Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Purpose

This qualification is primarily industry-oriented. The knowledge emphasises general principles and application or technology transfer. The qualification provides learners with a sound knowledge base in Mechanical Engineering and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in the area of Mechanical Engineering, while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning. This qualification leads to a strong professional and career focus and holders of this qualification are prepared to enter the Mechanical Engineering industry.

Specifically, the purpose of educational programmes designed to meet this qualification are to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing engineering technologist. Therefore, graduates will be characterised by the ability to apply established and newly developed engineering technology to solve broadly-defined problems, develop components, systems, services and processes. They will be able to provide leadership in the application of technology in safety, health, engineering and commercially effective operations and have well-developed interpersonal skills. They will be able to 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 Engineering Technologists have a specialised understanding of engineering sciences underlying a deep knowledge of specific technologies together with financial, commercial, legal, social and economic, health, safety and environmental matters.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering will provide a conceptual education than the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and aprogression to Postgraduate studies. This qualification is aligned with the Department of Higher Education and Training's (DoHET's) and the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) sub framework document on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7.

The qualification prepares learners to become Professional Engineering Technologists and to register with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Learners with this qualification will be able to articulate into the Postgraduate/Honours (NQF 8), and thereafter Masters (NQF 9) and eventually a Doctorate (NQF 10).

This qualification provides

• Preparation for careers in mechanical engineering, for achieving technical proficiency and to make a contribution to the economy and national development.
• The educational base required for registration as a Professional Engineering Technologist with ECSA.

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, compulsory and elective areas stipulated in the qualification and Exit Level Outcomes.

An RPL process may also be used to credit learners with credits in which they have developed the necessary competency because of workplace and work-integrated learning. Learners applying for RPL will 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 details of the Faculty RPL policy are as follows, presuming prior accredited learning has taken place

• Candidate applies for RPL against module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department (Head of Department-HOD).
• 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 candidate continue with full registration.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A relevant qualification, NQF Level 6 with a minimum of 360 Credits.

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

Compulsory Modules, 140 Credits

• Engineering Professionalism, 10 Credits.
• Engineering Economics, 10 Credits.
• Applied Engineering Mathematics, 15 Credits.
• Material Science, 15 Credits.
• Thermo-Fluids and Turbomachinery, 15 Credits.
• Heat and Mass Transfer, 15 Credits.
• Solid Mechanics and Stress Analysis, 15 Credits.
• Vibration and Control Engineering, 15 Credits.
• Research Methods and Engineering Design Project, 30 Credits.

1. Apply mechanical engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined mechanical engineering problems.
2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to applied mechanical engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve broadly-defined mechanical engineering problems.
3. Perform procedural and non-procedural design of broadly defined components, systems, works, products or processes in metallurgical engineering to meet desired needs normally within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
4. Define and conduct investigations and experiments of broadly-defined problems.
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 metallurgical engineering activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by analysis and evaluation and the need to act professionally within own limits of competency.
8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member or leader in a diverse 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 engineering practice within own limits of competence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Communicate concepts, ideas and theories with the aid of Mechanical Engineering principals and approaches.
• Use physical laws and knowledge of the mechanical engineering world as a foundation for the engineering sciences and the solution of integrated engineering problems.
• Use techniques, principles and laws of engineering science to solve mechanical and engineering problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply fundamental and specialist knowledge by bringing mechanical engineering mathematical strategies, numerical analysis, statistical knowledge and methods to bear on engineering problems.
• Communicate concepts, ideas and with the aid of Mechanical engineering concepts.
• Describe uncertainty and risk through the use of Probability and Statistics.
• Use physical laws and knowledge of the physical world as a foundation for the engineering sciences and the solution of engineering problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Use techniques, principles and laws of engineering science in procedural and non-procedural design.
• Implementation of engineering strategies concept to design machinery and to address mechanical and related engineering problems and meet desired industry and community needs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Describe uncertainty and risk through the use of Probability and Statistics.
• Solve research informed engineering problems, writing report and communicating results.
• Conduct research (Literature reviews, data collection and use of range of research methodologies).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply, implement technology and techniques to solve broadly defined engineering problems.
• Implement Engineering methods, skills, tools, resources including Information technology to develop and design mechanical engineering projects.
• Analyse technology enhanced strategies in engineering related environments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use professional communication strategies to communicate engineering related problems, designs and project development.
• Apply professionalism and ethics according to Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of metallurgical engineering activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by analysis and evaluation and the need to act professionally within own limits of competencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Show the ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead a team and to be a leader of a project.
• Demonstrate accountablity for independent learning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate the ability to be trustworthy and work independently.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Show knowledge and understanding of professionalism in the engineering environment.
• Apply Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) standard code of conduct.

Integrated Assessment

The Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering will be offered on a full-time, contact basis. In total, 60% of the time will be spent in contact with learners in the form of lectures, practical classes and tutorials. The remainder of the time is for the learner to engage in self-study. Assessments are formal or informal and a summative assessment is carried out at the end of the semester for each module. The project is assessed on the basis of a proposal, a report and the presentation thereof.

Content material has been aligned with the Level Descriptors for this qualification. Materials to be developed include presentations, practical designs, assignments, learner guides and notes. Additional reading material comes from library resources and electronic resources.

A combination of formative and summative assessment is used (Feedback within 10 days after assessment). Formative assessment includes written tests, practical tests, assignments and oral presentations. The summative assessments include written examinations, practical examinations and the submission of technical reports and a research project report, which are moderated externally.

The following sets of methods of assessments will be applied in the qualification

• Formative; contributes 50 % of the final mark.
• Three class tests (25 % each) contributing 75 % to the year mark.
• Laboratory Practical assessment contributing 25 % of the year mark.
• One final summative assessment of 3 hours (50 % of final marks).

In this qualification, assessments will be used in which learners must demonstrate practical and reflective competencies. A combination of formative and summative assessment is used (Feedback within 10 days after assessment). Formative assessment includes written tests, practical tests, assignments and oral presentations. The summative assessments include written examinations, practical examinations and the submission of technical reports and a research project report, which are moderated externally.

Exit Level Outcomes and Associated assessment Criteria will be communicated to learners in writing in their learner guides, according to level descriptors provided by Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) and relevant rubrics. One-on-one consultation sessions are also available for learners.