Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

Purpose

The qualification is aimed at producing competent, ethical and professional practitioners who will meet the needs of South Africa for competent engineers, able to identify, plan, execute and evaluate the solving of engineering problems, as well as providing them with specialist knowledge in a chosen field and advanced competence in research methodology. This qualification will empower students to study further towards a Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

Rationale

The rationale of the qualification is to provide students with advanced knowledge and research skills enabling continued personal intellectual growth (towards doctoral studies), valuable economic activity and research contributions to the engineering industry in South Africa and internationally.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access purposes will require the candidate to comply with the admission requirements of the North-West University (NWU). The North-West University accepts the principle underlying outcomes-oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role.

The University also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching qualifications at this or another institution, or informally (obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specifically chosen teaching-learning qualification of the University. In recognising previous learning, it deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching qualifications or by experience.

At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for this qualification or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. Recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification. Students holding a foreign qualification (that is to say not obtained at a South African University), are required to have the qualification evaluated by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) and a certificate regarding the evaluation must be submitted with the application form.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's Degree is

• A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 9

• Research Methodology, 8 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate current knowledge at the forefront of research in the field, identify a research problem, choose a fit process of enquiry and formulate clear objectives for the study.
2. Design and implementation of a strategy for processing and managing information (a comprehensive, critical and relevant literature survey.
3. Design and selection of the necessary research procedures and experimental facilities and/or numerical models applicable to a complex research problem.
4. Execution of either an empirical or numerical investigation in order to address the research problem.
5. Academic and professional discourses to communicate and defend personal and substantial ideas.
6. Assessment of the results by means of verification and validation of obtained results.
7. Conclusions, generalisations and recommendations; and finally.
8. Development of own learning strategies for independent learning and professional development.

The following Associated Assessment will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• A systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
• Ability to apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
• Critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.
• Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
• Ability to effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
• Effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

Integrated Assessment

Examination is in the form of a dissertation, which the supervisor continuously assesses while the dissertation is being written. Examination of the final dissertation is done by at least two examiners, depending on the number of (co-/assistant) supervisors, of which one must be external (from another research institution or from industry), all experts in the field of the dissertation. A supervisor may not fulfil the function of examiner. External examiners are appointed through the Postgraduate faculty board. The examiners' reports are reviewed by the faculty examination committee who make the final decision concerning the awarding of the degree, based on recommendations from the examiners' reports.