SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
112959	Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
ORIGINATOR
North West University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 10	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to enable an academic career. This qualification allows the learner to undertake independent research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. The thesis is done under the guidance of a supervisor in a particular subject area within the field of Engineering, building on knowledge normally gained at Master's or equivalent level. The thesis and research presented must constitute a substantial contribution to the national and international advancement of knowledge and understanding in Engineering through original research that meets international standards.

Rationale:
Engineering is a discipline and profession that serves the needs of society and the economy. The qualification is meant to equip qualified learners with highly advanced knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in several specialist areas in Engineering. These provisions create opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, the pursuit of gainful economic activity, and the ability to make rewarding contributions to society.

Furthermore, the industry needs engineers with advanced knowledge and skills to contribute to infrastructure and economic growth, to the benefit of the community at large. This qualification produces qualified learners who play an important role in the specialist-consulting sphere. The ultimate rationale of the qualification is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of experts in the field of Engineering, ensuring that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based scholarly activity extends. Included here, is the development of new knowledge frameworks for the expansion of the field of engineering in general.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, the institution uses RPL to grant access to the qualification. The institution applies RPL according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and assessment (CHE 2016) and the institution's RPL policy.

The Faculty of Engineering manages the RPL process:

Using the RPL policy, the Faculty of Engineering implements quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems.

Learners must have NQF Level 9 competencies.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Master of Philosophy in Engineering, NQF Level 9.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises of compulsory thesis at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 360 Credits:
Thesis, 360 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Understand expertise and critical knowledge and high levels of theory in a complex and specialised area of Engineering.
2. Apply Intellectual independence and advanced research skills through the ability to sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in a specific field of Engineering and the competence to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within relevant local and global contexts as well as across disciplines.
3. Deal with complexity, lacunae and contradictions in the knowledge base of Engineering.
4. Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
5. Communicate and defend the research problem, research process, research results and the originality of the contribution.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Provide clear and convincing evidence of original work and make a significant, novel contribution to knowledge in the field of study concerned.

Identify and solve problems where responses display that responsible decision-making and critical and creative thinking.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Develop a comprehensive and systematic report on a research project in the format of a doctoral thesis.

Write research articles suitable for publication in refereed journals and other scientific reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Identify and solve problems where responses display that responsible decision-making and critical and creative thinking.

Produce a clear and systematic presentation of the material and logical exposition of the argument.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Execute autonomous, independent judgments about information and concepts at highly abstract levels.

Make evaluations of research results based on independently generated criteria and confirm that the proposed solution solves the research problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Compile an appropriately structured and coherent written thesis to communicate and defend the research problem, research process, research results and originality of the contribution.

Present in traditional monograph format, or as a thesis based on a series of journal articles authored by the candidate.

Disseminate some research results employing academic journals or conferences.

Integrated Assessment:
Formative Assessment:
Monitoring of the research progress occurs via regular discussions between the supervisor and the respective learner. A progress report, signed by the learner and supervisor, is periodically submitted to the research director. Final assessment, according to the institution's policy for the assessment of the qualification theses, involves the submission of a written dissertation, examined by at least three unattached examiners.

Summative Assessment:
Final assessment is aligned with the institution's policy for the assessment of the qualification theses and involves the submission of a written dissertation, examined by at least three unattached examiners.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom offers Qualification Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering.

This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the University of Manchester as it signifies recognition of the successful completion of a period of supervised research and training. Attainment of the qualification is evidence indicating the capacity of the learner to pursue research and make an original contribution to knowledge.

The University of Auckland in New Zealand offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, which is similar to the qualification offered by the institution in the purpose of the qualification and duration of study. Both these qualifications focus on undertaking advanced, independent and original research. The research enables graduates to pursue a specialisation of their choice under the supervision of world-class academics and gain the advanced knowledge needed for specialised industry or consulting positions, or teaching or academia.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows for horizontal articulation only.

Horizontal Articulation:

Doctoral of Engineering, NQF Level 10.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	North West University