Agricultural Mechanisation - Higher Certificate in Engineering

Program Overview

The Agricultural Mechanisation – Higher Certificate in Engineering program at TUS empowers students to become skilled technicians in the farm machinery industry. The program emphasizes electrical and electronic technology, tractor engineering, and workshop processes, preparing graduates for complex diagnostics, repairs, and technological advancements. Through industrial placements and a comprehensive curriculum, graduates gain practical experience and the knowledge necessary for employment in machinery dealerships, agricultural contractors, and other related fields.

Program Outline

Agricultural Mechanisation – Higher Certificate in Engineering

Degree Overview:

This program provides students with education and training to work within the area of Agricultural Technology. The focus is on providing skilled technicians for the farm machinery industry in Ireland.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Introduction to Agricultural Engineering Science and Mathematics (Credits: 10): Introduces the basics of engineering science and mathematics and their application to agricultural technology problems.
• Introduction to Electrical & Electronic Technology (Credits: 10): Covers the basics of farm machinery electrics and electronics, including multimeter usage, wiring circuits, and testing/diagnostics of electrical and electronic circuits.
• Introduction to Tractor Engineering and Workshop Processes (Credits: 15): Introduces the basics of farm tractors and workshop repair processes, including diesel engines, hydraulics, brakes, transmissions, and welding.
• Machinery Operations (Credits: 10): Covers the operation, setup, and maintenance of agricultural equipment such as modern grass and forage equipment and tillage equipment.
• Project (Credits: 10): Prepares students for the working environment through planning, organization, and repair or fabrication of equipment used in the agricultural industry.
Projects include fabrication (log splitters, post driver, bale handlers) and repair (tractor engines, clutches, brakes, hydraulics, transmissions, or machinery repair).
• Computer Applications including CAD (Credits: 5): Covers engineering design and drawing, as well as commercial packages used in agriculture.

Year 2:

• Industrial Placement (Credits: 15): Students complete a 30-week work placement in agricultural dealerships/garages, fabricators, large contractors, or with large-scale combine and forage harvesting crews abroad.
This placement provides practical experience and job skills.
• Intermediate Agricultural Engineering Science and Maths (Credits: 5): Introduces more advanced engineering science and mathematics.
• Intermediate Electrical & Electronic Technology (Credits: 10): Covers complex electrics and electronics on farm machinery, including Isobus, CAN bus, and sensor technology.
• Intermediate Tractor Engineering (Credits: 10): Introduces more complex aspects of modern tractors, such as modern engine features and modern tractor transmission systems.
• Workshop Administration (Credits: 5): Emphasizes the management/business/administrative aspects of a Service Manager's job, covering areas like workshop loading and control, efficiency, productivity, layout, warranty administration, and customer service.
It also covers the work of the Dealer Principal, Parts Sales, and Vehicle Sales departments.
• Business Management (Credits: 5): Provides an overview of entrepreneurship and business management, covering farm business management, farm succession, and inheritance.
• Computing, Agricultural Engineering (Credits: 5): Covers practical applications of computers in the automotive, transport, and agricultural industries, focusing on tractor and agricultural machinery dealerships, manufacturers, and contractors.
• Agricultural Production (Credits: 5): Provides an overview of dairy and beef production systems in Ireland, examining issues related to agricultural output, quality assurance, crop production, and animal health.
Practicals are undertaken on the college farm at Salesian Agricultural College.

Careers:

Graduates have gained employment in the following areas:

• Machinery Dealerships
• Machinery Importers
• Machinery Manufacturers
• Agricultural Contractors
• Fabricators
• Heavy Plant trades

Further Study:

Graduates can progress to a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering or a Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering in Road Transport Technology and Management degree at TUS.

Other:

• The program is run in conjunction with the Salesian Agricultural College in Pallaskenry, Co.
Limerick.
• In Year 1, 4 days are delivered in Pallaskenry with 1 day attendance on TUS's Moylish campus in Limerick city.
• In Year 2, 3 days are delivered in Pallaskenry and 2 days in TUS Moylish.
• Successful graduates will also receive the Green Certificate in Agriculture from Teagasc.