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CMT2601 - TL101_0_2024_FullyOnline Diploma
CMT2601 - TL101_0_2024_FullyOnline Diploma
Construction Methods
CMT2601
Year Module
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, CMT2601-24-Y, as well as your group website.
Note: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, only available on myUnisa.
BARCODE
CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 4
2. MODULE OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................... 5
3. CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ............................................................................................ 7
4. LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................... 7
4.1 Lecturer(s) ...................................................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Department ..................................................................................................................................... 8
4.3 University ........................................................................................................................................ 8
5. RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 8
5.1 Prescribed book(s) .......................................................................................................................... 8
5.2 Recommended book(s) .................................................................................................................. 8
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 8
6. STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ............................................................................................... 10
6.1 First-Year Experience Programme ............................................................................................... 11
7. STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 11
8. HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ........................................................................................................... 12
8.1 What does it mean to study fully online? ...................................................................................... 12
9. ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 12
9.1 Assessment criteria ...................................................................................................................... 12
9.2 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 13
9.3 Assessment due dates ................................................................................................................. 14
9.4 Submission of assessments ......................................................................................................... 15
9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions ......................................................................................... 16
9.5 The assessments .......................................................................................................................... 17
9.6 Other assessment methods .......................................................................................................... 18
9.7 The examination ........................................................................................................................... 18
9.7.1 Invigilation/proctoring .................................................................................................................... 18
10. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY .......................................................................................................... 19
10.1 Plagiarism ..................................................................................................................................... 19
10.2 Cheating ....................................................................................................................................... 20
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10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below: ...................................................... 20
11. STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ................................................................................... 20
12. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 20
13. SOURCES CONSULTED ............................................................................................................. 20
14. IN CLOSING ................................................................................................................................. 21
15. ANNEXURES ............................................................................................................................... 22
15.1 Annexure 1: Graphical View of Engineering Qualification ....................................................... 22
15.2 Annexure 2: General Information About Graduates Attributes Diploma ............................... 23
15.3 Annexure 3: List of Graduate Attributes Diploma Qualification ............................................ 25
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1. INTRODUCTION
Dear Student
You will receive more information relating to this module through myUnisa portal during the
year. A tutorial letter is our way of communicating with you about teaching, learning and
assessments.
Teaching and learning in a CODeL context involves multiple modes of delivery ranging from
blended learning to fully online. As a default position, all post graduate programmes are
offered fully online with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are
offered in a blended mode of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with
online teaching and learning via the learner management system – myUnisa. In some
instances, undergraduate programmes are offered fully online as well.
Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the
University. Unisa's commitment to serve humanity and shape futures combined with a clear
appreciation of our location on the African continent, Unisa's graduates have distinctive
graduate qualities which include:
• independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who are able to fulfil and serve
in multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities
• having a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with its
histories, challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts
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• the ability to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of
information and data from multiple sources in a globalised world with its ever-
increasing information and data flows and competing worldviews
• an awareness of their own learning and developmental needs and future potential
Because this is a fully online module, you will need to use myUnisa to study and complete the
learning activities for this module. Visit the website for CMT2601 on myUnisa frequently. The
website for your module is CMT2601-24-Y.
2. MODULE OVERVIEW
2.1 Purpose
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to different fields in Civil Engineering and
Construction environment. At the same time the student will learn the terminology and methods
that are used in the construction site.
2.2 Outcomes
Specific outcome 1:
The student is expected to understand and be able to determine the basic use of structural steel
and concrete, and to carry out calculations and measurements of basic SI units, dimensions
and sketches as used in civil engineering.
Assessment Criteria:
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• Determine structural loadings (dead loads, live loads, loading patterns).
Specific outcome 2:
Assessment Criteria:
• Discuss the structures associated with the soils such as foundations and retaining walls.
• Identify and understand the different types of pavements and their properties.
• Perform calculations on sewers and water services to choose pipes and sizes.
• Identify and discuss the properties of different types of airports, harbours, tunnels, dams,
bridges and railways.
Specific outcome 3:
Assessment Criteria:
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• Unit symbols, prefixes, unit conversions and multiples of ten are correctly applied.
Specific outcome 4:
Assessment Criteria:
• Discus the importance of safety in construction.
• Identify various procedures for maintaining a safe workplace.
• Identify the different Acts relating to health and safety and the workplace.
• Explain the goal and principles behind of Labour-enhanced construction (LEC).
• Demonstrate the application of Labour-enhanced construction (LEC)
3. CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter, in terms of which the university has placed
curriculum transformation high on the teaching and learning agenda. Curriculum transformation
includes student-centred scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment
practices, the scholarship of teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies
and philosophies. All of these will be phased in at both programme and module levels, and as a
result of this you will notice a marked change in the teaching and learning strategy implemented
by Unisa, together with the way in which the content is conceptualised in your modules. We
encourage you to embrace these changes during your studies at Unisa in a responsive way
within the framework of transformation.
4.1 Lecturer(s)
The primary lecturer for this module is Ms. Z.N Dube. Should you face any difficulty with regard
to the module, please do not hesitate to contact her at the details provided below.
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The primary lecturer for this module is: Ms. MA Rikhotso
Department: Civil Engineering
Telephone: 0114712048
E-mail: rikhoma@unisa.ac.za
4.2 Department
Private Bag x 6
Florida
1710
Telephone: 0114713132
4.3 University
Contact addresses of the various administrative departments appear on the Unisa website:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Contact-us/Student-enquiries.
5. RESOURCES
Van Amsterdam, E. Construction Methods for Civil Engineering. 2nd Edition. Juta & CO.
N/A
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E-reserves can be downloaded from the library webpage. More information is available
at: http://oasis.unisa.ac.za/search/r
Recommended guides:
• For brief information on the library, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance
• For more detailed library information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• Frequently Asked Questions,
visit https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Frequently-Asked-Questions
• For research support and services such as the Personal Librarian service and the
Information Search Librarian's Literature
Search Request (on your research topic) service,
visit http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Research-
support.
• For library training for undergraduate
students, visit https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Training
• Lending Services https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Lending-services
• Services for Postgraduate students -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-Postgraduates
• Support and Services for students with disabilities -
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-students-with-
special-needs
• Library Technology Support -https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport
• Finding and using library resources and tools -
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
• A–Z list of library databases – https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php
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• Technical problems encountered in accessing library online services: Lib-
help@unisa.ac.za
• General library-related queries: Library-enquiries@unisa.ac.za
• Queries related to library fines and payments: Library-fines@unisa.ac.za
• Interlibrary loan service for postgraduate students: libr-ill@unisa.ac.za
• Literature Search Service: Lib-search@unisa.ac.za
• Social media channels: Facebook: UnisaLibrary and Twitter: @UnisaLibrary
This brochure contains important information and guidelines for successful studies through
Unisa.
If you need assistance with regard to the myModules system, you are welcome to use the
following contact details:
You can access and view short videos on topics such as how to view your calendar, how to
access module content, how to view announcements for modules, how to submit assessment
and how to participate in forum activities via the following link: https://dtls-
qa.unisa.ac.za/course/view.php?id=32130
Registered Unisa students get a free myLife e-mail account. Important information, notices
and updates are sent exclusively to this account. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours
for your account to be activated after you have claimed it. Please do this immediately after
registering at Unisa, by following this link: myLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za
Your myLife account is the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official
correspondence with the university and will remain the official primary e-mail address on
record at Unisa. You remain responsible for the management of this e-mail account.
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Many students find the transition from school education to tertiary education stressful. This is
also true in the case of students enrolling at Unisa for the first time. Unisa is a dedicated open
distance and e-learning institution, and it is very different from face-to-face/contact institutions. It
is a mega university, and all our programmes are offered through either blended learning or fully
online learning. It is for this reason that we thought it necessary to offer first-time students
additional/extended support to help them seamlessly navigate the Unisa teaching and learning
journey with little difficulty and few barriers. We therefore offer a specialised student support
programme to students enrolling at Unisa for the first time – this is Unisa’s First-Year
Experience (FYE) Programme, designed to provide you with prompt and helpful information
about services that the institution offers and how you can access information. The following FYE
services are currently offered:
Email Support
FYE Website
fye@unisa.ac.za
www.unisa.ac.za/FYE
FYE1500
Post
Registration myUnisa; Study
Orientation Referrals to Skills; Academic &
other support Digital Literacies;
etc
services i.e.
Counselling;
Reading & Writing
workshops
To ensure that you do not miss out on important academic and support communication
from the SRU, please check your myLife inbox regularly.
7. STUDY PLAN
The study plan will be made available to you via the myUnisa site for your module.
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8. HOW TO STUDY ONLINE
Studying fully online modules differs completely from studying some of your other modules at
Unisa.
• All your study material and learning activities for online modules are designed to be delivered
online on myUnisa except for the practical component of the module.
• All your assessments must be submitted online. This means that you do all your activities and
submit all of them on myUnisa. In other words, you may NOT post your assignments to Unisa
using the South African Post Office.
• All communication between you and the University happens online. Lecturers will
communicate with you via e-mail and use the Announcements, the Discussion Forums, and the
Questions and Answers tools. You can also use all of these platforms to ask questions and
contact your lecturers.
9. ASSESSMENT
Assessments are part of the learning material for this module. As you do the assignment, study
the reading texts, consult other resources, discuss the work with fellow students or do research,
you are actively engaged in learning. See section 2.2 for the specific outcome and assessment
criteria of this module.
The School of Engineering introduced new qualifications in January 2020. According to ECSA
guidelines on the new qualification that assessment needs to include and show evidence of
competency of the Graduate Attributes (GAs) outlined by ECSA. Some of the Graduate Attributes
will be assessed with the assignments in the modules. In order for the school to align with ECSA
guidelines, some modifications have been made not only to how the assessments are formulated
but also to the capturing of results and qualifying for final exams.
Graduate Attributes
To maintain our programme/qualification accreditation, each programme must provide evidence
that our students are attaining key “attributes” as defined by the ENGINEERING COUNCIL of
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SOUTH AFRICA (ECSA). As such it is important as a student that you are familiar with the
ECSA assessment criteria (graduate attributes). Please see the annexture regarding
information about graduate attributes.
This module will cover one graduate attribute, which is graduate attribute 9 (GA9).
Graduate Attribute (GA) 9: Independent learning ability, the student must be able to engage
in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
Thus, for the assessment where Graduate Attribute (GA) is assessed, there will be provision for
resubmission of the assessment (second opportunity). The opportunity will be given only to
the student who did not achieve the requirements of the GA. The resubmission of the
assessment (second opportunity) will be marked to the maximum of 50 %, meaning if you
were given a second chance to write an assignment/test, even if, in that assignment/test
you score 80%, you will not be awarded 80% but 50% instead.
Failure to achieve the requirements of the GA leads to failure of the module. This means
that, if you fail any of assessment(s) which was assessing GAs and/or their second
opportunities where you were required to pass them in order to pass the module, you fail
the module.
School of Engineering is following a continuous assessment system. So, you will be able to
accumulate marks throughout the year.
The formative assessment for this module will be in the form of timed online tests and written
submissions via myUnisa. The major online tests will be 2 hours long with an additional 15
minutes to download the test and 30 minutes to upload the answer script. There will be a total of
two-timed online tests plus one additional retest in the event you do not meet the passing mark
on a GA assessment. There will also be two written assignments these assessments will come
before each test to guide students on what is expected on the major tests.
Your final mark will be calculated from a total of 4 assessments. All 4 assessments are
compulsory.
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Please note:
• To complete this module, you will be required to submit 4 assessments. The major test 2
(GA) repeat is only given to students who achieved less than 50% on the main major test
2 (GA).
• All information on when and where to submit your assessments will be made available to
you via the myUnisa site for your module.
• The actual assessment questions will be made available on myUnisa site for this module
as they become due.
• To pass this module, you are required to pass a GA assessment with subminimum of
50%, and achieve a minimum average final mark of 50%, calculated as per weightings
assigned to each assessment.
• Assignment due dates will be made available to you on the myUnisa landing page for this
module. We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.
• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates
for the submission of the assessments.
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• The myUnisa virtual campus will offer students access to the myModules site, where
learning material will be available online and where assessments should be completed.
This is an online system that is used to administer, document, and deliver educational
material to students and support engagement between academics and students.
• When you access your myModules site for the module/s you are registered for, you will
see a welcome message posted by your lecturer. Below the welcome message you will
see the assessment shells for the assessments that you need to complete. Some
assessments may be multiple choice, some tests, others written assessments, some
forum discussions, and so on. All assessments must be completed on the assessment
shells available on the respective module platforms.
• To complete assessments, please log on to the module site where you need to complete
the assessment. Click on the relevant assessment shell (Assessment 1, Assessment 2,
etc.). There will be a date on which the assessment will open for you. When the
assessment is open, access the assessment online and complete it within the time
available to you. Assessment questions are not included in this tutorial letter (Tutorial
Letter 101) and are only made available online. You must therefore access the
assessment online and complete it online where it has been created.
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• It is not advisable to use a cell phone to complete the assessment. Please use a desktop
computer, tablet or laptop when completing the assessment. Students who use a cell
phone find it difficult to navigate the Online Assessment tool on the small screen and
often struggle to navigate between questions and successfully complete the
assessments. In addition, cell phones are more vulnerable to dropped internet
connections than other devices. If at all possible, please do not use a cell phone for
this assessment type.
• For written assessments, please note the due date by which the assessment must be
submitted. Ensure that you follow the guidelines given by your lecturer to complete the
assessment. Click on the submission button on the relevant assessment shell on
myModules. You will then be able to upload your written assessment on the myModules
site of the modules that you are registered for. Before you finalise the upload, double
check that you have selected the correct file for upload. Remember, no marks can be
allocated for incorrectly submitted assessments.
• Elective assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
- The best of the required submissions will count.
• Mandatory assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
• Compulsory assignments
- If not submitted, the result on the student’s academic record will be absent.
• Optional assignments – You are encouraged as a student to do optional
assignment so that it may benefit your learning.
I. Elective assignments
a. the student is given a choice of which assignments within an identified group to
submit, only the best result(-s), the number of which is specified in advance, will
contribute towards the year mark.
b. elective assignments must also be grouped into an elective group.
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c. for the student to select which assignment to submit, the elective assignments must
be grouped together. For such an elective group, relevant information must be
provided to the student, such as how many of the assignments must be submitted
and how many of the assignment marks should be combined into the year mark.
d. The selection criteria define how marks received for assignments in an elective group
are to be combined into the year mark. Three different criteria may be used for
calculating the year mark:
• The best mark should be used, or
• If the student submits fewer than the required number of assignments per group or
no assignment in a group, a mark of 0% will be used.
• 0% is awarded to all non-submitted or unmarked assessments. A best mark is
then calculated from all items.
As indicated in section 9.2, you need to complete 6 assessments for this module.
There are no assignments included in this tutorial letter. Assignments and due dates will be
made available to you on myModules for this module. We envisage that the due dates will be
available to you upon registration.
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• Keep a clear copy of the assignment for your own reference. This is important, as
assignments do get lost.
• Submissions of assignments must be in accordance with “my studies @ unisa
• You must obtain a minimum of 50% on a GA major test. However, all assessments are
compulsory to pass the module.
• Student who fails any of the major tests will have a one opportunity to re-do the
tests.
• Because this is an online module, the assignments are not provided in this tutorial letter.
Instead, they will be posted online as they become due, and you will see them when you
go online.
• All assessments must be submitted in PDF format only.
None
Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to
you online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your
lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant) and for communication from the university.
9.7.1 Invigilation/proctoring
Since 2020 Unisa conducts all its assessments online. Given stringent requirements from
professional bodies and increased solicitations of Unisa’s students by third parties to unlawfully
assist them with the completion of assignments and examinations, the University is obliged to
assure its assessment integrity through the utilisation of various proctoring tools: Turnitin,
Moodle Proctoring, the Invigilator App and IRIS. These tools will authenticate the student’s
identity and flag suspicious behaviour to assure credibility of students’ responses during
assessments. The description below is for your benefit as you may encounter any or all of these
in your registered modules:
Turnitin is a plagiarism software that facilitates checks for originality in students’ submissions
against internal and external sources. Turnitin assists in identifying academic fraud and ghost
writing. Students are expected to submit typed responses for utilisation of the Turnitin software.
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The Moodle Proctoring tool is a facial recognition software that authenticates students’ identity
during their Quiz assessments. This tool requires access to a student’s mobile or laptop
camera. Students must ensure their camera is activated in their browser settings prior to their
assessments.
IRIS Invigilation software verifies the identity of a student during assessment and provides for
both manual and automated facial verification. It has the ability to record and review a student’s
assessment session. It flags suspicious behaviour by the students for review by an academic
administrator. IRIS software requires installation on students’ laptop devices that are enabled
with a webcam.
Students who are identified and flagged for suspicious dishonest behaviour arising from the
invigilation and proctoring reports are referred to the disciplinary office for formal proceeding.
Please note:
Students must refer to their module assessment information on their myModule sites to
determine which proctoring or invigilation tool will be utilised for their formative and summative
assessments.
10.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft. Plagiarism includes the following forms of academic dishonesty:
• Copying and pasting from any source without acknowledging the source.
• Not including references or deliberately inserting incorrect bibliographic information.
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the original source of the information.
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10.2 Cheating
10.3 For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules
The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with first-time and returning students with disabilities.
If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support or need additional time for
assessments, you are invited to contact your lecturer, Ms. Z.N Dube dubezn@unisa.ac.za and
ARCSWiD at arcswid@unisa.ac.za to discuss the assistance that you need.
Answer: Yes
Answer: No
Unisa TL101_3_2024_FullyOnline_template.
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14. IN CLOSING
Do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail if you are experiencing problems with the content of this
tutorial letter or with any academic aspect of the module.
We wish you a fascinating and satisfying journey through the learning material and trust that
you will complete the module successfully.
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15. ANNEXURES
15.1 Annexure 1: Graphical View of Engineering Qualification
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The 360 credit Diploma in Civil Engineering was designed considering the HEQSF document
from 2013 and the generic ECSA document “Qualification Standard for Diploma in
Engineering: NQF Level 6; Document: E-02-PN; Rev 5; from 01 September 2020”.
For the 360 credit Diploma the Dublin Accord rules and regulations are applicable
Assurance of substantial equivalence through this agreement may enhance mutual exemption
between jurisdictions by leading to opportunities to streamline processes and procedures for the
recognition of competent individuals in other jurisdictions.
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The equivalency of the engineering programmes was possible through the introduction of
Graduate Attributes. Graduate Attributes are assessable outcomes, developed by the
signatories that give confidence that the educational objectives of programmes are being
achieved ensuring the quality of the programme.
As the Graduate Attributes are “assessable outcomes”, each module part of the qualification,
has several Graduate Attributes attached to them and must be assessed in a measurable way,
namely through assignment or laboratory reports or projects or exams. Some Graduate
Attributes may be assessed via several measurable ways.
From 2022 the Graduate Attributes are assessed in design, practical, project and Work-
Integrated learning modules and the total number of 12 Graduate Attributes will be assessed
over the whole qualification.
The Graduate Attributes may be assessed at basic, intermediate and exit level.
• the student has obtained the minimum of credits distributed in the knowledge areas
defined in the E-02-PN document,
If the student is not declared competent in all 12 Graduate Attributes, he /she will not be
able to graduate, regardless of the credit obtained in the knowledge areas.
Therefore, it is extremely important for the students to understand the importance of the
graduate attributes, as is the only measure of the substantial equivalency of engineering
technician qualifications, between signatory countries.
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The graduate attributes defined below are stated generically and may be assessed in various
engineering disciplinary or cross-disciplinary contexts in a provider-based or simulated practice
environment.
General Range Statement: The competencies defined in the eleven graduate attributes may
be demonstrated in a university-based, simulated workplace context. Competencies stated
generically may be assessed in various engineering disciplinary or cross-disciplinary contexts.
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Level descriptor: Knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences is
characterized by:
• A thorough grounding in the natural sciences applicable to the sub-discipline.
• A thorough grounding in mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics and formal aspects
of computer and information science to support analysis and modelling applicable to the
sub-discipline;
• A thorough grounding in the engineering fundamentals required in the engineering sub-
discipline; and
• Engineering specialist knowledge in the accepted practice areas in the engineering sub-
discipline
Range Statement: Mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences are applied in
analysis and modelling of engineering situations, and for reasoning about and solving well-
defined engineering problems.
Note: An investigation differs from a design in that the objective is to produce knowledge and
understanding of a phenomenon and a recommended course of action rather than specifying
how an artifact could be produced.
Range Statement: A range of methods, skills and tools appropriate to the disciplinary
designation of the program including:
• Sub-discipline-specific tools, processes or procedures.
Range Statement: Multidisciplinary tasks require co-operation across at least one disciplinary
boundary. Co-operating disciplines may be engineering disciplines with different fundamental
bases other than that of the programme or may be outside engineering.
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Graduate Attribute 9: Independent learning ability
Demonstrate competence to engage in independent learning through well-developed learning
skills.
Range Statement: Operate in well-structured environment with some unfamiliar elements
requiring personal responsibility and initiative, accurately self-evaluate and take responsibility
for learning requirements; be aware of social and ethical implications of applying knowledge in
particular contexts.
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v) Simulated learning.
References
©
Unisa 2024
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