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Programme: BScHons in Applied Science specialising in Mechanics option

Physical Asset Management

This multidisciplinary programme exposes students to both the management as well as the technical aspects of Physical Asset Management from a theoretical perspective. Students will, however, have to choose whether they would prefer to conduct the research component of the programme in either the technical domain (register with the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering) or in the management domain (register with the Graduate School of Technology Management).

The BScHons (Applied Science) degree is conferred by the following academic departments:

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering
• Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
• Mining Engineering

Any specific module is offered on the condition that a minimum number of students are registered for the module, as determined by the relevant head of department and the Dean. Students must consult the relevant head of department in order to compile a meaningful programme, as well as on the syllabi of the modules. The relevant departmental postgraduate brochures must also be consulted.

Admission Requirements

General Admission Regulations:

All applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Certified full academic transcripts from undergraduate to current level
2. Certified copy of ID or passport
3. A research concept note (not applicable to honours or coursework master's degrees): A description of the proposed research field indicating a research topic and the broad scope of the proposed study, not exceeding 500 words.

All applicants with international qualifications must submit the following documents:

1. A SAQA evaluation of the completed qualification or a comprehensive Foreign Qualification Report
2. TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results (if applicable)
3. Certified copy of passport.

All postgraduate applications are subject to departmental admissions processes. Admissions is based on the content of and performance in the prior degree, bridging arrangements (where required), academic merit and prior work experience (if applicable). Admission to all qualifications is subject to supervisory capacity and/or research projects in the field of specialisation in a department, therefore the relevant department has the right to limit the number of students per year. Complying with the minimum admissions requirements, does not automatically guarantee admission to the degree. Proposed research studies for masters and doctoral applicants should align with the research focus of the relevant department. If a qualifying candidate has expressed an interest in a field of study that the relevant department cannot accommodate, the applicant may be considered for an alternative project. All postgraduate applicants must be proficient in English as English is the official language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria. Candidates who cannot provide evidence that previous studies were completed in English, must submit TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson Test of English or Oxford Test of English test results with their application. All applicants must be computer literate. All students need to have access to an internet enabled device, as well as consistent email and internet access. Allowance will be made for the diversity profile of students in accordance with the University strategy.

Minimum Admissions Requirements:

1. Relevant four-year bachelor's degree in engineering that the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) regards as acceptable for registration as a candidate engineer and for eventual registration as a professional engineer or Three-year Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) degree (in Natural Sciences) with a cumulative weighted average of at least 60% for the degree or a relevant BTech qualification in an engineering discipline awarded by a university of technology in South Africa, with a cumulative weighted average of at least 75% for the degree and no modules failed in the BTech degree or relevant Advanced Diploma qualification (NQF Level 7) in an engineering discipline awarded by a university of technology in South Africa, with a cumulative weighted average of at least 70% for the diploma and no modules failed in the Advanced Diploma or four-year engineering-based university degree not recognised by ECSA for registration as a professional engineer
2. Comprehensive intellectual CV

Other Programme-Specific Information

The curriculum comprises four core modules, two elective modules and a compulsory research project. Any specific module is offered on the condition that a minimum number of students are registered for the module, as determined by the relevant head of department and the Dean. All students must complete the module MSS 732 Research study 732. A limited number of appropriate modules from other departments are allowed. Not all modules listed are presented each year. Please consult the postgraduate brochure found on the departmental website for further information.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

1. The examination in each module for which a student is registered, takes place during the normal examination period after the conclusion of lectures (i.e. October/November or May/June).
2. A student must obtain at least 50% in an examination for each module where no semester or year mark is required. A module may only be repeated once.
3. In modules where semester or year marks are awarded, a minimum examination mark of 40% and a final mark of 50% is required.
4. No supplementary examinations are granted at postgraduate level.

Pass with Distinction

A student passes with distinction if he or she obtains a weighted average of at least 75% (not rounded) in the first 128 credits for which he or she has registered (excluding modules which were discontinued timeously). The degree is not awarded with distinction if a student fails any one module (excluding modules which were discontinued timeously). The degree must be completed within the prescribed study period.

Minimum credits: 128

MSS 732 is a compulsory module and should be selected by all students as a core module. When selecting your elective modules, please consult the Departmental Brochure.

Core Modules

• IKN 780: Engineering technology economics 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Engineering Economy assists the engineer in making a wide range of decisions. These decisions involve the fundamental elements of monetary cash flow, time, value of money, project life and the interest rate.
• IMC 780: Maintenance and asset management 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Every man-made component, spare part, equipment, system or infrastructure has an inherent reliability that is determined by design, construction, installation, manufacture or how it is built.
• MIP 780: Maintenance practice 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Introduction to Asset management, Mechanisms of failure, Quantitative descriptions of failure, Maintenance policies/strategies, Renewal theory, Lubrication, Asset management strategy, Replacement decision-making, RCM principles, Maintenance & failure risk, A business case for maintenance, Repairable systems, Integrated failure data analysis, Maintenance profit impact, Life cycle modelling.
• MIR 781: Reliability engineering 781
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Introduction to probabilistic distributions, computation of system reliability, building reliability models and optimisation of system reliability; Fault Tree Analysis; Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Monte Carlo Simulation; probability-based design.
• MSS 732: Research study 732
  • Credits: 32.00
  • Module content: This module allows a student to do research on a certain topic in mechanical or aeronautical engineering, as specified by a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, on an individual basis, under the supervision of that lecturer.

Elective Modules

• IPK 780: Project management 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: This module addresses basic project management concepts, principles and techniques.
• ISE 780: Systems thinking and engineering 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: A company's ability to remain competitive in modern times hinges increasingly on its ability to perform systems engineering.
• MCT 780: Non-destructive testing 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Probabilty, design and management in non-destructive testing (NDT).
• MEV 781: Vibration-based condition monitoring 781
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Vibration measurement: conventional and optical technique, digital signal processing in vibrations, vibration monitoring: diagnostics and prognostics, artificial intelligence in vibration monitoring, human vibration.
• MIC 780: Condition-based maintenance 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Theory and practical applications of condition based maintenance techniques.
• MIL 780: Engineering modelling 780
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Modelling Philosophies, Background Mathematics for Modelling with Data, Modelling Formulation, Data Representation and Projections, Model Calibration, Model Selection, Uncertainty Quantification, Computational Tools.
• MIP 782: Maintenance logistics 782
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: Introduction to Logistics, RAM (Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability), Measures of Logistics, Inventory Systems.
• MUU 781: Fossil fuel power stations 781
  • Credits: 16.00
  • Module content: This module contains a comprehensive study of all mechanical systems and processes of a fossil fuel power station.