Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering

The purpose of the qualification is to produce a graduate who is capable of applying a core of advanced knowledge to engineering problems in a specialised area within fields such as Aeronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Metallurgical & Materials and Mining Engineering.

The qualifying learner brings the above capability to bear in the development of South African engineering, science and business competencies.

Learning achieved by meeting the outcomes of a qualification of the University listed below (under Formally Accredited Learning) is assumed to be in place.

Formally Accredited Learning

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (or Bachelor of Science with Honours in an appropriate discipline) of the University, or an equivalent University-approved qualification - consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Specialist knowledge

The qualifying learner is competent to apply specialist knowledge to engineering problems.

1. High order problem solving

The qualifying learner is competent to perform high order problem solving techniques.

1. Specialised engineering tools and techniques

The qualifying learner is competent to apply specialised engineering tools and techniques.

CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES

a) "identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made." See exit level outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

b) "working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community." See exit level outcomes 1 and 2.

c) "organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively." See exit level outcomes 1

d) "collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information." See exit level outcomes 2.

e) "communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion." See exit level outcomes 1.

f) "using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others." See exit level outcomes 3.

g) "demonstrating and understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation." See exit level outcomes 2.

h) "contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

i. "reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;" see exit level outcomes 2.

ii. "participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;" see exit level outcomes 1 and 2; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.

iii. "being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;" see exit level outcomes 2.

iv. "exploring education and career opportunities." See exit level outcome 1.

v. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities." See exit level outcomes 1.

1. Specialist knowledge

The qualifying learner demonstrates

• both knowledge and application of that knowledge in a specialised field.
• competence as an engineer which includes
• ability to work with others in a team.
• showing initiative and ability to work independently with professional responsibility in a specialised field.
• effective communication in any medium.
• ability to engage in lifelong learning and to hold lifelong learning as a professional value.

1. High order problem solving

The qualifying learner demonstrates

• the ability to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate specialised approach to the solution of problems.
• an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.
• application of diverse knowledge to development of appropriate solutions of problems, recognising wide-ranging factors including financial, environmental, health and technological aspects.

1. Specialised engineering tools and techniques

The qualifying learner demonstrates

• the ability to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate specialised techniques to the solution of problems.
• use of specialist engineering tools and techniques effectively and critically.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

In order to pass a course, and, finally, in order to qualify, the learner must demonstrate the specialised knowledge acquired by completing examinations and/or projects reports which test the application of that knowledge learned to the solution of real world or simulated high order engineering problems.