Advanced Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Metallurgical 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 Metallurgical Engineering and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in the area of Metallurgical Engineering, while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning. This qualification has a strong professional and career focus and holders of this qualification are prepared to enter the metallurgical industry, both in the physical metallurgy and extractive metallurgy disciplines.

Specifically, this qualification will build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing engineering technologist. This qualification provides:

• Preparation for careers in metallurgical 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 Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
• Entry to NQF Level 8 qualifications such as Honours, Post Graduate Diplomas and then to proceed to Masters Qualifications.

Rationale

This qualification prepares learners to become Professional Engineering Technologists and to register as such with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Professional Engineering Technologists are characterised by the ability to apply established and newly developed engineering technology 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 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.

Benchmarking has been carried out at a global level. This qualification compares favourably with international universities. Inputs were received from the advisory committee/board and other stakeholders in the discipline, therefore meeting the needs of industry. Learners meet the needs of the surrounding community with many enterprises that can employ qualifying learners.

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.

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 submitting themselves 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 current qualification can be successfully completed through recognition of, modules or qualifications obtained at accredited institutions and recognition of prior experiential learning is based on the principle of matching previous learning with the learning outcomes of a target qualification and by this means, 'translating' the prior learning into the 'levels and credits' of the qualification framework in the formal system. This refers to learning acquired in an 'uncredentialled' context, such as through work experience or through life experience.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering, NQF Level 6, 360 Credits.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 6 and 7 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 20 Credits

• Quality Control, 10 Credits.
• Engineering Mathematics, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits

• Physical Metallurgy, 20 Credits.
• Manufacturing Metallurgy, 20 Credits.
• Mineral Processing, 20 Credits.
• Pyro-Metallurgy, 20 Credits.
• Hydro-Metallurgy, 20 Credits.
• Metallurgical Research Methods and Project, 20 Credits.

1. Apply metallurgical engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined metallurgical engineering problems.
2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to applied metallurgical engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve broadly-defined metallurgical 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 in metallurgical engineering.
5. Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of broadly-defined metallurgical 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.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Apply relevant metallurgical engineering principles, information, knowledge and skills to identify, analyse, systematically diagnose and formulate workable solutions to acceptably solve metallurgical engineering problems.
• Integrate and apply knowledge of mathematics to engineering analysis and modelling; fundamental knowledge of natural science and applied metallurgical engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to innovatively solve broadly-defined metallurgical engineering problems.
• Conduct a procedural and non-procedural design project which is impacting on society (e.g. socially, economically, legally, health, safety, and environmentally) and involves selecting of equipment, components, systems, works, products or processes in metallurgical engineering to meet desired needs normally within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
• Conduct scientific research (e.g. literature review, investigating, experimenting and drawing conclusions from analysing all relevant evidence of problems in metallurgical engineering, and being recorded in a technical report) within the metallurgical engineering field of study.
• Utilise appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling to critically test and assess produced results with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints to achieve solution required for solving metallurgical engineering problems.
• Create, select and use computer applications as required by the discipline.
• Apply accepted and appropriate methods and material (e.g. engineering graphics, drawing and technical tools) to effectively enhance the meaning of oral and written information/reports being professionally communicated with other individuals or team members involved in the engineering activity, as well as with an engineering audiences and relevant stakeholders.
• Integrate and demonstrate an understanding of advanced knowledge to analyse and evaluate the need to act professionally and ethically regarding the impact of metallurgical engineering activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and taking into consideration personal, social, economic, cultural values and requirements of those who are affected by the physical engineering activity.
• Exhibit knowledge integration and understanding of engineering management principles (e.g. planning, organising, leading and controlling) applicable to human and projects management, including the ability to apply these principles as contributing factors to individual and team activities that support effective and on time output.
• Develop and implement acquired appropriate learning skills to engage in independent and life-long learning autonomously and ethically.
• Display competence in describing complexity of ethical dilemmas, ethical reasoning and in decision making during problem solving and design as applied to evaluate metallurgical engineering solutions and accepting responsibility for consequences stemming from actions taken.

Integrated Assessment

In this qualification, the institution uses assessments for learners to demonstrate practical and reflective competencies. A combination of formative and summative assessment is used. 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. Outcomes and assessment criteria are communicated to learners in writing in their learner guides. One-on-one consultation sessions are also available for learners. There is no WIL component to this qualification.

Assessment methods

• Practical tests.
• Written tests.
• Combined theory and practical written examination.
• Written theory examination.
• Practical experiments.
• Class presentation.
• Portfolio of evidence.
• Class quizzes.
• Assignment quizzes.