University of Zululand

Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering

Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology - Engineering and Related Design

Purpose and Rationale

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering is to provide a well-rounded education that equips learners with the knowledge, theory, and methodology necessary for successful engineering practice. This qualification targets a variety of individuals, including school leavers, artisans, supervisors, inspectors, and entrepreneurs, aiming to offer opportunities in various engineering disciplines.

The qualification aims to:

  1. Provide a strong foundation in mathematics, basic sciences, engineering sciences, and design principles in both Computer and Electronic Engineering.

  2. Prepare individuals for careers in engineering, technical leadership roles, and contributing to economic and national development.

  3. Meet the educational requirements for registration as a professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and enable careers in engineering and related fields.

  4. Enable graduates to pursue postgraduate studies in module-based and research master's degrees.

  5. Demonstrate competence in solving well-defined electrical and computer engineering problems at Level 8, according to ECSA standards.

  6. Cultivate skills to identify, analyze, and creatively solve complex engineering problems.

  7. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering to address intricate engineering challenges.

  8. Design and synthesize components, systems, products, or processes using creative and procedural methodologies.

  9. Conduct investigations and experiments, utilizing appropriate engineering methods and tools.

  10. Communicate effectively with engineering audiences and the community, both orally and in writing.

  11. Practice ethical and professional behavior, exercising judgment and responsibility within professional limits.

  12. Understand engineering management principles and economic decision-making.

Rationale:

Engineering as a discipline plays a crucial role in serving societal and economic needs. The Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering aims to develop engineering competence, offering a broad fundamental base for learners to specialize in various engineering fields through structured development and lifelong learning opportunities.

Key points supporting this qualification include:

  1. Meeting the critical shortage of qualified engineers in South Africa and addressing the skills gap in areas like Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.

  2. Providing opportunities for learners in historically disadvantaged areas to study engineering locally, benefiting both the industry and the community.

  3. Supporting the economic growth of provincial economies by supplying graduates with high-demand skills.

  4. Fulfilling the academic requirements for registration as a professional engineer with ECSA and admission to The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE).

  5. Offering a pathway for learners to become Professional Engineers (Pr. Eng.) and contribute to the development and advancement of engineering fields in South Africa.

Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate the ability to use a range of specialised skills to identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
  2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals and an engineering speciality to solve complex engineering problems.
  3. Perform creative, procedural, and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products, or processes.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and manage processes in specialised contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues as well as develop competence to design and conduct investigations and experiments.
  5. Demonstrate competence to use appropriate engineering methods, skills, and tools, including those based on information technology and the understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods, and techniques relevant to the field, discipline, or practice### and an understanding of how to apply such knowledge in a particular context.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to present and communicate academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.
  7. Demonstrate critical awareness of the impact of engineering activity on the social, industrial, and physical environment.
  8. Demonstrate competence to work effectively as an individual, in teams and multidisciplinary environments.
  9. Demonstrate the ability to apply, in a self-critical manner, learning strategies that effectively address own professional and ongoing learning needs and the professional and ongoing learning needs of others and engage in independent learning through well-developed learning skills.
  10. Demonstrate critical awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically and exercise judgment and take responsibility within own limits of competence.
  11. Demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility for own work, decision-making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

  • Identify and solve mathematical functions using the fundamental theorem of calculus.
  • Communicate mathematical ideas effectively using appropriate symbols and logical structure.
  • Apply concepts and theories of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
  • Utilize probability rules in uncertain Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering situations.
  • Apply linear system theory, particularly Fourier analysis, for designing and analyzing electronic and computer systems.
  • Design the signal processing section of a wireless communication system to meet specified performance criteria.
  • Formulate control problems, apply system identification, design controllers, implement in hardware, and evaluate performance.
  • Apply theoretical framework to conceptualize physical units, classify systems and signals, envision targeted experimentation, and utilize plant data.
  • Propose, evaluate control strategies, convert theoretical solutions to physical implementation, and communicate design decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

  • Develop a systematic understanding of the engineering approach in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
  • Develop equivalent circuit models for electronic devices and circuits using conceptually based mathematics.
  • Analyze electronic circuits using Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination (SPICE).
  • Formulate communication network topology, layered architecture, and protocols based on natural science and engineering fundamentals.
  • Analyze and design the Radio Frequency (RF) section of a wireless communication system.
  • Provide a formal mathematical model structure for dynamics and apply system identification.
  • Apply mathematical, numerical, and statistical knowledge to engineering problems.
  • Communicate mathematical concepts and theories effectively.
  • Apply physical laws and knowledge of the physical world in engineering problem-solving.
  • Model engineering components, systems, or processes using principles of basic sciences.
  • Apply engineering science techniques, policies, and laws at a fundamental and specialist level.
  • Solve open-ended engineering problems and work across disciplinary boundaries.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

  • Communicate ideas clearly using sketches, models, and computer-aided design (CAD).
  • Describe systems using modeling tools like case diagrams, sequence diagrams, and activity diagrams.
  • Document system development process in a clear written report for engineering audiences.
  • Design complex systems involving idea generation, individual work, and resorting to a design knowledge base.
  • Undertake embodiment design in groups with increased complexity and additional requirements.
  • Formulate design problems to satisfy user needs, standards, codes, and legislation.
  • Plan and manage the engineering design process, focusing on essential issues and dealing with constraints.
  • Perform design tasks, analysis, quantitative modeling, and optimization.
  • Evaluate alternatives, exercise judgment, test implementation, and perform techno-economic analyses.
  • Assess impacts and benefits of engineering design on social, legal, health, safety, and environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

  • Use elementary laboratory instrumentation and test equipment effectively.
  • Apply theory to practical problems in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
  • Apply research methodology to investigations.
  • Plan and conduct experiments in multidisciplinary environments.
  • Conduct literature searches and critically evaluate material in the research literature.
  • Collect, organize, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information.
  • Communicate purpose, process, and outcomes in a technical report.
  • Draw conclusions based on evidence.
  • Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge and evaluate knowledge production processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

  • Apply basic techniques from economics, business management, health, safety, environmental protection, risk assessment, and project management.
  • Test and assess the end results produced by methods, skills, or tools critically.
  • Create computer applications as required by the discipline.
  • Identify necessary action plans for electrical and computer engineering processes.
  • Assess applicability and limitations of methods, skills, or tools effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

  • Access, manipulate, and provide spatially referenced data for solving engineering problems.
  • Communicate design logic and information effectively using appropriate structure, style, and language.
  • Use graphical support and visual materials to meet audience requirements.
  • Provide information for others involved in engineering activities effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

  • Identify and address engineering issues in occupational and public health and safety.
  • Discuss personal, social, and cultural values and requirements affected by engineering activities.
  • Describe the impact of engineering activities on the environment and society.
  • Operate effectively within a system or manage a system understanding roles and relationships.
  • Produce output demonstrating own contribution and benefits of interaction with others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

  • Collaborate with civil engineering, architecture, management, city council professionals, and historians to broaden project scope.
  • Focus on objectives for delivering completed work on time.
  • Work strategically and execute tasks effectively.
  • Apply a systems approach and contribute to team activities.
  • Communicate effectively across disciplinary boundaries and enhance workflow.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

  • Access information through various means and reflect on learning.
  • Determine learning requirements and strategies.
  • Apply basic electrical and computer engineering sciences to exercise innovative thinking.
  • Evaluate and apply knowledge acquired outside formal instruction.
  • Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge and evaluate knowledge production processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

  • Maintain competence and keep abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques.
  • Apply ethics in the workplace and understand the system of professional development.
  • Evaluate ethical value systems in the electrical computer engineering context.
  • Challenge assumptions and embrace new thinking in problem-solving and design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:

  • Provide technically, economically, environmentally, and managerially viable solutions that benefit society.
  • Display judgment in decision-making during problem-solving and design.
  • Produce a written project report describing engineering, problem-solving methodology, and solutions.

Qualification Details

Type
National First Degree(Min 480)
NQF Level
08
Min. Credits
480
SAQA Source
More Information

Education Cost Calculator

University of Zululand
Description
The University of Zululand is a comprehensive university located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was established in 1960 and is one of the oldest universities in the province. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, science, commerce, education, and law. It is known for its commitment to providing quality education and promoting research and innovation. The university also has a strong focus on community engagement and strives to contribute to the development of the region and the country as a whole.

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.