Without modern engineering solutions, environmentally friendly land management would be exceedingly more difficult and costly. Machinery helps fewer people achieve far more from the land; however, it’s essential to understand both their potential and their limitations. This course is ideal for farmers, gardeners, landscapers, land managers, those who work with machinery or tools, or students studying agriculture, horticulture or environmental management.
The Certificate of Engineering is an online program that will teach you about the tools and machines used in horticulture, gardening and farming, and how engineering can have a profound impact on how land is managed.
In this professional development course, you will learn about hydraulics, engine operation, machinery systems, tractors, and a variety of hand and power tools and how to maintain them safely.
You will also study how to solve land management issues with engineering, including surveying, earthworks, fencing, mechanisation, water management, environmental control, chemical applications, and how to develop efficient engineering solutions.
On completion of this course, you will know how a variety of tools and machines work, and how farms, parks, gardens and other properties can be effectively developed and maintained with their use.
Course Structure
Certificate of Engineering (Machinery and Equipment)
Unit 1 – Engine operation
- History of engines
- Measurements and mechanical principles
- Load, force, pressure, atmospheric pressure
- Gravity, centre of gravity, specific gravity
- Density, volumetric efficiency, vacuum, work, power, energy
- Bore, piston motion, piston displacement
- Compression ratio
- Converting imperial measurements to metric
- Understanding a petrol engine
- Engine operating cycle
- The transmission system stages in 4 stroke spark ignition engine cycle
- Stages in 2 stroke spark ignition engine cycle
- Engine efficiency
- Understanding electricity
- Circuits
- Measuring electricity; current, voltage, resistance, Ohm’s Law
- Power
- Electricity supply; batteries, mains power, generators, solar cells
- Electricity and engines
- Electric motors
Unit 2 – Hydraulics
- What is hydraulics
- Simple hydraulic system
- Pumps
- Tractors
- Hydraulic tappings
- System valves
- 3 point linkage on tractors
- Pressure
- Measuring pressure
- Pressure head
- Friction loss
- Calculating friction loss
- Calculating discharge or flow
- Velocity
- Water hammer
- Submersible pumps
- Irrigation
- Measuring water available to plants
- Irrigation calculations
Unit 3 – Machinery components
- Parts of an engine
- Lubrication system
- Cooling system
- Fuel system
- Ignition system
- Transmission system
- Examples of mechanisation; potting machines, planters and drills, harvesters, graders, mowers
Unit 4 – Hand tools
- Lifting objects manually
- Scope of tools and equipment
- Secateurs
- Hand saws
- Rakes
- Spades and shovels
- Forks
- Aerating equipment
- Rollers
- Hoes
- Wheelbarrows
- Sprayers
Unit 5 – Power tools
- Types of tools
- Drills
- Grinders
- Power Saws
- Compressors
- Hedge trimmers
- Chain saws
- Brush cutters
- Mowers
- Mulchers
- Rotary hoes
- Tool safety
- Tool maintenance
Unit 6 – Tractors
- Choosing a tractor
- Choosing implements and attachments
- Mini tractors
- Tractor parts
- Clutch
- Transmission
- Tractor safety
- Tractor operation
- Tractor engine fault finding
- Common operating faults
Unit 7 – Equipment maintenance
- Cleaning and sharpening tools
- Secateurs and branch cutting tools
- Shovels and spades
- Saws and chainsaws
- Rust protection
- Maintaining timber handles
- Plastic handles
- Storage
- Maintenance procedures and schedules
- Training equipment operators
- Rules for operators
- Engine oil additives
Unit 8 – Specific workplace requirements
- Machinery specifications
- Application for an industry sector
Certificate of Engineering (Engineering Applications)
Unit 1 – Surveying
- Linear surveying
- Triangulation
- Determining slope
- Contouring, traversing and grid systems
- Levelling terms
- The dumpy level
- The Quickset Dumpy level
- The Cowley level
- Abney level
- Levelling staff
- Leveling procedures
Unit 2 – Earthworks
- Construction machines and techniques
- Earthworks
- Cultivation machinery
- Calculating earth to be moved or removed
- Moving existing earth
- Importing soil
- Constructing a playing field
- Soil degradation
- Erosion
- Causes and types of erosion
- Controlling erosion
- Salinity
- Sources of salt
- Soil acidification
- Compaction
- Chemical residues
- Buying soils
Unit 3 – Water management
- Irrigation systems
- Nursery irrigation equipment
- Watering cans and sprinklers
- Trickle irrigation
- Capillary watering
- Water supply
- Water quality
- Water treatment
- Water sources
- Pumps and pump mechanisms
- Scheduling irrigation
- Maintenance of water systems
Unit 4 – Environmental control
- Effects of carbon dioxide
- Atmosphere control
- Greenhouses
- Shade houses
- Temperature control
- Benching
Unit 5 – Chemical applications
- Herbicides and pesticides
- Parts of a basic sprayer
- Calibration
- Chemical mixing
- Sprayer maintenance
- Safe chemical use
- Choosing the correct chemicals
- Principles of farm chemical use
- Material safety storage
- Safe chemical storage
- Safe chemical use
- Environmental contamination
- Pesticide application records
- Protecting outdoor structures
- Painting outdoor furniture
Unit 6 – Fencing
- Fencing materials technology
- Types of fences
- End strainer assemblies
- Barriers and walls
- Ways to use fences
- Types of timber fences
- Gateways and gates
- Walls
- Retainer walls
- Ways to use walls
- Trellises
- Types of timber
- Softwood and hardwood
- Termites
- Preservatives
- Hedges
Unit 7 – Mechanisation
- Farm machinery
- Vehicles
- Tractors
- Tractor parts
- Harvesters
- Mowers
- Ride on mowers
- Hedge trimming
- Using trimmers
- Chain saws
- Chainsaw options, use and safety
- Mulching machines
- Cultivators
- Milking machines
- Tree spades
- Soil mixing equipment
- Conveyor machines
- Potting machines
- Seeding machines
- Planters and drills
Unit 8 – Engineering efficiency
- Cost
- Quality of product
- Replacement parts and servicing
Uni 9 – Developing engineering solutions
- Handling equipment
- Trays, boxes and pallets
- Trolleys and wheelbarrows
- Trailers and forklifts
- Tractor loaders
- Continuous conveying systems
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 200 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Farmers
- Landscapers
- Gardeners
- Maintenance Staff
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