2023-2024
PROSPECTUS
R
ecognition of our stu-
dents is not only based
on their qualifications,
but also on their work ethic and
ability to function independently,
with perseverance and self-dis-
cipline. Unisa students tend to
be more mature, can plan their
studies around their work and
still have time for family and oth-
er commitments. Self-discipline
and time management are two
of the skills required to study
at Unisa – distance education
may not be for everyone, but it
may just be for you! Imagine a
flexible classroom that can be
adjusted around your schedule –
your classroom will be wherever
you are: a room at home, a desk
at work, a hotel room while you
are on a business trip.
As a modern distance-learning
institution, Unisa uses the latest
IT technology, integrated in the
learning process. However, if
you do not have a computer or
internet access, you are not ex-
cluded! You may use any of our
telecentres to access computer
resources. Wherever you are in
the world, as a Unisa student
you are never alone. We have
provided a number of support
services for our students, such as
an online learning portal, called
myUnisa. We also oer online
discussion forums, where you
can chat to other students and
your lecturers and content-spe-
cialist e-tutors; and you will also
have access to career and study
counsellors.
UNISA STUDENTS ARE WIDELY
RECOGNISED IN THE WORKPLACE
THIS MAY BE YOUR
OPPORTUNITY. ARE
YOU READY FOR THE
CHALLENGE?
THIS MAY BE YOUR THIS MAY BE YOUR
OPPORTUNITY. ARE OPPORTUNITY. ARE
YOU READY FOR THE YOU READY FOR THE
CHALLENGE?CHALLENGE?
HOW
READY
ARE YOU FOR
CODeL?
Comprehensive, open, distance and eLearning
(CODeL+) is a dierent way of learning compared to
your previous learning experiences. Most importantly:
you will have to take responsibility for your studies.
Your contact with the University, your lecturers
or your fellow students will be mostly via
the internet or other mass-media
forms.
2023-2024
PROSPECTUS
CSET
2
MODERN FACILITIES
The Unisa Science Campus oers state-of-the-art laboratories and high-
end equipment, thereby advancing science education and research at
an international level. It features 12 buildings, a library, two auditoriums
and a large study area. The new laboratories are for teaching and
learning, and research purposes. The modern facilities and equipment
not only enable the training of both undergraduate and postgraduate
students, but also attract international scholars and researchers to
collaborative research. The Science Campus creates an environment
that stimulates research and innovation, supports researchers and
meets the educational and training needs of Unisa’s Comprehensive,
open, distance and e-Learning students, at both undergraduate and
postgraduate levels.
RECOGNITION OF
PRIOR LEARNING
(RPL)
During your lifetime, you might have acquired various skills,
competencies and experiences. This learning – which may have taken
place outside formal education and training – is valuable, regardless
of where or when it was obtained. You may have acquired skills or
knowledge from a combination of training conducted while at work,
experience gained at work, short courses, or from community work
in a relevant field. RPL permits you to gain credits towards formal
certificate, diploma and degree qualifications oered by Unisa, based
on the level and extent of your knowledge. Your prior learning will be
measured against specified prescribed learning outcomes.
For more information on recognition of prior learning, please email [email protected]
or visit www.unisa.ac.za/rpl.
OUR
VISION
The vision of the College
of Science, Engineering and
Technology (CSET) is to
“develop world class, futuristic,
African science, engineering
and technology leaders, who
aspire to extend the frontiers of
innovation”.
OUR
MISSION
CSET provides graduates with
an enabling environment for
advancing science, engineering
and technology knowledge
that is nationally responsive and
globally relevant.
OUR
VALUES
• Academic excellence
• Quality service
• Responsibility and
accountability
• Adaptability
• Equity and respect
• Integrity
The College of Science,
Engineering and Technology
believes in providing aordable,
accessible, high-quality, relevant
Science, Engineering and
Technology programmes.
Therefore, we oer innovative
delivery approaches and
mechanisms that support our
extensive student base through
excellent research, community
engagement, academic and
administrative sta, and systems.
3
HIGHER
CERTIFICATES
•
Higher Certificate in Physical
Sciences (90101)
• Higher Certificate in
Mathematics and Statistics
(90129)
DIPLOMAS
•
Diploma in Chemical
Engineering (90130)
• Diploma in Civil Engineering
(90137)
• Diploma in Electrical
Engineering (90138)
• Diploma in Industrial
Engineering (90136)
• Diploma in Information
Technology (98806 - ITE)
• Diploma in Mechanical
Engineering (90132)
• Diploma in Mining Engineering
(90140)
• Diploma in Pulp and Paper
Technology (90141)
Additional qualifications will be
added once the legal registration
process of the new qualifications with
the relevant authorities has been
completed.
ADVANCED
DIPLOMAS
•
Advanced Diploma in Chemical
Engineering (90128)
• Advanced Diploma in
Electrical Engineering in Power
Engineering (90126)
• Advanced Diploma in
Electrical Engineering in
Telecommunications (90127)
• Advanced Diploma in
Engineering Technology in Civil
Engineering (90142)
• Advanced Diploma in Industrial
Engineering (90134)
• Advanced Diploma in
Information Resource
Management (90007)
• Advanced Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering
(90133)
• Advanced Diploma in Mining
Engineering (90131)
Additional qualifications will be
added once the legal registration
process of the new qualifications with
the relevant authorities has been
completed.
BACHELOR DEGREES
•
Bachelor of Science Applied
Mathematics and Computer
Science (98801 - AMC)
• Bachelor of Science Applied
Mathematics and Physics
(98801 - AMP)
• Bachelor of Science Applied
Mathematics and Statistics
(98801 - AMS)
• Bachelor of Science Chemistry
and Applied Mathematics
(98801 - CAM)
• Bachelor of Science Chemistry
and Computer Science (98801
- CCS)
• Bachelor of Science Chemistry
and Information Systems
(98801 - CIS)
• Bachelor of Science Chemistry
and Physics (98801 - CAP)
• Bachelor of Science Chemistry
and Statistics (98801 - CAS)
• Bachelor of Science General
(98801 - GEN)
• Bachelor of Science
Mathematics and Applied
Mathematics (98801 - MAM)
• Bachelor of Science
Mathematics and Chemistry
(98801 - MAC)
• Bachelor of Science
Mathematics and Computer
Science (98801 - MCS)
• Bachelor of Science
Mathematics and Information
Systems (98801 - MIS)
• Bachelor of Science
Mathematics and Physics
(98801 - MAP)
• Bachelor of Science
Mathematics and Statistics
(98801 - MAS)
• Bachelor of Science Statistics
and Physics (98801 - STP)
• Bachelor of Science in
Computing (98906 - COM)
• Bachelor of Science in
Informatics (98907 - INF)
CHOOSE YOUR
QUALIFICATION
UNDERGRADUATE
QUALIFICATIONS
2023-2024
PROSPECTUSCSET
4
MASTER’S DEGREES
• Master of Engineering (90121)
• Master of Science in Applied
Mathematics (98971)
• Master of Science in Astronomy
(98973)
• Master of Science in Chemistry
(98975)
• Master of Science in Computing
(98961)
• Master of Science in
Information Technology
Management (90157)
• Master of Science in
Mathematics (98977)
• Master of Science in Physics
(98980)
• Master of Science in Statistics
(98982)
• Master of Science in Chemistry
Education (98963)
• Master of Science in Computing
Education (98964)
• Master of Science in Life Science
Education (98965)
• Master of Science in
Mathematics Education
(98966)
• Master of Science in Physics
Education (98967)
• Master of Science in Science
Education (98968)
• Master of Science in Statistics
Education (98969)
• Master of Science in Technology
Education (98970)
DOCTORAL DEGREES
• Doctor of Philosophy in Applied
Mathematics (98972)
• Doctor of Philosophy in
Astronomy (98974)
• Doctor of Philosophy in
Chemistry (98976)
• Doctor of Philosophy in
Computer Science (98803)
• Doctor of Philosophy in
Engineering (90179)
• Doctor of Philosophy in
Information Systems (98804)
• Doctor of Philosophy in
Mathematics (98979)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
(98981)
• Doctor of Philosophy in
Statistics (98984)
• Doctor of Philosophy Science,
Engineering and Technology
(90040 - SET)
• Doctor of Philosophy Statistics
Education (90040 - STA)
• Doctor of Philosophy
Technology Education (90040
- TEC)
• Doctor of Philosophy
Astronomy Education (90040
- AST)
• Doctor of Philosophy Chemistry
Education (90040 - CHE)
• Doctor of Philosophy
Computing Education (90040
- COM)
• Doctor of Philosophy Life
Sciences Education (90040
- LIF)
• Doctor of Philosophy
Mathematics Education (90040
- MAT)
• Doctor of Philosophy Physics
Education (90040 - PHY)
• Doctor of Philosophy Science
Education (90040 - SCE)
POSTGRADUATE
DIPLOMAS
•
Postgraduate Diploma
in Information Resource
Management (90069)
HONOURS DEGREES
•
Bachelor of Commerce
Honours in Business Informatics
(98450)
• Bachelor of Engineering
Technology Honours in
Chemical Engineering (90155)
• Bachelor of Engineering
Technology Honours in
Electronic Engineering (90156)
• Bachelor of Engineering
Technology Honours in
Industrial Engineering (90154)
• Bachelor of Engineering
Technology Honours in
Mechanical Engineering
(90151)
• Bachelor of Engineering
Technology Honours in Power
Engineering (90153)
• Bachelor of Engineering
Technology Honours in
Structural Engineering (90152)
• Bachelor of Engineering
Technology Honours in Water
Engineering (90150)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in
Applied Mathematics (98921)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in
Astronomy (98920)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in
Chemistry (98919)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in
Computing (98908)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in
Mathematics (98923)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in
Physics (98918)
• Bachelor of Science Honours
in Statistics New Curriculum
(98922 - NEW)
•
POSTGRADUATE
QUALIFICATIONS
You may apply for the CSET Master’s and PhD qualifications outside the
prescribed application dates (excluding Computing students.) Please contact
the Master’s and Doctoral Administration Section for assistance
(011 471 3296; [email protected]).
5
DIPLOMA QUALIFICATIONS IN ENGINEERING
The learners accepted to enrol for the qualification must meet one of the following requirements:
A National
Senior Certificate
(NSC) (Diploma
endorsement)
with a rating of 4
in Mathematics or
Technical Mathematics
not (Mathematical
Literacy), English,
Physical Science or
Technical Science, or
N4 Mathematics and
Engineering Science
with minimum mark
of 50%,
a Senior Certificate
(prior to 2008) with
Mathematics, Physical
Science and English
with at least a D
symbol on the Higher
Grade or C symbol on
the Standard Grade or
N4 Mathematics and
Engineering Science
with minimum mark
of 50%,
NC(V) National
Certificate
(Vocational) (Diploma
endorsement) with
English, Mathematics
and Engineering
Science with a
minimum mark of
50%.
Higher Certificate in
relevant field.
• Applicants who do
not comply with the
above requirements
should consider
applying for a lower
level qualification
for which they
meet the statutory
and additional
requirements.
HIGHER CERTIFICATE QUALIFICATIONS
A National Senior Certificate
(NSC), with at least 30%
in the language of teaching
and learning and 40% in
Mathematics
A Senior Certificate, with at
least 30% in the language of
teaching and learning and 40%
in Mathematics in terms of the
NSC
A National Certificate
(Vocational) Level 4, with at
least 30% in the language of
teaching and learning and 40%
in Mathematics in terms of the
NSC
DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
A National Senior Certificate (NSC) (Diploma
endorsement) or equivalent with at least 50%
in the language of teaching and learning, 50%
in Mathematics or at least N4 Mathematics
passed with a minimum of 50% and N4 English,
or N4 Communication, or N4 Communication
Technology passed with at least 50%
a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least a D
symbol on HG or a C symbol on SG in the
language of teaching and learning, and with at
least a D symbol on HG or a C symbol on SG
in Mathematics, and a D symbol on HG or a C
symbol on SG in Physical Science, if any Physics or
Chemistry modules form part of the curriculum of
a selected qualification, or at least N4 Mathematics
passed with a minimum of 50% and N4 English,
or N4 Communication, or N4 Communication
Technology passed with at least 50%.
To qualify for diploma qualifications, students have to comply with all admission requirements, inclusive of the minimum
APS of 18, and must be eligible for admission into diploma studies. Applicants who do not comply with the above
requirements should consider applying for a lower level qualification for which they meet the statutory and additional
requirements
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS
Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you
meeting the specific admission requirements for your
chosen qualification.
2023-2024
PROSPECTUSCSET
6
ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING
To be accepted for an Advanced Diploma, you must have completed:
A National Diploma in
Engineering, at NQF
level 6, in the relevant
field
A 360 credit Diploma
in Engineering at NQF
Level 6, in the relevant
field
Advanced Certificate
in Engineering Practice
in a relevant field at
NQF Level 6, from an
accredited provider of
higher education
A national or
international equivalent
qualification at
NQF level 6 in the
appropriate field
HONOURS DEGREES
An appropriate NQF 7 qualification from an accredited provider of higher education. A minimum of 60%
for the major(s), or for a selected number of NQF 7 modules in the qualification.
ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
An appropriate Diploma or National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in IT or an ICT related qualification
field on NQF level 6 from an accredited provider of higher education or a minimum of 60% of the
completed coursework qualification that satisfies the vocational requirement of the Advanced Diploma
qualification
MASTER’S DEGREES
An Honours degree, postgraduate diploma, or 4-year bachelor of science degree in the related field, with
an average of at least 60%. Applicants must first contact the relevant academic department to confirm
the availability of a supervisor, before applying for admission. Students who have not completed a module
in research methodology may be required to complete such a module before the proposal for a Master’s
degree will be considered.
DOCTORAL DEGREES
An appropriate Master’s degree. Applicants must first contact the relevant academic department to
confirm the availability of a supervisor, before applying for admission.
Disclaimer: Meeting the minimum requirements for the postgraduate qualifications will not guarantee a place at Unisa, as the
University can only enrol a limited number of students per qualification.
7
1
Choosing your
qualification
Once you have decided
on the qualification you
want, you are ready to
apply. You are encouraged
to select two (2) possible
qualifications and rank
them in order of prefer-
ence – remember that
Unisa has limited space per
qualification, so you may
not be admitted to your
first choice. Make sure that
you meet the admission
requirements of all the
qualifications you list.
3
Upload supporting documents
Everyone applying for a new qualification (first-time applicants or
existing students starting a new qualification) must submit the re-
quired documents. Unisa does not provide scanners or electronic
devices at the regional oces, so please ensure that your docu-
ments are scanned and uploaded to an electronic device before
starting the application process. Documents must have been
certified within the last 3 months before uploading – uncertified
copies that are uploaded will be rejected. Required documents
generally consists of the following:
• Copy of your school
qualifications (eg Senior
Certificate)
• Copy of your ocial
tertiary academic
record(s) (if applicable)
(internet copies will not
be accepted)
• Copy of your ID
document (RSA students)
or ID / passport
(international students)
• Copy of your
marriage certificate
(if applicable) or
divorce decree (if
applicable)
• Sworn translations
of documents if they
are not in English or
Afrikaans
2
Make sure your
application is
complete
If your application for admis-
sion to study through Unisa
is incomplete, it cannot be
considered.
2023-2024
PROSPECTUSCSET
8
HOW TO APPLY
4
Pay the
application
fee once you’ve
received a student
number from Unisa
Pay the application fee
once you have received a
student number, and use
this number as payment
reference. Visit www.
unisa.ac.za/paymentinfo
for banking and payment
information. It is often more
convenient and quicker to pay
by credit card on the secure
Unisa website.
5
Accreditation
CSET oers Engineering
programmes that are
aligned with the Higher
Education Qualifications
Sub-Framework (HEQSF),
endorsed by the Depart-
ment of Higher Education
and Training (DHET),
accredited by the Council
on Higher Education (CHE)
and registered with the
South African Qualifica-
tions Authority (SAQA).
All Engineering qualifi-
cations oered by Unisa
are fully accredited by
the Engineering Council
of South Africa (ECSA),
in compliance with the
International Engineering
Alliance requirements for
international comparability.
The last ECSA accreditation
was done in March 2019.
9
CSET prides itself on its learner support, which includes the following:
OUR STAFF
Studying at an CODeL+ institution
does not mean you are completely
on your own. Our College is well
staed with top-notch National
Research Foundation (NRF)-rated
researchers and committed lecturers.
Their research interests range
from astronomy and mathematics,
to physics, chemistry and various
engineering disciplines. CSET is also
known to be a national leader in the
field of nanotechnology.
MYUNISA
Unisa’s online student portal, known
as myUnisa, is the university’s most
important study tool. It is how you
will communicate with Unisa and how
Unisa will communicate with you.
MYLIFE EMAIL
ACCOUNT
Registered Unisa students will get a
free email account, known as a myLife
email account. Important information,
notices and updates are sent to this
account.
E-TUTORS
Unisa has introduced online e-tutoring
in all undergraduate learning
programmes, thus providing support
to students, irrespective of their
geographic location. A group of about
200 students is linked to each tutor.
In this group, students are also able to
interact and learn from each other.
Should you experience challenges
with the e-tutoring system, you
can contact
:
Nomsa Ndlovu
(School of Engineering)
Tel: 011 471 3135
Mr Mpho Boysa
(School of Science)
Tel: 011 670 9089
Moshe Mathews Seoka
(School of Computing)
Tel: 011 471 2418
Ms Mitchelleen Mohlala
(School of Computing)
Tel: 011 670 9137
REGIONAL CENTRES
Unisa’s distance-education character is
also reflected in its regional structure,
which includes seven regions, namely
Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo,
Midlands, Mpumalanga, Eastern
Cape and Western Cape. Together,
these regions have 28 hubs, service
centres and agencies that serve many
thousands of students. At most of
the regional oces we have learning
centres, where distance learners can
go in order to get various forms of
support for their studies.
LIBRARY
The library is one of the University’s
indispensable resources. Knowing how
to use it is central to the successful
Unisa student experience. The Unisa
Library is the largest academic
library in Africa, containing more
than 2.7 million items, including
books, reference resources, e-books,
e-newspapers and e-journals.
STUDENT SUPPORT AT
THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE,
ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY
2023-2024
PROSPECTUSCSET
10
SHORT LEARNING
PROGRAMMES
OFFERED AT CSET:
ADVANCED COURSE
Advanced Short Course in System
Engineering: A Hard Systems
Perspective (77078)
Advanced Short Course in Systems
Engineering: A Soft Systems
Perspective (77080)
Advanced Short Learning Course in
Sustainability Management (77085)
Advanced Short Learning Course in
System Engineering Management
(77081)
Advanced Short Learning Course in
Value Engineering (77084)
COURSE
Course in C++ Programming
(70181)
Course in Computer Networks
(70025)
Course in the Introduction to Java
Programming (70602)
PROGRAMME
Programme in Industrial Engineering
(76837)
SHORT COURSE
Short Course in Advanced Information
Security (76808)
Short Course in Applied Information
Security (76809)
Short Course in Applied Project
Management in an Information
Technology Environment (70467)
Short Course in Database Design
(70041)
Short Course in Database
Implementation (7554X)
Short Course in Designing and
Implementing Telecommunication
Networks (70157)
Short Course in Developing Web
Applications with PHP (72095)
Short Course in I-SET Robotics
Problem-solving, Data and Debugging
(76984)
Short Course in ISET Robotics
Components and Pedagogy (76820)
Short Course in Introduction to
Information Security (70610)
Short Course in Introduction to
Internet and Web Design (70076)
Short Course in Introduction to Visual
Basic.Net Programming (70122)
Short Course in Introduction to Visual
C#.Net (76804)
Short Course in Strategic Information
Systems Planning in Practice (75566)
1. 2019 was the last year that new
students could enrol for National
Diplomas and BTech qualifications.
2. These registered undergraduate
Engineering students are required
to finish their studies according
to a “teach-out” plan, in line with
Unisa’s rules. This plan stipulates
the following:
A. National Diplomas
• Students have to complete
all National Diploma
qualifications within five years.
This means that they must
complete the qualifications
no later than 2023, when the
oering ends.
• The students who do not
manage to obtain the
National Diploma in this time
frame will be transferred
to an equivalent National
Qualification Framework
(NQF)-level qualification
after 2023. Unisa’s credit
exemption rules will apply to
such transfers.
• In 2022, no new
students will be allowed
to register for the phased
out qualifications.
B. BTech Qualifications
• Students have to complete
all BTech qualifications within
three years. This means that
they must complete the
qualifications no later than
2021, when the oering ends.
• The students who do not
manage to obtain their
BTech degree in this time
frame will be transferred
to an equivalent National
Qualification Framework
(NQF)-level qualification
after 2021. Unisa’s credit
exemption rules will apply to
such transfers.
• In 2022, no new
students will be allowed
to register for the phased
out qualifications.
3. The introduction of the new
HEQSF aligned qualifications will
enable engineering students to
further their studies up to doctoral
and post-doctoral levels, nationally
or internationally.
THE “TEACH-OUT” PROCESS (FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS ONLY)
SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMMES (SLPS)
The purpose of the SLPs is to enhance learning opportunities in the non-formal curriculum, thereby enhancing people’s
competencies, without them having to enrol for comprehensive degree qualifications.
NB: It is important to note that Short Learning Programmes are by nature curtailed/concise. They are not formal
qualifications. No application fee is required when applying for a Short Learning Programme.
11
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
NB Pityana Building, 1st Floor, Oce A01-029
Cnr Christiaan de Wet and Pioneer Avenue
UNISA Science Campus
Florida
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
Unisa College of Science, Engineering and Technology
@UnisaScience
YOU CAN CONTACT THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY (CSET) AT:
www.unisa.ac.za/cset
(011) 670 9228/9063
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMMES
You can direct your enquiries to:
For SLPs in Computer Science, Information Systems and Information Technology, you can
contact:
Centre for Software Engineering (CENSE)
(011) 670 9139 / 9189
http://cs-cert.unisa.ac.za
For SLPs in Advance Courses, you can contact:
Ms N Nkambule. Department of Mechanical and Industrial GJ Gerwel Building
0618541210
