| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 12130007 | Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology | Department: Civil Engineering |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 4 years | Total credits: 608 | 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 2023
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 (Civil 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 | 5 | 5 | 30 |
Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
Conditional admission to the four-year programmes in the School of Engineering is guaranteed only if a prospective student complies with ALL the requirements as indicated in the table "Minimum requirements: 4-year programme".
Admission to the Engineering Augmented Degree Programme (ENGAGE) in the School of Engineering will be determined by the NSC results, achievement levels of 5 for Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English, and an APS of 30.
Students may apply directly to be considered for the ENGAGE programme.
You will be considered for final admission to degree studies if space allows, and if you have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with admission to bachelor’s degree studies, and comply with the minimum subject requirements as well as the APS requirements of your chosen programme.
Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: 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.
University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.
Minimum credits: 145
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:
*Attendance module only
The module is offered at the end of the first year of study and lasts at least eight days during which the students receive training in the following workshops: formwork, scaffolding, masonry, welding and structural steel.
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: 152
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 is given to Mining and Civil Engineering students, focused on the practical application of basic geological principles to engineering problems. The course covers basic rock identification, principles of stratigraphy and landscape formation, and engineering applications of geology such as mining, slope stability, and civil applications. Practicals cover geological maps and profiles, as well as basic rock identification.
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:
Geological origin. Soil tests and classification systems. Compaction, stabilisation. Bitumen and tar. Introduction to pavements. Overview of road building materials. Pavement design principles and methods.
Module content:
Statically indeterminate beams. Virtual work. Analysis of statically indeterminate structures using the methods of super-position, slope-deflection and moment distribution (with sway and support displacement).
Module content:
Concept of Stress: Stresses in structural members, stress on oblique plane and stress under general loading, components of stress, design considerations. Stress and Strain: statically indeterminate problems, thermal effects, Poisson’s ratio, generalised Hookes Law, shearing strain, stress-strain relationships. Torsion: Torsion of circular bars, stresses and strains in pure shear, power transmission, and statically indeterminate torsional members. Pure Bending: symmetric members in pure bending, stresses and deformations, deformations in transverse cross-sections, members made of composite materials, eccentric axial loading. Analysis and Design of Beams for Bending: shear and bending moment diagrams, relationships between load, shear and bending moments, design of prismatic beams for bending. Shearing stresses in Beams and Thin-Walled Members: Horizontal shearing stresses in beams, shearing stresses in Thin-Walled members. Transformation of Stress and Strain: Plane stress transformation, Mohr’s circle, principal stresses, maximum values and stress variation in prismatic beams; Plane strain transformation, Mohr’s circle, principal strains, maximum values, general state of stress, stresses in Thin-Walled pressure vessels. Principal Stresses under a given Loading: Principal stresses in beams, design of transmission shafts, stresses under combined loads. Deflection of Beams: Deformation under transverse loading, statically indeterminate beams, method of superposition. Energy Methods: Strain energy, elastic strain energy, strain energy for a general state of stress.
Module content:
Centroids: centroids of lines, surfaces and volumes. Second moment of area, parallel axis theorem, products of inertia, moment of inertia around inclined axes. Fluid statics: resultant forces and their points of application on flat and curve surfaces. Constraints and statical determinacy. Shear forces and bending moments in beams. Deflection of beams: derivation and integration of differential equations. Friction: friction on surfaces, wedges and screws. Vibration: free undamped vibration, free damped vibration, forced undamped vibration, forced damped vibration, natural frequency and resonance. Cables: distributed loads, parabolic and uniform cables.
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: 152
Module content:
The behaviour, properties and application of cement and concrete products, structural steel, fibre reinforcing, polimers, masonry work and bituminuous materials.
Module content:
Measurement instruments and measurement techniques used in engineering applications. Theory of the Wheatstone bridge and the application of strain gauges to measurement instruments. Accuracy, precision, resolution, hysteresis and linearity. Mechanical, hydraulic and electrical measurement instruments including load cells, pressure sensors, displacement transducers, vibration sensors, stress cells and inclinometers. Use of Arduino micro controller to read, log and plot sensor data. Elementary site survey and levelling. Coordinate systems and global positioning systems. Civil engineering monitoring programmes including planning, execution, data interpretation and reporting.
Module content:
Introduction to soil mechanics. Introduction to clay mineralogy. Mass, volume relationships and phases of soil. Groundwater flow and permeability. Effective stress principles. Suction pressures in saturated as well as partially saturated soil. The Mohr circle and stresses at a point. The Mohr-Coulomb strength theory and the stress-strain properties of soil. The Boussinesq theory. Consolidation theory and soil settlement.
Module content:
Application of consolidation theory. Bearing capacity of soil and foundation design, Terzaghi and general methods. Horizontal stresses in soil and design of retaining structures, Rankine and Couloumb’s methods. Slope stability including Bishop’s method of slices. Introduction to site investigation.
Module content:
Fluid properties and fundamental principles of applied hydrostatic, hydrostatic forces on bodies, buoyancy and stability of bodies. Kinematics, flow rate measurement and velocity determination. Pipe flow and real fluids. Basic principles of water purification and water treatment.
Module content:
Pipe network analyses and municipal services. Components of water distribution networks. Pump selection and water hammer analyses. Free surface flows and model analyses.
Module content:
Self-weight, imposed and wind loads. Principles of limit-states design. Timber as a structural material, design of tension, compression and bending members (laterally braced and unbraced), beam columns, trusses and bracing.
Module content:
Introduction to engineering economics: Basic guidelines, assessment of alternative investment possibilities. Equal annual cash flow, current value, internal rate of return, cost benefit relationship.
Economic evaluation of projects: Influence of depreciation on the economics of projects, determination of income tax implications of decisions, economic analysis of multiple alternatives, the influence of inflation on the economics of projects, application of the theory of probability for economics studies, economic studies on the replacement of equipment.
Module content:
Analysis of symmetrical structures using slope-deflection equations or moment-distribution; three dimensional structures and grillages; matrix methods; influence lines. Euler buckling of columns with different boundary conditions.
Module content:
Stability of beams. Material properties. Analysis and limit states design of tension, compression and flexural members, and beam-columns. Design of trusses, simple framed structures and connections.
Module content:
Properties of reinforced concrete. Principles of limit states design. Analysis and design of sections in flexure and in compression combined with flexure. Design for shear and torsion. Bond and anchorage. Serviceability requirements: Detailing and span-effective depth ratios. Design of footings and short columns. Simple footings and stairs.
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:
Introduction to transportation engineering; vehicle performance and motion; traffic analysis techniques; traffic data collection; capacity and level of service analysis; railway engineering; airport capacity; geometric road design; cross-section, horizontal and vertical alignment; urban streets; layout considerations and intersection design; traffic control; traffic safety.
Minimum credits: 159
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.
Module content:
Planning, needs assessment and performance indicators for contracts. Civil Engineering Project: client, consultant and contractors expectations and responsibilities. Tender process, construction process, application of OHS Act and Mine, Health and Safety Act, conditions of contract and claims, insurances, engineering economics, programming, costing, 1509001: quality management systems, life cycle concepts, maintenance cycle, maintenance management.
Module content:
In this module commercially available computer packages will be used to develop models based on Finite Elements, Finite Differences and other approaches. Limitations and simple checks to ensure consistency of commonly used design software packages will be illustrated. Basic principles and techniques will be discussed and the effect of aspects such as meshing, element choice, boundary conditions and material properties will be investigated. Applications within the various fields of Civil Engineering will be considered. Results obtained from models will be compared to actual experimental results. This module will contain groupwork and multi-disciplinary problems will be solved.
Module content:
The module focuses on design applications. The aim is to extend and consolidate knowledge of basic engineering disciplines and apply this in an integrated and synthesised way on classic design applications. The student is exposed to all the applications of the classic disciplines of structures, geotechnical, hydraulics and transportation and compiles a preliminary design. The various discipline specialists select relevant application examples in each discipline for detail designs such as:
The applications selected for each discipline may vary from year to year.
Module content:
Regulatory framework, site investigation, site restoration, and waste disposal. Site characterization methods. Waste types and properties. Integrated environmental management processes. Environmental legislation in South Africa. Environmental impact, environmental auditing and risk analysis. ISO 140000: what it entails and how it is applied. Community participation. Municipal service delivery life cycles. Environmental management in context of project lifecycle. Project life cycle management and project management. SHEQ in the workplace
Module content:
Sediment transportation, hydraulic structures, bridges and culvert hydraulics, stormwater handling. Hydrology, flood hydrology, creation of runoff records and the simulation of surface water resources, creation of stochastic sequences and the reliability analysis of surface water resources and dam safety.
Module content:
Analysis and design composite steel beam and concrete slab construction, Moment connections, Elastic and plastic design of portal, industrial and building structures.
Module content:
Behaviour and design of beams, slabs (solid, ribbed and waffle slabs, flat plates and flat slabs), columns (slender columns and biaxial bending), footings (simple and combined footings) and stairs. Introduction to the design of prestressed concrete flexural members.
Module content:
*Attendance module only
During or at the end of the third year of study, students in civil engineering undergo at least 6 weeks of prescribed training in the industry. A satisfactory report on the practical training must be submitted to the Student Administration within one week of registration.
Module content:
In the first semester, two full days of the week must be used by final-year students for the execution of an analytical and/or experimental research project.
Module content:
Introduction to the basic concepts of urban and regional planning. The planning process, policy and institutional framework in which planning functions in SA. The interaction and co-operation of land and space, economy, politics and social aspects related to space in decision making. Interventions for sustainable development planning and design; definitions and rationale for land-use management and the strategic integrated development planning process. Infrastructure system evaluation, risk assessment, feasibility and decision analysis. Life cycle costing of infrastructure. Demand and supply analysis. Demand forecasting models.
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