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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
66518  Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  576  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Electrical and Computer Engineering is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering which combines a fundamental study in electrical engineering with computing. Apart from receiving a thorough grounding in both electrical engineering and computing, the Electrical and Computer Engineering learner at the institution will gain a foundation of understanding in physical science, advanced engineering mathematics, microcomputer technology and systematic engineering design.

The Electrical and Computer engineer in industry may require expertise across a broad range of engineering disciplines, and will be especially well-suited to a career in networking, control & instrumentation, power systems and telecommunications. Electrical and Computer engineers may also become involved in fields such as bio-medical engineering, machine vision or signal & image processing. Established institutions of higher learning in South Africa that offer electrical engineering have to move towards computer engineering to remain current. The vast interest shown in this field means that capacity to produce the necessary skilled workforce is being stretched nationally. The qualification would enhance South Africa's capacity to produce suitably qualified engineering graduates to satisfy our industrial needs.

Rationale:
If South Africa is to remain competitive its industry needs to be supplied with suitably qualified engineering graduates. The institution has offered engineering for decades and the Electrical and Computer Engineering qualification represents an adjustment to the engineering qualifications to ensure that the Institution keeps up to date with international developments in this field. Computers, networks, telecommunications, process control and a host of other industries make use of computers in a variety of forms from small in-built microcontrollers that are found in washing machines to large process control computers that control industrial installations. The Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate is positioned educationally to serve this national need. The qualification has grown out of the mainstream electrical engineering qualification. Currently one hundred eighty learners are enrolled for the qualification as approved by ECSA. This makes it a well-supported qualification. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Faculty has in place measures to evaluate the qualifications of diplomates or learners from other institutions for the purpose of granting credit towards its qualifications. The granting of credits in recognition of experiential learning acquired through the workplace is considered on an individual basis.

Electrical and Computer Engineering will build on aligned school level subjects, particularly adequate levels of Mathematics and Physics. These are especially important since they underpin the early qualification work in the qualification, and on which subsequent material needs to build. In addition to numeracy proficiency, other competencies required include language competence and communication skills, especially in English as this is the medium of instruction and also prepares the learners for absorbing and contributing to the technical literature in this engineering field. In addition the learner should be able to deal with the volume of academic and practical material that is expected to be absorbed in each year for the duration of the qualification.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Fundamental (144 Credits).
    Core (374 Credits).
    Elective (58 Credits).
    Total (576 Credits). 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Specific Outcomes including personal outcomes (contextually demonstrated):
    Graduates of the BScECE will be competent to:
  • Undertake or propose electrical and computer engineering designs, procedures and/or processes that integrate first-principle solutions or code approaches with an understanding of the use of materials, all within the context of maximum economy and due regard for the environment.
  • Assist in planning, managing, construction, operation and maintenance of electrical and computer engineering systems or processes with due regard for the health and safety of personnel, and within the constraints of a budget.
  • Access, manipulate, process, provide and use spatially referenced data for the solution of electrical and computer engineering problems.
  • Exercise leadership and managerial skills in the wider engineering and business environment, thus enhancing productivity and effectiveness. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate understanding of basic electrical and computer engineering sciences so as to exercise innovative and independent thinking that provides solutions.
  • Understand the inter-relation of the various members of the engineering team, and of the impact of construction processes on the final product.
  • Show existence of understanding the meaning and use of data.
  • Identify the necessary qualifications of action to facilitate the electrical and computer engineering or managerial process and put them effectively in place.
  • Produce a written project report (thesis) that appropriately describes an engineering, problem, the methodology to solve the problem, and the best solution to the problem.
  • Demonstrate an understanding that the world is a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not occur in isolation, and provide solutions that are technically, economically, environmentally or managerially viable and benefit society in a way that improves the quality of life or industrial competitiveness.
  • Produce output that demonstrates clearly own contribution and the benefits of interaction with others in solving complex problems.
  • Understand the need to exercise ethics in the workplace and to have a reasonable appreciation of law.
  • Access and assimilate information through various means such as reading, attending lectures, workshops and seminars and the electronic media.
  • Collect, organise, analyse, critically, evaluate, rework and synthesise information.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners are assessed for each qualification module through a range of methods, including formal examinations, group and individual assignments, class tests and projects. These are designed to enable them to demonstrate their critical understanding of the subject matter to which they have been exposed as well as their competence to deal with practice-based problems or issues arising out of that subject matter. In the final year the learner overall competence is evaluated through the fourth year thesis project. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Many institutions worldwide are now offering qualifications or qualifications in Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of New Hampshire, University of Illinois, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, Rice University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Universite Laval to mention but a few), and it is increasingly recognised that the combination of electrical engineering and computer studies equips graduates with an excellent basis upon which to build valuable engineering roles in modern industry.
    The Electrical and Computer Engineering qualification has been fully accredited by ECSA. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Electrical and Computer Engineering degree programme is one of three programmes offered in the Department of Electrical Engineering. These programmes are flexible enough to enable easy movement from one to another in the first six months when there is some overlap between programme content, and young students are unsure of their initial choices. Changing programmes becomes progressively more difficult in later years. Students may also elect to move to the Computer Science programme in the Faculty of Science. Graduates of the Electrical and Computer Engineering programme who meet the requirements will be eligible for admission to postgraduate studies at masters and doctoral levels. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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. University of Cape Town 


    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.