Why study Chemical Engineering?
A chemical engineer takes raw materials and converts them – through chemical processes – into usable products to improve people’s lives. They work in fields such as plastics, oil, explosives, fertilisers, detergents, food, and mineral processing. They combine a knowledge of chemistry with mathematics, physics and economics to solve practical technical problems in any processing industry, from fragrance to food to fuel. They also study management, safety and the environment. Not only do they master new processes in manufacturing but they also revise existing processes. A good chemical engineer is also a problem-solver with critical and analytical thinking skills, curiosity, and perseverance.
Career opportunities
Most large industries or manufacturers employ chemical engineers in their Research and Development departments, so there are careers in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, energy, petroleum, water and waste management, conservation, mining, and pharmaceuticals. Mostly, their job is to invent new products or improve existing ones. It is also not unusual for chemical engineers to go into business, as a large part of chemical engineering is concerned with converting raw materials into commercially viable products.
Chemical Engineering is an area of study which prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems employing chemical processes, such as chemical reactors, kinetic systems, electrochemical systems, energy conservation processes, heat and mass transfer systems, and separation processes, and the applied analysis of chemical problems such as corrosion, particle abrasion, energy loss, pollution and fluid mechanics.
Bridging Course: Chemical Engineering
The purpose of this course is to enhance and bridge the candidates’ existing skills, knowledge and attitude with the skills, knowledge and attitude required to gain entry to the study towards Diploma in Chemical Engineering. This course 6 months course and it may not be repeated.
Admission Requirements
i) National Senior Certificate (NSC) with rating codes:
- English Home Language 3
- English First Additional Language 3
- Mathematics 3
- Physical Science 3
- Satisfactory achievement in their Home Language 4
- A minimum of 130 total credits, with a maximum of 60 credits with “Partial Achievement”, at NQF Level 4
ii) Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification with a pass in:
- Mathematics E(SG)/F(HG)
- Physical Science E(SG)/F(HG)
- English E(SG)/F(HG)
iii) An N3 qualification with a minimum of 50% passes in English, Mathematics and Physical Science.
iv) An appropriate GCE Certificate with five subjects including Mathematics, Science and English with
Symbol A, B or C. Three of the five subjects must have been passed at the same examination sitting.
v) NCV level 4 with a minimum of 40% pass in English and Mathematics (Mathematical Literacy would not be considered) and a minimum of 50% pass in Physical Science.
ALL ADMISSIONS ARE BASED ON A SELECTION PROCESS ONLY!!!
Applicants who satisfy the minimum requirements will be subjected to a selection process. Applicants will be ranked based on their academic results and selected for admission accordingly. Mathematical Literacy will not be considered.
Diploma in Chemical Engineering
NQF Level: 6
SAQA Credits: 360
Rationale for the Qualification
Professional Chemical Engineering Technicians are characterized by the ability to apply proven, commonly understood techniques, procedures, practices and codes to solve well-defined engineering problems. They manage and supervise chemical engineering operations and activities. They work independently and responsibly within an allocated are or under guidance. Professional Engineering Technicians must therefore have a working understanding of engineering sciences underlying the techniques used, together with financial, commercial legal, socio-economic, health, safety and environmental methodologies, procedures and best practices. The process of professional development of a Professional Engineering Technician starts with the attainment of a qualification that meets this standard. After graduation a programme of training and experience is completed to attain the competencies for registration in the category Professional Engineering Technician.
Statement of Purpose
This qualification is primarily industry oriented. The knowledge emphasizes general principles and application or technology transfer. The qualification provides students with a sound knowledge base in a chemical engineering field and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to particular career or professional contexts, while equipping them to undertake more specialized and intensive learning. Programme leading to this qualification has a strong professional or career focus and holders of this qualification are normally prepared to enter a specific niche in the labour market. Specifically, the purpose of the Diploma in Chemical Engineering is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Professional Engineering Technician. This qualification provides:
- Preparation for careers in engineering and related areas, for achieving technical leadership and to make a contribution to the economy and national development;
- The educational requirement towards registration as a Professional Engineering Technician with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as well as to allow the graduate to pursue careers in engineering and related fields;
- A thorough grounding in mathematics, natural sciences, engineering sciences, engineering modelling, engineering design and the ability to enable applications in fields of emerging knowledge together with an appreciation for the world and society in which engineering is practiced;
- For graduates with an appropriate level of achievement in the programme, the minimum entry requirement for admission to an Advanced Diploma, as specified in E-23-P, designed to support articulation to satisfy an engineering technologist education benchmark qualification.
Admission Requirements
i) National Senior Certificate with rating codes:
- English Home Language 4
- English First Additional Language 4
- Mathematics 4
- Physical Science 4
OR
ii) Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification with passes in:
- Mathematics D(HG)/C(SG)
- Physical Science D(HG)/C(SG)
- English D(HG)/C(SG)
iii) Students who have successfully completed the Chemical Engineering Bridging Course are also considered.
iv) NCV level 4 with a minimum of 50% pass in English and Mathematics (Mathematical Literacy would not be considered) and a minimum of 60% pass in three compulsory vocational subjects: Physical Science, Process Technology and Process Chemistry or Process Control.
ALL ADMISSIONS ARE BASED ON A SELECTION PROCESS ONLY!!!
Applicants who satisfy the minimum requirements will be subjected to a selection process. Applicants will be ranked based on their academic results and selected for admission accordingly. Mathematical Literacy will not be considered.
Duration of Study
The minimum duration of study is three years, of which two years are spent in the University full time study, plus 1 year of appropriate Work Integrated Learning as a learner technician. All instructional offerings indicated in the next section are compulsory.
National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical
NQF Level: 6
SAQA Credits: 360
NB: The National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical has been phased out with effect from January 2018.
Students who fail to obtain the necessary credits after two attempts or acquire the qualification within a period of twice of minimum prescribed time are required to migrate to the Diploma in Chemical Engineering programme. Credits for the subjects within which Graduate Attributes are assessed will not be granted and they need to be repeated regardless of previous achievements. The department has not been offering S1 and S2 levels of the National Diploma programme as from January 2019, and S3 and S4 subjects as from January 2022. Last date for completion of this qualification is December 2023.
Rationale for the Qualification
The Engineering profession contributes to the technological, socio-economic, built environment and environmental infrastructure of the country, facilitating socio-economic growth and sustainability. A National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical and Bachelor of Technology: Engineering: Chemical aim to meet the needs of the country in respect of engineering competence. Chemical Engineering is an area of study which prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems employing chemical processes, such as chemical reactors, kinetic systems, electrochemical systems, energy conservation processes, heat and mass transfer systems, separation processes analysis of chemical problems such as corrosion, particle abrasion, energy loss, pollution and fluid mechanics.
Statement of Purpose
This qualification is intended for process or chemical engineering technicians working in the process related industries. Learners achieving this qualification have the competence to apply existing process technology to chemical engineering problems in chemical processes and plant operations. The target market for the qualification is primarily (but not limited to) the chemical and allied industry.
Duration of Study
The minimum duration of study is three years, of which two years are spent in the University full time study, plus 1 year of appropriate Work Integrated Learning as a learner technician. All the instructional offerings are compulsory.
Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering
NQF Level: 7
SAQA Credits: 142
Rationale for the Qualification
This qualification is aimed at Process or Chemical Engineering Technologists working in the process related industries. This qualification is primarily industry oriented. The process of professional development in engineering has three principal phases: education, training and experience leading to registration and continual development during practice.
Statement of Purpose
In this qualification the knowledge component emphasises general principles and application or technology transfer. The qualification provides students with a sound knowledge and skills in their professional life while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning. The purpose of the qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Engineering Technologist. Professional Engineering Technologists are characterized by the ability to apply established and newly developed engineering technology to solve broadly defined problems, develop components, systems, services and processes. They provide leadership in the application of technology in safety, health, engineering and commercially effective operations and have well-developed interpersonal skills. They work independently and responsibly, applying judgment to decisions arising in the application of technology and health and safety considerations to problems and associated risks. Professional Engineering Technologists have a specialised understanding of engineering sciences underlying a deep knowledge of specific technologies together with financial, commercial, legal, social and economic, health, safety and environmental matters.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirement for admission into the qualification is either: an appropriate Diploma, NQF level 6 or a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
Duration of Programme
The minimum formal study time is one-year full time or two years part-time. All the instructional offerings are compulsory.
Please note, the intake of new students only takes place in the first semester