UNISA

Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering

Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Engineering and Related Design

Purpose and Rationale

Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering

Purpose:

The specific purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering is designed to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Professional Engineering Technologist. The qualification design is aligned to the Standard for Engineering Technologists as required by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Therefore, learners will have the ability to apply established and newly developed engineering technology to solve broadly-defined problems, develop components, systems, services and processes. They will be able to provide leadership in the application of technology in safety, health, engineering and commercially effective operations and have well-developed interpersonal skills. They will also have the ability to work independently and responsibly, applying judgment to decisions arising in the application of technology and health and safety considerations to problems and associated risks. Therefore, Professional Engineering Technologists learners will have a specialised understanding of the engineering science that underpins specific technologies together with financial, commercial, legal, social and economic, health, safety and environmental matters. The qualification serves to provide learners with knowledge in chemical engineering. The knowledge emphasises chemical 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 a particular career or professional contexts, while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning.

Rationale:

This qualification is designed to meet the educational requirement towards registration as a Candidate or Professional Engineering Technologist in the chemical engineering field, with the Engineering Council of South Africa. Engineering learners completing this qualification will demonstrate competence in all ten graduate attributes contained in ECSA generic document E-05-PT rev.3, 24th of March 2016: Qualification Standard for Advanced Diploma in Engineering : NQF Level 7. The Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering is part of a group of qualifications in Engineering Technology focused on de-colonialisation and curriculum transformation. This qualification provides aspiring chemical Candidate or Professional Engineering Technologists with knowledge to operate and improve chemical engineering processes in an efficient, safe and profitable way. The qualification addresses objectives of the NQF by providing the technologist with a qualification at NQF Level 7. This qualification:

  • Prepares learners 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.
  • Provides the educational base required for registration as a Candidate and/or a Professional Engineering Technologist with ECSA.
  • Provides for admission to an appropriate Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours or a Bachelor of Engineering, NQF Level 8 qualification. Qualifications leading to this qualification tend to have a strong vocational, professional or career focus and learners with this qualification are usually prepared to enter a specific niche in the labour market. The Advanced Diploma qualification meets the national requirements, the needs of learners and other stakeholders. It is designed coherently and articulates with other relevant qualifications, where possible. This qualification provides access for entrepreneurs, technologists, engineers and researchers. This qualification plans to address the current engineering skill shortage by allowing workers in the field to improve their qualifications via self-study.

Outcomes

  1. Apply engineering principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined engineering problems.
  2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences to define and applied engineering procedures, processes, systems and methodologies to solve broadly-defined engineering problems.
  3. 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.
  4. Conduct investigations of broadly-defined problems through locating, searching and selecting relevant data from codes, data bases and literature, designing and conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting results to provide valid conclusions.
  5. 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.
  6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the affected parties.
  7. 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.
  8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member and leader in a team and to manage projects.
  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 technology practice.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

  • Analyse and define the problem.
  • Identify criteria for an acceptable solution.
  • Identify relevant information, engineering knowledge, and skills.
  • Generate possible approaches for a workable solution.
  • Model and analyse possible solutions.
  • Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
  • Formulate and present the solution appropriately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

  • Utilize knowledge of mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, natural science, and engineering science.
  • Apply theories, principles, and laws.
  • Perform formal analysis and modelling on engineering materials, components, systems, or processes.
  • Communicate concepts, ideas, and theories.
  • Reason and conceptualize engineering materials, components, systems, or processes.
  • Handle uncertainty and risk within the practice area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

  • Formulate design problems to meet user needs, standards, codes, and legislation.
  • Plan and manage the design process effectively.
  • Acquire and evaluate knowledge, information, and resources.
  • Perform design tasks including analysis, modeling, and optimization.
  • Evaluate alternatives based on techno-economic analysis.
  • Assess the selected design in terms of social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental impact.
  • Communicate design logic and information in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

  • Plan and conduct investigations and experiments within the appropriate discipline.
  • Search available literature and critically evaluate materials.
  • Perform necessary analysis for the investigation.
  • Select and use equipment or software appropriately.
  • Analyze, interpret, and derive information from data.
  • Draw conclusions from the analysis and evidence.
  • Record the purpose, process, and outcomes of the investigation in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

  • Assess the applicability and limitations of methods, skills, or tools.
  • Apply methods, skills, or tools correctly to achieve the required result.
  • Test and assess results against required outcomes.
  • Create and use computer applications as required.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

  • Ensure appropriate structure, style, and language for written and oral communication.
  • Use graphics effectively to enhance the meaning of text.
  • Utilize visual materials to enhance oral communications.
  • Employ accepted methods for providing information to others in the engineering activity.
  • Deliver fluent oral communication with clear intended meaning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

  • Explain the impact of technology on society.
  • Analyze the impact of engineering activities on health, safety, and the environment.
  • Consider personal, social, economic, and cultural values in engineering activities affecting stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

  • Explain principles of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
  • Carry out individual work effectively and on time.
  • Contribute to team activities to support the team's output.
  • Demonstrate functioning as a team leader.
  • Organize and manage design or research projects effectively.
  • Conduct effective communication in individual and team work contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

  • Manage learning tasks autonomously and ethically.
  • Reflect on learning undertaken and determine learning requirements and strategies.
  • Source, organize, and evaluate relevant information.
  • Comprehend and apply knowledge acquired outside formal instruction.
  • Challenge assumptions critically and embrace new thinking.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

  • Describe ethical dilemmas and implications of decisions.
  • Apply ethical reasoning to evaluate engineering solutions.
  • Maintain continued competence through professional development.
  • Accept responsibility for consequences stemming from actions.
  • Make judgements in decision making during problem solving.

Integrated Assessment:

  • Use an effective integrated assessment strategy.
  • Summative assessment will address the graduate attributes/Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Evidence will be derived from major work or multiple instances of limited scale work.
  • Formative assessment includes continuous evaluation of assignments, progress reports, and competencies.
  • Summative assessment examines the learner's ability to manage and integrate knowledge.
  • Credit is given for evidence of learning acquired through various means.
  • The Assessment Policy of the institution guides assessment principles and practices.

Qualification Details

Type
Advanced Diploma
NQF Level
07
Min. Credits
120
SAQA Source
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UNISA
Description
UNISA, short for the University of South Africa, is a distance education institution based in South Africa. It is the largest university on the African continent and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields of study. UNISA provides flexible learning options, allowing students to study at their own pace and from anywhere in the world. The university is known for its commitment to providing accessible and affordable education to a diverse student population. UNISA also conducts research and collaborates with other institutions to contribute to the development of knowledge and skills in South Africa and beyond.

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.