| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 12130003 | Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology | Department: Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 4 years | Total credits: 575 | 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 2024
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 BEng (Electrical Engineering) are BSc (Chemistry), BSc (Mathematics) and BSc (Physics) if your APS and subject requirements of your first-choice programme are not obtained.
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Minimum requirements: ENGAGE 5-year programme | |||
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 ENGAGE 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 Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2024: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, 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: 144
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:
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:
Social sciences: Perspectives on contemporary society
An introduction to long-standing questions about the nature of human societies and contemporary challenges. Topics to be discussed include globalisation and increasing connectedness; rising unemployment, inequality and poverty; rapid urbanisation and the modern city form; transformations in the nature of work; environmental degradation and tensions between sustainability and growth; shifts in global power relations; the future of the nation-state and supra-national governance structures; and possibilities for extending human rights and democracy. Critical questions are posed about modern selfhood, sociality, culture and identity against the background of new communications technologies, ever more multicultural societies, enduring gender, class and race inequities, and the emergence of new and the resurgence of older forms of social and political identity. These issues are approached from the vantage of our location in southern Africa and the continent, drawing on social science perspectives.
Module content:
Humanities: Text, culture and communication
Successful communication of ideas, values and traditions depends on understanding both the literal and implied meanings of texts. In this module students are introduced to a variety of texts, including original literary and visual texts, with a view to developing an understanding of how textual meanings have been constructed and negotiated over time. Students are encouraged to understand themselves as products of – and participants in – these traditions, ideas and values. Appropriate examples will be drawn from, among others, the Enlightenment, Modernism, Existentialism, Postmodernism and Post-colonialism.
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:
Introduction to materials: the family of materials, atomic structure and types of bonding, crystal types and space arrangement of atoms, directions and planes in crystals, defects in crystals, diffusion in solids. Mechanical properties of materials: stress and strain, mechanical testing (strength, ductility, hardness, toughness, fatigue, creep), plastic deformation, solid-solution hardening, recrystallisation.
Polymeric materials: polymerisation and industrial methods, types of polymeric materials and their properties. Corrosion of metals: mechanisms and types of corrosion, corrosion rates, corrosion control. The heat treatment of steel: Fe-C phase diagram, equilibrium cooling, hardening and tempering of steel, stainless steel. Composite materials: Introduction, fibre reinforced polymeric composites, concrete, asphalt, wood.
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.
Minimum credits: 149
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:
This module introduces imperative computer programming, which is a fundamental building block of computer science. The process of constructing a program for solving a given problem, of editing it, compiling (both manually and automatically), running and debugging it, is covered from the beginning. The aim is to master the elements of a programming language and be able to put them together in order to construct programs using types, control structures, arrays, functions and libraries. An introduction to object orientation will be given. After completing this module, the student should understand the fundamental elements of a program, the importance of good program design and user-friendly interfaces. Students should be able to conduct basic program analysis and write complete elementary programs.
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 an induction machine: basic principles of induction machines, equivalent circuit and analysis thereof, calculation of power and torque through application of Thevenin's theorem. Synoptic introduction to other types of machines.
Module content:
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineering audiences and the community at large. Written communication as evidenced by: uses appropriate structure, use of modern or electronic communication methods; style and language for purpose and audience; uses effective graphical support; applies methods of providing information for use by others involved in engineering activity; meets the requirements of the target audience. Effective oral communication as evidenced by appropriate structure, style and language; appropriate visual materials; delivers fluently; meets the requirements of the intended audience. Audiences range from engineering peers, management and lay persons, using appropriate academic or professional discourse. Typed reports range from short (300-1 000 word plus tables diagrams) to long (10 000-15 000 words plus tables, diagrams, references and appendices), covering material at exit level. Methods of providing information include the conventional methods of the discipline, for example engineering drawings, as well as subject-specific methods.
Module content:
This module presents an introduction to linear systems (classification of signals, elementary signal properties, signal operations and system equations), time-domain models of linear systems (impulse response, LTI responses, convolution of continuous-time signals and related properties), Fourier series (exponential and trigonometric Fourier series, Euler, amplitude and phase spectra, bandwidth, Gibbs phenomenon, Parseval's theorem and Dirichlet condition), the Fourier transform (Fourier transform and its inverse, properties, introduction to modulation systems (amplitude modulation), energy and power spectral density of continuous-time signals), the Laplace transform (relationship with Fourier, properties, transform pairs, integro-differential equations of RC, RL and RLC circuits, block diagrams, poles and zeros, Bode plots, second-order system properties, stability, final and initial value theorems, natural frequency, natural and forced response, step response and sinusional input analysis), filter design (ideal filters and practical filter design (lowpass, highpass, bandpass and bandstop) and Butterworth and other filter designs), and sampling and quantisation (sampling theorem and Nyquist criteria, aliasing, introduction to anti-aliasing filters and digital systems).
Module content:
This module is presented during the recess period at the end of the first semester. The module serves as an introduction to programming and computer simulations using a high-level industry-standard programming language to develop and support problem solving. Students will be informed by the Department if, for practical reasons, the module needs to be offered in a different time slot.
Module content:
This module is presented during one of the recess periods during the second year of study. In this module the student will become acquainted with relevant regulations and legislation and basic aspects of wiring practice.Students will be informed by the Department if, for practical reasons, the module needs to be offered in a different time slot.
Module content:
This module presents an introduction to digital circuit design (digital representations of numbers, device electronics in digital circuits, representation and simplification of logic functions), components of combinational circuits, including analysis and design of combinational circuits, components of sequential circuits, including analysis and design of sequential circuits, and datapath components and register-transfer level design. Programmable components and hardware description language are considered throughout.
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:
Kinetics of systems of particles, Newton’s 2nd law generalised for a system of particles, rate of change of momentum and angular momentum relations, work-energy relations, conservation laws, steady mass flow. Plane kinematics of rigid bodies, rotation, translation, general 2D motion, relative motion analysis. Moments and products of inertia. Plane kinetics of rigid bodies, equations of motion, rotation, translation, general 2D motion, work-energy relations. Vibration and time response.
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:
The module covers modelling in the frequency and time domain, time and frequency response, reduction of multiple subsystems, stability, controller design via root locus, controller design via frequency response and controller design via state space.
Module content:
This module covers semiconductor components (power diodes, silicon-controlled-rectifiers, power MOSFETs, IGBTs, emerging devices), ancillary issues (heat sinks, snubbers, gate drive circuits), and converter topologies (AC to DC converters, DC to DC converters).
Module content:
This first module on power systems introduces the components which make up a power system. Single and three-phase basic concepts introduce popular analytical techniques for power system studies. Transformers are prominent components of the power system, and all their variants are studied, i.e. auto-transformers and tap changing transformers. At the heart of the generating units of most power stations are synchronous machines. Their equivalent circuit, real and reactive power control and two-axis machine model are considered. The components, modelling, voltage regulation, compensation, and transient behaviour of transmission lines are covered. Loads are also modelled for various components found in a typical power system.
Module content:
This module centres on converting a physical, electrical system into an equivalent electrical circuit model. The module starts by developing an equivalent circuit model of basic magnetic circuits through the study of flux, flux density, reluctance, hysteresis and MMF, which is later used to study and analyse electro-mechanical conversion systems. The module then moves to modelling single and three-phase transformers by introducing a fundamental electrical engineering tool, the per-unit system, as well as voltage regulation and efficiency in analysing the equivalent circuit model. Before modelling rotating machines, the fundamental principles thereof, including torque, speed, efficiency and heat loss, are introduced. Two rotating machines models are developed and studied: three-phase induction motors and DC motors. The equivalent models are used to analyse the performance of the machines.
Module content:
The module provides a project-based introduction to embedded design. General microprocessor architecture and firmware development are explored with a specific focus on memory and address decoding, general embedded programming principles, microprocessor input/output and interfacing with the real world, and the functioning and application of peripheral devices such as timers, ADCs, serial communication ports and PWM. Embedded design tools are introduced through the use of a microcontroller development board and integrated development environment (IDE) that serve as the primary learning platform. Students are exposed to current and new trends in the microcontroller industry.
Module content:
This module introduces transmission lines (wave propagation, lossless line input impedance, power flow), electrostatics (Maxwell’s equations, charge and current distributions, Coulomb's law and Gauss's law, electric potential, electric properties of materials, electric boundary conditions, capacitance, electrostatic potential energy), magnetostatics (Biot-Savart law and Ampère's law, vector magnetic potential, magnetic properties of materials, magnetic boundary conditions, inductance, magnetic energy), time-varying fields (Faraday's law, stationary loop in varying field, moving conductor in static field, moving conductor in varying field, displacement current, electromagnetic boundary conditions, charge-current continuity, electromagnetic potentials), plane-wave propagation (time harmonic fields, wave propagation in lossless media, polarisation, wave propagation in lossy media, power density), and wave reflection and transmission (normal incidence, Snell's law, oblique incidence).
Module content:
Operational amplifiers: non-idealities and limitations. Amplifier concepts: two-port modelling, gain, input and output impedance, cascaded amplifiers, signal-to-noise ratio, total harmonic distortion, power dissipation and power efficiency, frequency response and bandwidth. Feedback and stability in amplifiers. Linear operational circuits: transducers and amplifiers, instrumentation amplifiers, filters and impedance converter amplifiers. Non-linear operational circuits: oscillators, rectifiers, Schmitt triggers, peak detectors, track-and-hold amplifiers, amplifiers with non-linear transfer functions. Sampling electronics: signal quantisation, DA and AD converter circuits.
Module content:
This module is presented during one of the recess periods in the third year of study. The module is an introduction to digital signal processors (DSPs) for electrical engineering students. The first of three days is dedicated to theory lectures introducing DSP and addressing quantisation, sampling theory, anti-aliasing filters, correlation, convolution, DFT, inverse DFT, Z- transforms, digital filters (low pass, anti-aliasing, FIR and IIR) and the design thereof. PCB layout techniques, decoupling and bypass capacitors relating to digital circuits are addressed. At the end of the theory sessions students need to design a filter. The practical work over the last two days consists of implementing the filter designed as well as coding DAC, FIR, IIR and PWM for a DSP. The DAC, FIR, IIR and PWM are implemented in hardware/firmware and the results displayed on an oscilloscope. At the end of the module each student will demonstrate a working system consisting of the developed firmware and hardware performing the required signal processing functions. Students will be informed by the Department if, for practical reasons, the module needs to be offered in a different time slot.
Module content:
In this module, students are required to generate a creative system design through synthesis and integration of components and subsystems. Students have to acquire technical knowledge through independent learning, and demonstrate a competency to work in a technical design team to realise and demonstrate a working product. This practical component is augmented by theoretical instruction in the fundamentals of system engineering, industry standards and practices, design for operational feasibility, power transformer design, power cable design, power capacitor design and protection system design.
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: 137
Module content:
The module covers DC to DC converters with transformer isolation, sizing components in converters, small-signal converter modelling, magnetic design, DC and induction motors, and variable speed drives.
Module content:
Plant automation issues. The steps taken to establish controllers for industrial processes. Static and dynamic properties of sensors and actuators. Obtaining models from process data. Plant automation platforms. Model-bases PID and internal model control. Turning and troubleshoot control loops. Unconstrained single-input-single-output model predictive control. Economic evaluation of automation systems.
Module content:
This second module on power systems covers power flow (bus admittance matrix, bus impedance matrix, Gauss-Seidel and Newton Raphson methods), fault analysis (balanced fault analysis, symmetrical components, unbalanced fault analysis), power system protection (definite time, inverse-definite-minimum-time (IDMT), introduction to over-current and earth fault protection), sizing of protection devices, power system control (frequency control and voltage control), economical operation of power systems (optimal incremental cost of generation and penalty factor) and renewable energy (solar power, current and voltage curves, and maximum power point tracking (MPPT)).
Module content:
Specific niche areas from electrical engineering are addressed within the context of a research project. The student should be able to demonstrate competence in designing and conducting investigations and experiments; to analyse the results; to select and use appropriate engineering tools and software; to interpret and derive information from the data; to draw conclusions based on evidence and to communicate the purpose, process and outcomes in a report.
Module content:
This module entails the individual completion of a major engineering design project from concept to delivery. The student has to demonstrate the ability to develop a project concept into a completed final product that meets given requirements. The module focuses on the formulation of an engineering problem, the development of appropriate technical requirements and specifications (captured in a formal project proposal), project planning, design, implementation, verification that requirements are met, and completion of a technical project of a given nature, scope and complexity. The module requires the student to perform engineering design from first principles. At project completion, the student has to validate the actual design performance in real-world conditions against the design requirements and specifications. The design and results are documented in a major technical report, and the work is defended at a final oral examination and demonstration.
Module content:
Four weeks practice-orientated experience at any institution of the student’s choice (preferably in electrical, electronic or computer engineering). The student must acquire experience in the working environment and more specifically work ethics, ecology, economy, punctuality, knowledge of human nature, etc. One week after the commencement of the second semester the student must submit a report on the aspects of his/her work experience as determined by the Head of the Department.
Module content:
Requirements to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast of up-to date tools and techniques. ECSA code of conduct, Continuing Professional Development, ECSA outcomes, ECSA process and reasons for registration as CEng and PrEng. Displays understanding of the system of professional development. Accepts responsibility for own actions. Displays judgment in decision making during problem solving and design. Limits decision making to area of current competence. Reason about and make judgment on ethical aspects in case study context. Discerns boundaries of competence in problem solving and design. Case studies typical of engineering practice situations in which the graduate is likely to participate.
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