Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Engineering and Related Design
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide a well-rounded, broad education that equips qualifying learners with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of Mechanical Engineering. It also aims to enable learners to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. This qualification prepares learners for professional training, postgraduate studies, or professional practice in the field of Engineering. Additionally, it provides a foundation in the education, philosophy, principles, and skills of the Mechanical Engineering profession, enabling learners to apply them to professional or career contexts.
Rationale:
Engineering is a discipline and profession that serves the needs of society and the economy. This qualification is designed to contribute to meeting these needs by developing engineering competence. With its broad fundamental base, the qualification serves as the starting point for a career path in various areas of engineering specializations through structured development and lifelong learning. The flexibility provided by the broad base allows holders to adjust to changing needs, maximizing mobility and adaptability.
The skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes acquired through this qualification are essential building blocks for the development of learner engineers on their journey to becoming competent engineers. Ultimately, these competent engineers will lead complex engineering activities, solve intricate engineering problems, and contribute significantly to economic activity and national development.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate competence to identify, assess, formulate and solve convergent and divergent engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals and an engineering speciality to solve complex engineering problems.
- Perform creative, procedural and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products or processes.
- Demonstrate competence to design and conduct investigations and experiments.
- Demonstrate competence to use appropriate engineering methods, skills and tools, including those based on information technology.
- Demonstrate competence to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of the impact of engineering activity on the social, industrial and physical environment.
- Demonstrate competence to work effectively as an individual, in teams and multidisciplinary environments.
- Demonstrate competence to engage in independent learning through well-developed learning skills.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically and to exercise judgment and take responsibility within own limits of competence.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Analyse and define the problem, identify criteria for an acceptable solution.
- Identify necessary information and applicable engineering and other knowledge and skills.
- Generate and formulate possible approaches to the solution of a problem.
- Model and analyse possible solution(s).
- Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
- Formulate and present the solution in an appropriate form.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Identify and formulate the design problem to satisfy user needs, applicable standards, codes of practice, and legislation.
- Plan and manage the design process, focusing on essential issues and dealing with constraints.
- Acquire and evaluate the requisite knowledge, information, and resources, applying correct principles and using design tools.
- Perform design tasks including analysis, quantitative modeling, and optimization.
- Evaluate alternatives and the preferred solution, exercising judgment and performing techno-economic analyses.
- Assess the impact and benefits of the design on social, legal, health, safety, and environmental aspects.
- Communicate the design logic and information effectively.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Plan and conduct investigations and experiments.
- Conduct a literature search and critically evaluate material.
- Perform necessary analyses.
- Select and use appropriate equipment or software.
- Analyse, interpret, and derive information from data.
- Draw conclusions based on evidence.
- Communicate the purpose, process, and outcomes in a technical report.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Select and assess the applicability and limitations of the method, skill, or tool.
- Apply the technique, skill, or tool properly.
- Test and evaluate the end-results produced by the method, skill, or tool critically.
- Create computer applications as required by the discipline.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Use appropriate structure, style, and language for the purpose and audience.
- Use effective graphical support.
- Apply methods of providing information for use by others involved in engineering activity.
- Meet the requirements of the target audience.
- Use relevant visual materials.
- Deliver fluently and meet the requirements of the intended audience.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Identify and deal with an appropriate combination of issues in:
- The impact of technology on society.
- Occupational and public health and safety.
- Impact on the physical environment.
- The personal, social, cultural values, and requirements of those affected by engineering activity.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Identify and focus on objectives.
- Work strategically and execute tasks effectively.
- Deliver completed work on time.
- Make individual contributions to team activity.
- Perform critical functions and enhance the work of fellow team members.
- Benefit from the support of team members.
- Communicate 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 8:
- Reflect on your learning and determine learning requirements and strategies.
- Source and evaluate information.
- Critically challenge assumptions and embrace new thinking.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Be aware of requirements to maintain competence and keep abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques.
- Display an understanding of the system of professional development.
- Accept responsibility for own actions.
- Display judgment in decision-making during problem-solving and design.
- Limit decision-making to the area of current competence.
- Reason about and make judgments on ethical aspects in a case study context.
- Discern boundaries of proficiency in problem-solving and design.
Integrated Assessment:
- Formative assessment:
- Homework, class tests, semester tests, practical reports, assignments.
- Summative assessment:
- Examination.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- 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.