Master of Engineering in Quality

Purpose

The overall aim of this Master of Engineering in Quality is to equip learners with the required disciplinary knowledge, practice-based skills and research capacity to produce a research project and dissertation with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability meeting acceptable academic and professional standards. The institution aims to graduate higher degree research learners who are distinguished by their in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field of study and/or academic discipline, including, where appropriate, relevant expertise outside the area of study and/or academic discipline, as well as a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of the field of study and/or area of professional practice.

The overall purpose of a Master's Degree is to equip learners with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the discipline informed by current scholarship and research, including critical awareness of current issues and developments in this field of study. In addition, Master's Degree learner will be required to conduct a research project through independent research culminating in the production and successful completion of a dissertation, which implies that learners must have a high level of personal autonomy and accountability in planning, managing and executing a substantial research project, while demonstrating the ability to apply, integrate and contextualise advanced knowledge and skills in this field of study. In completing the research project and dissertation, learners must demonstrate the ability to address complex and challenging problems and show an understanding of the ethical issues and consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specific context.

The purpose of the Master of Engineering in Quality is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level within the broader field of systems engineering and quality improvement. This qualification is intended to enable qualifying learner to apply integrated technical knowledge; advanced skills and advanced analysis and problem-solving to a particular specialisation in the field(s) of engineering and other related fields, through involvement in an applied research project or in contributing to the further understanding of a particular problem.

A qualifying learner achieving this qualification will be competent to conduct research under minimal guidance, contribute to knowledge production in the industrial engineering environment with success. The qualifying learner will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively; design and critically appraise analytical writing; make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences; demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems; act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks; and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the field and reflect critically on theory and its application.

Qualifying learners will be able to pursue a professional or academic career within this field of study. Qualifying learners of the qualification can find positions as quality and improvement process facilitators, problem solvers or change agents, production, quality or product development engineers, engineering managers or project managers.

Rationale

Firstly, this institution has an established track record of producing Master's Degree qualifying learners in this field of study with the required expertise and facilities to support this qualification.

Secondly, this qualification relates to the broader field of Industrial and Systems Engineering aimed at improving operational effectiveness and quality improvement. Since the South African economy is continuously under pressure to be globally competitive, quality improvement initiatives such as Kaizen and others and lean production processes such as Six Sigma and others and can be used to improve competitiveness of local manufacturing, retail and service industries. As such, the qualification focuses on an integration of theoretical knowledge and practice-based skills of engineering, science and technology which underpin the capabilities needed by quality specialists to manage, improve and transform organisational processes to enhance quality and increase competitiveness.

Thirdly, this qualification is also in keeping with the institution's vision, mission and strategic objectives of enhancing and developing the quality and effectiveness of research and knowledge production and is aligned to the overall aims and research niche areas of the Research, Technology and Innovation strategic plan of the institution.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against the admission requirements of the qualification or for credits against a part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled following an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Learners may obtain access to a postgraduate qualification through recognition of prior learning using a portfolio of evidence of relevant work experience and scholarship. The institution will evaluate the portfolio of evidence against the relevant SAQA Level Descriptors. Upon Faculty Board approval, the application should be considered at the institutional level by the Higher Degrees Committee and approved by Senate.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor's Honours Degree, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8 in the field of study or related field(s) of study.

Or

• A Professional Bachelor's Degree (480 SAQA credits), NQF Level 8 in this field of study or related field(s) of study.

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

• Full Dissertation, 180 Credits.

Or

• Course work and Mini Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Gain an understanding of the research process.
2. Access, process and manage information applicable to the research project.
3. Plan and prepare a research proposal.
4. Compile and present the research proposal.
5. Show accountability and management of own learning.
6. Act ethically and professionally.
7. Plan and manage the research project with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.
8. Conduct a literature review and use written communication and technical skills relevant to the discourse of the discipline and choose an appropriate genre to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
9. Apply research methods for data collection, analysis and interpretation, including the use of appropriate computer software programmes.
10. Draw conclusions and present research results by compiling a coherent and sustained argument that is supported by the research results and findings in the research report.
11. Demonstrate the ability to make autonomous ethical decisions related to the research project.
12. Demonstrate problem-solving abilities to address complex and challenging problems within the field of study and relevant to the research project with an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specific context.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Display adequate understanding the foundations, paradigms and nature of research relevant to the academic discipline, the field of study and professional practice.
• Apply critical aspects of research design, such as exploration, description and explanation, and the research process to plan and execute a research project.
• Locate, analyse, critically appraise and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources to compile the literature review of the research proposal and to make informed decisions regarding research design and methodology.
• Select a research topic and evaluate the suitability of the research topic using criteria relevant to the field of study such as scope, relevance, significance, feasibility, ethics, objectivity, originality, etc. in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Formulate a clear and concise research problem statement and sub-problems using appropriate criteria and guidelines relevant to the field of study and in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Generate research question(s), aims and objectives of the research and hypotheses (if applicable) based on relevant criteria and guidelines pertinent to the field of study and in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Demonstrate understanding of the use of appropriate research methods and techniques relevant to the area of study including aspects such as qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research methods, sampling techniques, data generation and data analysis, including statistical purposes (if relevant to a field of study).
• Compile a research proposal based on institutional and faculty criteria, procedures and guidelines pertinent to the area of research and in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Demonstrate the ability to use a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to the field of study, discipline and professional practice to present the research proposal in written and oral format to a range of audiences, including peers and examiners.
• Demonstrate the ability to operate independently and to take full responsibility for his/her work while managing resources (e.g. time, budget, technology, equipment, etc.) in compiling the research proposal.
• Demonstrate the ability to work within the ethical framework as defined in institutional criteria, procedures and guidelines in terms of plagiarism and copyright, confidentiality, ownership and professionalism and obtain permission and ethical clearance from relevant authorities to execute the research project.
• With a high level of personal autonomy and accountability, plan, manage and execute a substantial research project using available resources assigned to the task (e.g. funding, infrastructure, academic, technical and administrative staff and or assistants, etc.) and within the timeframe allocated to the project.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply, integrate and contextualise advanced knowledge and skills in executing the research project against acceptable academic requirements.
• Consult with supervisor(s) and act on feedback received in a manner that shows improvement.
• Demonstrate an ability to select relevant sources drawing on the work of leading scholars in the field of study or discipline and to produce a comprehensive literature review on different perspectives in the field of research or discipline that shows originality.
• Use written communication and technical skills relevant to the discourse of the discipline and choose an appropriate genre to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Use the prescribed referencing technique of the institution correctly and accurately.
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a range of research methods and techniques, critically evaluate these and apply them appropriately to investigate the research problem.
• Assimilate data using different data collection methods (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental and simulation methods) to present a coherent representation of data analysis.
• Analyse, interpret and synthesise data using the appropriate computer software programme(s), (if relevant to the chosen research problem).
• Demonstrate the ability to compile a coherent and sustained argument that is supported by research results and conclusions in the research report.
• Demonstrate the ability to present in verbal, written or visual form, the research results and findings of the study to specialist audiences emphasising the contribution to knowledge production in the field of study, discipline and profession.
• Demonstrate the ability to present in verbal, written or visual form, the research results and conclusions of the research project to non-specialist audiences emphasising the contribution the study makes to society/community in general.
• Consider issues of confidentiality (if applicable) and adhere to institutional/professional requirements in this regard.
• Identify a range of channels relevant to the field of study used in disseminating the research results and conclusions (e.g. conference poster, conference paper, journal article, etc.)
• Prepare a report for publication in a nationally accredited journal or peer-reviewed conference paper in consultation with the supervisor(s) based on relevant criteria.
• Adhere to institutional policies and requirements in terms of plagiarism.
• Exercise informed judgement to ethical, cultural, research and professional issues pertinent to the chosen research problem.
• Demonstrate the ability to make autonomous ethical decisions related to the research project which affect knowledge production, or complex organisational and professional issues.
• Demonstrate an ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in a specific context (where applicable in terms of the research project).
• Demonstrate the use of the full range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the field of study and relevant to the research project and show an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specific context.

Integrated Assessment

The integrated assessment aims to assess the learner holistically and contributes to the learner's personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competence. The execution of the research project and production and acceptance of the dissertation constitute the total of a combination of formative, summative and integrated assessment methods at this level of study.

In executing the research project and dissertation, learners will

• Compile a scientific research proposal through integration and application of knowledge and skills within the area of specialisation in the field of study.
• Demonstrate in-depth learning with abstraction and understanding knowledge of the field/area of investigation using a well-structured literature review.
• Develop critical research skills and attributes in planning and research in the field of horticulture by applying knowledge, research methods and techniques appropriately and correctly.
• Dealing with unpredictability in problem-solving, extracting, interpreting and analysing research results accurately.
• Taking responsibility and autonomy in the research process in drawing conclusions and reporting research results in both scientific article and dissertation formats.
• Display a professional attitude, ethical behaviour and values in presenting results to a scientific audience in reflecting on professional practice.