Industrial Engineering

Department: Civil Engineering and Building
Faculty: Engineering and Technology Diploma: Engineering: Civil, B Tech: Engineering Civil,
M Tech: Engineering Civil, MEng: Engineering Civil and D Tech: Engineering Civil

Hierarchy of Qualifications 

Diploma in Industrial Engineering Baccalaureus Technologiae (B Tech) Advanced Diploma (not offered yet) Postgraduate Diploma (not offered yet)

Magister Technologiae (M Tech)/ Masters of Engineering (MEng)

1. Admission Requirements:

Applicants with a National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4

2. Programme Structure: Diploma: Engineering: Industrial

A diploma will be issued on the completion of five semester of university education) and one semesters Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at an accredited employer.  The experiential training

3. Curriculum 

Semester 1: Applied Communication Skills 1.1; Engineering Chemistry 1; Engineering Skills 1; ICT Skills 1; Mathematics 1; Physics 1; Social Intelligence 1.

Semester 2: Applied Communication Skills I.2; Computing Applications 2; Engineering Chemistry 2; Engineering Drawing 1; Mathematics 2; Physics 2; Safety Principles and Law 1; Manufacturing Relations 2.

Semester 3: Applied Communication Skills 2.1; Electrical engineering 1; Engineering Work Study 1; Manufacturing Engineering 1; Production Engineering 1; Qualitative Techniques 1; Mechanics 1.

Semester 4: Applied Communication Skills 2.2; Computer Aided Draughting 1*; Costing 2; Electrical Engineering 2*; Engineering Work Study 2; Facility Layout and Material Handling 2; Maintenance 1*; Mechanical Engineering Design 2*; Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering 2; Mechanics of Machines 2*; Production Engineering 2; Quality Assurance 2; Strength of Materials 2*. (* Electives – student have to do only 1)

Semester 5: Automation 3; Engineering Work Study 3; Industrial Accounting 3; Industrial Leadership 3; Mathematics 3; Operations Research 3. Semester 6: Work Integrated Learning (Industrial)

BACCALAUREUS TECHNOLOGIAE (B TECH): INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Programme Prerequisites 

• All applicants must have a Diploma or National Diploma with the proviso of a 60% performance in those diploma subjects that will carry forward into the B Tech 

Programme Duration 

Semester 1: Production Technology IV; Project Engineering IV; Project Research IV (year Programme); Systems Dynamics IV.

Semester 2: Logistics Engineering IV; Information Systems IV; Project Research IV, Quality Assurance IV; Entrepreneurship IV.

MASTER TECHNOLOGIAE (M Tech): ENGINEERING: INDUSTRIAL 

Programme Prerequisites

• A B Tech: Engineering: Industrial degree with Average of 60%.
• Students are required to attend a compulsory programme in research methodology

Programme Duration

• As this degree is mainly based on research, all candidates for the degree shall, within six months after registration, submit proof of the submission of a research proposal approved by the EXCO of
• Minimum duration is one Note: Guidelines for research projects are available from the Faculty of Engineering.

MASTERS OF ENGINEERING IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING (MENG INDUSTRIAL)

Admission requirements: a BEng Degree or Equivalent level 8 qualification including the Postgraduate Diploma Duration of Programme: The equivalent of 1-year full-time study.

Programme Structure: This instructional programme comprises of a thesis only.

4. What is Industrial Engineering

The main objective of this discipline is to constantly improve methods, procedures and practices within an organisation, in order to increase productivity and profits. Value is added if inputs like manpower, materials, machinery and money are converted more effectively into products and services by using sound management principles.

An Industrial Engineer is continually engaged in core aspects such as communication, cooperation, quality, planning and scheduling, as well as the calculation of cycle time, capacity and utilisation. Industrial Engineers should also be competent in economic analysis, problem solving, materials handling, facility layout etc.

Industrial Engineering therefore requires persons who like working with people; who enjoy analysing and solving problems, developing solutions, gaining co- operation and motivating people. Industrial engineers always seek better, quicker and cheaper ways of doing things.

5. Job Opportunities

There is a great need for persons who are well trained in Industrial Engineering. Job opportunities for business advisors, industrial analysts, production personnel, planning personnel and line managers are available in all types of manufacturing companies as well as in service organisations. Experience has shown that people with a qualification in Industrial Engineering and a dynamic personality, quickly progress to management level or start their own businesses.

6. Registration with ECSA

Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is possible. The following registration options are available:

1. Registered Engineering Technician after completion of the
2. Registered Professional Technologist after completion of the B Tech degree with a minimum of three years industry

7.  Enquiries

Student Registration, Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag X021, Vanderbijlpark, 1900. Further enquiries might be addressed to:

The Head of Department: Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Vaal University of Technology, Private Bag X021, Vanderbijlpark, 1900

Tel: (016) 950 9287; Fax: (016) 950 9797; marisee@vut.ac.za; website www.vut.ac.za