Purpose of the Qualification

The purpose of the Diploma in Electrical Engineering is to train technicians who will meet the criteria for registration as a Candidate Engineering Technician 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 well-defined Electrical Engineering problems. This qualification is intended for technician level employment in industry within the range of planning, design, construction, and maintenance of Electrical Engineering operations. Diplomats achieving this qualification should, after initial supervision, be able to apply engineering principles, techniques and instruments to systematically diagnose and solve well-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.

A thorough grounding in mathematics, natural sciences, engineering sciences, engineering design, complimentary studies (such as technical communication and computer skills) 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 Diploma in Engineering in Electrical Engineering Qualification contributes to the 12 graduate attributes. At the lower levels, (NQF Level 5), students are merely exposed to the development of graduate attributes, while these graduate attributes are assessed at selected exit level modules (NQF Level 6).

(b) Minimum Admission Requirements

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

• NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE (NSC)

A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a diploma or bachelor's endorsement and achievement in the subjects as follows:

• English at Level 4 [as a Home Language or First Additional Language level]
• Mathematics at Level 4 (not Mathematical Literacy)
• Physical Science at Level 4

 

• SENIOR CERTIFICATE

An E-symbol for English (2nd language) on the Higher Grade. In addition, an E-symbol on the Higher Grade or a D-symbol on the Standard Grade for Mathematics and Physical Science may satisfy the minimum admission requirements.

• NATIONAL CERTIFICATE

An N3 certificate with C-symbols for at least four courses including Mathematics and Engineering Science or a D-symbol in four appropriate N4 subjects including Mathematics as well as the language requirements as specified for the Senior Certificate.

 NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL)

The minimum admission requirements to a Higher Certificate programme are:

(a) a National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 issued by the Council for General and Further Education and Training and

(b) compliance with the requirements for the language of learning and teaching in the higher education institution.

(c) Must obtain 50% in the three fundamental subjects which in the case of this programme are required to be:

English, as it is the university’s language of learning and teaching (LOTL);

Mathematics (not Mathematics Literacy)

Life Orientation

(d) Must obtain 60% for three of the following compulsory vocational modules (in any combination):

Electrical Principles and Practice

Electrical Workmanship

Electronic Control and Digital Electronics

Electrical Systems and Construction

Electro-technology

 

• INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Applications from international students are considered in terms of: HESA/Institutional guideline document, “Exemption Requirements: Foreign School Qualifications” institutional equivalence reference document (where required) submission of international qualification to SAQA for benchmarking in terms of HEQF.

(c) Exit Level Outcomes / Graduate Attributes (GAs)

In order to satisfy the requirement for the qualification, each student has to be competent in twelve (12) Graduate Attributes (GAs) in addition to all other assessments of the programme. These GAs are introduced in modules offered in Level 1, developed in Level 2 modules and finally assessed in modules offered at the exit level. The twelve Graduate Attributes are as follows:

Graduate Attribute 1: Problem solving

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate competence to identify, formulate, analyse and solve well-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 well-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.

Graduate Attribute 12: Workplace practices

Learning Outcome: Demonstrate an understanding of workplace practices to solve engineering problems consistent with academic learning achieved