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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118140  Doctor of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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  2021-03-25  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 Doctor of Philosophy in Metallurgical Engineering qualification targets those interested in pursuing research-oriented careers in the fields of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering. This qualification will accommodate both the common branches of Metallurgy i.e. Extractive and Physical Metallurgy. Based on the success of ongoing collaborative research with other institutes within and outside South Africa, the program is expected to benefit from the more technologically advanced specialised areas in materials technology within the collaborative network.

The qualification duration will typically be 3-5 years of research-based. This will include workshop, technical training and conference attendance, publishing technical work, and undergraduate learner mentoring. Furthermore, the institution intends to engage the industry in coming up with innovative solutions to problems by utilising PhD-based research. It is also expected that this will impart an entrepreneurial flair to the learners through interacting directly with industry (both small and large scale businesses).

The purpose of the qualification is expected to provide the learner with advanced professional and academic knowledge within the metallurgical and materials engineering fields of study through conducting fundamental and applied research at a greater depth and scope. This coupled with a comprehensive literature review will enable learners to develop strategic and innovative solutions to the existing industry or community problems.

Rationale:
Following the National Development Plan 2030 published in 2012, there is a clear indication that the engineering discipline has a critical shortage of academics. Furthermore, the national drive towards a knowledge-based economy requires that universities focus more on research and the production of Postgraduate Degrees to sustain this initiative. It is also envisaged that some of the on-going research requires further inquiry at the doctoral level, this creates a need for such an offering within the institution.

There is a need for the qualification in the South African context to broaden the knowledge base of researchers in the country and to improve learner access, success, throughput rates and the development of the scarce and critical skills needed for South Africa's socio-economic development.

Furthermore, the qualification design emanates from the urgent need for professionals, specialists and other practitioners in the engineering sector, to understand, interrogate, analyse, and evaluate the complex nature of engineering through theoretically grounded research to solve societal and engineering-related problems. This will be achieved through introducing prospective learners to the vocabulary, concepts and fundamental disciplinary knowledge and skills, research skills, approaches and methods that are crucial to deal with the complexities in the South African engineering context.

Through national, regional and institutional collaborations, a conducive and intellectually stimulating learning environment for developing and supporting research-based activities will be provided. The qualification design was aligned to the directives, policies and legislation of CHE, DHET, SAQA and the institution. The focus is on increasing research and innovation, improving the quality of research, and build on areas of strength identified as important for national development. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution's RPL policy will guide this process. A committee consisting of internal and external panel members will engage in an evaluation process.
The details of the Faculty RPL policy are as follows, presuming no prior accredited learning has taken place:
  • Learner applies for RPL against the module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department (Head of Department-HOD).
  • If the RPL is not awarded, an appeals application to an independently appointed Moderator or Registrar can be done. The process of moderation will then resume.
  • If the RPL is awarded, an exemption form is completed and the learner may continue with full registration.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits:
  • Thesis/Research Project, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in Metallurgical Engineering or related and relevant fields, discipline or practices and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives, and create new knowledge or practice.
    2. Contribute to the scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of production, in metallurgical engineering studies and related fields of practice.
    3. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems and or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex metallurgical related contexts.
    4. Apply specialised knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical metallurgical engineering-related problems.
    5. Make independent judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.
    6. Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and advance processes of ethical decision making, monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of decisions.
    7. Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable research which meets international standards, that makes a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice.
    8. Professionally communicate strategies by disseminating and defending the research.
    9. Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in metallurgical engineering or relevant related fields.
    10. Ability to operate independently, professionally and ethically, and take full responsibility for own work, and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply academic writing skills.
  • Identify the specific research problem.
  • Conduct relevant research in the field of Metallurgical Engineering.
  • Review relevant literature to obtain the necessary knowledge to conduct PhD level research.
  • Collect relevant data to support the research.
  • Analyse data into relevant (appropriate) information.
  • Apply metallurgical engineering knowledge, research data and information to conceptualise new research initiatives.
  • Present research findings ethically and professionally.
  • Present an ethical and professional thesis/dissertation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Contribute and apply integrated knowledge through scholarly debates around theories, knowledge and processes of production.
  • Engage in specialised and complex metallurgical engineering studies and related fields of practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems and or technologies.
  • Apply appropriate original, creative and innovative ways in developing new methods, techniques, processes, systems and/or technologies to specialise and address complex metallurgical related problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply specialised knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address and solve complex practical and theoretical metallurgical engineering-related problems using literature, theories and related approaches or practices.
  • Address complex practical and theoretical metallurgical engineering-related problems by applying specialised knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways.
  • Identify critical metallurgical and engineering-related problems in the field of study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Manage incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for developing new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.
  • Make judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues.
  • Apply specialised skills and integrated knowledge to identify, addressing and managing emerging ethical issues in the field of research and specifically engineering studies, to advance processes of ethical decision making, monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Conduct substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable research which meets international standards, that makes a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice of metallurgical engineering.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Professionally communicate strategies.
  • Apply advanced skills and technologies and present and communicate specialised strategies professionally and ethically to a diverse audience when disseminating and defending the research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research, as well as research development in metallurgical engineering or relevant related fields.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Conduct independent research professionally and ethically and show accountability for the overall, governance of processes and systems.
  • Operate independently, professionally and ethically, and taking full responsibility for his or her work, and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment methods were reviewed and compared to international and national norms and standards, the majority of institutions appoint two external examiners at PhD level one being international and the other national. The following steps are taken during the assessment process:
  • Submission of a completed Thesis after completion of research work.
  • The nomination of credible examiners by the head of the department.
  • Nominated candidate's CVs and documentation submitted to the Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) for approval.
  • HDC approval and appointment of external examiners.
  • Mark allocated forwarded to HDC for approval. The approved marks forwarded to SENATE for final approval and awarding of the Degree. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Alabama
    Qualification title: PhD in Metallurgical Engineering

    Similarities in practices and standards:
  • The research conducted is an original piece of work that contributes substantial new knowledge to the field. Supervisors assist in the preparatory phase of the qualification until completion.

    Qualification Design:
  • Research-based.

    Country: India
    Institution: Saurashtra University
    Qualification title: PhD (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)

    The PhD (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) is a Doctoral-level qualification. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering is a specific subject that provides the study of basic sciences and metallurgical engineering to extract and refine metals and to manufacture products. The qualification is centred on the study of material systems for metallurgical and materials applications. The qualification is offered over three years and the admission requirements is a Master Degree in Metallurgical Engineering which is similar to the South African qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in 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.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.