Doctor of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering

Purpose

The Doctor of Philosophy in Metallurgical Engineering qualification targets those interested in pursuing research-oriented careers in the fields of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. This qualification will accommodate both the common branches of Metallurgy i.e. Extractive and Physical Metallurgy. Based on the success of ongoing collaborative research with other institutes within and outside South Africa, the program is expected to benefit from the more technologically advanced specialised areas in materials technology within the collaborative network.

The qualification duration will typically be 3-5 years of research-based. This will include workshop, technical training and conference attendance, publishing technical work, and undergraduate learner mentoring. Furthermore, the institution intends to engage the industry in coming up with innovative solutions to problems by utilising PhD-based research. It is also expected that this will impart an entrepreneurial flair to the learners through interacting directly with industry (both small and large scale businesses).

The purpose of the qualification is expected to provide the learner with advanced professional and academic knowledge within the metallurgical and materials engineering fields of study through conducting fundamental and applied research at a greater depth and scope. This coupled with a comprehensive literature review will enable learners to develop strategic and innovative solutions to the existing industry or community problems.

Rationale

Following the National Development Plan 2030 published in 2012, there is a clear indication that the engineering discipline has a critical shortage of academics. Furthermore, the national drive towards a knowledge-based economy requires that universities focus more on research and the production of Postgraduate Degrees to sustain this initiative. It is also envisaged that some of the on-going research requires further inquiry at the doctoral level, this creates a need for such an offering within the institution.

There is a need for the qualification in the South African context to broaden the knowledge base of researchers in the country and to improve learner access, success, throughput rates and the development of the scarce and critical skills needed for South Africa's socio-economic development.

Furthermore, the qualification design emanates from the urgent need for professionals, specialists and other practitioners in the engineering sector, to understand, interrogate, analyse, and evaluate the complex nature of engineering through theoretically grounded research to solve societal and engineering-related problems. This will be achieved through introducing prospective learners to the vocabulary, concepts and fundamental disciplinary knowledge and skills, research skills, approaches and methods that are crucial to deal with the complexities in the South African engineering context.

Through national, regional and institutional collaborations, a conducive and intellectually stimulating learning environment for developing and supporting research-based activities will be provided. The qualification design was aligned to the directives, policies and legislation of CHE, DHET, SAQA and the institution. The focus is on increasing research and innovation, improving the quality of research, and build on areas of strength identified as important for national development.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution's RPL policy will guide this process. A committee consisting of internal and external panel members will engage in an evaluation process.

The details of the Faculty RPL policy are as follows, presuming no prior accredited learning has taken place

• Learner applies for RPL against the module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department (Head of Department-HOD).
• If the RPL is not awarded, an appeals application to an independently appointed Moderator or Registrar can be done. The process of moderation will then resume.
• If the RPL is awarded, an exemption form is completed and the learner may continue with full registration.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering, NQF Level 9.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits

• Thesis/Research Project, 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in Metallurgical Engineering or related and relevant fields, discipline or practices and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives, and create new knowledge or practice.
2. Contribute to the scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of production, in metallurgical engineering studies and related fields of practice.
3. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems and or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex metallurgical related contexts.
4. Apply specialised knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical metallurgical engineering-related problems.
5. Make independent judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.
6. Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and advance processes of ethical decision making, monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of decisions.
7. Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable research which meets international standards, that makes a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice.
8. Professionally communicate strategies by disseminating and defending the research.
9. Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in metallurgical engineering or relevant related fields.
10. Ability to operate independently, professionally and ethically, and take full responsibility for own work, and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply academic writing skills.
• Identify the specific research problem.
• Conduct relevant research in the field of Metallurgical Engineering.
• Review relevant literature to obtain the necessary knowledge to conduct PhD level research.
• Collect relevant data to support the research.
• Analyse data into relevant (appropriate) information.
• Apply metallurgical engineering knowledge, research data and information to conceptualise new research initiatives.
• Present research findings ethically and professionally.
• Present an ethical and professional thesis/dissertation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Contribute and apply integrated knowledge through scholarly debates around theories, knowledge and processes of production.
• Engage in specialised and complex metallurgical engineering studies and related fields of practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems and or technologies.
• Apply appropriate original, creative and innovative ways in developing new methods, techniques, processes, systems and/or technologies to specialise and address complex metallurgical related problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply specialised knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address and solve complex practical and theoretical metallurgical engineering-related problems using literature, theories and related approaches or practices.
• Address complex practical and theoretical metallurgical engineering-related problems by applying specialised knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways.
• Identify critical metallurgical and engineering-related problems in the field of study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Manage incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for developing new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.
• Make judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues.
• Apply specialised skills and integrated knowledge to identify, addressing and managing emerging ethical issues in the field of research and specifically engineering studies, to advance processes of ethical decision making, monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Conduct substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable research which meets international standards, that makes a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice of metallurgical engineering.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Professionally communicate strategies.
• Apply advanced skills and technologies and present and communicate specialised strategies professionally and ethically to a diverse audience when disseminating and defending the research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research, as well as research development in metallurgical engineering or relevant related fields.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Conduct independent research professionally and ethically and show accountability for the overall, governance of processes and systems.
• Operate independently, professionally and ethically, and taking full responsibility for his or her work, and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment methods were reviewed and compared to international and national norms and standards, the majority of institutions appoint two external examiners at PhD level one being international and the other national. The following steps are taken during the assessment process:

• Submission of a completed Thesis after completion of research work.
• The nomination of credible examiners by the head of the department.
• Nominated candidate's CVs and documentation submitted to the Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) for approval.
• HDC approval and appointment of external examiners.
• Mark allocated forwarded to HDC for approval. The approved marks forwarded to SENATE for final approval and awarding of the Degree.