Master of Engineering Management

In this module, students will gain proficiency in several key areas. They will learn to recognise the theoretical correlations among system dynamics, system thinking, and critical thinking, providing a solid foundation for analytical approaches. They will acquire the skills to delineate the steps involved in system dynamics modelling, facilitating a structured approach to problem-solving. Students can implement models that address diverse challenges and understand various structures employed in system dynamics. They will harness the power of tools like Vensim and Anylogic to apply system dynamics in problem-solving scenarios, enhancing their ability to devise effective solutions. Students will also master system dynamics validation techniques, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of operational models in real-world applications.

Upon module completion, students will acquire proficiency in project management techniques, understanding their benefits in establishing baseline plans. They will learn how businesses select and gain approval for projects, measure effectiveness in proposals, and construct work breakdown structures. They will grasp activity estimated duration and resource constraints, alongside project budgeting and risk analysis. Students will explore reasons for project termination, the leadership skills of project managers, and the characteristics of effective project teams. They will comprehend the importance of controlling document changes and the role of communication. Lastly, students will understand the significance of the project management office within specific autonomous project organisation structures.

This module aims to introduce technical professionals to topics that will ensure the sustainable management of organisations and activities in an engineering environment.  As the graduate assumes increasing responsibility in the engineering organisation, they will likely be required to take on management responsibilities and technical obligations, which are both centred around financial management.  The module will survey a broad range of areas that are generally considered within the scope of financial management as it applies to the engineering field to ensure that the sustainability of resources, social responsibilities, and environmental impact is considered. This module will give students a broad insight into the knowledge needed as an engineering manager to address sustainability issues.

This module integrates problem-based, project-based, work-integrated, and action-based learning to actively engage students in applying innovation and entrepreneurship principles. The focus is on cultivating employable graduates rather than passive certificate seekers. Students will engage in monitoring and evaluating enterprise development, acquiring practical knowledge with imagination, creativity, and invention. They will collaborate in teams to create venture start-ups, accessing seed funding through support from the TVC course SARChI on Innovation Studies. Interdisciplinary in nature, the TVC course links engineering design with mathematical modelling, resulting in a collective engineering contribution showcased in a comprehensive book. The initiative has spurred the creation of the Journal of Creativity, Innovation, and Social Entrepreneurship, encouraging students to produce quality papers reviewed by both the professor and independent peers. Students will be tasked with developing business plans in teams, some successfully translating them into viable businesses and securing funding, notably through the African Entrepreneurship Award, with the professor's mentorship.

This module focuses on the supply chain and methods of design and strategy. It also demonstrates how to solve problems related to Supply Chain Management (SCM) and involves evaluating current SCM applications and techniques in local and global settings. An important part of this module is using numerical and computational tools to address SCM issues where we will use Excel and Excel Solver. Emphasis is also placed on the verbal and written communication of the research findings to a variety of audiences.

Research Projects A, B and C are for students to showcase the capstone of the NQF Level 9 qualification by demonstrating the ability to conduct independent learning, identify, gather, and synthesise information and, in doing so, also demonstrate the specialised level of knowledge achieved. The research report guides students to develop research and synthesis skills through a structured research approach, develop solutions, and test their efficacy. By the end of the research report, the student will be able to convey specialised knowledge, test theory, apply theory, and recommend generalised improvements aligned with the given parameters to the body of knowledge in application.

Research Projects A, B and C are for students to showcase the capstone of the NQF Level 9 qualification by demonstrating the ability to conduct independent learning, identify, gather, and synthesise information and, in doing so, also demonstrate the specialised level of knowledge achieved. The research report guides students to develop research and synthesis skills through a structured research approach, develop solutions, and test their efficacy. By the end of the research report, the student will be able to convey specialised knowledge, test theory, apply theory, and recommend generalised improvements aligned with the given parameters to the body of knowledge in application.

The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the importance of the Asset Management process in an Engineering environment. It is important to first clearly understand what assets are and what asset management is all about as well as how they contribute to sustainability in a business. The course will expose students to the fundamentals of asset management as well as the asset life cycle management model. The module will equip students with the knowledge required to logically choose the best approach to make critical investment choices in equipment procurement in terms of life cycle costing. The module will broaden the way students view world problems from a general perspective and most especially related to asset management in engineering in particular, enhance problem-solving capabilities and decision-making in asset management, enable students to understand how to estimate depreciation and life span of products, and provide students with skills to use life cycle assessment tools.

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to define the concept of a life cycle and its various stages as related to the assessment of products, explain the complexity of life cycles for even simple products, describe the basic quantitative skills needed to perform successful work in life cycle assessment (LCA), develop LCA models, describe what kinds of outcomes we might expect if we fail to use life cycle thinking, apply skills that are necessary to complete a rigorous LCA, solve real-world problems related to engineering using LCA software, and explain LCA concepts and life-cycle costing principles as part of engineering essentials.

Organisational Behaviour provides solid teaching on people skills, change management, and strategically empowering people to better manage organisations. As students are expected to advance to management positions, the module scope aligns closely with management decisions in high-performing organisations. The module surveys a broad area of organisational behaviour in the engineering field to ensure adequate knowledge is gained to manage people in an engineering environment. Engineering requires students to be multifaceted, gaining knowledge of the organisation's technical setup and understanding the people within it. This module covers these aspects quite prudently. 

The aim of this module is to empower students to appreciate the fundamental principles of energy management practices, assess energy-saving opportunities and gain practical knowledge in energy conservation techniques. This course is designed for students to achieve theoretical and practical skills in using analytical methods for understanding energy management design, implementation, and policy issues. Students having successfully completed the course will be able to: describe, analyse, and evaluate the role of energy and energy management on the global regional and national scale, identify challenges, peculiarities, and opportunities in the field of energy management, and independently identify, analyse, and design strategic approaches for energy conservation.

Operational Research provides solid instruction in decision-making algorithms vital to optimal resource use in manufacturing and service environments. As students are expected to enter management, the module closely aligns with understanding the science of making accurate decisions, with a view to achieving organisations' strategic objectives. The module surveys a broad area of operational research algorithms vital to ensure that adequate knowledge is gained on decision-making.

The purpose of this subject is to provide adequate teaching on quality management, quality management systems, quality improvement and assurance and strategic empowerment to better manage quality in the organisation. As the student is expected to eventually end up in a management position someday, the module scope is closely aligned with the management decisions in terms of quality management. The course surveys a broad area of quality management in the engineering field to ensure adequate knowledge is gained to manage quality in an engineering environment. Engineering requires incumbents to be multifaceted, garnering knowledge of quality for the technical setup within the organisation and understanding the external impact on quality. This subject covers these aspects quite prudently.

The overall purpose of the module is to equip engineering graduates with technical skills and knowledge that are essential for minimising harm to the general environment, natural resources, vulnerable ecosystems and the natural habitat due to irresponsible acts of production, manufacturing, mining, processing and commercialisation and marketing in business, industry and local communities. Graduates of the programme will be adequately equipped with the skills and theoretical knowledge they need for minimising waste at the source level, minimising pollution, and preventing potential harm to the environment and natural resources such as water, vulnerable ecosystems and natural habitat. The module will equip engineering students with modern and innovative techniques that are commonly used for protecting the environment and promoting the optimal management of municipal, industrial, commercial, agricultural, household and electronic waste.

Advanced manufacturing is a fundamental requirement for success in manufacturing-related engineering disciplines. The purpose of the module is to provide students with general advanced manufacturing knowledge, as well as cognitive and conceptual tools, other modules in the qualification and in the workplace will complement the information received from this module for a higher level of understanding of manufacturing. The relationship between scientific theory and real life will be emphasized in all units. At the end of this module, if the student has completed all tutorials, tests and assignments successfully, the student will have a basic level of the advanced manufacturing competence and skills needed for an Engineering Leader in manufacturing in a variety of related contexts.

The purpose of this module is to familiarise students with principles of transportation covering the role of transportation systems; environmental and economic impacts; modal components; managerial and economic aspects of the various modes; and transportation infrastructure development.

Construction Management is concerned with the management of site activities within the built environment. It encompasses the design, cost, technical, environmental and social aspects of the construction industry. The purpose of the module is to foster the culture of contractual and administrative procedures that form the fundamentals of management on a site. The focus will be on principles and techniques of project management beginning with the conceptual phase, through the design and construction phase. At the end of this module, if the student has completed all tutorials, tests and assignments successfully, the student will have a comprehensive understanding of the principles of project management and the competence to illustrate the basic steps, and sequencing of steps, the skills to develop a work plan to manage a project through each phase from conceptual development to completion