Yearbooks

Programme: BEng (Civil Engineering)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
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

Programme information

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:

  1. Engineering problem solving.
  2. Application of specialist and fundamental knowledge, with specific reference to mathematics, basic sciences and engineering sciences.
  3. Engineering design and synthesis.
  4. Investigation, experimentation and data analysis.
  5. Engineering methods, skills, tools and information technology.
  6. Professional and general communication.
  7. Awareness and knowledge of the impact of engineering activity on society and the physical environment.
  8. Work in teams and in multidisciplinary environments.
  9. An awareness and ability for lifelong learning.
  10. An awareness and knowledge of principles of professional ethics and practice.
  11. Awareness and knowledge of engineering management principles and economic decision-making.

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:

  1. Mathematics, including numerical methods and statistics (13%)
  2. Basic sciences: the natural sciences essential to the programme (15%)
  3. Engineering sciences (40%)
  4. Engineering design and synthesis (16%)
  5. Computing and information technology (5%)
  6. Complementary studies: communication, economy, management, innovation, environmental impact, ethics, engineering practice (11%).

Admission requirements

Important information for all prospective students for 2022

  • The admission requirements apply to students who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.
  • Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to:
    • Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2022: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.
  • Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) should also refer to:
  • School of Tomorrow (SOT), Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) and General Education Development Test (GED): The University of Pretoria no longer accepts qualifications awarded by these institutions.
  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Level 4: The University of Pretoria may consider NCV candidates, provided they meet the exemption for bachelor’s status criteria and the programme requirements.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme at the University of Pretoria (UP) –

  • is a registered student at another tertiary institution, or was previously registered at another tertiary institution and did not complete the programme enrolled for at that institution, and is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has completed studies at another tertiary institution, but is not currently enrolled at a tertiary institution, or has started with tertiary studies at UP, then moved to another tertiary institution and wants to be readmitted at UP.

A transferring student will be considered for admission based on

  • an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or having completed a higher certificate at a tertiary institution with faculty-specific subjects/modules passed (equal to or more than 50%), as well as complying with faculty rules on admission;
  • previous academic performance (must have passed all modules registered for up to the closing date of application ) or as per faculty regulation/promotion requirements;
  • a certificate of good conduct.

Note: Students who have been dismissed at the previous institution due to poor academic performance, will not be considered for admission to UP.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme –

  • is a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP, or was previously registered at UP and did not complete the programme enrolled for, and did not enrol at another tertiary institution in the meantime (including students who applied for leave of absence), or has completed studies at UP, but is not currently enrolled or was not enrolled at another tertiary institution after graduation.

A returning student will be considered for admission based on

  • an NSC or equivalent qualification with exemption to bachelor’s or diploma studies (whichever is applicable); and meeting the minimum faculty-specific subject requirements at NSC or tertiary level; or previous academic performance (should have a cumulative weighted average of at least 50% for the programme enrolled for);
  • having applied for and was granted leave of absence.

Note: Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP.  The Admissions Committee may consider such students if they were not dismissed more than twice. Only ONE transfer between UP faculties will be allowed, and a maximum of two (2) transfers within a faculty.

Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2022

  • The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is full  and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
  • The following persons will be considered for admission: Candidates who have a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
  • Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students.
  • A valid qualification with admission to degree studies is required.
  • Minimum subject and achievement requirements, as set out below, are required.
  • 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.
  • Admission to 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.
  • All modules will be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence.

Note: Our programmes are accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and our degrees meet the requirements for Professional Engineers in SA.

University of Pretoria website: click here

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

Physical Sciences

APS

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

5

6

6

35

***************************************************************************************************************

ENGAGE Programme minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

Physical Sciences

APS

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

NSC/IEB

5

5

5

30

 

Other programme-specific information

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:

  1. All students are required to successfully complete JCP 203, Community-based project 203, as part of the requirements for the BEng degree. A student may register for the module during any of the years of study of the programme, but preferably not during the first or the final year of study.
  2. Students registered for Chemical Engineering who have passed CBI 311 or CBI 410, receive credit for CBI 310.
  3. Mechanical Engineering: For the Aeronautical Option, the themes of both the Design and the Project must be aeronautical-related.
  4. Offering of electives depends on the availability of resources and industry support.

Promotion to next study year

Promotion to the second semester of the first year and to the second year of study 

  1. A new first-year student who has failed in all the prescribed modules of the programme at the end of the first semester, is excluded from studies in the School of Engineering. A student who is registered for the Engineering Augmented Degree Programme and has passed only 8 credits will also be excluded.
  2. A student who complies with all the requirements of the first year of study, is promoted to the second year of study.
  3. A student who has not passed at least 70% of the credits of the first year of study after the November examinations, must reapply for admission should he/she intend to proceed with his/her studies. Application on the prescribed form must be submitted to the Student Administration of the School of Engineering not later than 11 January. Late applications will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances after approval by the Dean. Should first-year students be readmitted, conditions of readmission will be determined by the Admissions Committee.
  4. Students who have not passed all the prescribed modules at first-year level (level 100), as well as students who are readmitted in terms of Faculty Regulations must register for the outstanding first-year level (level-100) modules.
  5. A student who is repeating his or her first year, may, on recommendation of the relevant heads of department and with the approval of the Dean, be permitted to enrol for modules of the second-year of study in addition to the first-year modules which he or she failed, providing that he or she complies with the prerequisites for the second-year modules and no timetable clashes occur. Students on the ENGAGE programme may, following the same procedure, be permitted to enrol for level-200 modules in addition to the level-100 modules which he/she failed providing that he/she complies with the prerequisites for the modules at 200-level and no timetable clashes occur. On recommendation of the relevant head of department and with special permission from the Dean, permission may be granted to exceed the prescribed number of credits. The total number of credits which may be approved may not exceed the normal number of credits per semester by more than 16 credits.
  6. Students in Computer, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, who fail a first-year module for the second time, forfeit the privilege of registering for any modules of an advanced year of study.


Please note:

  1. From the second year of study each student should be in possession of an approved calculator. It is assumed that each student will have easy access to a laptop computer.
  2. Students who intend transferring to Mining Engineering, must familiarise themselves with the stipulations set out in the syllabi of PWP 121 Workshop practice 121.


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. 

  1. A student who complies with all the requirements of the second year of study, is promoted to the third year of study.
  2. A student must pass all the prescribed modules at first-year level (level 100) before he or she is admitted to any module at third-year level (level 300).
  3. A student who is repeating his or her second year must register for all the second-year modules still outstanding. Such a student may, on recommendation of the relevant head of department and with the approval of the Dean, be permitted to enrol for modules of the third year of study in addition to the second-year modules which he or she failed, providing that he or she complies with the prerequisites for the third-year modules and no timetable clashes occur. On recommendation of the relevant head of department, and with special permission from the Dean, permission may be granted to exceed the prescribed number of credits. The total number of credits which may be approved may not exceed the normal number of credits per semester by more than 16 credits.
  4. Students in Computer, Electrical and Electronic Engineering who fail a second-year module for the second time forfeit the privilege of registering for any modules of the third year of study.
  5. Students who intend transferring to Mining Engineering must familiarise themselves with the stipulations set out in the syllabi of PWP 120 Workshop practice 120, as well as PPY 317 Practical training 317.


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.

  1. A student who complies with all the requirements of the third year of study is promoted to the fourth year of study. A student who does not comply with all the requirements but who is able to register for all outstanding modules in order to complete the degree programme, may at registration be promoted to the fourth year of study.
  2. A student must pass all the prescribed modules of the second year of study, before he or she is admitted to any module of the fourth year of study.
  3. A student who has not passed all the prescribed modules of the third year of study, must register for the outstanding modules. A student may be admitted by the Dean, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, to modules of the fourth year of study, in addition to the outstanding third-year modules, provided that he or she complies with the prerequisites of the fourth-year modules and no timetable clashes occur. The total number of credits per semester for which a student registers may not exceed the normal number of credits per semester by more than 16 credits. In exceptional cases, the Dean may, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, permit a student to exceed the above limit.
  4. Students in Computer, Electrical and Electronic Engineering who fail a third-year module for the second time, forfeit the privilege of registering for any modules of the fourth year of study.

Pass with distinction

  1. A student graduates with distinction if:
  1. no module of the third or fourth year of study of the four-year programme or of the fourth or fifth year of the ENGAGE programme was repeated and a weighted average of at least 75% (not rounded) was obtained in one year in all the modules of the final year of study; and
  2. the degree programme was completed within the prescribed four years for the four-year programme and within the prescribed five years of the ENGAGE programme.
  1. Exceptional cases to the above will be considered by the Dean.

Minimum credits: 145

Fundamental modules

Core modules

  • 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.

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  • 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).

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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Minimum credits: 152

Core modules

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • Module content:

    This module is integrated into all undergraduate academic programmes offered by the Faculty. Main objectives: execution of a community project aimed at achieving a beneficial impact on a section of a socio-economically underprivileged community located in socio-economically deprived areas our society; awareness of personal, social and cultural values and an understanding of social issues; and development of life skills.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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).

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  • 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.
     

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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Minimum credits: 152

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The behaviour, properties and application of cement and concrete products, structural steel, fibre reinforcing, polimers, masonry work and bituminuous materials.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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Minimum credits: 159

Core modules

  • 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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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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: 

    • Structures: Multi storey buildings with reinforced concrete frames and slabs; bridge across a river or road. 
    • Hydraulics: Pump stations and rising main; hydrological analysis and flood line study. 
    • Geotechnical: Slimes dams; high embankments. 
    • Transportation: Traffic impact studies, pavement design and analysis.

    The applications selected for each discipline may vary from year to year.

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  • 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

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  • 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.

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  • Module content:

    Analysis and design composite steel beam and concrete slab construction, Moment connections, Elastic and plastic design of portal, industrial and building structures.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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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The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

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