Course overview
This is a course developed for trainee technicians and engineers, designers and production personnel working in a manufacturing or process environment within the chemical industry. It develops key underpinning knowledge, skills and understanding associated with chemical plant and process plant operations. Throughout the course, a great deal of emphasis is placed on applying newly acquired knowledge and skills within the workplace environment. Teaching and learning methods used include case studies, presentations, projects and discussions as well as practical and laboratory work.
This is an award of Teesside University delivered at a partner college of your choice.
Admissions enquiries:
Hartlepool College of Further Education (01429 295000 or enquiries@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk)
Redcar & Cleveland College (01642 473132 or info@cleveland.ac.uk)
This award is also available online, for details see HNC Chemical Engineering by Flexible Open Learning.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Chemistry for Chemical Engineers (HN)
Chemical engineers should have a basic grounding in chemistry and chemical principles. Aspects of chemistry, particularly physical chemistry, underpin many of the principles in chemical engineering. This module introduces these basic principles.
This is a 15-credit module.
You gain experience of carrying out a design project, giving you an appreciation of how design involves harmonising key parameters and blending them into the design solution, and to produce a design report. You cover each stage of the process, including: client brief, planning, design specification, design report and evaluation.
You develop the fundamental analytical knowledge and techniques needed to successfully complete the core modules of Higher National Engineering programmes. We provide you with the knowledge needed for further study of analytical methods and mathematics, required for more advanced option modules. You explore fundamental algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics and probability, for the analysis, modelling and solution of realistic engineering problems at Higher National level.
This is a 15-credit module.
You are introduced to the fundamental laws and applications of the physical sciences within engineering and how to apply this knowledge to find solutions to a variety of engineering problems.
You study international system of units, interpreting data, static and dynamic forces, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, material properties and failure, and AC/DC circuit theories.
You are introduced to the basic principles of fluid mechanics. You explore properties of fluids and different types of flow, and the underlying principles and theory of fluid mechanics in lectures. You look at worked examples in tutorials and laboratory work to enable practical investigation.
Heat Transfer and Combustion (HN)
You develop knowledge of principles and empirical relationships to enable you to solve practical problems involving heat transfer, combustion and the specification of practical engineering equipment.
Managing a Professional Engineering Project (HN)
You are introduced to the techniques and best practices required to successfully manage an engineering project - from identifying a problem, through to finding a solution. You consider the role and function of engineering in our society, the professional duties and responsibilities expected of engineers together with the behaviours that accompany their actions.
You cover: roles, responsibilities and behaviours of a professional engineer, planning a project, project management stages, devising solutions, theories and calculations, management using a Gantt chart, evaluation techniques, communication skills, and the creation and presentation of a project report.
This is a 15-credit module.
You are introduced to the basics of the Law of Conservation of mass and the concept of energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be changed from one form to another. This module provides a clear understanding for setting up and solving mass and energy balance problems related to chemical processes and the use of steam tables for solving energy balance problems.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You attend formal lectures and tutorial sessions and carry out laboratory and workshop practical sessions. You also receive guidance throughout the programme.
How you are assessed
You are required to complete two pieces of in-course assessment in each module which can be in the form of written assignments, laboratory reports or time-constrained assessments. In addition, vocation-specific modules carry an end-of-unit examination.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
64 Points including maths, from any combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications. Examples include A-level, BTEC, Access to HE Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, T-Level, or the International Baccalaureate. We accept T-Levels which include Level 3 maths and cover topics in calculus.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS tariff calculator.
We are not accepting applications from international students requiring a Student Visa for this course.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
This course will help you further develop your career within a process, chemical or manufacturing environment. You can progress towards a degree programme in chemical engineering, which is currently offered at Teesside University. Graduates may also take up employment opportunities within the chemical or process industries.