Purpose of the Qualification

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering is to train technologists who will meet the criteria for registration as a candidate technologist by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and who will display competence as part of the engineering team in the execution of technical tasks under remote supervision by using and applying their knowledge in independent judgment in the identification and solution of broadly defined Electrical engineering problems. Graduates achieving this qualification should, after initial supervision, be able to apply engineering principles, techniques and instruments to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined Electrical engineering problems, perform procedural design functions of limited context, be able to use appropriate terminology, style and structure to communicate effectively with superiors and subordinates, apply management concepts to projects and operations and exhibit an awareness of ethics, professionalism, safety and consideration of the social and natural environment

Thorough grounding in mathematics, natural sciences, engineering sciences, engineering modelling, engineering design and the ability to enable applications in fields of emerging knowledge together with an appreciation for the world and society in which engineering is practiced.

The Advanced Diploma in Engineering in Electrical Engineering Qualification contributes to the 11 graduate attributes. In the first year modules, students develop the graduate attributes, while these graduate attributes are assessed at selected second year modules all at NQF Level 7.

(b) Minimum Admission Requirements

The minimum admission requirements into the Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering are listed under each pathway into the qualification as shown below:

NQF Level 6 qualification with 360 credits in a cognate discipline with achievement not less than 60% (average) in the level III courses.

• DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

(i) A 360 credit Diploma in Electrical Engineering at NQF Level 6.

• NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

(i) A 360 credit National Diploma in Electrical Engineering at NQF Level 6

• HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA

A National Higher Diploma: Electrical Engineering (T4) with the appropriate courses at this level for the field of specialisation the candidate wishes to pursue.

(c) Exit Level Outcomes / Graduate Attributes

In order to satisfy the requirement for the qualification, each student has to be competent in eleven (11) Graduate Attributes (GAs) in addition to all other assessments of the programme. These GAs are introduced and developed in modules offered in the first year and finally assessed in modules offered in the second level. The eleven Graduate Attributes are as follows:

Graduate Attribute 1: Problem solving

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to identify, formulate, analyse and solve broadly-defined engineering problems.

Graduate Attribute 2: Application of scientific and engineering knowledge

Learning Outcome: Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to applied engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve broadly-defined engineering problems.

Graduate Attribute 3: Engineering Design

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to perform procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products or processes.

Graduate Attribute 4: Investigations, experiments and data analysis

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to design and conduct investigations and experiments.

Graduate Attribute 5: Engineering methods, skills and tools, including Information Technology

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to use appropriate engineering methods, skills and tools, including those based on information technology.

Graduate Attribute 6: Professional and technical communication

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large.

Graduate Attribute 7: Sustainability and Impact of Engineering Activity

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate critical awareness of the sustainability and impact of engineering activity on the social, industrial and physical environment.

Graduate Attribute 8: Individual, Team and Multidisciplinary Working

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary environments.

Graduate Attribute 9: Independent Learning Ability

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to engage in independent learning through well- developed learning skills.

Graduate Attribute 10: Engineering Professionalism

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate critical awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically and to exercise judgment and take responsibility within own limits of competence.

Graduate Attribute 11: Engineering Management

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and economic decision-making.