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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94529  Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the PhD qualification includes:
  • Accrediting candidates' capacity to undertake well-founded research in the field of Chemical Engineering.
  • Providing candidates with advanced professional and academic knowledge in the field of Chemical Engineering. The programme will enable the department to successfully conclude some of the research that ended at master's level that still demands further studies.

    Access will be opened to candidates with a Master of Technology, or Master Science in Chemical Engineering from South Africa and other parts of the world.

    Rationale:
    The recent student increases in the Department of Chemical Engineering in Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree programmes have created a need for the Doctor of Philosophy programme in the Chemical Engineering Department, to meet national demands for skills capacity at this level.

    The programme will enable the department to successfully conclude some of the research that ended at Master's level that still demands further studies. Access will be opened to candidates with a Master of Technology, or Master Science in Chemical Engineering from South Africa and other parts of the world. A Doctor of Philosophy will enhance human capacity at the department by allowing young staff members to work and study at the same time. In conclusion, the programme is expected to satisfy national requirements to produce more Doctor of Philosophy candidates in Chemical Engineering that can support research and development nationwide. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL may be used to grant admission to those who do not meet the requirements to enrol for the qualification.

    The university policy on RPL will be applied should there be an applicant who meets the criteria as laid out in the university RPL policy requirements. RPL is a way of recognising what individuals already know and can do. RPL is based on the premise that people learn both inside and outside the formal learning structures.

    RPL in this context can be used at Vaal University of Technology for the following purposes:
  • Entry to a qualification.
  • For entry into a Postgraduate qualification. Should the candidate apply for RPL to do further studies, "Status" can be awarded for the preceding qualification.

    The assessment evidence and procedure are subject to the moderation by independent moderators appointed by the university.
    The general assessment policy of the Vaal University of Technology will apply to the assessment of RPL candidates.

    Entry Requirements:
    Admission requirement into the Doctor of Philosophy programme will be a pass of 65% at Master of Technology or Master of Science level. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of only one compulsory module worth 360 Credits.
  • Chemical Engineering. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Contribute to original knowledge in a particular field, through the application of research methods, theories and techniques, and produce a thesis that meets international standards requirements. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcomes:
  • The research problem is clearly identified, defined, and detailed in the research proposal.
  • Experimental research is carried out responsibly and ethically.
  • The listed and cited literature and exposition of the research reflects mastery of relevant and recent trends in technology, techniques and theories in the chosen field.
  • Model, principles, theories, techniques and methodologies in the chosen field are analysed, explained and juxtaposed correctly in oral presentations and the written research report.
  • Appropriate mathematical and statistical methods are correctly applied to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Inference interpretation and conclusion from measurements and analyses of information are valid.
  • Presentation of both final written thesis and oral presentation comply with international standards.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • The assessment methods were also reviewed and compared to International and National norms and standards, it must be noted that majority of institutions appoint two external examiners at PhD level one being international and the other National. All International Universities reviewed also require the student to challenge the research prior to the Degree being awarded. This is seen as a good tool to judge the student proficiency in the chosen research field and will be taken under consideration by the student.
  • A completed supervised Thesis is submitted for examination at the end of the research work.
  • Examiners with credibility in the field are nominated by the head of department.
  • Names with acceptance forms signed together with CV's are submitted to Higher Degree Committee (HDC) for approval.
  • External examiners are appointed and approved by HDC to assess the Thesis.
  • A mark is allocated and taken to HDC for approval. The approved marks go to SENATE which will finally accept and approve a final judgment for awarding the degree. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The defining characteristic of this qualification is that the candidate is required to demonstrate high level research capability and to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a discipline or field. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication. The Degree may be earned through pure discipline-based or multidisciplinary research or applied research.

    The qualification is compared to the following from other countries internationally.

    Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in the United States offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering. The qualification aims to guide and prepare learners to become independent researchers equipped to apply chemical engineering principles as well as advanced analytical and experimental techniques to the solution of open-ended research problems. The Doctor of Philosophy is a research-based thesis.

    Stanford University in California offers a Postgraduate qualification Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering. The qualification covers the use of advanced chemical analysis techniques, such as gas chromatography, where a sample is converted into gas for a comprehensive analysis. Thesis and dissertation requirements include identifying a problem in the field of chemical engineering and applying research skills to develop a solution.

    Newcastle University in the United Kingdom offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering. The qualification covers kinetics and mechanism new materials and predictive modelling based upon mechanistic understanding and work on catalytic kinetics, photocatalysis, photon-induced reaction and the elucidation of reaction mechanism.

    Current research includes: developing novel surface engineering processes and materials (such as fullerene-like coating materials) energy-based methods for performance modelling and nanomaterials and nanocharacterisation techniques.

    Conclusion:
    The doctorate qualification compares favourably with these qualifications as it focuses on the advancement of the study of chemical compounds while learning how to conduct research and present findings. The entry requirement of the qualification is compared with the indicated qualifications. This Doctor of Philosophy qualifications focus on a variety of chemical engineering topics, such as bioengineering, renewable energy, plastics, kinetic energy transfer and organic chemistry. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification articulates horizontally with:
  • Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management.
  • Doctor of Technology in Engineering: Chemical.

    Vertically:
  • Upon completion the learner can proceed to Post-Doctoral Research. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Vaal University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.