The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) is designed to provide certification of the academic, vocational and technical achievement of students in the Caribbean who, having completed a minimum of five years of secondary education, wish to further their studies. The examinations address the skills and knowledge acquired by students under a flexible and articulated system where subjects are organised in 1-Unit or 2-Unit courses with each Unit containing three Modules. Subjects examined under CAPE may be studied concurrently or singly.
The Caribbean Examinations Council offers three types of certification at the CAPE level. The first is the award of a certificate showing each CAPE Unit completed. The second is the CAPE Diploma, awarded to candidates who have satisfactorily completed at least six Units, including Caribbean Studies. The third is the CXC Associate Degree, awarded for the satisfactory completion of a prescribed cluster of eight CAPE Units including Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies and Integrated Mathematics. Integrated Mathematics is not a requirement for the CXC Associate Degree in Mathematics. The complete list of Associate Degrees may be found in the CXC Associate Degree Handbook.
For the CAPE Diploma and the CXC Associate Degree, candidates must complete the cluster of required Units within a maximum period of five years. To be eligible for a CXC Associate Degree, the educational institution presenting the candidates for the award, must select the Associate Degree of choice at the time of registration at the sitting (year) the candidates are expected to qualify for the award. Candidates will not be awarded an Associate Degree for which they were not registered.
Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing (BMED) is the universal graphic language of communication for individuals in the field of engineering and architecture as well as for technicians and craftsmen. This type of universal communication is facilitated by the use of standards published
by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for Engineering Drawing. Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing provides a significant contribution to the development of the human resources required for the creation of advanced designing and creative solutions to the
twenty-first century demands of industrial production and manufacturing in the Caribbean.
The course of study for BMED incorporates aspects of architectural drawings of buildings as well as mechanical drawings for the development and communication of design ideas and concepts. As a form of graphical communication, the course provides the student with the opportunity of visualising and comprehending information presented verbally, graphically and mathematically.
A student who completes this syllabus would be experienced in the use of the latest developments of Computer Aided Drawing (CAD). In addition, the student would become dexterous in the application of the British Standard (BS8888), ISO Standards, Caribbean Uniform Building Codes (CUBiC) and other local codes to building and engineering drawings. By pursuing this course, students will develop twenty-first century skills such as creativity, decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration. This syllabus is designed to provide in depth knowledge, skills and competencies that are required for further studies and for the world of work.
This syllabus will contribute to the development of the Ideal Caribbean Person, as articulated by the CARICOM Heads of Government, who: is emotionally secure with a high level of self-confidence and self-esteem; sees ethic, religious and other diversity as a source of potential strength and richness; is aware of the importance of living in harmony with the environment; values and displays the creative imagination in its various manifestations and nurtures its development in the economic and entrepreneurial spheres in all other areas of life (Caribbean Education Strategy, 2000). Based on the UNESCO Pillars of Learning, this course of study will also contribute to a person who will learn to know, learn to do, learn to live with others, learn to be and learn to transform oneself and society.
The Units, in the syllabus, integrate the principles of Competency-Based Education, Training and Assessment (CBETA) in the School-Based Assessment component. This strategy is consistent with the seamless articulation among CXC’s qualifications to facilitate an appropriate balance between the
academic and technical subjects and to improve work-based performance.
This syllabus aims to:
- develop proficiency in technical communication and production of building and mechanical engineering drawings which conform to BS and ISO Standards, CUBiC and local codes;
- develop skills in the preparation of working and assembly drawings conforming to BS and ISO Standards, CUBiC and local codes;
- develop an understanding of the properties, uses and production of materials used in the manufacture of building and engineering components;
- provide knowledge of the different methods of production of building and engineering components;
- develop skills in communicating technical information using illustrations, scaled models and working drawings to solve engineering design problems;
- develop skills in applying and drawing principles to facilitate product development and manufacture;
- develop proficiency in the use of Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) software, instruments, media and reference materials to produce engineering drawings;
- develop an interest in architectural or mechanical engineering as disciplines and careers; and,
- develop the capacity for critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, leadership and cooperative behaviours through authentic learning experiences.
The skills and abilities that students are expected to develop on completion of this syllabus have been grouped under three headings:
- Knowledge;
- Application;
- Drawing Skills
Knowledge:
The ability to identify, recall and grasp the meaning of fundamental facts, concepts and principles.
Application:
The ability to use facts, concepts, principles and procedures in unfamiliar situations; transform data accurately and appropriately; use common
characteristics as a basis for classification; use formulae accurately for computations.
Drawing Skills:
The ability to produce neatly organised, clean and accurate drawings
according to specification.
It is expected that persons with a good grasp of either the Building or Mechanical Engineering Drawing Option of the CSEC Technical Drawing or Industrial Technology Syllabuses or the equivalent should be able to successfully pursue this course.
The syllabus is divided into two Units. Each Unit consists of three Modules. The Units are independent of each other. The syllabus consists of two Units of 150 hours each. Each Unit consists of three Modules of 50 hours each. Each Module is compulsory. Together they provide a comprehensive post-secondary course in the field of Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing.
Unit 1: Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing contains three Modules of approximately 50 hours each. Unit 1 is designed to provide the students with an all-round development experience in building and engineering drawing. Candidates are required to complete Modules 1 and 2 which are compulsory and either Module 3A or Module 3B. The total time for the syllabus is approximately 150 hours.
Module 1 – Geometry 1
Module 2 – Geometry 2
Options
Module 3A – Engineering Drawing OR Module 3B – Building Drawing
Unit 2: Building and Engineering Design contains three Modules of approximately 50 hours each. The total time for the syllabus is approximately 150 hours. Unit 2 offers two options: Option A, Building Drawing and Design, and Option B, Engineering Drawing and Design. Candidates are required to select either Option A or Option B. The total time for the syllabus is approximately 150 hours.
Option A: Mechanical Engineering Drawing and Design
Module 1 – Mechanics of Machines
Module 2 – Engineering Materials and Processes
Module 3 – Management and Design
Option B: Building Drawing and Design
Module 1 – Structural Drawings
Module 2 – Building Materials and Processes
Module 3 – Building Design Elements