Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering is primarily industry oriented. The knowledge emphasises general principles and application or technology transfer. The qualification provides learners with a sound knowledge base in Civil Engineering and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to a professional career in Civil Engineering, while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning within the civil engineering environment. The qualification has a strong professional or career focus and holders of this qualification are normally prepared to enter the labour market of civil engineering.

The purpose of this qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing civil engineering technologist. This qualification provides:

• Preparation for careers in civil engineering itself and areas that potentially benefit from engineering skills, for achieving technological proficiency and to make a contribution to the economy and national development.
• The educational base required for registration as a Professional Engineering Technologist and with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
• Entry to National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 qualifications e.g. Honours, Postgraduate Diploma and then to proceed to relevant Masters Qualifications.

Civil Engineering learners completing this qualification will demonstrate competence in all the Exit Level Outcomes and ECSA requirements contained in this standard.

Rationale

The qualification will provide a more in-depth conceptual educational approach than the Diploma in Civil Engineering and allow for articulation into further postgraduate studies. (Learners with an Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering will be able to articulate into the Honours and/or Postgraduate Diploma (NQF Level 8), and thereafter Masters (NQF 9) and Doctorate (NQF 10). This qualification prepares learners to become Professional Civil Engineering Technologists and to register as such with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Professional Civil Engineering Technologists are characterised by the ability to apply established and newly developed civil engineering technologies to solve broadly-defined problems, develop components, systems, services and processes. They provide leadership in the application of technology in safety, health, engineering and commercially effective operations and have well-developed interpersonal skills. They work independently and responsibly, applying judgement to decisions arising in the application of technology and health and safety considerations to problems and associated risks. Professional Civil Engineering Technologists have a specialised understanding of civil engineering sciences, underlying a deep knowledge of specific technologies together with financial, commercial, legal, social and economic, health, safety and environmental matters.

Learners completing this qualification will have an advantage in the discipline of Civil Engineering since they will have a broad, more in-depth understanding of this discipline. The skills offered by this qualification are sought after in related and relevant disciplines.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification may be granted, according to policies governing higher education, to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses provided they can demonstrate competence in the outcomes of the qualification as required by the fundamental, core and elective areas stipulated in the qualification and Exit Level Outcomes.

The RPL process may also be used to grant credits in which they have developed the necessary competency because of workplace and work-integrated learning.

RPL may also be used by learners to gain access to the qualification.

Learners applying for RPL should be thoroughly briefed prior to assessment, and may be required to submit a portfolio or evidence in the prescribed format to be accessed for formal recognition. The procedure for RPL is as follows:

• Learners applies for RPL against module, or part/full qualification. An exemption form is completed for the RPL of modules or part/full qualification.
• Credits are awarded for relevant, approved prior learning (RPL).
• Only then may the prospective learner continue with full registration.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Civil Engineering, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6, 360 Credits.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 140 Credits

• Civil Engineering Materials, 10 Credits.
• Highway and Traffic Engineering, 10 Credits.
• Structural Analysis, 10 Credits.
• Reticulation Design, 10 Credits.
• Management Tools and Techniques, 10 Credits.
• Civil Engineering Research Methodology, 15 Credits.
• Earthworks Design, 10 Credits.
• Steel and Reinforced Concrete Design, 10 Credits.
• Railway Engineering, 10 Credits.
• Water and Wastewater Engineering, 10 Credits.
• Business Development in the Civil Engineering Environment, 10 Credits.
• Environmental Studies, 10 Credits.
• Civil Engineering Research Project, 15 Credits.

1. Apply civil engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined civil engineering problems.
2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to applied engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve broadly-defined civil engineering problems.
3. Perform procedural and non-procedural design of broadly defined components, systems, works, products or processes to meet desired needs normally within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
4. Conduct investigations of broadly-defined problems through locating, searching and selecting relevant data from codes, data bases and literature, designing and conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting results to provide valid conclusions.
5. Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of broadly-defined engineering problems, with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the affected parties.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of civil engineering activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by analysis and evaluation.
8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of civil engineering management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member and leader in a team and to manage projects.
9. Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
10. Comprehend and apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of civil engineering technology practice.

The Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Fundamental and specialist knowledge is applied by bringing mathematical, numerical analysis, statistical knowledge and methods to bear on engineering problems.
• Concepts, ideas and theories are communicated with the aid of Mathematics.
• Uncertainty and risk is described through the use of Probability and Statistics.
• Physical laws and knowledge of the physical world are used as a foundation for the engineering sciences and the solution of engineering problems.
• Techniques, principles and laws of engineering science are used in at least one specialist area.

Integrated Assessment

• Year mark is made up of 3-4 semester tests, practical tests.
• Final summative examination.
• Assignments.
• Year mark: Exam mark is 50:50.
• Continuous assessment by means of a portfolio of evidence.