UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA UNISA S APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION PHASES APPLICATION PHASE First-time students at UNISA must apply for admission on the prescribed form which is to be submitted together with the correct application fees, as well as the documents required for registration. Apply on-line: http://www.unisa.ac.za/default.asp? Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=16832 or contact the UNISA Contact Centre at 0861670411 / 0116709000. Once the data has been recorded the system will allocate a student number which will be confirmed via e-mail, sms or mail depending on the contact details indicated on your application form. A registration package containing the relevant information brochure(s) and registration form will be mailed to you. Students who already have a UNISA student number proceed directly to the registration phase. REGISTRATION PHASE Once a student number has been allocated to an individual, this student number will remain his/her student number at UNISA for all formal qualifications Honours students may apply on-line for registration after the registration period for the particular academic year has opened. However, masters and doctoral students cannot apply on-line and are advised to submit their applications directly to UNISA Muckleneuk Campus, P O Box 392, UNISA, 0003. Regional offices can only forward master and doctoral applications to the Muckleneuk Campus.
The registration form together with the minimum installment required for registration must be submitted before the relevant closing date. Students must please take note that certain degrees are by selection and have earlier closing dates than the normal registration closing dates. Any documents required for registration submitted must be included here, if not previously submitted. Kindly note that only certified copies of academic records issued by the Registrar of the University/Institution concerned are accepted for registration purposes. Degree certificates should not be submitted. All applications for master s and doctoral degrees will be referred to the Section: Postgraduate Qualifications where they will be assessed before being referred to the relevant academic department where the Executive Committee will rule on admission. If approved, students who have submitted their complete application (i.e. all required documents and minimum fees) will automatically be registered after admission has been approved. Other students will be informed of any remaining conditions to be complied with in order to finalise their registration. All other students will be informed of the outcome of their applications and, where applicable, the minimum study fees paid will be refunded. The process outlined above may be time consuming in some cases, especially when we approach the various closing dates when most applications are invariably submitted. It is, therefore, essential that prospective students apply well in advance, especially where deadlines set by employers and sponsors have to be met. ii
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Chemical Engineering MTech Degree (Tel No: 011 471 2048) CONTENT PAGE 1. WELCOME 1 2. DETAILS OF THE MAGISTER TECHNOLOGIAE (MTENC) IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 1 3. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 2 4. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE 4 5. THE STUDENT AND THE SUPERVISOR 5 6. EVALUATION OF DISSERTATION 6 7. MASTER S ENQUIRIES: 6 8. POSTGRADUATE BURSARIES (Master s and Doctoral degrees) 6 iii
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING POST GRADUATE STUDIES IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 1. WELCOME We would like to welcome you as a prospective postgraduate student to the Chemical Engineering program. This department offers MTech degree in Chemical Engineering only. The purpose of this part of the document is to provide you with information with regard to the MTech degree, admission requirement, procedures and what you can expect from the university. 2. DETAILS OF THE MAGISTER TECHNOLOGIAE (MTENC) IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING The purpose of the MTech program is to apply integrated knowledge, and advanced analysis and problem solving skills to a particular specialised research area in Chemical Engineering. The degree is industrial research based, and the curriculum consists of a research proposal module (MPENC90) and.a research dissertation on an approved topic (MDENC91). Research proposal module is compulsory and must be taken in the first year of study. The student s proposal title and supervision must be accepted before the student could register for the research proposal module. The dissertation is expected to display a comprehensive specialised knowledge of the topic and make some contribution to knowledge and understanding in the specialised area. Before being awarded an MTech degree, a student must: Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the knowledge in the field of study, be able to formulate a research proposal for the specific topic
be able to do the experimental and scientific work in the relevant area of study either in his workplace or another suitable research environment. Be able to draw conclusions from the study and contribute to knowledge in its area of research Be able to prepare an article for publication or make a presentation in a conference This places a huge responsibility on you, as a student. You need to be proactive, motivated and knowledgeable in your field of study and in research methodology. 3. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS A BTech or BSc degree in Chemical Engineering is required for admission. In addition students must have a suitable research topic selected in consultation with the department employed in a chemical engineering environment or have access to laboratory or facilities in the industry which is suitable for research work envisaged select or have access to a suitably qualified supervisor or joint supervisor under whose direct guidance the research work can be done. In addition, to succeed in your studies you must: be able to communicate fluently in English, orally and in writing have a sound knowledge of research methodology have the ability to do independent research have access to internet and be able to do internet literature searches Consult the myrules@unisa and the myregistration@unisa Postgraduate Brochures (also available on the UNISA website at www.unisa.ac.za) regarding the general rules for admission to 2
postgraduate studies as well as documents which must accompany an application for admission, re-registration, duration of study, applications for cancellation, and other related details. Compliance with the formal requirements does not guarantee admission to the MTech program. Admission is always subject to the approval of the department. This approval depends on your academic record as a whole, and on the availability of a suitable potential supervisor, in your field of specialisation, in the department. ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS A student s application for admission will only be considered if, the following requirements can be met: The student meets the admission requirements mentioned in this section; The topic for the thesis can be accommodated; A suitable joint promoter is available in the country in which the student is resident; An official record is submitted from an accredited university and the qualification is accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA, see www.saqa.org.za); Approval of the equivalence of the qualification as far as subject complexity and content are concerned is determined by the Department. This means that although SAQA may, for example, evaluate a qualification as equivalent to BTech level, the qualification may still not meet all the requirements for admission to MTech. Regular and satisfactory communication between the student and promoter is possible; The student gives an undertaking to come to Johannesburg, South Africa, if required to do so for an oral presentation. 3
NOTE: NO REGISTRATION FOR THE MTECH DEGREE WILL BE APPROVED WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A SUPERVISOR. 4. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE If you meet all the requirements, you must submit an official application for admission to the MTech degree in Chemical Engineering to: The Registrar Postgraduate Qualifications (Master s and Doctoral studies) P O Box 392 UNISA 0003 OR Fax your registration form and supporting documents to: Fax: 012 429-4150 (note that the original documents must still be posted). More details are given in the UNISA s new application and registration phases on page i of this document. Procedure for MTech degree application Step 1 UNISA Registration - New students must apply for a student number - Receipt of application form, fee and documentation - Student submit registration form and any additional requirements - Verification of qualification - Status of universities checked 4
Step 2 Academic Section - Second screening and selection by the department - Liaison with subject heads and experts in the field of study, Head of department, Director of School and Executive Dean - Set further requisites, if necessary - Appointment of preliminary supervisor if possible - Dean s office ratifies decision Step 3 UNISA Registration - Inform candidate of outcome Step 4 Student - Student prepare to meet the prerequisites, then register for research proposal module This is a time consuming process and many people are involved before any candidate is grated admission. Therefore it is advisable to apply early. Reregistration- Students must register each year for the degree. Re-registration is subject to satisfactory progress being made with the research project. 5. THE STUDENT AND THE SUPERVISOR In research based postgraduate studies close cooperation and collaboration between a student and his or her supervisor is crucial. Regular progress reports must be submitted and the student may be required to visit the UNISA campus a few times during the course of his/her studies by giving seminars, progress reports or final report as it becomes necessary. The cost of such visits must be covered by the student. Your supervisor is expected to work through your completed dissertation and give you feedback. You are also expected to write 5
a publishable article on the findings of your dissertation and submit it to your supervisor for feedback. The supervisor s name must be indicated as co-author of the article. 6. EVALUATION OF DISSERTATION The supervisor and two external experts will be appointed as examiners in the case of a master s dissertation. The examiners may request you (through your supervisor) to make additional changes to improve your dissertation. You may receive your results from the registrar. 7. MASTER S ENQUIRIES: UNISA Enquiries: Telephone: 0861 670 411 +2711 670 9000 Fax: 012 429 4150 Email: mandd@unisa.ac.za Departmental Enquiries: Telephone: +27 11 471 2048 Fax: +27 11 471 2090 E-mail: SMahlang@unisa.ac.za 8. POSTGRADUATE BURSARIES (Master s and Doctoral degrees) Students are advised to contact the Directorate Student Funding should they wish to apply for funding [dsf@unisa.ac.za or Tel. (012) 441 5463]. 6