Electrical Engineering

National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical

Department of Electrical Engineering

 

Prof Senzo Malinga Head of Department (0)31 907 7249 owolawi@mut.ac.za
Ms Connie Mthembu Secretary (0)31 907 7249 connie@mut.ac.za

 

 

VISION

We aim for the department of Electrical Engineering to be recognised on a regional, national and global scale for its academic programmes, innovative research, competent and sought-after graduates and partnerships with industry and government agencies. 

MISSION

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering, in line with the Mangosuthu University of Technology’s 2020 strategic plan, is to:

  • Provide outstanding education to our diverse range of students from all backgrounds and races
  • Deploy programmes that meet both national and global demands for Electrical Engineering graduates
  • Guarantee professional, competent and self-reliant graduates that meet the exit level requirements as prescribed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) 

The Department of Electrical Engineering is committed to excellence in teaching and learning, community engagement, improved industrial partnerships and innovative research. 

 

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE – NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING        

The National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, delivers to our students the required knowledge and skills necessary for a fruitful career as an engineering technician in the fields of Electronics, Computer, Electrical, Process Instrumentation, Industrial Measurement, Testing and control, Telecommunications and embedded systems.

Our qualified graduates are typically associated with the development, manufacture, installation, servicing, and repair of engineering systems, products, and components with limited technical supervision and are able to report on these activities clearly and concisely.

This programme’s content has been developed to allow our graduates to register as professional technicians with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), to engage in further study in the field of Electrical Engineering and/or to qualify for competitive and rewarding work placements in the field of engineering. 

Our qualifying graduates are able to:

  • Solve well defined problems in the field of Electrical Engineering by adhering to the standards and codes of the Engineering Institution and applying broad-based engineering theory, principles, techniques, practical experience and the appropriate skills required
  • Solve Electrical Engineering problems involving modelling, numerical analysis and statistical analysis by applying basic knowledge of mathematics and basic sciences from first principle
  • Perform creative, procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, work, products and processes
  • Organise, synthesise and present information both professionally and understandably in a mode appropriate to the audience
  • Apply the knowledge they have gained in new situations both in the work place and in the community
  • Identify, analyse, conduct and manage an Electrical Engineering project
  • Make high-pressure, independent decisions taking into account the relevant technical, economic, social and environmental constraints
  • Work effectively as an individual or in a team and multi-disciplinary environment, showing leadership and performing critical functions
  • Translate and understand how engineering activity relates to health and safety, environmental, cultural and economic sustainability
  • Attain the requirements for registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a candidate Engineering Technician
  • Act professionally and ethically and take responsibility within his/her own limits of competence; and be able to exercise judgement that is commensurate with his/her knowledge and experience
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large, using the appropriate structure, style and graphic support
  • Demonstrate the ability to use the appropriate engineering methods, tools and skills to experiment and solve technical problems 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Admission Requirements (three year diploma)

     NQF Level:                      6

     SAQA Credits:                 360

     Duration:                          3 years

I.        National Senior Certificate with rating codes:

English Home Language                          (4)

English First Additional Language (4)

Mathematics                                             (4)

Physical Science                                     (4)

II.        Senior Certificate or equivalent with a minimum subject-related symbol as follows:

Physical Science                                      C (SG) / D (HG)

Mathematics                                             C (SG) / D (HG)

English                                                      C (SG) / D (HG)

  1. III.N4 Engineering Sciences and Maths, plus a Matric Certificate or equivalent with English, with a minimum of 50% passes in English, Engineering Science and Maths.
  2. IV.NCV Entrance Requirements

NCV Level 4 with a minimum of a 50% pass in the following subjects:

Three fundamental subjects: English, Mathematics and Home Language and

A minimum of 60% in three compulsory subjects: Physical Science and any two Electrical-related subjects, preferably Electrical Principles & Practice and Electronic Control & Digital Electronics.

  1. V.An appropriate GCE, GCSE, IGCSE or Cambridge School Certificate with at least five subjects at GCE ‘O’ level including Mathematics, Science and English that has been passed with an A, B or C symbol. Three of the five subjects must have been passed at the same examination sitting. This applies to students from SADC countries.
  2. VI.N5 and N6 – Not considered for registration purposes but only for credit/exemption purposes. 

Please take note of the following:

Selection may be based on candidates passing a department entrance test, on merit and on the availability of spaces. Meeting the minimum requirements does not, in any way, guarantee admission. 

Students with technical college qualifications can apply to be considered for the granting of exemptions according to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as listed below, provided that they have passed with a minimum of 50% in every subject. 

LIST OF SUBJECT EQUIVALENCES

Technical/FET College Subjects                    University Exempted Subjects

Communication N4 and N5                            Communication Skills I

Mathematics N4 and N5                                 Mathematics I

Industrial Electronics N4 and N5                    Electronics I

Digital Electronics N4 and N5                         Digital Systems I

Electrotechnics N4 and N5                             Electrical Engineering I

Industrial Instruments N4 and N5                   Process Instrumentation I 

DURATION OF STUDY

The course takes place over three years and consists of four semesters (S1, S2, S3 and S4) of formal time (full-time study at the University) over two years, and two semesters (P1 and P2) of experiential time (in-service training) undertaken at an accredited training provider/employer over one year, in accordance with a prescribed syllabus, and subject to the University’s evaluation and approval. 

Electrical Engineering Practice I (P1) may be done after successful completion of S1 and S2 subjects. 

Electrical Engineering Practice II or Electronic Engineering Practice II (P2) may be done after successful completion of S3 subjects. 

CURRICULUM COMPILATION

  • The Diploma will be issued on completion of 2.0 credits of formal time taken from the offerings below, and 1.0 credits of experiential time (i.e. in-service training), for a total of 3.0 credits.
  • During experiential time (i.e. in-service training) the student registers for Electrical Engineering Practice I for P1, and Electrical Engineering Practice II for P2. Completion of 24 weeks of experiential time in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the student’s log book will generate a credit of 1.0. There are five specialisation fields, i.e. Electronic Communication (EC), Power Engineering (PE), Clinical Engineering (CE), Renewable Energy (RE), and Process Instrumentation (PI).

 

CURRICULUM SUBJECTS:

National Diplama: Engineering: Electrical (3208105)

Code

Subjects

*C/O/E

Semester/

Year

Assessment Method

Credit

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

COMS311

Communication Skills

C

S1

CA

0.05

 

 

C0SEL01

Computer Skills I

C

S1

CA

0.05

 

 

MATEL01

Mathematics I

C

S1

EX

0.1

 

 

ELEN311

Electrical Engineering I

C

S1

CA

0.1

 

 

ELET111

Electronics I

C

S1

EX

0.1

 

 

DIGS211

Digital Systems I

C

S1

EX

0.1

 

 

MATEL02

Mathematics II

C

S2

EX

0.1

Mathematics I

 

ELEN021

Electrical Engineering II

C

S2

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering I

 

DIGS221

Digital Systems II

C

S2

EX

0.1

Digital Systems I

 

PROJ011

Project I

C

S2

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering I

Electronics I

Digital Systems I

 

PRIN011

Process Instrumentation I

E

S2

EX

0.1

 

 

ECOM221

Electronic Communication II

 

S2

EX

0.1

Electronics I

Digital Systems I

 

RENE021

Solar Cells and Photovoltaic

E

S2

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering I

 

BOSY021

Bio System I

E

S2

EX

0.1

Digital Systems I

 

ELEM421

Electrical Machines II (PE)

E

S2

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering I

 

PROG011

Programming I

0

S2

EX

0.1

Digital Systems I

 

MATEL03

Mathematics III

 

S2

EX

0.1

Mathematics II

 

DIGS231

Digital Systems III

 

S2

EX

0.1

Digital Systems I

 

ELET121

Electronics II

 

S3

EX

0.1

Electronics I

 

PROJ021

Project II

 

S3

EX

0.1

Project I

Electronics II

Digital Systems II

 

PRIN221

Process Instrumentation II

E

S3

EX

0.1

Process Instrumentation I

 

RADE131

Radio Engineering III (EC)

E

S3

EX

0.1

Electronic Communication II

 

WINE031

Wind Energy Technology II

E

S3

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering II

 

MEDE031

Medical Equipment II

E

S3

EX

0.1

Bio System I

 

ELEM431

Electrical Machines III (PE)

0

S3

EX

0.1

Electrical Machines II

 

COSY021

Control Systems II

C

S3

EX

0.1

Mathematics II

 

DEPR031

Design Project III

E

S4

EX

0.1

Project II

 

PRIN131

Process Instrumentation III

E

S4

EX

0.1

Process Instrumentation II

 

SIPR031

Signal Processing III (EC)

E

S4

EX

0.1

Mathematics II

 

RENE031

Renewable Energy Systems:

Analysis, Design and Application III

E

S4

EX

0.1

Wind Energy Technology II

 

PROE031

Project Management in Renewable Energy III

E

S4

EX

0.1

Project II

 

 

Medical Equipment III

E

S4

EX

0.1

Medical Equipment II

 

ELPR231

Electrical Protection III (PE)

E

S4

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering II

 

ELDI331

Electrical Distribution III

E

S4

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering II

 

ELEN031

Electrical Engineering III

E

S4

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering II

 

ELET1331

Electronics III

0

S4

EX

0.1

Electronics II

 

POEL031

Power Electronics III

0

S4

EX

0.1

Electrical Engineering II

Electronics II

Mathematics II

 

COSY231

Control Systems III

0

S4

EX

0.1

Control Systems II

Mathematics II

 

DIC0021

Digital Communication II

0

S4

EX

0.1

Mathematics II

Electronic Communication II

 

*C=Compulsory; O= Optional; E=Elective; EX-Examination; CA- Continuous Assessment

 

 

 

National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical (four year programme) (3208105)

NQF Level      :           6

SAQA Credit   :           360

Duration          :           Four years 

The extended curriculum programme is offered to those students who do not meet the requirements for the National Diploma. 

The minimum period of study for the National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical is usually three years. However, many students find themselves under-prepared and complete the programme in four, five or six years. To counteract this, a four year programme (known as the Extended Curriculum programme) has been designed to provide structured support to students over a period of four years. This programme was developed as a response to the well-known inequalities in South African society and to cater for varying levels of preparedness amongst our students. This programme ensures sufficient support for our students during the initial years of study while also guaranteeing the same exit standards as our three year programme.

Our four year programme addresses gaps and disparities in the education and life experiences of our students so as to better equip them to manage the National Diploma programme and also provides them with broad educational and life skills including mathematics, language literacy and subject knowledge. While students in this programme are mostly tutored separately in small classes during their first year, they undertake their studies and lectures as integral members of the National Diploma student group.
The first year of this programme is generic to electrical, civil and mechanical engineering, but in the first semester of their second year, students will join the S1 level of their chosen field, i.e. electrical, civil or mechanical engineering. From this point, the student will follow the same programe as the three year diploma programme. 

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE – ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

The purpose of this qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills needed for our students’ development towards becoming competent and ethical engineering technicians who are professional and competent with the ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Our graduates are intended to subsequently demonstrate their ability to apply acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values in the South African workplace as well as to develop a culture of continuous development within their own professional lives.

The content and delivery of this programme is required to meet certain quality assurance critera, governed by the ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) as per their recommendations to offer a fully accredited qualification.  

Our qualifying graduates are able to:

  • Solve well defined problems in the field of Electrical Engineering by adhering to the standards and codes of the Engineering Institution and applying broad-based engineering theory, principles, techniques, practical experience and the appropriate skills required
  • Demonstrate well-rounded general engineering knowledge, as well as knowledge of technical language, procedures, principles and operations of one of the fields of Electrical Engineering
  • Develop a rigorous and critical approach to data collection and statistical analysis, using the standard methods from primary sources and journals using modern retrieval systems
  • Organise, synthesise and present information both professionally and understandably in a mode appropriate to the audience
  • Apply the knowledge they have gained in new situations both in the workplace and community
  • Identify, analyse, conduct and manage an Electrical Engineering project
  • Make independent decisions taking into account the relevant technical, economic, social and environmental constraints
  • Work both as a member of a team and independently on electrical projects
  • Translate and understand how engineering activity relates to health and safety, environmental, cultural and economic sustainability
  • Attain requirements for registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a candidate Engineering Technician
  • Demonstrate the capacity to explore and exploit educational, entrepreneurial and career opportunities and engage in professional development 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Admission Requirements

I.        National Senior Certificate with rating codes:

English Home Language                                                       (3)

English First Additional Language                                           (3)

Mathematics                                                                           (3)

Physical Science                                                                    (3)

Satisfactory achievement rating in their Home Language                 (4) 

II.        A minimum of 130 total credits, with a maximum of 60 credits with “Partial Achievement”, at NQF Level 4 or

III.        National Senior Certificate / Standard 10 / Matric Certificate

Mathematics                                       E (SG) or F (HG)

Physical Science                                E (SG) or F (HG)

English                                                E (SG) or E (HG) 

Please take note of the following:

Selection may be based on candidates passing a department entrance test, on merit and on the availability of spaces. Meeting the minimum requirements does not, in any way, guarantee admission. 

DURATION OF STUDY

Four years full time consisting of six semesters (one year foundation, S1, S2, S3 and S4) of formal time (full-time study at the University) over three years, and two semesters (P1 and P2) of experiential learning (in-service training) undertaken at an accredited training provider/employer over one year, in accordance with a prescribed syllabus, and subject to the University’s evaluation and approval. 

Electrical Engineering Practice I (P1) may be done after successful completion of S1 and S2 subjects. 

Electrical Engineering Practice II or Electronic Engineering Practice II (P2) may be done after successful completion of S3 subjects. 

CURRICULUM SUBJECTS:

The first year of foundation consists of the subjects listed below and then proceeds to the main stream (three year programme).

 

National Diplama: Engineering: Electrical (3208105)

Code

Subjects

*C/O/E

Semester/

Year

Assessment Method

Credit

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

BASC001

Basic Science I

 

Foundation/1

EX

0.06

 

 

C0SL001

Computer Literacy I

 

Foundation/1

CA

0.06

 

 

FLS118

Life Skills and Study Skills

 

Foundation/1

CA

0.06

 

 

DRAW001

Drawing

 

Foundation/1

CA

0.06

 

 

MAT001

Mathematics

 

Foundation/2

EX

0.06

Maths Foundation

 

COMS001

Communication Skills

 

Foundation/2

CA

0.07

 

 

ENCA010

Engineering Calculations

 

Foundation/2

EX

0.07

 

 

ENSC001

Engineering Science I

 

Foundation/2

CA

0.07

Basic Science I

 

C0SL010

Computer Application I

 

Foundation/2

CA

0.07

Computer Literacy I

 

DRAW011

Drawing I

 

Foundation/2

CA

0.07

Drawing Foundation

 

 

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING:

WIL (In-Service Training) (0,7 credits)

            Electrical Engineering Practice I (PI)                         0.500

            Electrical Engineering Practice II (PII)                       0.500 

CONTACT US

Email               connie@mut.ac.za or

Telephone       (0)31 907 7249