Purpose of the Qualification

The primary purpose of this vocationally oriented qualification is to provide learners with the necessary knowledge and understanding of Mechanical Engineering and to equip them with the skills required to become a registered Candidate Engineering Technician with the Engineering Council of South Africa and acceptance as a candidate to write the examinations for Certificated Engineers. A qualified learner will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of Mathematics, Natural Science and Engineering Sciences to apply engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve well-defined engineering problems.
• Perform procedural design of well-defined components, systems, works, products or processes to meet desired needs normally within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
• Conduct investigations of well-defined problems by locating and searching relevant codes and catalogues and conducting standard tests, experiments and measurements.

The Diploma in Engineering in Civil 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 for the Diploma in Mechanical 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 subjects including Mathematics and Engineering Science or a D-symbol at N4 level and the language requirements specified for the Senior Certificate.

• NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL)

Requirements as defined in Government Gazette 32743 dated 26th November 2009 with specific requirements as set out below:

Must obtain 50% in the three fundamental subjects, which in the case of this qualification are required to be:

English, as it is the university’s language of learning and teaching (LOTL); Mathematics (not Mathematics Literacy)

Life Orientation.

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

• Engineering Processes
• Engineering Technology
• Fitting and Turning
• Automotive Repair & Maintenance
• Engineering Fabrication – Boilermaking or Sheet Metal Worker
• Welding
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Process
• Electro-technology
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Mechatronic Systems

 

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

APS Score

30

(c) Exit Level Outcomes / Graduate Attributes

The following are the twelve graduate attributes and exit-level outcomes of this qualification:

Graduate Attribute 1:

Problem solving: Identify, formulate, analyse and solve well-defined engineering problems

Graduate Attribute 2:

Application of scientific and engineering knowledge: Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, and engineering sciences to apply engineering procedures, processes, systems, and methodologies to solve well-defined engineering problems.

Graduate Attribute 3:

Engineering Design: Perform procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products or processes.

Graduate Attribute 4:

Investigations, experiments and data analysis: Demonstrate competence to design and conduct investigations and experiments.

Graduate Attribute 5:

Engineering methods, skills and tools, including Information Technology. Demonstrate competence in using appropriate engineering methods, skills and tools, including those based on information technology.

Graduate Attribute 6:

Professional and technical communication: 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: 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: Demonstrate competence to work effectively as an individual, in teams and multidisciplinary environments

Graduate Attribute 9:

Independent Learning Ability Demonstrate competence to engage in independent learning through well-developed learning skills.

Graduate Attribute 10:

Engineering Professionalism: 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: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and economic decision-making.

Graduate Attribute 12:

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