| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 12130002 | Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology | Department: Chemical Engineering |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 4 years | Total credits: 599 | NQF level: 08 |
All fields of study of the BEng degree have been accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and comply with the academic requirements for registration as a professional engineer. The programmes are designed in accordance with the outcomes-based model as required by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The learning outcomes and contents of the programmes have been compiled in accordance with the latest accreditation standards (PE-60 and PE-61) of ECSA, which also comply with the SAQA requirements, and which are summarised as follows:
Learning outcomes of the BEng degree:
A graduate in engineering should be able to apply the following skills on an advanced level:
Learning contents of the BEng programmes:
Six essential knowledge areas are included in the syllabi of the programmes. The typical representation of each knowledge area as a percentage of the total contents of an undergraduate programme is given in brackets ( ) in the list below. This percentage varies for the different study directions, but conforms in all instances to the minimum knowledge area content as stipulated by ECSA.
Knowledge areas:
Important information for all prospective students for 2025
The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.
Minimum requirements: 4-year programme | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
5 | 6 | 6 | 35 |
The suggested second-choice programmes for the Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering are Bachelor of Science Chemistry, Bachelor of Science Mathematics and Bachelor of Science Physics.
***************************************************************************************************************
Minimum requirements: 5-year programme [previously called ENGAGE] | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
5 | 65% | 65% | 33 |
Students may apply directly to be considered for the 5-year Bachelor of Engineering programme.
Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.
Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.
Unsuccessful candidates will be notified after 30 June.
Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.
Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the International undergraduate prospectus 2025: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), available at click here.
International students: Click here.
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.
Closing dates: Same as above.
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.
Note:
Closing date for applications from returning students
Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.
With a few exceptions, most modules offered at the School of Engineering are semester modules having credit values of either 8 or 16.
A student may be permitted by the Dean, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, to register for an equivalent module in an alternate semester, although the module is normally offered to the student’s group in another semester, and providing that no timetable clashes occur.
Please note:
Promotion to the second semester of the first year and to the second year of study
Please note:
Promotion to the third year of study of the Four-year Programme, as well as to the third and the fourth years of study of the ENGAGE Programme. In case of the fourth year of study of the ENGAGE Programme, the words "first", "second" and "third" must be substituted with the words "second", "third" and "fourth" respectively.
Promotion to the fourth year of study of the Four-year Programme, as well as to the fifth year of study of the ENGAGE Programme. In case of the fifth year of study of the ENGAGE Programme, the words "second", "third" and "fourth" must be substituted with the words "third", "fourth" and "fifth" respectively.
Minimum credits: 161
Module content:
General introduction to inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry. Nomenclature of inorganic ions and compounds, stoichiometric calculations concerning chemical reactions, redox reactions, solubilities and solutions, atomic structure, periodicity. Molecular structure and chemical bonding using the VSEPR model. Principles of reactivity, electrochemistry, energy and chemical reactions, entropy and free energy.
Appropriate tutorial classes and practicals.
Module content:
One quarter general physical-analytical chemistry: Physical behaviour of gases, intermolecular forces, solutions, liquids and solids (phase changes), chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, applications of aqueous equilibria (e.g. buffers, titrations, solubility) precipitation. One quarter organic chemistry: Structure and bonding, functional groups and drawing of structures of organic compounds, nomenclature, isomerism, introductory stereochemistry, introduction to chemical reactions and chemical properties of organic compounds. Appropriate tutorial classes and practicals. Quality theoretical and practical teaching with an ethical approach provides a broad understanding of fundamental chemistry, e.g. predicting the behaviour of specific functional groups present in organic compounds, essential for new drug development, purification of mixtures and proper waste management to protect the environment and ultimately human and animal life, thereby meeting some of the UN sustainable development goals.
Module content:
Dimensions, units and their conversion. The mol unit, density, concentration. Specific volume, bulk density, density of ideal mixtures. Temperatures and conversions. Pressure, absolute and gauge. Expression of concentration. Empirical formulae. Introduction to material balances: strategy for solving problems. Material balances without chemical reaction. Combinations of equipment.
Module content:
Chemical reaction and stoichiometry, excess reactant, conversion, yield, selectivity. Material balances with recycle streams, bypass streams and purge streams. Gases, vapours and liquids: ideal gas law, SG and density of gases, Nm³. Material balances where gases are involved. Fuels and combustion: coal analysis, combustion calculations.
Module content:
The general objective of this module is to develop expertise in solving electric and electronic circuits. The topics covered in the course are Ohm's law, Kirchoff's current and voltage laws, voltage and current division, mesh current and node voltage methods, linearity, Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits, source transformation, power transfer, energy storage elements in circuits (inductors and capacitors), and operational amplifiers and applications. Although circuits will mostly be solved using direct current (DC) sources, the final part of the course will consider methods to solve circuits using alternating current sources (AC).
Module content:
Introductory mathematics: Symbols, exponents, logarithms, angles in degrees, radial measure, goniometry, differentiation, and integration. Motion along a straight line: position and displacement, acceleration. Vectors: adding vectors, components, multiplying vectors. Motion in two and three dimensions: projectile motion, circular motion. Force and motion: Newton’s Law, force, friction. Kinetic energy and work: work, power. Potential energy: Centre of mass, linear momentum. Collisions: impulse and linear momentum, elastic collisions, inelastic collisions. Rotation: kinetic energy of rotation, torque. Oscillations and waves: Simple harmonic motion, types of waves, wavelength and frequency, interference of waves, standing waves, the Doppler effect. Temperature, heat and the first law of thermodynamics.
Module content:
Introduction to fundamentals of engineering, professional development of engineers and sustainability practices. This module is intended to introduce students engineering, sustainability, design, technical communication and academic writing, as well as other engineering professional practices and skill sets necessary for your future employability. Technical communication in most cases can be broken down into writing, technical argument, and explanation, data visualisation as well as presentations. Specific components will include (but are not limited to) the following: an introduction to your chosen engineering discipline, ethics and sustainability, industry standards and professional conduct, teamworking, leadership, project management, career preparation and employability.
Module content:
Introduction to fundamentals of engineering, professional development of engineers and sustainability practices. This module is intended to further expose students to engineering, sustainability (social, economic and environmental) implications on design as well as appropriate technical communication practices. Specific components will include (but are not limited to) the following: an introduction to your chosen engineering discipline, the design process, critical, creative and entrepreneurial thinking, decisionmaking, problem solving, ethics and sustainability, industry standards and professional conduct, teamworking, leadership, project management, career preparation and employability.
Module content:
Freehand sketching covering the following: perspective, isometric and orthographic drawings. Drawing conventions, graphical techniques and assembly drawings. Evaluation of drawings and error detection. True lengths of lines, projections and intersections. Practical applications of these techniques. Introduction to computer-aided drawings, including dimensioning, crosshatching and detailing. Introduction to basic manufacturing processes including primary (casting, forging and extrusion) and secondary (drilling, turning, milling, grinding, broaching and sawing) manufacturing procedures.
Module content:
Equivalent force systems, resultants. Newton's laws, units. Forces acting on particles. Rigid bodies: principle of transmissibility, resultant of parallel forces. Vector moments and scalar moments. Relationship between scalar- and vector moments. Couples. Equivalent force systems on rigid bodies. Resultants of forces on rigid bodies. Equilibrium in two and three dimensions. Hooke's law. Trusses and frameworks. Centroids and second moments of area. Beams: distributed forces, shear force, bending moment, method of sections, relationship between load, shear force and bending moment.
Module content:
*This module is designed for first-year engineering students. Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 158, WTW 114, WTW 134, WTW 165.
Introduction to vector algebra. Functions, limits and continuity. Differential calculus of single variable functions, rate of change, graph sketching, applications. The mean value theorem, the rule of L'Hospital. Indefinite integrals, integration.
Module content:
*This module is designed for first-year engineering students. Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 146, WTW 148 and WTW 124,
Vector algebra with applications to lines and planes in space, matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, determinants, complex numbers, factorisation of polynomials and conic sections. Integration techniques, improper integrals. The definite integral, fundamental theorem of Calculus. Applications of integration. Elementary power series and Taylor’s theorem. Vector functions, space curves and arc lengths. Quadratic surfaces and multivariable functions.
Module content:
*Attendance module only
The module is offered at the end of the first year of study and lasts at least eight days, during which training is given in the following workshops: electronic projects, panel wiring, electrical motors and switch gear, general machines, welding, turning and sheet metal work. Each student's progress is assessed after each workshop.
Minimum credits: 148
Module content:
Engineering systems are often subjected to variation, uncertainty and incomplete information. Mathematical statistics provides the basis for effectively handling and quantifying the effect of these factors. This module provides an introduction to the concepts of mathematical statistics and will include the following syllabus themes: data analysis, probability theory, stochastic modelling, statistical inference and regression analysis.
Module content:
Organic chemistry. Chemical properties of organic (including aromatic) compounds. Functional group transformation and synthesis.
Module content:
Theory: Introduction to instrumental chemical analysis. Integration of electronic, chemical, optical and computer principles for the construction of analytical instrumentation. Detail discussion of principles and some instrumental methods from three disciplines within analytical chemistry, namely electrochemistry, spectroscopy and chromatography. This includes potentiometry, (AA) atomic absorption-, (ICP) atomic emission-, ultraviolet (UV)-, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, potentiometric and photometric titrations, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography as well as combinations of these techniques. Practical: IR spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, AA spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, gas chromatography.
Module content:
Introduction to the synthesis, processing, structure, physical properties, and engineering applications of key materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Stress concepts, exploring stress in structural elements, oblique planes, various load conditions, stress components, and design considerations. Stress and strain, including statically indeterminate problems, thermal effects, Poisson's ratio, generalized Hooke's Law, shearing strain, and stress-strain relationships. Mechanical testing aspects such as strength, ductility, hardness, toughness, fatigue, and creep, along with discussions on failure mechanics. Structural, mechanical, thermodynamic, and design-related considerations relevant to chemical engineering applications. Materials specification, focusing on the corrosion of metals and the degradation of polymer components.
Module content:
PVT properties of real gases, PVT-diagrams of pure compounds. Vapour pressure, Vapour liquid equilibrium of pure components. Vapour/gas equilibrium; Vapour liquid equilibrium for ideal mixtures (Raoult's law). Henry’s law. Enthalpy changes for pure components upon heating and phase change. Energy balance for steady state systems with or without reaction. Heat of reaction. Combustion; Adiabatic flame temperature. Simultaneous mass and energy balances for steady state systems with no external work.
Module content:
Simple applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The concepts of work, heat, enthalpy and entropy. The calculation of internal energy, enthalpy and entropy using the equations of state. Simple heat engine cycles. Refrigeration and gas liquefaction. Process efficiency by means of energy. Introduction to non-ideality in VLE and mixing behaviour.
Module content:
Transient response phenomena in RC, RL and RLC circuits: Natural response and step response. Alternating current (AC) circuits: Phasors, impedances, and power in AC circuits. The application of Ohm’s law, Kirchoff’s circuit theorems, matrix methods, and Thevenin and Norton equivalents to sinusoidal steady-state analysis. Three-phase circuits: Balanced three-phase circuits, star/delta configurations, and three-phase power transfer calculations. Magnetically coupled circuits: Mutual inductance, coupling factor, transformers, ideal transformers and autotransformers. Application of circuit theory to induction motors: basic principles of induction motors, equivalent circuit and analysis thereof, calculation of power and torque through application of Thevenin's theorem. Synoptic introduction to other types of motors.
Module content:
The Joint Community Project module is a credit-bearing educational experience where students are not only actively engaging in interpersonal skills development but also participate in service activities in collaboration with community partners. Students are given the opportunity to practice and develop their interpersonal skills formally taught in the module by engaging in teamwork with fellow students from different disciplines and also with non-technical members of the community. The module intends for the student to develop through reflection, understanding of their own experience in a team-based workspace as well as a broader understanding of the application of their discipline knowledge and its potential impact in their communities, in this way also enhancing their sense of civic responsibility. Compulsory class attendance 1 week before Semester 1 classes commence.
Module content:
Spreadsheet applications: Formulas and calculations, named ranges, plotting and trend lines, goal seek, linear programming, importing and exporting data, data navigation and filtering. Programming fundamentals: Names and objects, conditional and unconditional looping, branching, functions, modules, packages, reading and writing data files, graphical output (plotting). Solving simple problems using a high level programming language to develop, code and debug programs. Solving complex problems by breaking it down into a number of simple problems using concepts such as functions, modules and available packages. Programming principles are developed through solving mathematics and physics problems.
Module content:
Linear algebra, eigenvalues and eigenvectors with applications to first and second order systems of differential equations. Sequences and series, convergence tests. Power series with applications to ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients. Fourier series with applications to partial differential equations such as potential, heat and wave equations.
Module content:
Theory and solution methods for linear differential equations as well as for systems of linear differential equations. Theory and solution methods for first order non-linear differential equations. The Laplace transform with application to differential equations. Application of differential equations to modelling problems.
Module content:
Calculus of multivariable functions, directional derivatives. Extrema. Multiple integrals, polar, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. Line integrals and the theorem of Green. Surface integrals and the theorems of Gauss and Stokes.
Module content:
Numerical integration. Numerical methods to approximate the solution of non-linear equations, systems of equations (linear and non-linear), differential equations and systems of differential equations. Direct methods to solve linear systems of equations.
Minimum credits: 145
Module content:
The purpose of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and economic decision-making so that students can design, manage, evaluate and participate in engineering projects in the workplace. As such elements from engineering economics, project management and systems engineering are combined.
Module content:
Characterisation and taxonomy of biological material. Biochemistry and the chemistry of life. Biological growth requirements, metabolism and growth kinetics. Elemental modelling of the human system, agriculture and livestock. Kinetic modelling of aerobic and anaerobic digestion/digester. Understanding of sustainability and food-water-energy nexus from a chemical element perspective (e.g. recycle of nutrients, water pollution, food and energy security, and responsible recycling of chemical elements).
Module content:
Steady and unsteady state conductive heat transfer in one to three dimensions. Temperature distributions. Convective heat transfer. Application of boundary layer theory. Determination of film coefficients. Design of heat transfer equipment. Radiant heat transfer. Application of the mechanical energy balance to single phase Newtonian fluids in steady state systems. Adjustment for multiphase, non-Newtonian as well as pulsating systems. Orifice design. Optimal economic choice of pipe diameters, pumps and control valves.
Module content:
Fundamentals of phase and chemical equilibrium with emphasis on vapour/liquid systems leading to the study of separations and reacting systems. Concepts and formalism of thermodynamics. Postulates and laws of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic functions (enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy). Thermochemistry and Ellingham diagrams. Phase Equilibria: Phase diagrams of single substances, phase boundaries, the Phase Rule. Phase diagrams of mixtures, steam distillation, eutectic mixtures. Solution thermodynamics: Ideal and non-ideal solutions, excess properties and activity coefficient models. The equations of state of ideal and real gases, residual properties and fugacity. Vapour-liquid equilibrium from equations of state and the approach. Application of thermodynamics to equilibrium between fluid- (gas and liquid) and condensed (liquid and solid) phases. Chemical reaction equilibrium.
Module content:
Effective communication with engineering and technical audiences, as well as with the community at large, is taught. The emphasis is on written documentation. Formal communication is characterised by: the use of appropriate language and style; effective structuring of information; the use of modern electronic communication technologies, with emphasis on word processing, spreadsheets, appropriate email protocols, effective use of graphic information, effective and correct presentation of numerical data, correct referencing methods, seamless inclusion of mathematics expressions, tables, diagrams and appendices in written work; appropriate methods for levelling communication to the requirements of the target audience.
Module content:
Batch reactors; basic reaction kinetics; fitting of experimental reaction data; flow reactor basics.
Module content:
Laboratory safety and general industrial safety practices. Techniques for planning of experiments. Experimental work illustrating: Analysis: Composition of coal and gas, heat of combustion, viscosity. Mass transfer: Gas absorption, batch distillation, azeotropic distillation, fractional distillation and liquid-liquid extraction. Heat transfer: Condenser, shell and tube heat exchanger, heat loss from insulated pipes. Piping system design: Frictional energy loss through pipes and fittings. Measuring equipment: Rate of flow, temperature. Reporting of laboratory results.
Module content:
Separation by means of equilibrium stages. Design of flash distillation systems, distillation columns, absorbers and strippers by hand and computer calculations. Design of membrane separation systems.
Module content:
Momentum transfer. Fluid statics. Control volume approach for conservation of mass, energy, and momentum. Application to pumps and turbines. Navier-Stokes equations, derivation and applications. Laminar and turbulent boundary layer theory. Heat transfer: fundamentals of heat transfer. Differential equations of heat transfer. Steady state conduction. Introduction to unsteady state conduction. Convection heat transfer and the thermal boundary layer. Radiation heat transfer. Mass transfer: fundamentals of mass transfer. Diffusion and the diffusion coefficient. Differential equations of mass transfer. Steady state molecular diffusion in one or more dimensions.
Module content:
Application of the continuity equations, transport equations and phase relationships to describe time-dependent behaviour of processes. Linearisation and use of transfer functions. Stability analysis, effect of dead time and inverse response. Elements of a control loop. Control principles and mechanisms.
Module content:
*Attendance module only
At the end of the second year of study, students in Chemical Engineering undergo at least six weeks of prescribed practical training in the industry. The student must also attend all excursions organised during the year by the department. A satisfactory report on the practical training must be submitted to the Faculty Administration within one week of registration. In exceptional circumstances the prescribed minimum period can be reduced, as approved by the Chairman of the School of Engineering.
Module content:
Two exit-level Graduate Attributes (GAs) of ECSA are addressed and each must be passed in the same semester. GA7: Demonstrate critical awareness of the impact of engineering activity on the social, industrial and physical environment. The history of engineering globally and in South Africa. Most important engineering projects globally and in South Africa. The impact of technology on society. Occupational and public health and safety. Occupational Health and Safety Act. Impacts on the physical environment. The personal, social, cultural values and requirements of those affected by engineering activity. The combination of social, workplace (industrial) and physical environmental factors are appropriate to the discipline of the qualification. GA8: Demonstrate competence to work effectively on a small project as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary environments. Identifies and focuses on objectives. Works strategically. Executes tasks effectively. Delivers completed work on time. Effective teamwork: Makes individual contribution to team activity; performs critical functions; enhances work of fellow team members; benefits from support of team members; communicates effectively with team members; delivers completed work on time. Multidisciplinary work by the following: Acquires a working knowledge of co-worker’s discipline; uses a systems-engineering approach; communicates across disciplinary boundaries. Report and presentation on team project. Tasks require co-operation across at least one disciplinary boundary. Students acquire a working knowledge of co-worker’s discipline. Students communicate between disciplinary boundaries.
Minimum credits: 145
Additional information
Students must choose a specialisation by selecting one of the following four 16- credit module codes:
Module content:
Humidification and dehumidification of air. Water cooling, drying, crystallisation, ion exchange, particle technology, particle movement in a fluid, sedimentation. Hydrocyclones, flotation, filtration. Centrifuges. Fluidised bed technology. Mixing. Comminution. Pneumatic transport.
Module content:
Dynamic properties of equipment, instruments, and processes. Mathematical modelling and computer simulation of processes in the time, Laplace, and frequency domains. Analysis and control of linear and non-linear processes. Stability of control systems. Controller tuning. Methods for process identification. Digital process control. Use of computers and microprocessors. Applied process control. Choice of control instrumentation. Plantwide control strategy. Development of P and IDs.
Module content:
Application of chemical engineering principles for the complete design of a chemical plant.
Module content:
Design economics and process evaluation. Cost estimation and time-value of money. Safety: Site plan and layout, area classification, hazard and operability analysis (HAZOP). Occupational Safety and Health Act, Engineering Profession of South Africa Act. Requirements to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast of up-to date tools and techniques. ECSA code of conduct, Continuing Professional Development, ECSA graduate attributes, ECSA process and reasons for registration as PrEng. Develops understanding of the system of professional development.
Module content:
Development of new processing plants; Evaluating process alternatives; Developing a process flowsheet using a process synthesis approach. Applying thermodynamic principles to obtain an optimal synthesis route. Applications using computer packages.
Module content:
Optimisation techniques, with an assignment to use the optimisation tool in Aspen Plus. Thermal pinch analysis: hot, cold and composite curves, problem table, heat exchange network design, removing heat exchangers from a network, threshold problems and the grand composite curve.
Module content:
*Attendance module only
At the end of the third year of study, students in chemical engineering undergo at least six weeks of prescribed practical training in the industry. The student must also attend all excursions organised during the year by the department. A satisfactory report on the practical training must be submitted to the department within one week of registration. In exceptional circumstances the prescribed minimum period can be reduced, as approved by the chairman of the School of Engineering.
Module content:
Modelling of various reactor types for design purposes using Python. Semi-batch reactors, pressure drop in packed bed reactors, non-isothermal reactors, energy balance for adiabatically and non-adiabatically operated CSTR reactors, energy balance for adiabatic and non-adiabatic PFR reactors, External and internal diffusion effects on reactor performance, particle effectiveness factor for isothermal, adiabatic and non-adiabatic reactors.
Module content:
The execution of a complete literature study and research project on a chosen subject.
Module content:
Interpretation of the research results of CSC 411. The writing of a project report and scientific article.
Module content:
Understand the different types of analytical techniques. Distinguish between numerous analytical techniques and their applications. Apply the theory to real analytical data. Techniques covered are:
Module content:
Environmental Systems, Drinking Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Water Quality Parameters, Activated Sludge Process, Anaerobic Digestion, System Optimisation, Global Warming Mechanisms, GHG Emission Reduction. The study objectives of this module are to:
Module content:
Unit processes in polymer processing. Analysis of complex processes: Description in terms of elementary processing steps. Transport phenomena: Transport equations, rheology and mixing processes. Elementary process steps: Particle technology, melting, pumping, pressure elevation, mixing, modelling of processes. Forming: Extrusion, calendering, injection moulding, and film blowing. Reactive processing: Thermo set materials, reaction kinetics.
Module content:
The purpose of this module is to introduce chemical engineering students to the concepts of sustainable chemical engineering practices and their roles in circular economy and sustainable development. Topics to explore include:
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