Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Engineering

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Engineering prepares learners for industry and research. This qualification typically is followed by a Bachelor's Degree, Advanced Diploma or relevant NQF Level 7 qualification and serves to consolidate and deepen the learner's expertise in Electrical Engineering and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of Electrical Engineering.

This qualification focuses on equipping learners with a sound knowledge base in Electrical Engineering and the ability to develop new knowledge and skills in this field. This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. Through benchmarking with national and international higher education institutions as well as consultation with relevant stakeholders, it has become clear that a research component needs to be an integral component of the qualification.

This qualification provides

• Preparation for careers in Electrical Engineering itself and areas that potentially benefit from engineering skills, for achieving technological proficiency and contribute to the economy and national development; and;
• Entry to NQF Level 9 Masters qualifications, e.g. MSc/MEng.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Engineering provides for specialisation in a variety of fields in Electrical Engineering. These fields are:

• Electronic Engineering.
• Power Engineering.
• Instrumentation and Process Control.
• Computer Engineering.
• Alternative Energy.

Engineering learners completing this qualification will demonstrate competence in all the required Exit Level Outcomes on NQF Level 8.

The advisory committee/board and other stakeholders in the discipline made inputs during the development of the qualification, therefore meeting the needs of industry. Learners completing this qualification will have an advantage in the discipline of Electrical Engineering in that they will be prepared to conduct industry-relevant research. The Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Engineering creates articulation pathways from the Postgraduate Diploma into relevant Masters qualification at NQF Level 9.

Learners completing this qualification will have an advantage in the discipline of specialisation in Electrical Engineering in that they will be prepared to conduct industry-relevant research.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners can articulate into this qualification with another relevant qualification either from this institution or another higher education institution. To determine the relevance of other qualifications, the learner has the opportunity for an RPL process.

The details of the RPL policy are as follows, presuming prior accredited learning has taken place

• Learners may apply for RPL against a module or part/full qualification at the relevant department.
• Learners complete an exemption for the RPL of modules or part/full qualification.
• Credits are awarded for relevant, approved prior learning (RPL).
• Only then may the prospective candidate continue with full registration.

Where NO prior accredited learning has taken place

• The learner prepares evidence of work (Portfolio of Evidence) and any other relevant proof of evidence (practical work, assignments and or assessments) and submit to the institution for RPL evaluation process.
• The learner then completes an RPL form and submits it to RPL officer.
• The learner completes an exemption form if the RPL is successful and may continue with registration.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering, NQF Level 7, 120 Credits.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 8, 45 Credits

• Engineering Research Project, 30 Credits.
• Research Statistics, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 75 Credits (Choose three modules in one of the streams)

Stream 1: Power Engineering

• Electrical Protection, 25 Credits.
• High Voltage Engineering, 25 Credits.
• Power Systems, 25 Credits.
• Alternative Energy Feasibility, 25 Credits.
• Energy Efficiency Management, 25 Credits.
• Energy Management, 25 Credits.

Stream 2: Electronic Engineering

• Advanced Measurement Technology, 25 Credits.
• Microwave Design, 25 Credits.
• Alternative Energy Feasibility, 25 Credits.
• Energy Efficiency Management, 25 Credits.
• Energy Management, 25 Credits.

Stream 3: Process Control and Instrumentation

• Advanced DCS and Safety Systems Engineering, 25 Credits.
• Advanced Process Instrumentation Systems, 25 Credits.
• Process Control System Design and Development, 25 Credits.
• Smart Digital Instrumentation Engineering, 25 Credits.
• Smart Industrial Network Control, 25 Credits.
• Electrical Protection, 25 Credits.
• High Voltage Engineering, 25 Credits.
• Power Systems, 25 Credits.

Stream 4: Alternative Engineering

• Alternative Energy Feasibility, 25 Credits.
• Energy Efficiency Management, 25 Credits.
• Energy Management, 25 Credits.
• Advanced Measurement Technology, 25 Credits.

Stream 5: Computer Engineering

• Advanced Software Engineering Module 1, 25 Credits.
• Advanced Software Engineering Module 2, 25 Credits.
• Systems Engineering Module 1, 25 Credits.
• Systems Engineering Module 2, 25 Credits.
• Advanced Networking Module 1, 25 Credits.
• Advanced Networking Module 2, 25 Credits.
• Computer Systems Security, 25 Credits.
• Advanced Hardware Systems, 25 Credits.
• Emerging Systems, 25 Credits.
• Operating System Design, 25 Credits.
• Intelligent Systems, 25 Credits.

1. Identify, formulate, analyse, and solve complex electrical engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to the conceptualisation of engineering models and to solve complex electrical engineering-related problems.
3. Perform creative, procedural, and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products or processes of a complex nature.
4. Conduct investigations of complex or ill-defined electrical engineering related problems including engagement with the research literature and use of research methods including design of experiments, analysis, and interpretation of data and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions.
5. Use and implement appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction, and modelling, for the solution of complex engineering problems, with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of engineering activities society, economy, industrial and physical environment.
8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles.
9. Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
10. Comprehend and apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of engineering practice.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used across the Exit level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Investigate a broad range of electrical engineering research topics.
• Apply compile engineering project, research, design and development skills and design an abstract engineering problem solution/definition.
• Prepare and present a project proposal.
• Conduct appropriate literature study.
• Apply problem-solving skills and create a conceptual design specification to address the problem definition.
• Perform a functional design by applying mathematics, science, and engineering standards to hands-on skills and solve the problem.
• Apply engineering notebooks to compile a relevant project dissertation.
• Prepare and present the project.
• Apply and implement safety standards required to design a safety system with the different levels of plant protection.
• Understand and use the different types of protocols to interface the designed safety systems to an external and embedded Basic plant control systems (BPCS).
• Interface the different Smart type of final element field equipment to the safety system as part of an industrial plant emergency shutdown system.
• Using SIL, design the different protection levels concerning Smart field instrumentation and third-party safety systems.
• Develop and deploy Advanced Hardware Systems as used in the Petrochemical-, Steel-, Health-, Automotive-, Aeronautical-, Defence- and other Industries.
• Develop systems that function as part of the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Identify different electrical engineering requirements.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of modules in the Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Engineering will be conducted according to the assessment policy of the institution. The learning guides for the modules contain the required module Intended Learning Outcomes.

Assessment will be done using different methods, strategies, techniques, tools, and instruments for collecting information to determine the learner's competence to use the knowledge acquired to address broadly defined electrical engineering problems and meeting ELOs.

These methods can be any combination of, but is not limited to the following

• Class tests, Reports, Group work, Assignments, Presentations, Demonstrations, Laboratory evaluation, Practical reports, Portfolio, Project, Written examination, Oral examination, etc.

Formative and Summative Assessments

Formative assessments could be either formal or informal. Assessment strategies are intended to develop the learners' competence in this qualification. Informal assessments typically include discussions, quizzes, feedback sessions and peer assessments, among others. Formative assessments include class tests, presentations, assignments, practical work, and simulation.

Summative assessments will typically include but are not limited to, semester tests, examinations, portfolios or a proposal with regards to the engineering project. By the institution's assessment policy, learners are allowed a second examination opportunity, regardless of their results in the main examination (1st opportunity).