Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Engineering and Related Design
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The specific purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Professional Engineering Technologist. This qualification provides:
- Preparation for careers in engineering and areas that potentially benefit from engineering skills, for achieving technical proficiency and competency to make a contribution to the economy and national development.
- The educational base required for registration as a Candidate and/or a Professional Engineering Technologist with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
- Possible admission to an appropriate Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours or a Bachelor of Engineering National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 qualification, or equivalent.
- The qualification serves to provide learners with the advanced knowledge in fundamental engineering. The knowledge emphasizes Mechanical Engineering principles and application.
- Also, the qualification provides learners with an in-depth knowledge base in a particular field or discipline and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to particular career or professional contexts, while equipping them to undertake more specialized and intensive learning. Qualifications leading to this qualification tend to have a strong vocational, professional or career focus, and holders of this qualification are usually prepared to enter a specific niche in the labor market.
Rationale:
The qualification design reflects the new standard for engineering technologists as required by the Engineering Council of South Africa based on the new HEQF (ECSA document E-05-PT rev.1, 10th of May 2012: Qualification Standard for Advanced Diploma in Engineering: NQF Level 7).
This qualification prepares learners for professional registration as technologists in the mechanical engineering field. Professional Engineering Technologists are characterized by the ability to apply established and newly developed engineering technology to solve broadly-defined problems, develop components, systems, services, and processes. They provide leadership in the application of technology in safety, health, engineering, and commercially effective operations and have well-developed interpersonal skills. They work independently and responsibly, applying judgment to decisions arising in the application of technology and health and safety considerations to problems and associated risks.
This qualification provides aspiring mechanical engineering technologists with knowledge to operate and improve mechanical engineering processes in an efficient, safe, and profitable way. Professional Engineering Technologists must therefore have a specialized understanding of the engineering science that underpins specific technologies together with financial, commercial, legal, social and economic, health, safety and environmental matters.
The process of professional development of a Professional Engineering Technologist starts with the attainment of an accredited South African qualification or a substantially equivalent qualification that meets this standard (referred to as Stage 1 by ECSA). After graduation, a qualification of training and experience is completed to attain the competencies for registration in the category Professional Engineering Technologist (referred to as Stage 2 by ECSA).
Outcomes
- Apply engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly defined engineering problems.
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to applied engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve broadly defined 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 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:
- Analyse and define criteria for an acceptable solution to a problem.
- Model, analyse, and evaluate all solutions, and select the best solution in the appropriate form.
Associated Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Apply fundamental and specialist knowledge by using mathematical, numerical analysis, and statistical methods on engineering problems.
- Reason and conceptualise engineering components using mathematical concepts.
- Describe uncertainty and risk through probability and statistics.
- Work within the boundaries of the practice area.
Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Formulate the design problem to meet user needs, standards, codes, and legislation.
- Plan and manage the design process focusing on important issues and constraints.
- Acquire and evaluate knowledge, information, and resources to provide a workable solution.
- Perform design tasks including analysis, modeling, and optimization.
- Evaluate all solutions based on techno-economic analysis.
- Assess the impact and benefits of the design on social, legal, health, safety, and environmental aspects.
- Communicate the design logic effectively.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Plan and conduct investigations and experiments.
- Evaluate available literature for suitability.
- Conduct experiments using appropriate equipment.
- Draw conclusions from data analysis.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Formulate assignments and learning activities to develop integrated skills.
- Assess and select methods, skills, and tools for applicability.
- Use computer packages for computation, modeling, and simulation.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Communicate assignments and learning activities effectively orally and in writing.
- Provide information in a usable format for engineering purposes.
- Deliver oral communication fluently with clear meaning.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Incorporate Ethics and Environmental Management in engineering activities.
- Analyze the impact of technology on society and cultural values.
- Design considering the impact of engineering on society and the environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Explain principles of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
- Identify individual objectives and focus on work tasks.
- Perform critical functions in a team to ensure timely completion of work.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Manage learning tasks autonomously and ethically.
- Source, organize, and evaluate relevant information.
- Challenge assumptions and embrace new thinking.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Describe ethical dilemmas and make ethical decisions.
Integrated Assessment:
- Demonstrate effective integrated assessment strategy.
- Summative assessment of exit level outcomes.
- Evidence from major work or multiple instances of limited scale work.
- Two assessment components: Learning and examination.
- Continuous assessment on small work sections (20%).
- Summative assessment of managing a large body of knowledge (80%).
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.