VUT Mechanical Engineering, the purpose of the qualification National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for the student’s further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Mechanical Engineering Technician.
It is intended to subsequently empower candidate Engineering Technicians to demonstrate that they are capable of applying their acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values in the work environments in South Africa. It is designed also to add value to the qualifying student in terms of enrichment of the person, status and recognition.
Career Opportunities
A Technician is a person in possession of at least a National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical. The task of the Technician in the design field is to assist the Engineer / Technologist with the design of new products or equipment for use in industry or society.
A Technician in the maintenance field must see to it that preventive or scheduled maintenance is done on all machines in order to prevent interruptions in production. The activities in Mechanical Engineering can therefore be grouped into design, maintenance, electromechanical and project work where the latter includes aspects such as planning of projects, cost control, evaluation of tenders, negotiations with contractors, control over the progress of the project, co-ordination of all the interested departments and commissioning of the completed project.
In any heavy or light manufacturing industry, e.g. the chemical industry, iron and steel manufacturing industry, mining industry, power stations, transport services, provisional and government services, etc. Technicians are much sought after and a career in this field is lucrative and rewarding.
Hierarchy of Qualifications
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Baccalaureus Technologiae (B Tech) Advanced Diploma
Postgraduate Diploma
Magister Technologiae (M Tech)/ Masters of Engineering (MEng) Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (DEng)
1. Admission Requirements:
| Subjects | Diploma | |
| NSC Endorsements | Eligibility for Dip or B Tech Degree | |
| Compulsory SubjectsMathematics Physical Science EnglishTotal | 4443 x 4 = 12 | Note* 3 = 40-49% * 4 = 50-59% * 5 = 60-69% * 6 = 70-79% * 7 = 80-89% * 8 = 90-99% |
| Any other 4 subjects with a minimum of 3Total | 4 X 3 = 1224 |
Applicants with a National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4
| National Certificate (Vocational) | Compulsory Subjects | Minimum | APS | %3 = 40 – 49% 4 = 50 – 59% 5 = 60 – 69 % 6 = 70 – 79 % 7 = 80 – 89 % 8 = 90 – 100% |
| English | 4 | |||
| Mathematics | 4 | |||
| Physical Sciences/ Applied Engineering Technology | 4 | |||
| Any other three vocational subjects | 5 x 3 | |||
| Total | 27 |
| SCNational Senior Certificate | Compulsory Subjects EnglishMathematics Physical ScienceAny THREE other subjects excluding Life OrientationTotal | Minimum 4443 X3 = 0921 | 3 = 40 – 49% 4 = 50 – 59% 5 = 60 – 69 % 6 = 70 – 79 % 7 = 80 – 89 %8 = 90 – 100 % |
Note: Scholars who do not qualify for the Diploma Programmes may apply for the extended diploma programmes. Tel: (016) 950-9589. For details on the pre diploma programmes see VUT website www.vut.ac.za
- Programme Structure: Diploma Six semesters University
The Vaal University of Technology is not responsible for providing opportunities for work integrated learning but will assist students in obtaining such opportunities. This Department offers the following fields of study in this programme:
Design and Electromechanical. All students are required to complete at least one of the two streams. Note that the medium of instruction is English.
2.1 Curriculum
Semester 1: Applied Communication Skills 1.1, Engineering Chemistry 1, Engineering Skills 1, ICT Skills 1, Mathematics 1, Physics 1, Social Intelligence 1
Semester 2: Applied Communication Skills 1.2, Computing Applications 2, Engineering Chemistry 2, Engineering Drawing 1, Mathematics 2, Physics 2, Safety Principles and Law 1
Semester 3: Mechanics 1, Project 1 (WIL Mechanical), Engineering Drawing 2, Mathematics 3, Applied Communication Skills 2.1, Mechanical Manufacturing
Engineering 1, Electrical Engineering 1
Semester 4: *Mechanical Engineering Design 2, *Mechanics of Machines 2, *Strength of Materials 2, *Fluid Mechanics 2 (Mechanics), *Thermodynamics 2,
*Project 2 (WIL Mechanical),* Applied Communication Skills 2.2, Computer Aided Draughting1
Semester 5: *Mechanics of Machines 3,*Strength of Materials 3, *Fluid Mechanics 3, *Thermodynamics 3, Mechanical Engineering Design 3, Manufacturing Engineering 2, Maintenance Engineering 1, *Project 3 (WIL Mechanical).
Semester 6: *Theory of Machines 3,*Applied Strength of Materials 3, *Hydraulic Machines 3, *Steam Plant 3, Machine Design 3, Maintenance Engineering 2, Modelling and Engineering Computation 2, *Experiential Learning 1 (Mechanical)
Baccalaureus Technologiae (B Tech) – Admission requirements
All applicants must have a Diploma or National Diploma ;with proviso of a 60% performance in those diploma subjects that will carry forward into the B Tech qualification, including 12 months’ Work Integrated Learning where applicable.
*For the National Diploma, the following subjects shall be considered when calculating the required average: (i) Mathematics III, (ii) Hydraulic Machines III,
- Steam Plant III, (iv) Theory of Machines III, and (v) Applied strength of Materials
PROGRAMME DURATION: Minimum formal time is one-year full time or two years part-time. SUBJECTS
Option 1: Technology
Engineering Design Project IV (Two semesters – enrolment in January), Strength of Materials IV, Stress Analysis IV, Mechanics of Machines IV,
Automatic Control IV, Fluid Mechanics IV, and (Turbo Machines IV or Thermodynamics IV).
Option 2: Management
Engineering Design Project IV (Two semesters – enrolment in January) plus two of the following combinations: Strength of Materials IV and Stress Analysis IV;
Mechanics of Machines IV and Automatic Control IV;
Fluid Mechanics IV and (Turbo Machines IV or Thermodynamics IV).
Plus the following subjects: Project Engineering IV and Entrepreneurship IV.
Masters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (MEng Mechanical)
Admission requirements: a BEng Degree or Equivalent level 8 qualification including the Postgraduate Diploma Duration of Programme: The equivalent of 1 year full-time study.
Programme Structure: This instructional programme comprises of a thesis only.
National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical
Program Structure
Three year full time qualification:
Two years (four semesters S1 to S4) at the Vaal University of Technology
One year (two semesters P1 and P2) Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
Purpose of the National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical
The purpose of the qualification National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for the student’s further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Mechanical Engineering Technician. It is intended to subsequently empower candidate Engineering Technicians to demonstrate that they are capable of applying their acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values in the work environments in South Africa. It is designed also to add value to the qualifying student in terms of enrichment of the person, status and recognition.
Career Opportunities
A Technician is a person in possession of at least a National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical. The task of the Technician in the design field is to assist the Engineer / Technologist with the design of new products or equipment for use in industry or society.
A Technician in the maintenance field must see to it that preventive or scheduled maintenance is done on all machines in order to prevent interruptions in production. The activities in Mechanical Engineering can therefore be grouped into design, maintenance, electromechanical and project work where the latter includes aspects such as planning of projects, cost control, evaluation of tenders, negotiations with contractors, control over the progress of the project, co-ordination of all the interested departments and commissioning of the completed project.
In any heavy or light manufacturing industry, e.g. the chemical industry, iron and steel manufacturing industry, mining industry, power stations, transport services, provisional and government services, etc. Technicians are much sought after and a career in this field is lucrative and rewarding.
Curriculum
Semester 1
- Mechanics 1 *
- Mechanical Engineering Drawing 1***
- ICT Skills 1**
- Applied Communication Skills 1.1
- Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering 1
- Electrical Engineering 1
- Mathematics 1
- EDL
- * Prerequisite for:
- Mechanics of Machines 2
- Strength of Materials 2
- Fluid Mechanics 2
- Thermodynamics 2
- ** Prerequisite for:
- Computer & Programming Skills 1B
- ***Prerequisite for:
- Mechanical Engineering Design 2
Semester 2
- Mechanical Engineering Design 2
- Mechanics of Machines 2
- Strength of Materials 2
- Fluid Mechanics 2
- Applied Communication Skills 1.2
- Thermodynamics 2
- Mathematics 2
- Choice Subjects:
- Computer Aided Draughting 1 (Compulsory for Design option)
- Electrical Engineering 2 (Compulsory for Electro Mechanical option)
Semester 3
- Mechanics of Machines 3
- Strength of Materials 3
- Fluid Mechanics 3
- Thermodynamics 3
- Mechanical Engineering Design 3
- Maintenance Engineering 1
- Electrical Engineering 3
- Electrical Machines 2
- Applied Communication Skills 2.1
- Professional Skills (Module 1)
- Mathematics 3
Semester 4
- Theory of Machines 3
- Applied Strength of Materials 3
- Applied Communication Skills 2.2
- Hydraulic Machines 3
- Steam Plant 3
- Machine Design 3
- Maintenance Engineering 2
- Electrical Distribution 3
- Professional Skills (Module 2)
- Computer & Programming Skills 1B
- Remarks:
- Design option and Electro mechanical option requires at least 32 subjects, two of which are not credit bearing.
Semester 5
- Experiential Training P1
Semester 6
- Experiential Training P2
Baccalaureus Technologiae: Mechancial
This qualification is offered at the Vanderbijlpark campus only.
Program Structure
One year full time or two years part time qualification.
Purpose of the Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical
The purpose of the qualification Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for the student’s further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Mechanical Engineering Technologist. It is intended to subsequently empower candidate Engineering Technologist to demonstrate that they are capable of applying their acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values in the work environments in South Africa. It is designed also to add value to the qualifying student in terms of enrichment of the person, status and recognition.
Admission Requirements
National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical with an average of at least 60%. Required S4 subjects are Hydraulic Machines, Steam Plant, Theory of Machines, Applied Strength of Materials and Mathematics 3.
All other equivalent qualifications will be treated ad hoc.
Curriculum
Compulsory Subjects
- Engineering Design Project 4 (Two semesters – enrolment in January)
- Strength of Materials 4
- Stress Analysis 4
- Mechanics of Machines 4
- Automatic Control 4
- Fluid Mechanics 4
- Turbo Machines 4
Magister Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical
This qualification is offered at the Vanderbijlpark campus only.
Program Structure
At least one year full time research, concluded with a Masters Dissertation.
Purpose of the Magister Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical
The purpose of this qualification is to develop a student into a researcher, able to conduct independent research with minimum guidance in a chosen field of Mechanical Engineering. The outcomes of the research will contribute to knowledge production in the specialisation field. It also promotes a lifelong learning approach and an aptitude for training other students in similar fields.
Admission Requirements
Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical with an average of 65%.
Ad hoc cases will be treated on merit.
Doctor Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical
This qualification is offered at the Vanderbijlpark campus only.
Program Structure
At least two years full time research, concluded with a Doctoral Thesis.
Purpose of the Doctor Technologiae: Engineering: Mechanical
The purpose of the qualification is to develop a researcher who will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in a specialised area of mechanical engineering and technology. To develop a researcher in mechanical engineering with advanced abilities, to independently apply mechanical engineering design, synthesis, and related principles, to specific problems of society at large. One of the main objectives in this process is to develop an advanced capability to conduct engineering research of an original nature. It also promotes a lifelong learning approach and an aptitude for training other students in similar fields.
Admission Requirements
Magister Technologiae: Mechanical.
Proof of successful completion of a Vaal University of Technology approved course in Research Methodology.
Ad hoc cases will be treated on merit.
Assessment
The department follows the assessment strategy of formal written exams. The year mark is compiled from a series of not less than three tests and / or a practical mark. The year mark for admittance to the formal examination is 50%. Weights for calculating the year mark as well as the final mark will be reflected in the Learning Guide. All tests, assignments and practical work done during a particular semester, will help learners learn and understand the work.
Some subjects follow the assessment strategies of Continuous Assessment (CASS). All marks obtained during the semester will make up the learner’s final mark. Each subject’s Learning Guide will indicate which tests and activities will contribute according to a pre-determined weight, to the final mark.
Work Integrated Learning
The National Diploma: Engineering: Mechanical has a formal Work Integrated Learning component of twelve months. This takes place at a Vaal University of Technology accredited employer (company). The student has the responsibility of finding suitable placement after which the student will register for the two semesters of practical. In co-operation with a mentor, the learner will provide progress reports at regular intervals.