Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Metallurgical Engineering

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Metallurgical Engineering is to develop learners to deepen their expertise in Metallurgical Engineering. The learner's research capacity will be developed in the methodology and techniques of the discipline to serve industry, but also for purposes of further study.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Metallurgical Engineering (BEngTechHons (Metallurgical Engineering)) lies within the engineering sector and is considered to be a scarce skill. The qualification has been designed to directly meet the needs of the sector by providing skills to professionals in the metallurgical engineering domain. It will ultimately contribute towards the National Development Plan, benefiting not only the learner, but society at large.

As a result of the qualifications alignment to the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) Honours Standard, E-09-PT-Rev2; the learners will be offered a qualification that will adequately prepare them to be qualified to pursue employment in this scarce skills sector. The qualification will remedy this shortage and produce quality graduates with the technical knowledge in physical or extraction metallurgy thus, satisfy the national demand for highly qualified metallurgists.

With regards to the national infrastructural agenda, large quantities of diverse metallic components will have to be locally produced to be used in railway network systems, power plants, wind mills, transportation locomotives and other related infrastructural developments. Therefore, qualified and skilled metallurgists with knowledge of metallurgy in terms of thermodynamics, design, innovated technologies, the improvement of the quality of metals will be studied in addition to sustainability demands such a decrease in energy consumption. These components have been incorporated in the qualification design in order to successfully contribute towards bringing the National Development Plan into fruition.

In addition to this, there also exists a demand by holders of technology-related qualifications to obtain a postgraduate qualification that enhances their professional and technical knowledge and grants them access towards pursuing a Master's degree in engineering.

The qualification provides for articulation within the institution and with other intuitions. Therefore, this qualification has been designed to target the recent graduates of the undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering Technology Degree, who would be interested in academic advancement through Postgraduate studies.

The design of this qualification has taken input from industrial players and such arrangements are formalised by holding Industry Advisory Boards twice a year. These industry liaison meetings serve as a quality assurance body supporting the design of this qualification.

The main stakeholders of this qualification are the public and private sectors of the metallurgical engineering industry. Typically, these sectors require technical and analytical capabilities. This qualification will develop well-rounded, academically equipped, adept and mature graduates with the technical leadership skills and strong capabilities that are expediently responsive to modern societal needs of the metallurgical engineering industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the institution policies and guidelines. The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty will therefore endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment manages RPL according to the institution's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment policy:

• Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
• RPL in the case of a learners not complying with the formal entry requirements.
• Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
• Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level.
• Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification.
• Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
• Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Dean's Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A Bachelor Degree in Metallurgical Engineering, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,98 Credits

• Engineering Maths and Computing, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Physical Chemistry, 14 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 14 Credits.
• Environmental Impacts of Engineering Activities, 14 Credits.
• Research Project, 42 Credits.

Elective Modules, 42 Credits (Choose three)

• Advanced Pyrometallurgy, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Mineral Processing, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Physical Metallurgy, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Mechanical Metallurgy, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Hydrometallurgy, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Fabrication Metallurgy, 14 Credits.

1. Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to the conceptualisation of engineering models and to solve complex engineering problems.
3. Perform creative, procedural and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products or processes of a complex nature.
4. Investigate complex engineering problems including engagement with the research literature and use of research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions.
5. Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of complex 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 community at large.
7. Describe the impact of engineering activities society, economy, industrial and physical environment.
8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles.
9. Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
10. Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of engineering practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse and define the problem and identify the criteria for an acceptable solution.
• Identify relevant information and engineering knowledge and skills for solving the problem.
• Generate and formulate possible approaches that would lead to a workable solution for the problem.
• Model and analyse possible solutions.
• Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
• Formulate and present the solution in an appropriate form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Bring to bear an appropriate mix of knowledge of mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, natural science and engineering science at a fundamental level and in a specialist area on the solution of complex engineering problems.
• Use theories, principles and laws.
• Perform formal analysis and modelling on engineering materials, components, systems or processes.
• Communicate concepts, ideas and theories.
• Perform reasoning about conceptualising engineering materials, components, systems or processes.
• Perform work within the boundaries of the practice area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Formulate the design problem to satisfy user needs, applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
• Plan and manage the design process to focus on important issues and recognises and deals with constraints.
• Acquire and evaluate knowledge, information and resources in order to apply appropriate principles and design tools to provide a workable solution.
• Perform design tasks including analysis, quantitative modelling and optimisation of the product, system or process subject to the relevant premises, assumptions, constraints and restrictions.
• Evaluate alternatives for implementation and select a preferred solution based on techno-economic analysis and judgement.
• Assess the selected design in terms of the social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental impact and benefits.
• Communicate the design logic and relevant information in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Plan and conduct investigations and experiments within an appropriate discipline.
• Search available literature and evaluate material critically for suitability to the investigation.
• Perform an analysis as necessary to the investigation.
• Select and use equipment or software as appropriate in the investigations.
• Analyse, interpret and derive information from available data.
• Draw conclusions from an analysis of all available evidence.
• Record the purpose, process and outcomes of the investigation in a technical report or research project report'.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Assess the method, skill or tool for applicability and limitations against the required result.
• Apply the method, skill or tool correctly to achieve the required result.
• Test and assess results produced by the method, skill or tool against required results.
• Create, select and use computer applications as required by the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Ensure the structure, style and language of written and oral communication are appropriate for the purpose of the communication and the target audience.
• Use graphics appropriately and effectively in enhancing the meaning of text.
• Use visual materials to enhance oral communications.
• Use accepted methods for providing information to others involved in the engineering activity.
• Deliver oral communication fluently with the intended meaning being apparent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Explain the impact of technology in terms of the benefits and limitations to society.
• Analyse the engineering activity in terms of the impact on public and occupational health and safety.
• Analyse the engineering activity in terms of the impact on the physical environment.
• Take into consideration the personal, social, economic, cultural values and requirements for those who are affected by the engineering activity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Explain the principles of planning, organising, leading and controlling.
• Carry out individual work effectively, strategically and on time.
• Show contributions to team activities, including at disciplinary boundaries, support the output of the team as a whole.
• Demonstrate functioning as a team leader.
• Organise and manage a design or research project.
• Carry out effective communication in the context of individual or team work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Manage learning tasks autonomously and ethically, individually and in learning groups.
• Reflect upon learning undertaken and determine own learning requirements and strategies to suit personal learning style and preferences.
• Source, organise and evaluate relevant information.
• Comprehend and apply knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.
• Challenge assumptions critically and embrace new thinking.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Describe the nature and complexity of ethical dilemmas.
• Describe the ethical implications of decisions made.
• Apply ethical reasoning to evaluate engineering solutions.
• Maintain continued competence through keeping abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques available in the workplace.
• Understand and embrace the system of continuing professional development as an ongoing process.
• Accept responsibility for consequences stemming from own actions.
• Make judgements in decision making during problem solving and design are justified.
• Ensure decision making is limited to area of current competence.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment: Different forms of formative assessments will apply such as project reports, case studies, assignments etc. Feedback on assignments is returned to the learners within reasonable time, project presentations are scheduled in order for the instructor to provide comments, etc. These progress assessments are done solely by the module instructor.

Summative Assessment: For the modules, each intermediate or progress assessment will be awarded a mark, which will be combined with the final examination mark based on pre-determined weightings for the module. For the Research Report component, two assessors will be required, one of whom will be an internal assessor (a full-time academic staff of the institution) and the other, an external assessor. The assessors are appointed by the Faculty on the basis of their scholarship and expertise. The final examination will require the involvement of a suitable external examiner, who will be requested to approve the module examination paper and mark grading provided by the module instructor. No experiential learning is involved in the qualification.