Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering

Purpose

Industrial Engineering is an area of study which prepares individuals to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design, improvement and installation of integrated systems of people, material, information and energy. The Industrial Engineer must apply operational analysis of total systems and processes to a wide variety of engineering problems and the integration of human, physical, energy, communication, management, and information requirements as needed.

On the successful completion of this qualification, learners will be able to implement their engineering knowledge and skills to the benefit of the country at large and the local community by either continuing in/entering the industry workspace, or by pursuing a career in academia. Last mentioned will enable them to contribute to the development of other prospective engineers and researchers as well as to the expansion of the knowledge base of the discipline by means of further research.

This qualification will not only increase research capacity and research outputs in this specialised field, but will also prepare the graduates for further study at NQF Level 10.

Thus, the main purpose of this Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering is to enable the learners to develop as competent researchers in the field of Industrial Engineering.

Upon completion, qualifying learners will be able to

• Process and manage information about research in Industrial Engineering.
• Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of inquiry.
• Conduct a research in the field of Industrial Engineering.
• Use a range of research skills to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of inquiry that can be implemented to solve complex and challenging research questions in the field of Industrial Engineering, ensuring good resource management.
• Apply appropriate methods to verify the solutions offered for the research questions.
• Validate the applicability and value of the research results to an academic community beyond the research context.
• Communicate the findings of a research conducted in Industrial Engineering.

Rationale

Industrial Engineering, like other engineering disciplines, is listed as a scarce commodity or skill locally and internationally. The research Masters' qualification is a continuation of this initiative and is focused on developing learners into competent researchers in the field of Industrial Engineering.

The Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering addresses both the performance objectives and the resource constraints of an organisation, working toward the establishment of policies that are most beneficial to the organisation as a whole.

The Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering will allow learners to develop the technical, analytic, and managerial skills necessary to perform these tasks successfully.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The University subscribe to the principles underlying outcomes-based, source-based and lifelong learning. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. The university endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element inf the transformation of access and admissions policies at education institutions in South Africa. The transformation of access and admissions policies is intended to increase participation and to broaden access to Higher Education in order to produce graduates with the skills and competencies necessary to meet the human resource needs of the country.

The recognition of prior learning concerns the provable knowledge and learning an applicant has acquired. At all times the question will be what the level of the skills is, and skills will be assessed in the context of the exit level outcomes required by the qualification, or the status for which the applicant applies. Recognition of Prior Learning will therefore take place in terms of applied skills and competencies demonstrated by the applicant in his or her application, taking into consideration the Exit-Level Outcomes that have to be obtained by means of the qualification.

The University and Faculty acknowledge that the recognition of prior learning must be conducted in a valid, reliable and equitable way. The learners will be assessed in accordance with the University's RPL policy and the Faculty's processes for gaining admission to the qualification.

The Recognition of Prior may allow learners who do not comply with the admission requirements, to register for the Master of Engineering Degree, on the grounds of knowledge and experience gained through prior learning and work experience

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering, Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor's Degree, Level 8 in another engineering discipline.

Or

• An appropriate Honours Degree in Natural Sciences or its equivalent as approved by Senate.

This qualification consists of a compulsory module at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits

• Research and Thesis, 180 Credits.

1. Process and manage information about current research in Industrial Engineering.
2. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of inquiry.
3. Conduct research in the field of Industrial Engineering.
4. Apply appropriate methods to verify the solutions offered for the research questions.
5. Validate the applicability and value of the research results to an academic community beyond the research context.
6. Communicate the findings of a research conducted in Industrial Engineering.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Design a strategy for the processing and management of information.
• Conduct a comprehensive review in current research in Industrial Engineering to produce significant insights.
• Execute the design and strategy appropriately.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 2

• Select an appropriate process of inquiry, given the purpose of the study.
• Analyse current literature and research in Industrial Engineering.
• Draw conclusions and recommendations justified by the use of appropriate evidence and arguments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Select and apply appropriate method, techniques and technologies in the research process.
• Identify and analyse complex problems and issues in the field of Industrial Engineering.
• Apply ethics as outlined in the field of Industrial Engineering.
• Use theory, techniques and processes/technologies to debate or critique solutions to problems in Industrial Engineering.
• Use an appropriate range of research skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to answer complex and challenging research questions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Check/affirm that a proposed solution to a problem is correctly implemented and valid.
• Verify that a proposed analytical approach gives the expected results using simulation to check the results of the proposed analytical solution.
• Verify whether a design and the developed product meet the specification and that the proposed analytical solution or the product specification is valid.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Solve problems and give advice based on relevant sets of facts.
• Exhibit a critical understanding of the ethical principles guiding Industrial Engineering practice.
• Check/affirm that the proposed solution to the problem actually solves the problem or is a valid solution.
• Implement the proposed solution or compare the simulated results with actual data where applicable.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use the resources of academic and professional discourse to communicate.
• Communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research or development.
• Write a logically argued and integrated scientific dissertation in which applicable theory and literature are integrated with the research findings.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

• A research proposal/title registration document and presentation at a colloquium under scrutiny of a scientific committee.
• Regular meetings with the supervisor for discussions and guidance regarding the research.
• A presentation of preliminary research results at a colloquium under scrutiny of a scientific committee.

Summative Assessment

The required dissertation is an integrated culmination of all the research-related outcomes of this qualification. The assessment of the dissertation will test both the theoretical and practical components of the study and assessment tools currently being used by the campus higher degrees committee will be utilised. This is to ensure that the standards expected for the qualification are achieved and that the assessment is open, transparent, fair and valid. Examination of the dissertation is finally done by at least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialisation. A supervisor may not be appointed as an examiner.