Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Chemical Engineering

NQF Level: 7

SAQA ID: 98955

Qualification Code: BNCME1

Location: Steve Biko Campus (S4 Level 1)

Description of the Programme

The learning programme consists of a coherent assembly of knowledge areas associated with chemical engineering practice, these include
mathematics, natural sciences, engineering sciences, design and synthesis, computing and IT, and relevant complementary studies. This
assembly of knowledge areas provides a viable platform for further studies and lifelong learning and will produce graduates who can
function in today’s fast changing, dynamic and evolving industrial marketplace.
The broad training in natural and mathematical sciences, coupled with a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, will produce
graduates that are highly numerate and have skills in problem solving, teamwork, communication, and Information Technology. This
qualification is designed to provide the graduate with knowledge and attributes to work in a diverse spectrum of industries including the
chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, polymer, mining, water and wastewater treatment, energy, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
The key attributes of the graduates of this qualification are:
• The ability to apply established and newly developed engineering technology to solve broadly- defined problems and develop
components, systems, services, and processes.
• The ability to provide leadership in the application of technology in safety, health, engineering, and commercially effective operations
and have well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Working independently and responsibly, applying judgement to decisions arising in the application of technology and health and
safety considerations to problems and associated risks.
• A specialized understanding of engineering sciences with a deep underlying knowledge of specific technologies together with financial,
commercial, legal, social, and economic, health, safety, and environmental matters.
This qualification provides the educational base for registration as a candidate Professional Engineering Technologist with the Engineering
Council of South Africa (ECSA) and is recognized internationally through the Sidney Accord.

What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineering is a science that involves the study of processes required for the conversion of raw materials into useful products
with minimum environmental impact. It uses the application of physical and life sciences, mathematics, economics, and engineering sciences
to produce, transform, and transport chemicals, materials, and energy.
Chemical engineering professionals are involved in the transfer of scientific discoveries into modern manufacturing technologies for the
production of chemical and products that benefit society. They are involved in the development and manufacture of consumer products, as
well as in design, operation, and control of processes in a variety of industries (e.g., petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, consumer products,
food, feed and pharmaceuticals).
Examples of some typical chemical engineering operations in South Africa include:
• The conversion of crude oil into petrol, diesel, wax, etc.
• The conversion of wood into paper products.
• The extraction of sugar from sugarcane
 • The conversion of coal into petrol and other useful products.
• The extraction of precious minerals
We make daily use of products that are obtained via the principles of chemical engineering, e.g.: paper, plastic materials, textiles, petrol,
fertilizers, drinkable water etc.

Career Opportunities
A Chemical Engineering Technologist is employed in chemical plants for the purpose of research and development; economic evaluation;
chemical engineering design; plant operations and management; project management and product marketing.

Why do Chemical Engineering at Durban University of Technology?

The mission of the Department of Chemical Engineering is primarily to provide a relevant program, maintain a strong balance between
theory and practice, establish and maintain partnerships with industry and excel in research and development with technology transfer
through external engagement. Some of the key characteristics of the department are:

• The department is recognised as one of the leading University of Technology departments in Chemical Engineering teaching and
research.
• In keeping with the philosophy of vocational training, the department has one of the most comprehensive laboratory facilities
in the country.
• It has received full accreditations for all its chemical engineering programmes from the Engineering Council of South Africa.
• The department has qualified chemical engineers with a range of expertise that are responsible for teaching and research. This
ensures the maintenance of high standards, a continuous cross flow of ideas, and provides the ideal basis for the transfer of the
latest technology to students.
• The Department is actively involved in relevant research. The research areas include water and wastewater treatment; membrane
technology; particle technology; beneficiation of waste streams, catalysis, fuels, thermodynamics, and mathematical modelling.

The courses offered are current and relevant because the Department of Chemical Engineering has extensive interaction with
the chemical industry, research organisations, The South African Institution of Chemical Engineers, and the Engineering Council
of South Africa.

Explanation of Points scale:

SENIOR CERTIFICATE(SC)
SYMBOL HIGHER GRADE STANDARD GRADE
A 8 6
B 7 5
C 6 4
D 5 3
E 4 2
F 3 1
A 8 6
B 7 5

NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE(NSC)

% LEVEL POINTS
90-100 7 8
80-89% 7 7
70-79% 6 6
60-69% 5 5
50-59% 4 4
40-49% 3 3
30-39% 2 2
20-29% 1 1
 Entry Requirements BET (Chemical Engineering)
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE (NSC) SENIOR CERTIFICATE (SC) NATIONAL CERTIFICATE
(01January 2009) (PRE 2009) (VOCATIONAL) (NCV)
NSC DEGREE ENTRY SENIOR CERTIFICATE (SC) (NCV) LEVEL 4
With 28 points With a pass in English or equivalent

Compulsory Subjects NSC Rating Code Compulsory Subjects HG SG Compulsory Subjects Mark
English 4 English 60%
Mathematics 4 Mathematics C B Mathematics 70%
Physical Science 4 Physical Science C B Physical Science 70%
A pass in the subjects Technical Drawing and/or Computer Studies will be an added Life Orientation 60%
recommendation.
In addition, TWO other additional vocational
subjects at a minimum of 70%.
NB:
1. NSC Mathematical Literacy will not be accepted as a substitute for the subject NSC Mathematics
2. The exit certificate of the candidate must qualify the candidate for degree study at an institution of higher learning.
3. A minimum of 28 points is required for entry to the degree. Subjects Required: Mathematics, Physical Science, English, plus three other subjects
excluding Life Orientation. The points for Mathematics and Physical Science will be doubled.
4. Applicants with a NSC will be ranked according to the sum of their scores for Mathematics and Physical Science, subject to a minimum
combined score of 120%.
5. Prospective applicants may also present an NQF level 6 Diploma in Engineering for entry into the degree programme. A possibility of transfer of
credits for cognitive previous studies would be considered dependent on the discipline and nature of the Diploma being presented.
6. Students are ranked on merit in the final selection
7. The Department reserves the right to consider only 1st to 3rd choice students for Chemical Engineering.

OR

Admission Requirement based upon Work Experience, Age and Maturity

For admission to entry level DEGREE studies:

.
A person may, subject to such requirements as the Senate may determine, be admitted if such a person is in possession of a National
Senior Certificate, Senior Certificate, or an equivalent certificate, but lacks the minimum requirements for admission to the degree provided
that:
(a) The person shall have reached the age of 23 in the first year of registration and shall have at least:
three years’ appropriate work experience; and/or
capacity for the proposed instructional programme, which shall be assessed by a Senate-approved admission assessment comprising of
a DUT Standardised Assessment Test for Access and Placement (SATAP), Academic Literacies (AL) & English for Academic Purposes
(EAP) (2,5 hours) and/or an appropriate subject or programme specific written assessment designed and marked by the relevant
Department; and the person has obtained
(b) A conditional certificate of exemption from the Matriculation Board (when in possession of the Senior Certificate (SC)); OR has met
(c) The requirements for Senate discretionary admission (when in possession of the NSC or equivalent), where Senate is satisfied the
applicant has shown sufficient academic ability to ensure success, and that the person’s standard of communication skills, and/or work
experience are such that the person, in the opinion of the Senate, should be able to complete the proposed instructional programme
successfully.
(d) The person’s application for admission in terms of with work experience, age and maturity is approved prior to registration.

Applicants intending to gain admission through work experience, age and maturity must submit their applications at least
four months before commencement of the academic year.

Tuition Fees
To assist you with your planning, the 2022 fees have been indicated. An increase for next year to accommodate the inflation
rate can be expected.

Please Note: DUT cannot be held liable for the fees in this brochure as the 2023 fees are not yet finalised

First Year Curriculum

Name of Module Subject Code HEQSF Level SAQA Credits 2022 Fees
Semester One
Engineering Mathematics 1A EMTA101 5 12 R4210.00
Engineering Chemistry 1A ENCA101 5 12 R4990.00
 Cornerstone101 CSTN101 5 12 R3410.00
Engineering Physics 1A EPHA101 5 12 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Fundamentals 1A CEFA101 5 12 R4210.00
Technical Literacy TCHL101 5 12 R29000.00
TOTAL R23930.00
Semester Two
Engineering Mathematics 1B EMTB101 5 12 R4210.00
Engineering Chemistry 1B ENCB101 5 12 R4990.00
Computer Applications 1A CMAP101 5 8 R4210.00
Engineering Physics 1B EPHB101 5 12 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Fundamentals 1B CEFB101 5 12 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Design 1 CEDS101 5 12 R4210.00
TOTAL CREDITS SEMESTER 1&2 140
TOTAL R26040.00
Second Year Curriculum
Semester Three
Engineering Mathematics IIA EMTH201 6 12 R4210.00
Engineering Chemistry IIA ENCM201 6 12 R4990.00
Computer Applications IIA CMAP201 6 12 R4210.00
Process Fluid Flow PFFL101 6 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Laboratory 1A CELA101 6 8 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Design IIA CEDA201 6 12 R4210.00
Principles of Management PCPM101 6 8 R2900.00
TOTAL R28940.00
Semester Four
Transfer Processes TRFP101 6 12 R4210.00
Applied Statistics APPS101 6 8 R2900.00
Process Safety and Occupational Health PSOH101 6 12 R4210.00
Applied Thermodynamics APTH101 6 12 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Laboratory 1B CELB101 6 8 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Design IIB CEDB201 6 12 R4210.00
TOTAL CREDITS SEMESTER 3&4 134
TOTAL R23950.00
Third Year Curriculum
Semester Five
Environmental Engineering ENVN101 7 12 R4210.00
Chemical Thermodynamics CTHM101 7 12 R4210.00
Unit Operations UNOP101 7 12 R4210.00
Multistage Operations MSOP101 7 12 R4210.00
Chemical Engineering Laboratory IIA CELA201 7 8 R4990.00
Chemical Engineering Design IIIA CEDA301 7 6 R4990.00
TOTAL R26820.00
Semester Six
Particle Technology PTCT101 7 12 R4210.00
Reaction Engineering RCNE101 7 12 R4210.00
Process Control PCSC101 7 12 R4210.00
Project Management PMNM101 7 8 R2900.00
Chemical Engineering Laboratory IIB CELB201 7 8 R4990.00
Chemical Engineering Design IIIB CEDB301 7 16 R-
TOTAL CREDITS SEMESTER 5&6 130
TOTAL R20520.00

NB: The course structure and requisite modules are subject to alteration.

Application
Applicants who wish to enrol for the programme must apply through the CAO system by no later than 30 September of the
previous year.
 Application Forms
Contact the Central Applications Office (CAO)
Address letters to:
Central Applications Office
Private Bag X06
Dalbridge,
4014
Tel: (031) 2684444
Fax: (031) 2684422
OR
Apply Online: http://www.cao.za

CAO Code: DU-D-ECH

Closing date for applications: 30 September 2022

For Further Information

Contact the Department of Chemical Engineering
Steve Biko Campus (S4 Level 1)
Durban University of Technology
P O Box 1334
DURBAN, 4000
Tel: (031) 3732218
Fax: (031) 3732285
Email: [email protected]

Financial Aid

For Financial Aid application for a DUT programme please apply online at www.nsfas.org.za or call the NSFAS call centre on
0860 067 327.

For an explanation on how to fill out the application form, please go towww.nsfas.org.za or contact the call centre on the number
above.

Please note that completing a form does not guarantee Financial Aid. For further assistance, please consult the Department
of Financial Aid and Scholarships on (031)373 2931/2557/2054.

This is for information purposes only and is not binding on the Durban University of Technology