SAQA

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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
19590	Master of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 2663/05	2006-07-01	2009-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30		2013-06-30

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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
73989	Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	180	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The aim of the qualification is to develop an engineering intellectual with advanced abilities in applying fundamental engineering sciences or related interdisciplinary principles to specific problems of society at large. One of the main objectives in this process is to develop an advanced capability to do independent engineering research of inter/interdisciplinary in a fundamental manner. It also enforces an approach to lifelong learning.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Applied competences associated with applicable NQF level 7 or honours level.

An approved four year bachelor degree in Engineering or similar approved degree on a honours level.

Approval of qualifications of prospective candidates is done by the Dean's committee or its representative on acceptance of written application, completed enrollment forms and on condition that applicable fees have been paid,

Final acceptance into the programme is only given after successful presentation of a research seminar after six months of enrollment. Research topics must also be accepted and approved by the supervisors in the faculty.

Learners who are (or have been) registered for this or another related qualification (or even for the same or related modules) at another higher education institution, will be allowed to enter in mid-stream by the dean or the dean's committee on acceptance of written application, completed enrollment forms and on condition that applicable fees have been paid. Such learners may retain credit for modules that have been passed or request of the learner recognition by the previous institution and approval by the dean's committee at the relevant faculty at this institution. The onus rests on the learner to provide full evidence of outcomes attained through modules for which credit is sought. An oral adequate form of evaluation may be required of the learner for modules for research activity for which credit is sought. The learner shall however not present a research dissertation that has already been accredited at another institution and may have been found lacking.

Recognition of prior learning:

An RPL procedure will also be in place covering the following essentials:

*Candidates supply at own cost all relevant information and documentation.
*Candidatesw will pay a fee determined by RAU & be assessed via RPL.
*RPL can be done at individual module or on an individual level.
*All RPL applications are handled at a predetermined time in the academic year.
RPL applications are referred by the Dean/Deans committee to the relevant dpeartmental chairperson for evaluation and recommendation.
RPL candidates may be required to be assessed orally or in written format on module or combined level for access to degrees and higher degrees.
RPL assessment is typically done by a faculty committee constituted for that purpose.
RPL in the faculty of engineering is done within the RPL-framework policy of the RAU.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The learner should be able to:

1. Identify, assess, formulate, interpret, analyze and solve engineering research and development problems creatively and innovatively by applying relevant fundemental knowledge of i.e. mathemathics, basic science and engineering sciences in the chosen field of research.

2. Plan an manage engineering research projects demonstrating an underlying fundamental knowledge, understanding and insight into the principles, methodologies and concepts that constitute socially responsible (to local and other communities) engineering research/development in the chosen field of research practice.

3. Work effectively individually or with others as a member of a team, group, organization, and community or in multidisciplinary environments in the chosen field of research;

4. Organize and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly, effectively, professionally and ethically and take responsibility within his/her own limits of competence and to exercise judgment commensurate with knowledge and expertise pertaining to the field of research;

5. Plan and conduct applicable level of investigations, research and /or experiments by applying appropriate theories and methodologies and perform data analysis and interpretation

6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering and specifically research audiences and the community at large in so far as they are affected by the research using appropriate structure, style and graphical support;

7. Use and assess appropriate research methods, skills, tools, technology and information technology effectively and critically in engineering research/development practice and show an understanding and a willingness to accept responsibility for the impact that engineering research/development activities have on society and the environment

8. Perform procedural and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, works, products or processes as a set of related systems and assess their social, legal, health, safety and environmental impacts and benefits where applicable in the chosen field of reserach;

9. Employ various learning strategies and skills to master outcomes required preparing him/herself to engage in continuous learning to keep abreast of knowledge and skills required in the engineering field.

10. Participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national, and global communities by acting professionally and ethically in the chosen field of research;

11. Demonstrate where applicable cultural and aesthetic sensitivity across a range of social context in the execution of engineering research and development activities

12. Explore where applicable education and career opportunities through engineering problem solving, design, technical research and managerial skills.

13. Organise and develop entrepreneurial opportunities through engineering, technical research, development and/or managerial skills.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The learner can: / Does the learner:

1. Engineering research is identified, assessed, formulated, interpreted, analysed and completed effectively creatively and innovatively by applying relevant fundamental knowledge of mathematics, basic science and engineering sciences .

2. Engineering research projects are planned and managed so that an underlying fundamental knowledge, understanding and insight into the principles, methodologies and concepts that constitute socially responsible (to local and other communities) engineering research/development practice are demonstrated.

3. Participation as a member of a research team, group, organization, and community or in multidisciplinary research/development projects results in leadership and the performance of critical functions in the chosen field of research.

4. Activities are organized and managed responsibly, effectively,professionally and ethically, responsibility is taken within his/her own limits of competence and judgment is exercised in commensuration with knowledge and expertise pertaining to the field of research.

5. Advanced investigations, research and/or experiments are effectively planned and conducted by applying appropriate theories and methodologies and suitable data analysis and interpretation at applicable appropriate level are performed.

6. Communication is effectively carried out, both orally and in writing, with research audiences need the community at large in so far as they are affected by the research using appropriate structure, style and graphical support.
A research dissertation is written on the chosen field displaying adequate appropriate literary and technical skills.

7. Appropriate engineering research methods, skills, tools, technology and information technology are effectively and critically used and assessed in engineering research/development practice and an understanding and a willingness to accept responsibility for the impact that engineering research/development activities have on society and the environment are shown.

8. Procedural and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, works, products of processes are performed as a set of related systems and their social, legal, health, safety and environmental impacts and benefits are field assessed where applicable in the chosen field of research.

9. Applicable learning strategies and skills are employed to master outcomes in preparation to engage in continuous learning to keep abreast of knowledge and skills required in the applicable research field.

10. Responsible citizenship is practiced in terms of the local, national and global communities by acting and ethically in the application of chosen research.

11. Cultural and aesthetic sensitivity are shown where applicable across a range of social context in the execution of engineering research/development activities.

12. Education and career opportunities in engineering research/development are explored where applicable

13. Relevant entrepreneurial opportunities are organised and developed through engineering, technical research and/or managerial skills acquired in the research.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Learners are continuously assessed via informal tests, tasks, and/or projects (in written or oral mode). They may also be required to do research and/or design projects that are properly documented and presented to co-learners during seminar sessions. Successful presentation of progress on research at six monthly seminars is required. Regular meetings with supervisors to discuss and evaluate progress.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Learners are exposed to one written or oral examination per topic - towards the end of each semester where applicable. A semester mark of 40% is the minimum admission requirement for examination. The minimum pass requirement is 50% for all examination topics. Learners are also required to submit a written mini or full research dissertation on a chosen engineering research topic. The dissertation is examined and contributes between 25% and 100% of the final mark awarded. An oral examination on the research topic and related fields is required. The mark for the oral contributes 50% towards the final mark for the dissertation.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Access to qualifications on a lower level:
Learners who are (or have been) registered for this or another related qualification (or even for the same or related modules) at another higher education institution, will be allowed to enter in mid stream by the dean or dean's committee on acceptance of written application, completed enrollment forms and on condition that the applicable fees have been paid. Such learners may retain credits for modules that have been passed on request of the learner after recognition by the previous institution and approval by the dean's committee of the relevant faculty or institution. The onus rests on the learner to provide full evidence of outcomes attained through modules for which credit is sought. An oral or adequate form of evaluation may e required of the learner for modules for which credit is sought. The leaner shall however not present a research dissertation that have already been accredited at another institution and may has been found lacking.

Access to qualifications on the same level:

Learners, who want to switch to another qualification or onother modules at this institution, may do so within a period of three weeks after the start of the semester. They will retain full credit for modules that may have been passed.
If learners want to continue their studies at another higher education institution, they may switch towards the end of the first or the second semester. This institution and the new institution will accredit all modules that have been passed or researched conducted pending approval of the faculties of the institutions involved.

Access to qualifications on a higher level:

Studies on the same level: This qualification is on the NQF level 8. The following possibilities for continuation of studies within other higher education programmes typically exist:
a MBA degree- programme
Another MSc. Degree-programme at any other university
AM.Tech. Degree-programme at any technikon.

Further studies: Having obtained this qualification, the following possibilities for further study of higher education programmes exist:
*Post graduate higher diploma programme at any university
*Doctoral programme at any university.

MODERATION OPTIONS

External examiners are appointed for master dissertations and oral examination by the Dean on recommendation of the supervisor of the candidate and chairman of the Department.

Maximum 2 external examiners for a master dissertation, 1 for mini dissertation from other tertiary institutions, relevant engineering industry and/or international engineering industry/institutions.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

A.Normally a relevant masters degree or appointment as academic staff member at a tertiary institution.

B.Relevant engineering /research experience/ appointment as academic staff member at a tertiary institution.

C. Normally first time assessors may be introduced as co-supervisors for masters dissertations.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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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.

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