VUT Chemical Engineering - Education in South Africa
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VUT Chemical Engineering

VUT Chemical Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering welcomes you to the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Vaal University of Technology. This is one of the leading chemical engineering departments in South Africa producing readily employable graduates. The undergradute programmes in the department of chemical engineering are New Diploma and Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech). Both programs are accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), which is a statutory body established in terms of the Engineering Profession Act (EPA), 46 of 2000. ECSA is a signatory to international accords including the Washington Accord, the Sydney Accord and the Dublin Accord. All postgraduates programmes (M.Tech, M.Eng and Ph.D) are by research.

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The department has two campuses situated in Vanderbijlpark and Secunda. The programmes at Vanderbijlpark campus are for full time students and ones at Secunda campus are for both part-time and full-time students. The department strives towards integration of existing knowledge with new knowledge and to afford the learner the ability to:

• Think logically, sytematically and visualise concepts;

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• Develop entrenpreneural skills

• Apply chemical engineering principles in efforts to solve community based, national and global problems.

• Make a positive contribution to the field of chemical engineering once you have completed your studies.

• Work at the forefront of innovative technology and engineering science research

What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering is the science and technology concerning process design and the manufacturing of products economically from raw materials in a sustainable, environmentally benign and safe way. The foundamental laws upon which chemical engineering is anchored are laws of conservation of mass, momentum and energy. The two key subjects required to do chemical engineering in this department are Mathematics and Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics) in addition to other relevant subjects.

Vision

To be a leading chemical engineering department of choice, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are designed to promote innovative thinking to address real-life and emerging challenges.

Mission

• To prepare students for life-long learning as they apply chemical engineering principles to solve basic and complex environmental, industrial and fundamental problems.

• To develop and implement programmes that equip students with skills and competencies required to promote sustainable growth through developmenet of processes, products and technologies that improve quality of life in Africa.

Programmes offered

The following programmes are currently offered in the department:

1. New Diploma (From January 2017)

2. Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech)

3. Masters of Technology (M.Tech) and Mastersof Engineering (MEng)

4. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

Research

All postgraduate programmes are by research only. The research focus areas include nanotechnology, water & wastewater management, simulation and modelling, renewable energy, coal processing, green technology and hydrometallury. Some of the research focus areas are linked to projects in the Centre for Renewable Energy and Water (CREW).

Chemical Engineering – Course & Programmes

National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical

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: Chemical

The purpose of the qualification National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for the student’s further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Chemical 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.

The qualified technician may find himself / herself as a member of an engineering team which may consist of engineers, scientists, artisans, process personnel, technologists and technicians from other disciplines. Functions may include the commissioning and maintenance of chemical plants, process control, design and development, optimising of chemical processes, quality control over the products of the manufacturing processes, feasibility studies and a variety of tasks related to the chemical process industry.

Career Opportunities

A profession in the field of Chemical Engineering offers a challenging and exciting career in both the private and public sectors. There is a continuous demand for trained manpower in the field of Chemical Engineering. Job designations may vary from production foremen, area superintendents, line managers and various others within several branches of heavy, light and general types of industries where the services and expertise of such persons are required.

The qualified technician may find himself / herself as a member of an engineering team which may consist of engineers, scientists, artisans, process personnel, technologists and technicians from other disciplines. Functions may include the commissioning and maintenance of chemical plants, process control, design and development, optimising of chemical processes, quality control over the products of the manufacturing processes, feasibility studies and a variety of tasks related to the chemical process industry.

Semester 1

CodeSubject NamePrerequisite
EHTCI1BChemical Engineering DrawingNone
AMATH1EMathematics 1None
APFSG1APhysics 1None
HKEDL1AEDLNone
AEREV1BComputer SkillsNone
AACHA1CChemistry 1None
HKACX1AApplied Communication Skills 1.1None

Semester 2

CodeSubject NamePrerequisiteCode
EHCIT2BChemical Engineering Technology 2Mathematics 1AMATH1E
HKACY1AApplied Communication Skills 1.2NoneNone
AAICC2CInorganic ChemistryChemistry 1AACHA1C
AAOCC2BOrganic ChemistryChemistry 1AACHA1C
AAFCC2BPhysical ChemistryChemistry 1AACHAIC
AACPE2AChemistry PracticalChemistry 1AACHA1C
AMATH2EMathematics 2Mathematics 1AMATH1E
APPHP2APhysics Theory 2Physics 1APFSG1A
APPHT2APhysics PracticalPhysics 1APFSG1A

Semester 3

CodeSubject NamePrerequisiteCode
EHCPA2BProcess IndustriesNoneNone
EEESX1AEntrepreneurial Skills: Module 1NoneNone
EHTCE3BChemical Engineering ThermodynamicsChemical Engineering Technology 2EHCIT2B
EHCIX3CChemical Technology 3.1AAFCC2B
EHCAX3DChemical Plant 3.1Chemical Engineering Technology 2EHCIT2B
BHMSX1AManagement Skills 1ANoneNone
HKACX2AApplied Communication Skills 2.1NoneNone
Applied Communication Skills 1.1HKACX1A
Applied Communication Skills 1.2HKACY1A

Semester 4

CodeSubject NamePrerequisiteCode
EHCPB3BChemical Process Design: Principles 3Chemical Technology 3.1EHCIX3C
EEESY1AEntrepreneurial Skills: Module 2NoneNone
EHTTA3CThermodynamics: Applied 3Chemical Engineering ThermodynamicsEHCTE3B
EHCIY3CChemical Technology 3.2Chemical Technology 3.1EHCIX3C
EHCAY3CChemical Plant 3.2Chemical Plant 3.1EHCAX3C
BHMSX1AManagement Skills 1BManagement Skills 1ABHMSX1A
EHPBH3BProcess Control (S4)Mathematics 2AMATH2E
Chemical Engineering Technology 2EHCIT2B
HKACY2AApplied Communication Skills 2.1Applied Communication Skills 1.1HKACX1A
Applied Communication Skills 1.2HKACY1A

Course & Programmes

National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical

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: Chemical

The purpose of the qualification National Diploma: Engineering: Chemical is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for the student’s further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Chemical 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.

The qualified technician may find himself / herself as a member of an engineering team which may consist of engineers, scientists, artisans, process personnel, technologists and technicians from other disciplines. Functions may include the commissioning and maintenance of chemical plants, process control, design and development, optimising of chemical processes, quality control over the products of the manufacturing processes, feasibility studies and a variety of tasks related to the chemical process industry.

Career Opportunities

A profession in the field of Chemical Engineering offers a challenging and exciting career in both the private and public sectors. There is a continuous demand for trained manpower in the field of Chemical Engineering. Job designations may vary from production foremen, area superintendents, line managers and various others within several branches of heavy, light and general types of industries where the services and expertise of such persons are required.

The qualified technician may find himself / herself as a member of an engineering team which may consist of engineers, scientists, artisans, process personnel, technologists and technicians from other disciplines. Functions may include the commissioning and maintenance of chemical plants, process control, design and development, optimising of chemical processes, quality control over the products of the manufacturing processes, feasibility studies and a variety of tasks related to the chemical process industry.

Semester 1 & 2

CodeSubject NamePrerequisiteCode
EHPBH4AProcess Control 4Done or enrolled forAMISS3A
EHCIX4AFluid Flow 4None
AMISS3AMathematics 3None
EHPIC4AProduction Engineering 4None
EHCPX4AEquipment Design 4None
EHCIP4ABTech ProjectNone
EHCIY4AHeat and Mass Transfer 4None
EHCPY4APlant DesignEquipment Design 4EHCPX4A
EHRTN4AReactor Technology 4None
EHCIZ4AUnit Operations 4None

Magister Technologiae: Engineering: Chemical

This qualification is offered at the Vanderbijlpark campus only.

Programme Structure

At least one year full time research, concluded with a Masters Dissertation.

Purpose of the Magister Technologiae: Engineering: Chemical

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 Chemical Engineering. The outcomes of the research will contribute to knowledge production in the specialisation field. It is also promotes a lifelong learning approach and an aptitude for training other students in similar fields. (also see paragraph 4.3)

Admission Requirements

Baccalaureus Technologiae: Engineering: Chemical.

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 examination. 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 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: Chemical 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.

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