Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering is primarily industry oriented. Completion of this qualification will provide learners with the knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools, and practical skills. The qualification aims to attract mid-level managers within the engineering industry that have a need to improve their skills at an academic and applied level.

Qualifying learners will gain excellent background knowledge and some specific expert knowledge and should find themselves well-positioned to secure employment or gain admission to further studies in the mechanical engineering field.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate advanced problem solving by identifying, assessing, formulating, and solving complex mechanical engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
• Apply the skill to solve complex mechanical engineering problems, by applying knowledge of mathematics, basic science, and engineering sciences.
• Perform creative, procedural, and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, mechanical engineering works, products, or processes of a complex nature.
• Display a competency to do investigations, in experiments and data analysis, that involves performing research, conducting investigations, interpreting, and deriving conclusions.
• Conduct investigations of complex mechanical engineering problems including information technology and application of modern engineering tools for the solution of complex problems related to the broad mechanical engineering field.
• Communicate the results and findings convincingly in written, visual, electronic, and verbal forms, including the use of software systems and processes appropriate to the mechanical engineering fields.
• Demonstrate critical awareness of the impact of mechanical engineering activities on society and the environment.
• Demonstrate awareness of the need to bring personal, social, and cultural values into engineering analysis and design considerations.
• Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary environments showing leadership and performing critical functions.
• Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
• Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities, and norms of mechanical engineering practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and skills of management in mechanical engineering projects.

This qualification serves to provide learners with a high level of knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools, as well as practical and research skills. It also includes a supervised research project that adheres to high ethical and professional standards.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

• Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Mechanical Engineering, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, NQF Level 7.

Or

• A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits

• Engineering Project, 30 Credits.
• Numerical Modelling, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Mathematics, 20 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Engineering Projects Management,14 Credits.
• Solid Mechanics, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer, 20 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced problem solving by identifying, assessing, formulating, and solving complex mechanical engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
2. Apply the skill to solve complex mechanical engineering problems, by applying knowledge of mathematics, basic science, and engineering sciences.
3. Perform creative, procedural, and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, mechanical engineering works, products, or processes of a complex nature.
4. Display a competency to do investigations, in experiments and data analysis, that involves performing research, conducting investigations, interpreting, and deriving conclusions.
5. Conduct investigations of complex mechanical engineering problems including information technology and application of modern engineering tools for the solution of complex problems related to the broad mechanical engineering field.
6. Communicate the results and findings convincingly in written, visual, electronic and verbal forms, including the use of software systems and processes appropriate to the mechanical engineering fields.
7. Demonstrate critical awareness of the impact of mechanical engineering activities on society and the environment and demonstrated awareness of the need to bring personal, social, and cultural values into engineering analysis and design considerations.
8. Demonstrate the competency to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary environments showing leadership and performing critical functions.
9. Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities, and norms of mechanical engineering practice.
10. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and skills of management in mechanical engineering projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply computational techniques in solid mechanics, simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer, engineering computational, hydraulics, and modelling of mechanical systems and components.
• Show reasoning on principles of mechanical engineering design of specific mechanical engineering components, mechanisms, and systems, such as heat exchangers, boilers, energy systems, complex machines, and geometric design.
• Analyse the problem and identify the criteria for an acceptable solution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Use an appropriate mix of engineering theories, principles, and laws.
• Perform mathematical and numerical analysis and statistical knowledge and methods
• Apply physical laws and knowledge of the physical world as a foundation for the solution of problems related to heat transfer, fluid flow, mechanical design, solid mechanics, and computational engineering.
• Perform formal analysis and modelling on engineering materials, mechanical components and systems or processes.
• Handle uncertainty and risk and perform work within the boundaries of the practice area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify and formulate the design problem to satisfy user needs, applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
• Plan and manage the design process: focus on important issues, recognise and deals with constraints.
• Acquire and evaluate the requisite knowledge, information, and resources.
• Apply correct principles, evaluate, and use design tools.
• Perform design tasks including analysis, quantitative modelling, and optimisation.
• Evaluate alternatives and preferred solutions: exercise judgment, test implantability and performs techno-economic analyses.
• Assess impacts and benefits of the design: social, legal, health, safety, and environmental.
• Communicate the design logic and information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Plan and conduct investigations and experiments.
• Conduct a literature search and critically evaluates material.
• Select and uses appropriate equipment or software.
• Analyse, interpret and derive information from data.
• Draw conclusions based on evidence and communicate the purpose, process, and outcomes in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply skills, methods, and tools effectively to create computer applications and packages for computation, modelling, simulation, and information handling.
• Select and assess the applicability and limitations of the method, skill, or tool.
• Test and assess critically the end results produced by the selected method, skill, or tool.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use appropriate structure, style and language for purpose and audience.
• Apply methods of providing information for use by others involved in an engineering activity and meet the requirements of the target audience.
• Participate in scheduled discussions with supervisor/lecturer regarding the management and execution of assignments and the engineering project.
• Execute effective visual and electronic communication.
• Prepare professional presentations, technical reports, posters, and designed products/artefacts using relevant industry and academic tools.
• Use an online learner management platform to facilitate group communication, and peer evaluation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Evaluate ethical reasoning and critical analysis in engineering solutions.
• Explain mechanical engineering activities with regards to negative impacts on public health and safety.
• Implement social and economic considerations in mechanical engineering projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

- Demonstrate effective individual work by performing the following

>> Identify and focus on objectives.

>> Work strategically.

>> Execute tasks effectively.

• Make an individual contribution to team activities and perform critical functions.
• Enhance the work of fellow team members.
• Communicates effectively with team members.
• Acquire a working knowledge of co-workers' discipline.
• Use a systems approach and communicate across disciplinary boundaries.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Maintain continued competence to keep abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques.
• Display understanding of the system of professional development.
• Accept responsibility for own actions and display judgment in decision-making during problem-solving and design.
• Limit decision-making to an area of current competence.
• Reason about and make a judgment on ethical aspects in a case study context.
• Discern boundaries of competence in problem-solving and design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Apply project management to the project.
• Display judgement in decision-making based on economics and business principles.
• Display judgement in decision-making related to multi-disciplinary aspects of the project.