Engineering

This course examines the role that engineers play in a modern industrial society in terms of social responsibilities, ethical considerations, engineering health and safety, and legal and environmental constraints.

This course teaches students to model and analyze typical mechatronic devices and their implementation using digital computers, with particular emphasis on robotic systems. Students develop kinematics and dynamic models of robots and examine the electro-mechanical design aspects of mechatronic systems. The course investigates intelligent methods for robotic navigation as well as trajectory and path planning.

The course provides understanding and knowledge about the behavior of advanced timber structures, tools for modeling and design, and the ability to weigh the pros and cons of different structural systems. The course includes the following parts: timber structures multi-story buildings and structures with a long span; instability of members (lateral torsional buckling of beams); straight and curved members; holes and notches in beams; cross-laminated timber; bracing of structures; design of details; connections for timber structures including dowel-type joints and glued joints; learning from failures; frames, arches, and cable structures; and the ability to independently approach, solve, and present one's work. 

This course familiarizes students with renewable energy resources and technologies for their utilization. The topic covered include, renewable energy resources, their advantages and limitations; the solar energy potential of Botswana; the utilization of solar energy for power generation: photovoltaic and solar thermal electric plants; solar cells, modules, arrays, and storage batteries; stand-alone and grid-connected photovoltaic plants; solar collectors; solar plants for thermal applications such as water heating, space heating and cooling, and refrigeration; technologies for the utilization of wind, biomass and geothermal energy, hydro-power, ocean and tidal energy; renewable energy system design and economics; and socio-economic and environmental aspects f renewable energy.

This course introduces students to the practical elements of mechanical design and manufacture to prepare them for the project work. It explores the full extent of the design process from customer brief through to conceptual and detail design. The instruction extends to teaching practical manufacturing skills to enable students to make these designs themselves in the departmental workshops.