BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY IN MATERIALS

ENGINEERING IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY

Qualification code: BPPT20 – NQF Level 7 (420 credits)
SAQA ID: 111166, CHE NUMBER: H/H16/E099CAN

Campus where offered: Pretoria Campus

REMARKS

a. Admission requirement(s) and selection criteria:

• APPLICANTS WITH A SENIOR CERTIFICATE OBTAINED BEFORE 2008:

Admission requirement(s):
A Senior Certificate with a matriculation endorsement or an equivalent qualification, with a
C symbol at Standard Grade or a D symbol at Higher Grade for English, and B symbols at
Standard Grade or C symbols at Higher Grade for Mathematics and Physical Science.

Selection criteria:
To be considered for this qualification, applicants must have an Admission Point Score (APS)
of at least 28.

Recommended subject(s):
None.

• APPLICANTS WITH A NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE OBTAINED IN OR AFTER 2008:

Admission requirement(s):
A National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification, with a bachelor’s degree
endorsement, or an equivalent qualification, with an achievement level of at least 4 for
English (home language or first additional language) and 5 for Mathematics or Technical
Mathematics, and 5 for Physical Sciences or Technical Sciences.

Selection criteria:
To be considered for this qualification, applicants must have an Admission Point Score (APS)
of at least 28 (excluding Life Orientation).

Recommended subjects:
Engineering Graphics and Design and Mechanical Technology.

• APPLICANTS WITH A NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL) AT NQF LEVEL 4:

Admission requirement(s):
A National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4, with a bachelor’s degree endorsement,
issued by the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training
(Umalusi) with at least a 50% (APS of 4) for English, 50% for Life Orientation (excluded for
APS calculation), and 60% (APS of 5) for Mathematics and Science, and 60% (APS of 5) for
any other three compulsory vocational subjects.

Selection criteria:
To be considered for this qualification, applicants must have an Admission Point Score (APS)
of at least 28 (excluding Life Orientation).

Recommended subject(s):
None.

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 • APPLICANTS WITH A NATIONAL N CERTIFICATE/NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE AS
PUBLISHED IN REPORT 191: N3 (NQF LEVEL 4):

Admission requirement(s):
A National Senior Certificate or a National N Certificate with languages as published in
Report 191: N3 (NQF Level 4) issued by both the Department of Higher Education and Training
(DHET) and the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training
(Umalusi), with at least 50% for English, Mathematics N3, Engineering Sciences N3 and any
other two additional subjects.

Selection criteria:
To be considered for this qualification, applicants must have an Admission Point Score (APS)
of at least 28.

Recommended subject(s):
None.

• APPLICANTS WITH A N6 CERTIFICATE IN A RELATED ENGINEERING FIELD AS PUB-

LISHED IN REPORT 191: N6:

Admission requirement(s):
A N6 Certificate in a related Engineering field as published in Report 191: N6 issued by
both the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Council for Quality
Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), with an average of at
least 60% for the qualification, and successful completion of an English Language Proficiency
Assessment (done by the University).

Recommended subject(s):
None.

• APPLICANTS WITH QUALIFICATIONS ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

SUB-FRAMEWORK (HEQSF) OFFERED BY UNIVERSITIES OF TECHNOLOGY:

The applicant will be considered for admission to the programme, if any of the following
qualifications has been completed:

- Higher Certificate in Materials Engineering in Polymer Technology (NQF Level 5 - 140

credits): with an average of at least 60% for the qualification.
- Advanced Certificate in Materials Engineering in Polymer Technology (NQF Level 6 - 140
credits): with an average of at least 60% for the qualification.
- Diploma in Materials Engineering in Polymer Technology (NQF Level 6 - 280 credits): with
an average of at least 55% for the qualification.
- National Diploma: Polymer Technology (NQF Level 6 - 3,000 credits): with an average
of at least 55% for the qualification.

b. Assessment Procedure:
No further assessment will be done (except for candidates with a N4 Certificate). Applicants
who achieve the minimum APS will be considered until the programme complement is full. All
completed applications received within the published due dates will be ranked. After consideration
of the Departmental Student Enrolment Plan, only the top ranking applicants will be selected.
Once a programme is full, a waiting list will be in place to provide an opportunity for applicants
to fill places of those who did not register on time. Applicants will be informed of their status
per official letter from the Office of the Registrar, alternatively, they can check their application
status on the TUT website, www.tut.ac.za.

c. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), equivalence and status:

See Chapter 30 of Students' Rules and Regulations.

d. Intake for the qualification:

January only.

e. Minimum duration:
Three years.

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 f. Presentation:
Day classes. Working students with a National Diploma will be permitted to register for certain
modules on a block-mode basis.

g. Re-registration:
A student may re-register for the module Plastics Design Project only with the permission of
the Head of the Department. The purpose of the re-registration is to provide students with
an opportunity to complete the project only, and not to redo it, should they fail the module.

h. Exclusion and readmission:

See Chapter 2 of Students' Rules and Regulations.

Key to asterisks:
* Modules are offered in block mode. Full details on the offering is available from the department.

CURRICULUM

FIRST YEAR
CODE MODULE NQF-L CREDIT PREREQUISITE MODULE(S)

COL105X Computer Literacy* (5) (5)

COS105X Communication Skills (5) (6)
EMA105B Engineering Mathematics I (5) (28)
EGE105B Engineering Graphics* (5) (14)
INL125C Information Literacy (block (5) (1)
module)
LFS125X Life Skills (block module) (5) (2)
MEC105B Mechanics* (5) (28)
PTY105B Plastics Technology (5) (28)

FIRST SEMESTER

ORC115B Organic Chemistry (5) (14)

SECOND SEMESTER

SOA115B Strength of Material I* (5) (14)

TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE FIRST YEAR: 140

SECOND YEAR
CODE MODULE NQF-L CREDIT PREREQUISITE MODULE(S)

EMA206B Engineering Mathematics II* (6) (14) Engineering Mathematics I

PAS206B Probability and Statistics* (6) (14) Engineering Mathematics I
PCO206B Plastics Conversion I (6) (28) Plastics Technology
PPT206B Plastics Part and Tool Design* (6) (28) Plastics Technology
TFL206B Thermo-Fluids* (6) (28) Engineering Mathematics I
Mechanics

FIRST SEMESTER

PMI216B Plastics Material Science I (6) (14) Plastics Technology

SECOND SEMESTER

PYC206B Polymer Chemistry (6) (14) Organic Chemistry

TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE SECOND YEAR: 140

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 THIRD YEAR
CODE MODULE NQF-L CREDIT PREREQUISITE MODULE(S)

PCO307B Plastics Conversion II* (7) (28) Plastics Conversion I

PDP307B Plastics Design Project* (7) (28) Plastics Part and Tool Design
PDP317R Plastics Design Project* (7) (0)
(re-registration) (first-semester
module)
PMI307B Plastics Material Science II* (7) (28) Plastics Material Science I
SOM307B Strength of Materials II* (7) (28) Strength of Material I

FIRST SEMESTER

EPR317B Engineering Practice* (7) (14)

SECOND SEMESTER

SCP216B Scientific Computing* (6) (14)

TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE THIRD YEAR: 140

TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE QUALIFICATION: 420

MODULE INFORMATION (OVERVIEW OF SYLLABUS)

The syllabus content is subject to change to accommodate industry changes. Please note that a more detailed
syllabus is available at the Department or in the study guide that is applicable to a particular module. On 01
October 2019, the syllabus content was defined as follows:

C
COMMUNICATIONAL SKILLS (COS105X) 1 X 2-HOUR PAPER
(Module custodian: Department of Applied Languages)
To identify and apply basic competencies related to communicating in a technical or engineering environment.
These competencies include presenting technical information to a variety of audiences, preparing technical
reports, participating constructively in formal meetings and preparing a variety of business and technical
documents. (Total tuition time: ± 40 hours)

COMPUTER LITERACY (COL105X) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

(Module custodian: Department of End-User Computing)
Students have to acquire foundational knowledge in Computing Fundamentals, essential digital skills in key
applications based on Ms Office Suite (i.e. MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Visio Professional and
MS Access) and network basics (i.e. MS Outlook and Internet). A complete syllabus and module outlines are
described in the study guide. Students will do online exams that are mapped with SAQA and IC3 Essential
Skills for Digital Literacy (International Certification). (Total tuition time: not available)

E
ENGINEERING GRAPHICS (EGE105B) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
(Module custodian: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering)
Introduction to graphics communication. Dimensioning and tolerance practices. Geometrical construction.
Pictorial projections. Interpenetration and development. Machine drawings. Civil drawings including electrical
diagrams. (Total tuition time: ± 140 hours)

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ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS I (EMA105B) 2 X 2-HOUR PAPERS
(Module custodian: Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
Trigonometry, geometry, functions, complex numbers, vector algebra, matrices and transformations, single-
variable differentiation and integration, partial differentiation, multiple-variable intervals, introduction to differential
equations. (Total tuition time: not available)

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS II (EMA206B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
Mathematical modelling, first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs), higer-order ODEs, Laplace
transforms, systems of ODE's, numerical solutions of ODEs, Sturm-Liouville problems, partial differential
equations. (Total tuition time: not available)

ENGINEERING PRACTICE (EPR317B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Electrical Engineering)
Engineering Communication; Project Management; Management and Ethics; Contracts and Intellectual Prop-
erty; Entrepreneurship. (Total tuition time: ± 95 hours)

I
INFORMATION LITERACY (INL125C) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
(Module custodian: Directorate of Library and Information Services)
Introduction of information literacy. Development of a search strategy and application of a search string to
search engines and academic databases. Evaluation of information sources. Ethical and legal use of infor-
mation. (Total tuition time: ± 10 hours)

L
LIFE SKILLS (LFS125X) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
(Module custodian: Directorate of Student Development and Support)
Academic, personal and socio-emotional skills development for students in higher education. Personal and
social dimensions address: Effective planning and self-management (goal setting and time management);
Adjusting to university life (student life, diversity and change); Intra- and interpersonal skills development
(conflict management, self-esteem, relationship management); Effective living (healthy living, HIV education,
substance abuse). Academic dimension addresses: Academic skills for university (e.g. critical thinking, creati-
vity, managing assignments and assessments). (Total tuition time: ± 20 hours)

M
MECHANICS (MEC105B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER
(Module custodian: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering)
To equip the student with a clear and logical understanding of the basic concept and principles of physics and
mechanics to strengthen an understanding of the concepts and principles through a broad range of interesting
applications to the real world. (Total tuition time: ± 140 hours)

O
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (ORC115B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER
(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
Introduction to Organic Chemistry, organic molecules, classes, nomenclature, structures, bonding and simple
reactions; Mechanisms of reactions of organic compounds-Stereochemistry, resonance, nucleophilic additions
and substitutions, elimination reactions; Hydroxyl 1 group- alcohol and phenols, carbonyl group- aldehydes and
ketones structure, carboxylic acid derivatives- anhydrides acid halides esters and amide, amino group- Amines,
structure; Fats and oils, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, natural products; Chromatography-principles
and methods with special emphasis on planar chromatography; Liquid extraction and solid phase extraction,
comparison of traditional and modern extraction procedures; Introduction to electro analytical methods. (Total
tuition time: ± 60 hours)

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 P
PLASTICS CONVERSION I (PCO206B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER
(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
To introduce students to polymer process engineering concepts and principles, to enable them to analyse poly-
mer processing operations in terms of common elementary and shaping steps. At the end of the module, if all
the tutorials, tests and assignments are completed successfully, the student will be able to identify, analyse, and
solve broadly-defined polymer processing problems. (Total tuition time: ± 280 hours)

PLASTICS CONVERSION II (PCO307B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
To introduce students to pre-processing of plastic materials as well as post-production operations in order to
achieve the final desired product. At the end of the module, if all the tutorials, tests and assignments are com-
pleted successfully, the student will be able to identify, analyse, and solve, evaluate and critically reflect and
address broadly-defined problems. (Total tuition time: ± 280 hours)

PLASTICS DESIGN PROJECT (PDP307B/PDP317R) PROJECT ASSESSMENT

(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
The purpose of the module is to provide holistic and systematic understanding and knowledge of product de-
sign. The module is designed and envisaged to mimic real workplace product design problems in which indi-
viduals work as part of a collective but also have responsibilities assigned particularly to them. At the end of this
module, students can undertake advanced tasks related to the design of injection moulded polymer products
and the tools to produce them. (Total tuition time: ± 280 hours)

PLASTICS MATERIAL SCIENCE I (PMI216B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
To impart fundamental knowledge of the relationships that exist between the structures and properties of materi-
als and on the basis of these structure–property correlations, help students understand the process of designing
or engineering the structure of a material to produce a predetermined set of properties. (Total tuition time: ± 140
hours)

PLASTICS MATERIAL SCIENCE II (PMI307B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
To equip the students with fundamental and application knowledge of polymer materials, in terms of the phase
structure, properties, process requirements and applications, building on to the knowledge gained in the Plastics
Material Science module. (Total tuition time: ± 280 hours)

PLASTICS PART AND TOOL DESIGN (PPT206B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
To equip students with essential skills to design an injection-moulded part and the tool required to produce it.
The module aims to prepare students for their design project in the final year by introducing the fundamental
aspects of plastic part design and tool (mould) design. (Total tuition time: ± 280 hours)

PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY (PTY105B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
To equip the student with sufficient knowledge to understand the variations of selecting a suitable polymer resin
together with suitable additives and be able to relate it to a suitable process so that a well-defined product can be
manufactured. This module gives an understanding of a polymer, its structure and its properties, which will en-
able the student to have a fundamental understanding of the concepts of material and manufacturing processes
used. (Total tuition time: ± 280 hours)

POLYMER CHEMISTRY (PYC206B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Material Engineering)
Free radical polymerisation of vinyl polymers; ionic polymerisation of vinyl polymers; vinyl polymerisation with
complex coordination catalysts; vinyl polymers properties and application; reactions of vinyl polymers; step
growth and ring opening polymerisation of non-vinyl polymers; natural and biodegradable polymers. (Total tui-
tion time: ± 140 hours)

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PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS (PAS206B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER
(Module custodian: Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
Sampling techniques and descriptive statistics. Probability. Counting rules. Inferential statistics. Analysis of
variance. Regression and correlation analysis. Non-parametric tests. (Total tuition time: not available)

S
SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING (SCP216B) 1 X 4-HOUR PAPER COMPUTER-BASED
(Module custodian: Department of Electrical Engineering)
To provide students with an introduction, as well as cognitive and conceptual tools, for implementation in other
modules in the qualification and in the workplace. The focus will be on modelling applications in engineering.
(Total tuition time: ± 140 hours)

STRENGTH OF MATERIAL I (SOA115B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering)
Simple Stress and Strain; Torsion of Circular Shafts; Temperature Stresses; Catenaries; Beam-Shear Force and
bending moment. (Total tuition time: ± 140 hours)

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS II (SOM307B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER

(Module custodian: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering)
To provide a sound foundation in the study of Mechanical of Materials advanced knowledge to the behaviour
of materials under the action of external forces as required at higher levels of study and for the purpose of
economically designing Machine Components. (Total tuition time: ± 280 hours)

T
THERMO-FLUIDS (TFL206B) 1 X 3-HOUR PAPER
(Module custodian: Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering)
Introduction to fluid flow, fluid mechanics and the basics of heat flow in the form of fundamental thermodynamics
and principles thereof. (Total tuition time: not available)

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