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. |
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Electronic Engineering |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
120766 | Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Electronic Engineering | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Durban University of Technology | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
Honours Degree | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Engineering and Related Design | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 120 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Registered | EXCO 0815/23 | 2023-04-18 | 2026-04-18 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2027-04-18 | 2030-04-18 |
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 Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering is a specialisation qualification designed to prepare learners for careers in engineering and related areas as well as higher-level postgraduate studies and professional registration. The qualification consolidates and deepens the learner's expertise in electronic engineering and develops research capacity in the methodology and techniques of those disciplines while equipping them to undertake more intensive learning. The purpose of this qualification is to develop specialist knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for becoming a competent practising engineer. This qualification prepares learners for careers in engineering and related areas, for achieving technological proficiency and leadership and to contribute to the economy and national development. Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to: Rationale: The engineering skills shortage has a widespread effect on South Africa. It affects the level of economic productivity and reduces the country's capacity to develop a knowledgeable society. This, in turn, affects the country's functioning in the current globalised business environment and global economy. This qualification provides aspiring electrical engineers with the knowledge to operate and enhance electrical engineering processes in an efficient, safe, and profitable way. Engineering is an activity that encompasses initiatives, services and the solution to problems that are of importance to society and the economy. These engineering activities are generally undertaken by a range of engineering practitioners namely engineers, technologists, technicians, and artisans. This qualification is intended to provide, in combination with the Professional coursework Master's in Engineering, the educational base for the development of a Professional Engineer with knowledge and attributes to work in a wide spectrum of industries including the telecommunication, electronic, computer, automation and energy industries. The various levels of practitioners recognized in categories of registration under the Engineering Profession Act and regulated by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) are Professional Engineer, Professional Engineering Technologist, Professional Engineering Technician and Professional Certificated Engineer. This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Electronic Engineering forms part of a combination of qualifications to meet the educational requirements for registration in the category of learner engineer. Qualifying learners can develop and improve, technical procedures, practices, and codes, to solve complex electrical engineering problems. They manage and supervise engineering operations, construction, and activities. Professional Engineers will be able to apply established and newly developed engineering technology. Learners will be able to solve complex electrical engineering problems and design components, systems, services, and processes. They will be able to provide leadership in the application of technology and commercially effective operations. They will work independently and responsibly, applying judgement to decisions arising in the implementation of technology to problems and associated risks. Professional Engineers must, therefore, have a specialised understanding of the engineering science that underpins specific technologies together with financial, commercial, legal, social, economic, health, safety, and environmental matters. The qualification will target Supervisors, Inspectors and Entrepreneurs in the country. Also, the qualification will provide opportunities in the different disciplines of engineering, offering access towards Technicians, Technologists, Engineers, and Researchers. The qualification is beneficial to the economy and society as it addresses some of the training needs indicated in the Higher Education and Training Framework for the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDSIII). Skilled electrical engineers are required to meet the developmental needs of the country in all manufacturing and electrical engineering production fields. Qualifications leading to this qualification tend to have a strong vocational, professional or career focus and holders of this qualification will enter a specific niche in the labour market. The particular purpose of educational qualifications designed to meet this qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practising Professional Engineer. The qualification is endorsed by ECSA, and the qualification is aligned to the ECSA Accreditation Standards in line with the internationally accepted engineering accreditation standards. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification. RPL for access: RPL for exemption of modules: RPL for credit: Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: Or Or Or Or Or |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 7 and 8 totalling 152 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 8 Credits: Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 144 Credits: |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Apply mathematical modelling and analysis to solve complex engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
2. Demonstrate competence to apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, and engineering sciences to the conceptualization of engineering models and to solving complex engineering problems. 3. Demonstrate competence to perform creative, procedural, and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products, or processes of a complex nature. 4. Demonstrate competence to conduct investigations of complex engineering problems including engagement with the research literature and use of research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions. 5. Demonstrate competence to use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction, and modelling, for the solution of complex engineering problems, with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions, and constraints. 6. Demonstrate competence to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large. 7. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of engineering activities on society, economy, industrial and physical environment. 8. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles. 9. Demonstrate competence to engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills. 10. Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities, and norms of engineering practice. 11. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and economic decision-making. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11: |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
International comparability of engineering education qualifications is ensured through the Washington, Sydney, and Dublin Accords, all being members of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA). The standard of the proposed qualification is comparable with the Washington Accord Graduate Attributes. Washington Accord signatories are Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, India, Ireland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Russia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The graduate attributes and level descriptors defined in this qualification are aligned with the International Engineering Alliance's Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies. Further purposes of comparability and qualifications from various institutions in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world were examined. Qualifications from the developed world were not looked at in detail, because by meeting the requirements of the Washington Accord these qualifications would all by design share many similarities. Most institutions offer a combined four-year professional honours degree as opposed to the South African (SA) qualification. Three institutions were chosen, based on their ranking by various metrics. The institutions chosen were the American University in Cairo and the University of Nairobi. These three institutions all offered a four-year degree with Honours. Country: Egypt Institution: American University in Cairo Qualification Title: Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering Credits: 162 Duration: Four-and-a-half-years full time Entry Requirements: High-school learners with a mathematics or science background are accepted depending on their high-school grades. Rationale: The qualification is suitable for learners interested in dynamic industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer goods, defence, desalination, electronics, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, power generation, satellite communication stations, and telecommunications. The electronics and communications engineering qualification at AUC graduates an electronics and communications engineer who, within a few years of graduation, fulfils societal needs, with consideration for ethical and environmental issues and an appreciation of lifelong learning, in one or more of the following roles: Exit Learning Outcomes: By completing the requirements of the Electronics and Communications Engineering Program at AUC, learners will be able to: Learners are required to participate in an industry internship to get introduced to the job market and form connections with potential employers. Internship opportunities are available with industry partners such as Alcatel, Cisco, Electronics Research Institute, Elsewedy Electric, Etisalat, Halliburton, Intel, Mars, Orange, Siemens, Valeo, and Vodafone, among others. Learners also participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as field trips and local and international competitions. The electronics and communications engineering curriculum requires a solid core of foundation courses in physics, mathematics, computer science and general engineering. Concentration courses in electronics and communications engineering that integrate theory and laboratory wherever possible, cover electromagnetism, circuits, electronics, digital design, and communications. Courses in electric machinery, classical control and computer systems are also required, as well as the capstone senior thesis and an industrial internship. The Electronics and Communications Engineering program is also accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Qualification structure: A total of 162 credits are required for the Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications engineering: Core Curriculum Requirements, 36 credits. Engineering Core Requirements, 57 credits. Concentration Requirements, 54 credits. Concentration Electives, 12 credits. General Electives, 3 credits. Similarities: Differences: Country: Kenya Institution: University of Nairobi Qualification Title: Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Duration: Five years full time Credits: 76 Credits Entry requirements: Or Or Or Rationale: The purpose of the qualification is to provide relevant skills and knowledge to the learners to be competent engineers in the field of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Electrical and Electronic Engineering forms the basis of very important sectors of the industry. Electrical engineers provide skilled labour in the fields of Telecommunications, Power generation and distribution, computing systems, and control systems. The knowledge imparted to the learners during the five years of training is expected to prepare them to work in the industry or go into self-employment. Expected Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course the learner should be able to: Qualification structure: The undergraduate learners shall complete the following course units (including laboratories): Total Credits: 76 Laboratories shall have 60 hours per semester and shall comprise one course unit, except in the first year of study when they shall have 45 hours. There shall be a practical assignment term lasting for eight weeks at the end of the first year of study. There shall also be an industrial attachment of undergraduate learners arranged to take place during the long vacations of the third and fourth years of study. Similar modules with the SA qualification: Similarities: Differences: Conclusion: The comparison showed that the general course structure is fixed in the first three years of the above qualifications, with the fourth year consisting of multiple electives, thus enabling specialisation. The first three years of these qualifications are broadly comparable to the SA qualification containing typically physics, mathematics, digital electronics, embedded systems, control systems, design, and communications. The final year of these qualifications, analogous to the SA qualification, consists of typical engineering subjects, as mentioned previously as well as specialised topics such as composite materials, vibrations and similar. They also featured capstone design projects, which formed a large part of the available credits. This approach was also seen at various other institutions that were examined. The structure and content of the proposed qualification align well with the content of the four-year professional degrees chosen for comparability. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
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. | Durban University of Technology |
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. |