Diploma in Engineering Technology (Highways) (TK1004)
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Aims
The Diploma in Engineering Technology (Highways) is a specialist qualification in roading. The major goal of the Diploma is to provide the roading industry with a programme custom built to meet the requirements of the industry at technician level.
The programme is suitable for applicants currently in employment who wish to broaden their knowledge in the field of roading technology.
NZIHT, through the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT), offers this programme on a part time basis using a mixed-mode delivery format. This method of delivery caters specifically for the needs of students who are unable to attend a conventional full-time programme. More details on the method of delivery are given in Section 5.
Graduate Profile
The purpose of the Diploma in Engineering Technology (Highways) is to produce graduates who will be able to:
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Creatively plan, design, control, budget and prioritise road construction and maintenance programmes.
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Supervise, direct and manage roading projects.
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Implement and complete projects with limited supervision.
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Undertake a wide range of support activities, including organisation, management, administration, liaison and public relations.
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Analyse and evaluate technical and economical options.
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Perform a significant supervisory role.
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Design road alignment, drainage and pavement structures.
Admission Criteria
In order to be admitted to the programme an applicant must meet either:
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the normal admission requirements, or
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the special admission requirements, and
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the English language requirements
Normal Minimum Admission Requirements
A total of 48 credits in best of four NCEA level 2 subjects, including Mathematics (prefer at least 15 credits covering algebra, trigonometry and geometry standards). Other qualifications (e.g. 6th Form Certificate) may be considered for equivalence to this admission requirement.
Special Admission Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the requirements for normal admission may be admitted to the programme if:
(i) They have attained the age of 20 years on or before the first day of the semester in which the programme is to begin,
or
They have a letter of support from their current employer expressing support of the application and of the student’s participation in this programme,
and
(ii) They can provide details of suitable work and/or study experience sufficient to indicate a strong likelihood of success in this programme.
To be assessed as suitable and sufficient the submitted work and/or study experience needs to show that the applicant has:
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good skills in technical reading, writing and mathematics*
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had significant involvement in engineering/technical work
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satisfactorily completed a good range engineering or technical tasks, jobs, assignments or projects
A student entering the programme under this provision may be required to follow an approved introductory course of study as a pre-requisite to further study of courses within this programme.
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Applicants who do not have the required level 2 Mathematics skills will be required to complete an Introductory Mathematics course, either before commencement of Diploma studies, or during the early part of their Diploma studies.
English Language Requirements
In addition, the following requirements apply to applicants in both admission categories:
Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in teaching institutions is not English, are required to provide evidence of having met the following minimum English language requirements:
(i) IELTS: an overall proficiency score of 6.0 (academic version), with no sub-test score lower than 5.5:
or
(ii) TOEFL 550 together with TWE of 5.0;
or
(iii) WITT Course Entrance Assessment: Level One pass 220/300;
or
(iv) Provide evidence of having passed such tests of English language competence, as the WITT Academic Board may from time to time approve.
Selection Criteria
Admission to the programme will be in order of receipt of enrolment by those applicants who meet the entry criteria above.
Applicants who seek entry to the programme under Special admission requirements may be required to:
(i) Participate in an interview;
and/or
(ii) Submit a portfolio of work;
and/or
(iii) Supply references;
and/or
(iv) Produce other supporting documentation.
The Programme Manager will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the programme.
Acceptance
Candidates wishing to enrol for the Diploma in Engineering Technology (Highways) must complete the Entry Assessment Form and return it with supporting documentation to the Programme Administrator for evaluation.
Following the review of the applications by the Programme Manager each candidate will be informed in writing of the result. There is a requirement that candidates accepted onto the Programme must, for the purposes of obtaining the Diploma, complete a Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) Student Study Contract (enrolment form).
Applicants will receive the Student Study Contract for WITT when they are notified of their acceptance onto the Programme.
Please note a student is confirmed onto the Programme when NZIHT has received a Student Study Contract from the student. A confirmation letter giving final course details will be issued prior to the start of the first block course.
Programme Structure
This is a one year full-time programme of study, or equivalent part-time
Click Here for Table 1 - Diploma in Engineering Technology (Highways) Courses
Method of Delivery
Block Courses
A combination of contact sessions, called Study Blocks, and structured self-directed study is used to deliver the programme. The self-directed study component is undertaken in the student’s own time at home with the aid of course notes and a proposed work programme. Interaction with the course presenter as and when required is via e-mail or telephone. Interaction with the course presenter and fellow students can also be made through the Course Management System website (NZIHT CMS).
The length of the Study Blocks varies according to the credit rating and the nature of individual courses. The typical duration is about 5 days per course.
This method of delivery enables candidates to acquire the qualification on a part-time basis. A person in full-time employment, who is willing to work hard, should be able to undertake 2 to 3 courses per semester. On this basis the programme can be completed in about 2 years.
The current venues where Study Blocks are delivered, subject to demand, are Hamilton, Christchurch, Auckland, Palmerston North and Dunedin. Invercargill has been added for a trial period in 2011. Other venues will be considered based on demand.
Programme Length
This is a one year full-time programme of study, or equivalent part-time.
Courses are scheduled to run across two semesters each year. Each semester is of 18 to 20 weeks duration. Examinations occur during the last two weeks of each semester.
Block Course Format
The learning activities for each course comprise the following components:
(i) Contact session(s), referred to as Study Blocks,totalling between 3 and 7 days approximately, normally broken into two blocks of equal duration per course.
(ii) Structured self-directed study involving Self Evaluation Exercises and Assignments.
(iii) Final Examination.
The Study Block time tables for courses offered in 2011 are given in Appendix A.
While the block course format, in essence, is a part-time study format specifically designed to cater for persons who are not in a position to attend full-time programmes, it is not a pure “correspondence course”.
The course materials have not been designed to be completely “stand-alone”. The Study Blocks fulfil an important supplementary role to the self-directed study component. Experience has shown that block course attendance is important for all courses:
There are, however, special circumstances where attendance of block courses can be waived by the Programme Manager, for instance where students can offer prior learning or appropriate work-place experience in lieu. Please contact the course administrator for more information.
Course Management System
Candidates accepted onto the Programme need independent access to the internet. NZIHT has introduced a Course Management System Website (CMS for short) to facilitate the interaction between fellow students, tutors and administrators of the NZ Dip Eng (Civil) Programme.
The address is www.nzihtcms.co.nz. New to this site? Click on Library for further information
CMS is a website where:
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Administration staff post some of the admin resources commonly required by the student and communicates logistics, including venue and timetable information
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Students can ask course related questions of the course presenters,
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Course presenters can discuss course related matters or disseminate additional information (including model answers for tests and assignments),
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Question-and-answer discussion trails (discussion forum) can be facilitated among members of a class group (including the course presenter),
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Marks for tests and assignments are posted during the progress of courses.
Once enrolled with NZIHT, students are provided with a user name and initial password to gain access to the site and its facilities.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Candidates who can provide evidence of prior study, or work related experience, that shows a direct correlation to a course offered in theprogrammemay be eligible for cross credit/credit transfer of that subject.
A formal application process must be entered into by the student in order to gain such a credit (an application fee is payable). The Programme Manager can give an opinion on the likelihood of success but all applications are subject to the approval of the Board of Studies.
It is important for candidates to supply copies of results transcripts, and desirably an updated CV, to enable the Programme Manager to give advice on eligibility and possible exemptions/cross credits.
Click here for Table 2 which lists examples of eligibility.
How to Apply
Complete the attached Entry Assessment Form and send it to the address given below. Attach any additional information or documents (e.g. CV) that may assist the Programme Manager in determining your eligibility, possible exemptions and which courses you shouldenrolfor.
Once your eligibility and subject choices have been confirmed, you will be sent an enrolment form.
Enrolment:
Semester 1 courses:
Enrolment forms are received from November until late January.
Please enroll as early as possible
Semester 2 courses:
June through middle July.
Study Block Schedule 2013
Click Here for a 2013 Study Block Schedule
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