Tshwane University of Technology

Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Metallurgical Engineering

Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Engineering and Related Design

Purpose and Rationale

Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Metallurgical Engineering

Purpose:

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Metallurgical Engineering is a postgraduate qualification aiming to prepare learners for industry and research. This qualification typically follows a Bachelor of Engineering Technology Degree, Advanced Diploma, or relevant NQF Level 7 qualification. It serves to consolidate and deepen the learner's expertise in a particular discipline, develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of that discipline, and address complex engineering problems. This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. It may also form part of a combination of qualifications to meet the educational requirements for registration as a candidate engineer. Overall, it is an advanced level specialised qualification designed to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate study.

Purpose of the Qualification:

  • Respond to the needs and challenges of South Africa and Africa.
  • Prepare skilled employees for the mining and metallurgical engineering industry.
  • Enable learners to develop new processes/procedures and optimize existing processes in the extraction/manufacturing industry.
  • Ensure quality control of products throughout the manufacturing process.
  • Equip learners to determine causes of defects in metals and recommend repair measures.
  • Prepare learners to be competent in metallurgical engineering processes for reclamation and ore processing.
  • Train learners to apply science, mathematics, and engineering principles to extract metals from ore and create suitable metal products.
  • Develop expertise in two major fields of Metallurgical Engineering: Extraction Metallurgy and Minerals Processing, as well as Material Engineering or Physical Metallurgy.

Rationale:

  • The qualification is essential due to the critical role metallurgical engineering plays in the South African economy, especially in the mining and manufacturing sectors.
  • The mining industry requires advanced skills in metallurgical engineering to add value to locally mined products.
  • Addressing the skill shortage in engineering professions, particularly in scarce categories like metallurgical engineering technologists.
  • Supporting economic growth by providing suitably skilled labour.
  • Aligned with the National Development Plan, New Growth Path, and Industrial Policy Action Plan.
  • Endorsed by the Engineering Council of South Africa to meet national requirements for Metallurgical Engineering Professionals.
  • Designed to meet ECSA Qualification Standard for Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours.
  • Employment opportunities include roles such as Mineral Process Engineer, Physical Metallurgist/Materials Engineer, Plant Engineer, Process Engineer, and Pyrometallurgical Engineer.

Note: This qualification does not lead to professional registration with ECSA but may contribute to meeting educational requirements for registration as a candidate engineer. Successful completion may also lead to admission to a Master's qualification.

Outcomes

  1. Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex Metallurgical Engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
  2. Apply knowledge of Mathematics, Natural Science and Engineering Sciences to the conceptualisation of engineering models and to solve complex Metallurgical Engineering problems.
  3. Perform creative, procedural and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products or processes of a complex nature.
  4. Conduct investigations of complex metallurgical engineering problems including engagement with the research literature and use of research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
  5. Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of complex Metallurgical 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 community at large.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of engineering activities society, economy, industrial and physical environment.
  8. Display knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles.
  9. Demonstrate competence to 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 practice.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

  • Analyse and define the problem and identify the criteria for an acceptable solution.
  • Identify relevant information and engineering knowledge and skills for solving the problem.
  • Generate and formulate possible approaches that would lead to a workable solution for the problem.
  • Model and analyse possible solutions.
  • Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
  • Formulate the solution and present it in an appropriate form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

  • Apply an appropriate mix of knowledge of Mathematics, Numerical Analysis, Statistics, Natural Science and Engineering Science at a fundamental level and in a specialist, area to bring solutions to complex engineering problems.
  • Use theories, principles and laws.
  • Perform formal analysis and modelling on engineering materials, components, systems or processes.
  • Communicate concepts, ideas and theories.
  • Perform reasoning about and conceptualising engineering materials, components, systems or processes.
  • Handle uncertainty and risk.
  • Perform work within the boundaries of the practice area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

  • Formulate the design problem is formulated to satisfy user needs, applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
  • Plan and manage the design process is planned and managed to focus on important issues and recognises and deals with constraints.
  • Acquire and evaluate knowledge, information and resources are acquired and evaluated to apply appropriate principles and design tools to provide a workable solution.
  • Perform design tasks are performed including analysis, quantitative modelling and optimisation of the product, system or process subject to the relevant premises, assumptions, constraints and restrictions.
  • Evaluate alternatives are evaluated for implementation and a preferred solution is selected based on techno-economic analysis and judgement.
  • Assess the selected design is assessed in terms of social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental impact and benefits.
  • Communicate the design logic and relevant information is communicated in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

  • Plan and conduct investigations and experiments within an appropriate discipline.
  • Search available literature and evaluate material for suitability to the investigation.
  • Perform analysis as necessary to the investigation.
  • Select and use equipment or software appropriately in the investigations.
  • Analyse, interpret and derive information from available data.
  • Draw conclusions from an analysis of all available evidence.
  • Record the purpose, process and outcomes of the investigation in a technical report or research project report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

  • 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.
  • Test and assess 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:

  • Ensure that the structure, style and language of written and oral communication are appropriate for the communication and the target audience.
  • Use appropriate graphics to effectively enhance the meaning of the text.
  • Use visual materials to enhance oral communications.
  • Use accepted methods for providing information to others involved in the engineering activity.
  • Deliver oral communication fluently with the intended meaning being apparent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

  • Explain the impact of technology in terms of the benefits and limitations of society.
  • Analyse the engineering activity in terms of the impact on public and occupational health and safety.
  • Analyse the engineering activity in terms of the impact on the physical environment.
  • Take personal, social, economic, cultural values and requirements into consideration for 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, strategically and on time.
  • Ensure that contributions to team activities, including at disciplinary boundaries, support the output of the team as a whole.
  • Demonstrate functioning as a team leader.
  • Organise and manage a design or research project.
  • Carry out effective communication in the context of individual or teamwork.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

  • Manage learning tasks autonomously and ethically, individually and in learning groups.
  • Reflect on learning undertaken and own learning requirements and determine strategies to suit personal learning style and preferences.
  • Comprehend and apply the knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.
  • Challenge assumptions and embrace new thinking.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

  • Describe the nature and complexity of ethical dilemmas.
  • Describe the ethical implications of decisions made.
  • Apply ethical reasoning to evaluate engineering solutions.
  • Maintain continued competence through keeping abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques available in the workplace.
  • Understand the system of continuing professional development and embrace it as an on-going process.
  • Accept responsibility for consequences stemming from own actions.
  • Make judgements in decision making during problem-solving and justify the design.
  • Limit decision making to the area of current competence.

Integrated Assessment:

  • Modules in this qualification are assessed using a range of methods and include formative and summative assessments.
  • Teaching strategies used in this qualification require an integrated assessment approach making use of case studies and problem-solving.
  • Summative assessments are included in each module, with a research project integrating learning from the qualification into a research report.
  • Continuous assessments should have at least four assessment opportunities contributing to the final mark.
  • Design projects and a final examination are included in the qualification to assess problem-solving skills and knowledge application.

Each of these assessment criteria aims to ensure that the desired Graduate Attributes are achieved through a comprehensive and integrated assessment approach in the engineering qualification.

Qualification Details

Type
Honours Degree
NQF Level
08
Min. Credits
120
SAQA Source
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Tshwane University of Technology
Description
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is a higher education institution located in Pretoria, South Africa. It was established in 2004 through the merger of three separate institutions. TUT offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various fields of study, including engineering, business, science, arts, and technology. The university is known for its focus on practical and career-oriented education, providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen professions. TUT also has a strong emphasis on research and innovation, contributing to the development of new technologies and solutions. With a diverse student body and state-of-the-art facilities, Tshwane University of Technology is committed to providing quality education and making a positive impact on society.

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.