Diploma in Engineering Technology in Civil 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 a civil engineering discipline and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to civil engineering professional contexts, while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning. Programmes leading to this qualification tend to have a strong professional or career focus and holders of this qualification are normally prepared to enter a civil engineering profession in the labour market.

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

• Preparation for careers in civil engineering and areas that potentially benefit from civil; engineering skills, for achieving technical proficiency and to make a contribution to the economy and national development.
• The educational base required for registration as a Candidate and/or a Professional Engineering Technician with ECSA. (Refer to qualification rules).

Rationale

In engineering disciplines, the continuous and rapid development of complex technology necessitates higher levels of conceptual understanding required by the broadly defined problem solving skills needed. Adaptability to new technologies furthermore relies heavily on the understanding and the ability to apply fundamental conceptual knowledge to address modern Engineering challenges and to ensure sustainable development.

The need for engineering programmes in South Africa has been documented by various sources. According to the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), South Africa has an engineer to population ratio of 1:3100 compared to Germany (1:200) and Japan, Great Britain and United States of America (1:310). This implies that the engineering team requirement for South Africa needs to multiply 10 fold to compete with international economies. Like other engineering fields, the civil engineering profession contributes to the technological, socio-economic, built environment and environmental infrastructure of the country.

Professional Civil Engineering Technicians are characterized by the ability to apply proven, commonly understood techniques, procedures, practices and codes to solve well-defined civil engineering problems. They manage and supervise civil engineering operations, construction and activities. They work independently and responsibly within an allocated area or under guidance.

Professional Civil Engineering Technicians must therefore have a working understanding of engineering sciences underlying the techniques used, together with financial, commercial, legal, socio-economic, health, safety and environmental methodologies, procedures and best practices.

The process of professional development of a Professional Civil Engineering Technician starts with the attainment of a qualification that meets this standard. This Diploma in Civil Engineering is such a qualification. After graduation a programme of training and experience is completed to attain the competencies for registration in the category Professional Engineering Technician.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may be used to demonstrate competence for admission for the qualification. This qualification may be achieved in part through recognition of prior learning processes. Credits achieved by RPL must not exceed 50% of the total Credits of the programme and must not include credits at the Exit Level.

A functional system for RPL is in place at the institution and is contained in the Student Assessment Manual. This qualification will comply with the institutional RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The admission requirements for this qualification are as follows

• Senior Certificate (SC)

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with Diploma studies endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 passed with Diploma studies endorsement.

This qualification consists of modules at NQF Levels 5 and 6, totalling 280 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5, 98 Credits

• Digital Literacy I, 14 Credits.
• Academic Literacy and Communication Studies I, 14 Credits.
• Mathematics I, 14 Credits.
• Engineering Mechanics, 14 Credits.
• Construction Materials, 14 Credits
• Mathematics II, 14 Credits.
• Construction Methods, 14 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6, 182 Credits

• Theory of Structures, 14 Credits.
• Drawing I, 14 Credits.
• Soil Mechanics, 14 Credits.
• Surveying I, 14 Credits.
• Transportation Engineering I, 14 Credits.
• Design of Structures-I, 14 Credits.
• Drawings II, 14 Credits.
• Hydrology, 14 Credits.
• Surveying II, 14 Credits.
• Transportation Engineering II, 14 Credits.
• Design of Structures-II, 14 Credits.
• Engineering Project Management, 14 Credits.
• Hydraulics, 14 Credits.

1. Apply civil engineering principles and the knowledge of mathematics, Natural Science and Engineering Sciences to applied engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve well-defined engineering problems
2. Perform procedural design of components, systems, works, products or processes to meet desired needs normally within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
3. Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools including information technology for the solution of well-defined civil engineering problems, with an awareness of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
4. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing within Civil engineering context.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of civil engineering activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by defined procedures.
6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of civil engineering management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member and leader in a technical team and to manage projects.
7. Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
8. Understand and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of Civil engineering technical practice.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of workplace practices to solve civil engineering problems consistent with academic learning achieved.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Civil engineering elements are analysed.
• Civil engineering elements are designed.
• Well-defined civil engineering investigations are conducted.
• Conducting standard tests, searching relevant codes, experiments and measurements are used for problem solving.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Civil engineering elements are analysed within applicable engineering standards.
• Civil engineering elements are designed to meet relevant engineering legislation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Civil engineering structures by use of computer aided analysis and design methods and software are analysed and designed.
• Hydraulic problems by application of computer software are solved.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Design report is compiled.
• Investigation reports are compiled.
• Investigation and design reports are presented and defended.
• Consulting and professional reports are prepared.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Feasibility reports are prepared.
• Civil engineer and innovative solutions are presented and demonstrated.
• Knowledge for innovative solutions for the socioeconomic development is applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Working as a team member is illustrated.
• Managing a team is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Research articles are written.
• Technical reports on innovative and appropriate civil engineering solutions are written.
• Application of current and advanced construction tools and techniques are demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Professional ethics, responsibilities and norms are presented.
• A chart for the inculcation professional ethics is developed.
• Norms and standards to adhere to professional ethics and responsibilities are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Safety rules and regulations are developed.
• Work place safety rules and practices are demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

For the Diploma Engineering Technology in Civil Engineering an integrated assessment approach will be implemented through the two assessment models being formative and summative. Formative assessment will be conducted using tutorials, assignments, seminars, tests, practical performance.

Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement must include integrated assessments which test the learner's ability to test, analyse, design, develop and implement software solutions. These will include; final examination mark, projects, reports or equivalent assessments, such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed.