• Level 5
  • 15 Credits
  • 0.125 EFTS
  • Delivery type:
    Online
  • Course duration: 16 weeks
  • Course cost:
    $899 NZ Domestic
  • Workload - Approximately 10 hours per week
  • Availability
    Monthly course availability for upcoming periods
    Not available
    Oct
    Not available
    Nov
    Not available
    Dec
    2027 Not available
    Jan
    Not available
    Feb
    Not available
    Apr
    Not available
    May
    Not available
    Jun
    Not available
    Aug
    Not available
    Sep

This online course will enable you to gain an understanding of the fundamental principles and laws of mechanics.

The course will cover:

  • FBD for beams with point and uniformly distributed loads
  • Shear Force and Bending Moment diagrams
  • Basic mechanical theory as applied to 2-dimensional systems
  • Systems of static loads and simple frameworks
  • Centroid, centre of gravity and moment of inertia
  • Bending stresses. Selection of sections from tables. Torsional shear stresses in solid and hollow shafts. Polar second moments of area.
  • Work and energy, linear and angular momentum
  • Forces and linear and angular motion.

What you will learn

When you successfully complete this online course you will be able to:

  • Analyse basic theory, principles and applications of forces and moments in mechanics and engineering.
  • Calculate indirect stresses (bending and torsion) in mechanical components and select appropriate sections from standard tables.
  • Analyse the forces, moments, torques, work and energy, including conservation of energy, resulting from linear acceleration, rotational acceleration and centripetal acceleration.
  • Apply the basic principles of fluid analysis.

Course update

This course replaced DE4302 – Mechanics; completion of DE4302 – Mechanics will fulfil the same prerequisite requirements as DE5305 – Mechanics.

Laboratory requirements

A two and a half day laboratory is a requirement of this course. These are held in either Christchurch, Wellington, or Auckland. 

  • For courses starting in February or March, laboratories will be held during the term 1 school holidays. 
  • For courses starting in June or July, laboratories will be during the term 3 school holidays.

Your lecturer/tutor will confirm the actual dates within the first week of the course, but you can check the school holiday dates here to give you a guideline for planning.

Assessment

  • 20% assignment
  • 30% laboratory (practical)
  • 50% exam, which you need to attend in person.

Exam dates

2026 offerings
  • Courses starting Jul - 19 Oct 2026
2027 offerings
  • Courses starting Mar - 14 Jun 2027
  • Courses starting Jul - 18 Oct 2027
More about examinations

Computer and internet requirements

This course is delivered online, so you will access your course material and submit assessments online. Our online courses may include reading, videos, quizzes or activities, and you may need to download content.

For online learning you need:

  • Access to a laptop or desktop computer
  • Reliable internet and data plan.  

If you are unsure if your current computer, Windows or internet access will allow you to study online, please contact us before applying to enrol. 

Find out more about online learning 

How to apply

Apply to study a programme

You can study this course as part of any of the programmes listed below.

Click on a tile to go the programme information, including the entry requirements and how many courses you'll need to do to complete the programme.

From there you click 'Apply now' and start your study journey.

Apply to study this course

If you would like to study just this course and not enrol in a certificate, diploma or degree you can apply here.

Learn more about course only study