practice II: MCP201E
Experience should be gained in engineering equipment and systems listed below,
with the view to generating projects and systems development reports, using the
following methods:

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MCP201E/101/0/2015
PROJECT AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT WORK: EG
Gathering, processing and interpretation of data
Productivity improvement studies
Plant/office layout and design
Equipment selection and evaluation
Mechanisation and Automation
Materials handling analysis and design
Improvement projects, feasibility studies, execution and report writing

Engineering equipment and systems

Alignment of mechanical systems
Pneumatics and Hydraulics
Propulsion: prime &secondary
Bearings and lubrication
Electrical
Vibration analysis, measurement and balancing
Pumps
Compressors
Valves safety: operational &remote controller
Boilers
Water treatment
Air conditioning and refrigeration
CNC machining: lathe, milling machine, work centre & cutting
AGV and Robots
Advanced welding
Casting
Specialized manufacturing
Duration 26 weeks
d. Work place settings/type of organizations
Most companies and industries conduct mechanical engineering activities in
general and therefore are eligible to train students registered for WIL. These
activities would include but not limited to: maintenance, component manufacture

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MCP201E/101/0/2015
(parts manufacture), machining, machine assembly and design, to give but an
indication. The log-book lists the tasks to be covered by the student for both
MCP101-E and MCP210-E.
e. What expected from employer?
Employers would normally have a training division and therefore would have some
form of training programme. Unisa would require such training programme for
record purposes, if a training programme exists. However if the employer does
not have a training programme, the Lecturer: Department of Mechanical and
Industrial Engineering would assist the employer in developing such programme.
The employer should also appoint an internal mentor for the student, complete the
appropriate form and forward to the Department of Mechanical and Industrial
Engineering.
f. What must student complete/submit?
All the necessary information is documented in the log-book as well as all the
forms that are required to be completed by both student and company mentor.
The student is also required to submit progress reports until completion of the
training period upon which a final report must be submitted.
g. How evaluation?
Work-integrated learning is monitored by a logbook and mentor system.
How accreditation and recognition of prior work-integrated learning (RPL) is
entertained
Students wishing to take the RPL route would need to gather and collect all the
necessary information as per the log-book requirements. Students would then be
required to obtain signatures from the indicated employers or obtain affidavit(s) to this
extent. This would need to be submitted to the RPL office at the Florida Campus.

ASSESSMENT

7.1

Assessment plan

This course is part of a year-long system, not a semester system.

Assignments
Your assignments will each receive a % mark, as per the table below. These marks are
independent of the exam credit value. In order to qualify for sitting the examinations, you have
to submit all three assignments.
You will find your 2 (two) assignments for this subject in Annexure A at the back of this
tutorial letter. All two Assignments are compulsory. Please submit all two assignments, duly
completed, to UNISA before the closing dates stated in this section.
The mark for Mechanical Engineering Practice II (MCP201E); is calculated as follows:
The year mark contributes to 10% of final mark and is calculated:
Year mark = (Assignment 2 x 1.0)
Final Mark = Year Mark (0.1) + Logbook and project reports (0.9)
The year mark is based on all the assignment marks obtained and their contribution towards the
final year mark are as shown in the table below:

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ASSIGNMENT
NUMBER
1 (Compulsory)
2 (Compulsory)
Portfolio
7.2

CONTRIBUTIO
N TOWARDS
YEAR MARK
0%
100%
100%

CONTRIBUTION
TOWARDS FINAL
SUBJECT MARK
0%
10%
90%

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT NUMBERS

ASSIGNMENT
Assignment
NUMBER
numbers
1 (Compulsory)
01
2 (Compulsory)
02
7.2.1 Unique assignment numbers
Unique
Assignment
numbers
1 (Compulsory)
557030
2 (Compulsory)
557213
Portfolio
557234
7.2.2 Due dates for assignments
ASSIGNMENT
NUMBER

THE CUT-OFF SUBMISSION DATES FOR THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE :

Assignment 1
29 May 2015
Assignment 2
28 August 2015
Portfolio
09 October 2015
Note: The cut-off dates given here are the official, last dates on which a given
assignment may be submitted. Students must adhere to these dates only. All
other dates referring to cut-off submission dates for assignments, as may be
posted on myUnisa or elsewhere, refers to administrative dates as managed by
the Assignment Department and does NOT influence or change the above
dates.

7.3

Submission of assignments

IT IS COMPULSORY TO SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 1 IN ORDER TO OBTAIN EXAMINATION

ENTRANCE.
NO LATE ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
KEEP A CLEAR COPY OF ALL THE ASSIGNMENTS FOR YOUR OWN REFERENCE. THIS IS
IMPORTANT, AS ASSIGNMENTS DO GET LOST.
Submissions of all assignments must be in accordance to the booklet : My studies @

Unisa

The booklet: My studies @ Unisa explains how you may submit assignments electronically.
Note: if you choose to submit your assignments electronically, make sure that you have
fixed your Excel or Word files in such a way that it will print on one page wide and not spill
over on to a second page. The assignment section just prints the file, they no not check
to see whether parts of a page are cut off

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7.4

Assignments

Assignment 01, you must complete the forms given in annexure A.

Assignment 02 is the progress report as at given assignment date.
The portfolio is the total of all the documents and project you were involved in during your
training.

OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS

Recognition of Prior learning (RPL)

EXAMINATION

There is NO examination in this subject but your progress will be continuously evaluated by the
mentor/supervisor by means of progress reports and project reports and evaluation of the
standard of work done. The final mark of your Work Integrated Learning for the period (P1 or
P2) is determined by the evaluation of your completed portfolio, which should include your
completed logbook, all your progress reports, project reports and signed evaluation sheets.

10

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Type here

11

SOURCES CONSULTED

WIL policy

12

CONCLUSION

WIL module is essential as part experience gained during training, which can be applicable as a
reference on ones career.
This module, MCP101E, requires exposure to a range of real-life field-practices. You further
need a suitably qualified mentor; such as an ECSA registered engineer or a suitably qualified
and experienced engineer.
From time to time companies approach Unisa with work-integrated/experiential learning
opportunities. Students that would like to be considered for such opportunities are
recommended to visit http://www.unisa.ac.za/wil ; to look for the hyperlink to a curriculum vitae
(CV) form; to complete and to submit the form to the office indicated on the form.

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MCP201E/101/0/2015

13

ADDENDUM

ANNEXURE A ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT 1 (Please fill in all details and send as assignment1 ).
Your mark for this assignment will be allocated on a pro-rata basis, according to the comprehensiveness of your
form.
Student identification and contact details:
Student Number:
Surname:

____________________

_____________________

Title: ____ (Ms/Mrs/Mr)

First names: ____________________________________________________

Postal address:

____________________________________________________

________________________________________Postal code: ____________

Telephone number:

(_____) _________________

Cell phone number:

(_____) _________________

Work-integrated learning (WIL) placement details (Also see Annexure B)

Qualification:

________________________________

Code:

____________

WIL subject: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PRACTICE II_Code:_MCP201E_

If still seeking a suitable placement to undergo work-integrated learning please indicate accordingly:
Still seeking:____ (Yes/No details below)
Area(s) accessible:

____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
Alternatively, if already secured an opportunity, give the details of the organisation where you are placed:
Company name:

___________________________________________________

Residential address:
______________________________________
________________________________________Postal code: _______________
Postal address:

____________________________________________________

________________________________________Postal code: _______________

Telephone number:

(_____) ________________

Fax number: (_____) ________________

Internet URL:
____________________________________________________

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Workplace mentor/supervisor details (if applicable)
Surname: ______________________________________

Title:

Ms/Mrs/Mr/Dr

Initials or name_______________________________________________________
Job title:_______________________________________________________
E-mail address_______________________________________________________
Direct telephone No:
Fax number:
Cell phone number:

(____) __________________________
(_____) _________________________
(_____) _________________________

Qualifications:______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Planning of work-integrated learning and/or contracting
List the various job functions you would be exposed to; the durations of such exposure. Indicate what you would
be required to complete concerning (a) the subject registered for and (b) the organisations expectations, as
well as the due dates. Give a complete plan of when you intend to complete what with regard to your workintegrated learning requirements. Indicate any undertakings from your workplace supervisor in this regard.
___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Insert additional pages if required.

Signed:

Student_____________________ Date: ______________201__

Workplace mentor_____________________ Date: ______________201__

ASSIGNMENTS 2 part 1 and 2
Assignments 2 part 1 and 2 are progress reports and have to be submitted at the dates specified earlier in this
document. The following components have to be included in the second Assignment:
i)
A copy of the registration form already send to the University (Appendix A in your guidelines)
ii)
A copy of the companys training program (formal or negotiated with the mentor)/

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A Progress report on your experiences to date (Please include a write-up on the companys business,
their product(s) or service(s) etc. in the introduction of your report).
iv)
An evaluation report by the mentor on your progress.
Note:
The progress report must be neatly typed, included in the assignment cover provided, evaluated,
and signed by the mentor/supervisor.
iii)

FINAL EVALUATION
Submit your logbook at the end of the training period (normally 6 months) to Mr Sewes van Wyk. The
following very important aspects must be included:
i)
All the information required for Assignment 1
ii) Project reports (at least 2 small ones), completed in the format described in the guidelines (or as used
by your company). Use the project report front-page provided in your guidelines (Appendix F) for all your
project reports.
Note: Each project report must be signed and evaluated (a mark given) by your mentor (see study
material)
iii)
A final progress report on your learning experiences.
Note: This should be signed and evaluated by your mentor as proof that it is indeed your own work.
iv) The final evaluation document (Appendix B in your guidelines) completed and properly signed by your
mentor.
Note: The logbook must be properly completed and all project reports must be
neatly typed,
with front page as provided, and be evaluated, and signed by the mentor/supervisor.
Annexure B - Please forward to WIL Lecturer after completion
Student Number: ________________

Initials: _____

Surname: ______________________

Compulsory first assignment: confirmation of an appropriate placement for experiential/work-integrated

learning (WIL) for MCP201E details of the workplace mentor
This form must be submitted, under an assignment coversheet, by no later than 29 May 2013
placement whether the mentor have/has been secured or not.
Do you have a suitable work-integrated learning placement secured?
If you do have a suitable work-experience
opportunity secured answer Yes.

Yes

No

If you are still seeking a suitable placement

to undergo experiential/work-integrated
learning answer No.

If No, please indicate the:

Area(s) preferred for placement:
Area(s) accessible to you include:
Please further indicate if you would like to attend a preparatory workshop on CV writing, interview
Yes No
conduct and job seeking skills:
If Yes, please state your experiential/work-integrated learning placement details:
Name of the institution/company/
organisation/agency:
Residential address:
Postal code:
Postal address:
Postal code:
Name of nearest city:
Telephone number:

Fax number:

of a

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Internet address / URL:
Details of the work-place mentor for experiential/work-integrated learning
Is a suitable person available to serve as mentor and willing?
Yes

No

Workplace mentor/supervisor details (if applicable)

Surname:
Student Number: ________________
Initials and name:
Mentors job title:
E-mail address:
Direct telephone No:

Fax number:

Cell phone number:

Qualifications:

Initials: _____

Title:
(Dr/Ms/Mrs/Mr)
Surname: ______________________