BEng (Mechatronics)

(Please note that these are the specific programme admission requirements – the university has its own minimum admission requirements.)

• Admission Points Score of 38.
• Minimum statutory NSC requirements for degree entry must be met.
• English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa (home language or first additional language) on at least level 3 (40–49%).
• NSC achievement rating of at least level 5 (60-69%) for Mathematics.
• NSC achievement rating of at least level 4 (50-59%) for Physical Sciences.
• Only those applicants who meet the direct entry criteria will be considered for this course.

Recommended NSC subjects
Engineering Graphics & Design and/or
Information Technology

Other

• The requirements with regards to the language of learning and teaching at the NMMU must be met.
• Adults from engineering-related jobs/occupations and fields of activity with appropriate prior learning may also apply for admission.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WHO MATRICULATED PRIOR TO 2008

• Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption/endorsement and an aggregate of 60%.
• Mathematics (minimum HG=C) and Physical Science (minimum HG=D).
• Learners must score at least 29 points on the university’s SPS rating scale.
• Only those applicants who meet the direct entry criteria will be considered for this course.
• Reading, speaking and writing competence in the language of instruction, which would be English.
• Adults from engineering-related jobs/occupations and fields of activity with appropriate prior learning may also apply for admission.

Recommended NSC subjects
Engineering Graphics and Design and/or
Information Technology

Other

• The requirements with regards to the language of learning and teaching at the NMMU must be met.
• Adults from engineering-related jobs/occupations and fields of activity with appropriate prior learning may also apply for admission.

APPLICABLE RULES
The qualification shall be awarded on completion of the modules prescribed by Senate.

Purpose Statement
The purpose of the qualification is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for further learning towards becoming a competent practising engineer, and to provide graduates with:

1. A thorough grounding in mathematics, basic sciences, engineering sciences, engineering modelling, and engineering design together with the abilities to enable applications in fields of emerging knowledge;
2. Preparation for careers in engineering and related areas, for achieving technical leadership and to make a contribution to the economy and national development;
3. The educational requirement towards registration as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa as well as to allow the graduate to make careers in engineering and related fields;
4. For graduates with an appropriate level of achievement in the programme, the ability to proceed to postgraduate studies in both course-based and research masters programmes.

Vacation Work
Vacation work is a requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) qualification and it may prove necessary to complete vacation work without remuneration. Engineering candidates are required to complete the vacation work modules at their own expense. These modules (MWS1000 and MWS2000) are normally attended during winter and/or summer recesses.

Candidates will not be allowed to take certain third-year modules without having completed the workshop training.

A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in the field of Mechatronics is recognised as a qualifying degree for registration as a professional engineer under the Professional Engineers’ Act (Act No 46 2000).

The Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) degree is designed in accordance with the outcomes-based model as required by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). The learning outcomes and content of the qualifications have been compiled in accordance with the latest accreditation standards (E-02-PE) of ECSA, and HEQC.

Learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Engineering Mechatronics qualification
A graduate in engineering should be able to apply the following skills on the advanced level:

• Problem-solving: Demonstrate competence to identify, assess, formulate and solve convergent and divergent engineering problems creatively and innovatively.
• Application of scientific and engineering knowledge: Demonstrate competence to apply knowledge of mathematics, basic science and engineering sciences from first principles to solve engineering problems.
• Engineering design: Demonstrate competence to perform creative, procedural and non-procedural design and synthesis of components, systems, engineering works, products or processes.
• Investigations, experiments and data analysis: Demonstrate competence to design and conduct investigations and experiments.
• Engineering methods, skills and tools, including information technology:  Demonstrate competence to use appropriate engineering methods, skills and tools, including those based on information technology.
• Professional and technical communication:  Demonstrate competence to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large.
• Impact of engineering activity: Demonstrate critical awareness of the impact of engineering activity on the social, industrial and physical environment.
• Individual, team and multi-disciplinary working: Demonstrate competence to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary environments.
• Independent learning ability: Demonstrate competence to engage in independent learning through well developed learning skills.
• Engineering professionalism: Demonstrate critical awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically and to exercise judgment and take responsibility within own limits of competence.

Learning content of the Bachelor of Engineering Mechatronics qualification includes six essential knowledge areas:

• Mathematical sciences. 
• Basic sciences.
• Engineering sciences.
• Engineering design and synthesis.
• Computing and information technology.
• Complementary studies.

Awarding the qualification cum laude
The qualification shall be awarded cum laude if students comply with the requirements as stipulated in the General Prospectus.  The following module shall be regarded as the major module:
Mechatronics Project IV, EMP4110

Career fields

• Mechatronics
• Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

DURATION
The qualification shall extend over at least four years of full-time study.

For more information on this course and modules, CLICK HERE