Master of Engineering in Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance

Purpose

This qualification is practice-oriented and is designed to assist Civil Engineers and Technical Professionals in the development of their careers and to provide the expertise needed in the rapidly changing business, government, and industrial environments. The purpose of this qualification is to produce qualifying learners with the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable them to engage effectively and provide solutions to the current Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance engineering challenges in South Africa and Africa. These solutions differ from the traditional structural engineering disciplines that generally only cover the design of new structures. As such, the purpose of this qualification relates to developing a proper understanding on management, assessment, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of existing structures, which are fields currently not properly understood by many practicing Structural Engineers.

This qualification will provide an intensive graduate education in civil engineering for individuals through a combination of appropriate modules and will suitably serve working professionals as it will include modules that develop skills related to industry needs in the above-mentioned fields (management of infrastructure, assessment of concrete structures, repair, durability design, strengthening).

Rationale

The introduction of professional Master's Degree in Engineering is required to support a growing demand for learners interested in an advanced and specialised Degree in the field of civil engineering that includes an applied research component. There is a large number of professionals in industry who would benefit from advanced study in Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance.

The offering of a professional qualification in this field will accommodate professionals in industry who require immersion in advanced and specialised theory and practice but do not benefit from completing a large dissertation that is designed for the typical academic Master of Science in Engineering.

The Master of Engineering in Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance focusses on managing existing civil infrastructure. This is a discipline that is not taught to civil engineering learners at undergraduate level. Undergraduate studies focus on the design of new infrastructure. However, an increasing amount of existing infrastructure is deteriorating and failing. As a consequence, practicing Engineers need to acquire knowledge and skills to successfully assess, repair and rehabilitate existing structures. In addition, practicing Engineers require deeper knowledge on managing existing infrastructure in order to make the right decisions in terms of maintenance planning and execution. Based on this background, this qualification intends to fill the gaps and provide the engineering industry with the needed knowledge and skills in these fields.

In order to manage and maintain modern infrastructure effectively, training of high level human recourses is essential. The introduction of a professional Master's qualification in Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance is logical for the following reasons:

• Research on infrastructure performance and renewal accords with the Immoveable Asset Management Act (2007) and National Infrastructure Maintenance Strategies (Department of Works, 2006, Department of Water Affairs, 2008, and Department of Transport, 2008).
• Most of the civil engineering infrastructure in South Africa is owned by the national government, provincial governments and local authorities. A major challenge for these authorities is the lack of trained human recourses, particularly in the area of infrastructure maintenance. An important value of this qualification is the training of high level human resources. The qualification proposal is based on the evidence and conviction that the Engineer of the future will spend more time dealing with infrastructure management and maintenance problems than designing new infrastructure.
• Current education and training in infrastructure management focuses on management issues such as creating databases of infrastructure inventories. There is a lack of education and training in technical aspects such as non-destructive testing, design procedures, deterioration science, renewal engineering, etc. The Master in Infrastructure Management and Maintenance is addressing this gap.
• Budgets for infrastructure maintenance are substantial and will be larger than the budget for construction of new infrastructure in future. It is essential this is spent in a cost-effective manner.
• Advanced studies in Infrastructure Management and Maintenance would be a multi-disciplinary qualification drawing Engineers, Economists, Project Managers etc. together. For example, the recent past has seen significant advances in materials technology both for the construction of new structures and the rehabilitation of existing structures whose long-term behaviour is not well understood.
• There is potential to create jobs as such a qualification can foster the development of a formal infrastructure management and maintenance sector.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The consideration of relevant work experience for applicants without a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 study will be based on an assessment of the professional responsibilities the applicant has performed and the skills they have demonstrated, as presented in their curriculum vitae. Where deemed necessary, former and/or current employer references will be contacted for their assessment of the suitability of the applicant for postgraduate study.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is

• Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 125 Credits

• Advanced Infrastructure Management, 20 Credits.
• Durability and Condition Assessment of Concrete Structures, 20 Credits.
• Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures, 20 Credits.
• Structural Performance Assessment and Monitoring, 20 Credits.
• Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance Project, 45 Credits.

Elective Modules, (select a minimum of 55 Credits below)

• Project Management and Systems Theory, 20 Credits.
• Structural Concrete Properties and Practice, 16 Credits.
• Structural Dynamics with Applications, 16 Credits.
• Bridge Management and Maintenance, 20 Credits.
• Safety of Special Structures, 20 Credits.
• Contract Law for Civil Engineers, 12 Credits.
• Research Design and Methodology for Civil Engineering, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of the discipline of infrastructure management and maintenance and their application in a civil engineering context and advanced and specialist understanding of infrastructure assessment technologies such as non-destructive testing.
2. Demonstrate the ability and command to select and apply ideas, concepts and data, from both science and engineering, in order to generate creative and innovative designs that provide optimal solutions.
3. Plan, organise, collaborate and prioritise work activities, and meet deadlines.
4. Communicate sophisticatedly by means of well prepared, clear and confident presentations and concise and grammatical written documents.
5. Conduct a research investigation relevant to professional practice in the civil infrastructure management field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Explain the concept and scope of civil infrastructure management.
• Evaluate the tools used in the practice of infrastructure management (e.g. databases, Geographic Information System (GIS), information theory and application).
• Apply infrastructure management principles in selected infrastructure systems (e.g. bridges, power supply, water infrastructure).
• Evaluate the causes and implications of material and structural deterioration (e.g. concrete).
• Apply infrastructure assessment technologies such as non-destructive testing.
• Apply infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation strategies.
• Apply principles of life cycle-life assessment as applied to various types of infrastructure.
• Apply renewal decision making, relating for example to the effective allocation of limited funds for rehabilitation and maintenance.
• Apply of project management principles for infrastructure maintenance and renewal industries.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Construct logical and well-reasoned arguments with reference to appropriate authorities and sources.
• Identify and apply appropriate technical skills, strategies and techniques.
• Extrapolate key findings, justifiable conclusions, and, where applicable, make feasible recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply time management, prioritisation and initiative at a professional level.
• Define, motivate and tackle problems with initiative and in an independent manner and to exercise appropriate judgment.
• Apply professionalism in collaboration, group work and any outside bodies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Communicate both orally and particularly in writing; clearly, accurately and succinctly.
• Demonstrate sophisticated abilities to in language and a form of written communication appropriate to target audience.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify and evaluate a problem for investigation.
• Evaluate a comprehensive range of current literature.
• Analyse appropriate literature.
• Plan and conduct the research investigation using appropriate techniques.
• Present the results of such research critically and coherently describe arguments, the research process, methodology, results, conclusions and recommendations relevant to a professionally problem.

Integrated Assessment

Coursework is marked by the course convenor, and moderated by an external examiner. External examiners will be appointed on the basis of their expertise and experience in the particular field. External examiners require at least a Master's Degree in the field. Research projects will be examined in the same way as courses. The internal examiner will be the supervisor, and the mark he or she awards will be moderated by a suitable external examiner. Courses typically include project assignments, which could take the form of research papers (on topics related to the specific course), practical assignments (related to the specific courses, which could include tasks related to condition assessment of structures, repair strategy development, development of management and maintenance strategies for structures). Typically, the course work and final exam (closed book) will each count for 50% of the final course mark.