Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Engineering and Related Design
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose: The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with technical skills and competencies to work in the industry as a professional technologist or to progress to higher academic qualifications. The knowledge places emphasis on general principles and application or technology transfer. The qualification provides learners with a solid foundation in Chemical Engineering and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in the area of Chemical Engineering. This equips them to undertake more specialized and intensive learning. Furthermore, the qualification focuses on equipping learners with the skills to interpret information and apply engineering principles to solve chemical engineering problems in a changing technological landscape. Learners will gain experience in solving practical engineering problems, preparing them for challenges in the modern technology world.
Rationale: The current BTEC Chemical Engineering qualification will be phased out in 2019, making the new Advanced and Postgraduate qualifications imperative for progression and articulation purposes. Aligned with Level 7 requirements, this qualification prepares learners to become registered Professional Chemical Technologists with ECSA. A research component has been included to prepare learners for further studies. The industry's need for technicians with a pyramidal type of knowledge structure is addressed, providing broad knowledge at the base and specialization at higher levels. This qualification meets industry needs through inputs from advisory committees, stakeholders, and national/international higher education institutions.
This qualification offers learners an advantage in chemical engineering, with specialization in design and operations of chemical processes, water and wastewater management, fundamentals of mineral processing, simulation, and modeling. It meets the needs of the local community and offers sought-after skills in related disciplines. Job readiness is a focus, preparing holders to enter the chemical and process industry. Horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities are provided, enabling progression into relevant Bachelor's and NQF Level 8 qualifications.
Key Points:
- Preparation for careers in chemical engineering and technical proficiency.
- Provides a foundation for registration as a Professional Engineering Technologist with ECSA.
- Entry to NQF Level 8 qualifications, such as Honours and Postgraduate Diplomas, leading to Master's qualifications.
Outcomes
- Apply chemical engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined chemical engineering problems.
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to applied chemical engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve broadly-defined chemical engineering problems.
- Perform procedural and non-procedural design of broadly defined components, systems, works, products or processes to meet desired needs normally within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
- Define and conduct investigations and experiments of broadly-defined problems.
- Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of broadly-defined engineering problems, with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the affected parties.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of chemical engineering activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by analysis and evaluation and the need to act professionally within own limits of competency.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member or leader in a diverse team and to manage projects.
- Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
- Comprehend and apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of engineering practice within own limits of competence.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Identify and use relevant information and engineering knowledge for solving the problem.
- Identify the analysis and definition and the criteria for an acceptable solution.
- Consider and formulate various approaches leading to workable solutions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Apply mathematics to engineering analysis and modelling.
- Fundamental knowledge of natural science: both as relevant to a sub-discipline or recognised practice area.
- Consolidation of a range of fundamental principles in engineering science and technology underlying an engineering sub-discipline or recognised practice area.
- Establish a systematic body of emerging knowledge in a specialist area or recognised practice area.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Carry out a design project, which involves equipment selection.
- Select the components, systems, engineering works, products or processes to be designed must be dependent on the sub-discipline.
- Include in a major design project one or more of the following impacts: social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Plan and design investigations and experiments within an appropriate discipline.
- Search and critically evaluate relevant literature including codes for suitability of investigations.
- Draw conclusions from an analysis of all relevant evidence.
- Record the purpose, process and outcomes of the investigation in a technical report.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Select and assess the method, skill or tool for applicability and limitations against the required result.
- Apply the method, skill or tool correctly to achieve the required result.
- Critically test results produced by the method, skill or tool against required results.
- Create, select and use computer applications as required by the discipline.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Apply modern tools to produce engineering drawing and technical report.
- Use appropriate and effective graphics in enhancing the meaning of text.
- Use visual materials to enhance oral communications.
- Use accepted methods for providing oral and written information to others involved in the engineering activity.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Identify the impact of technology and deal with in terms of the benefits and limitations to society.
- Analyse the engineering activity in terms of the impact on occupational and public health and safety.
- Analyse the engineering activity in terms of the impact on the physical environment.
- Take into consideration personal, social, economic, cultural values and requirements of those who are affected by the engineering activity.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Explain the principles of planning, organising, leading and controlling.
- Carry out individual work effectively and on time.
- Ensure contributions to team activities support the output of the team.
- Organise and manage a design or research project.
- Perform critical functions in the team and complete the work on time.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Manage learning tasks autonomously and ethically, individually and in learning groups.
- Reflect on learning undertaken and determine individual learning requirements and strategies to suit personal learning style and preferences.
- Source, organise and evaluate relevant information.
- Comprehend and apply knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Describe the nature and complexity of ethical dilemmas.
- Apply ethical reasoning to evaluate engineering solutions.
- Display awareness of the need to maintain continued competence by keeping abreast of up to date tools and techniques available in the workplace.
- Accept responsibility for consequences stemming from own actions.
- Make judgements in decision making during problem solving and design.
- Ensure decision making is limited to the area of current competence.
Integrated Assessment:
- Summative and formative assessment in form of tests, assignments, reports, oral presentations and examination.
- Most modules will have tests and assignments during the study period with exams at the end of a semester.
- Laboratory work will involve report writing and oral presentation.
- The proportion of continuous assessment and test will vary from 40% to 50% while examinations will comprise 50% to 60% of the total assessment from one module to another.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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