Engineering

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DEPARTMENT OF SPORT SCIENCE Main areas of research
facultyof
The most important areas of research are exercise and sport
Research focus physiology, motor learning, peak performance, sport and ex-
The development of human potential in a diverse society ercise psychology, kinanthropometry, sport injuries and reha-
through the improvement of sporting performances, move- bilitation, sport pedagogy, and sport history.

i
ment literacy, sport for persons with disabilities and health Faculty Secretary: Mr Minnaar Pienaar • Tel: +27 (0)21 808 4835 • Fax: +27 (0)21 808 4576
promotion. E-mail: mop@sun.ac.za or Ms Tanya Ficker • Tel: +27 (0)21 808 4203 • Fax: +27 (0)21 808 4206
E-mail: eng-postgrad@sun.ac.za • Web site: www.eng.sun.ac.za/
*All programmes are suitable for international students. A detailed research brochure is also available.
PROGRAMMES AND QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE / FIELDS OF STUDY The Faculty of Engineering is one of South Africa’s major pro- management, environmental water requirements, river hy-
ducers of high-level engineers. Established in 1944, it cur- draulics, design of hydraulic structures, water services and
A professional qualification for persons with a bachelor’s degree with ap-
Postgraduate Certificate in rently has five engineering departments, namely Civil, Electri- water purification, as well as coastal and port engineering.
PGCE propriate subjects, other than a BEd, who wish to become professional
Education cal and Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical and Mechatronic, Coastal and port engineering is one of the postgraduate
educators.
and Process. specialisation topics in water engineering. This postgraduate
Six areas of specialisation: The Faculty is housed in a large building complex and has programme is presented both to full-time and part-time stu-
Curriculum Studies excellent teaching and research laboratories and an extensive dents. Presentation to part-time students is done by means
Community Education and Learning Support support infrastructure. Its mission is to serve as a cost-effec- of both block courses and Internet-based tuition. Refer to the
Bachelor of Education with tive source of excellent technical proficiency and professional postgraduate brochure on our web site for more information.
BEdHons* Education Management
Honours leadership through teaching, research and service to industry
Education Policy Studies
Educational Psychology and the community. Transportation engineering, pavement engineering and
Language Education The Engineering Faculty has a long tradition of close coope­ geotechnics: The topics for specialisation in transportation
ration with industry. Both contract research and consultation engineering are intelligent and public transportation systems,
Specialisation in the area of either Biokinetics or Sport Science. In Sport for industry are facilitated by various internal organisations. transportation safety, transportation planning and traffic engi-
BHons in Bachelor of Sport Science
Science there are two focus areas, namely Paediatric Sport Science and These include the respective Centres for Renewable and neering. In pavement engineering, the topics for specialisa-
Sport Science* with Honours
High Performance Sport. Sustainable Energy Studies, for Civil Engineering, for Electri- tion are pavement materials, advanced asphalt and concrete
cal and Electronic Engineering, and for Process Engineering, pavement design, pavement management systems, road
Research or taught programme in one of these areas: as well as the Institutes for Thermodynamics and Mechanics, pavement evaluation and rehabilitation design. In geotech-
MEd*
Curriculum Studies and for Industrial Engineering. nics the engineering properties of soil, interaction between
(Brochures
Master of Education Education Policy Studies The Faculty and its various departments currently have soil and geotextiles, and the improvement of problem soils
available on
Educational Support several overseas cooperation agreements in place enabling are investigated.
request)
Educational Psychology (MEdPsych) postgraduate students to do part of their postgraduate stud-
ies and projects in a foreign country. More information regard-
MPhil* ing these foreign partnerships is available from the various
(Brochures Lectured programme in one of these areas: chairs of departments and the Vice-Dean: Research.
Master of Philosophy
available on Higher Education Education and Training for Lifelong Learning All students who do not have South African citizenship po-
request) tentially have access to all the postgraduate programmes of-
fered, provided that an official study permit is obtained and
Research programme in one of the following areas of specialisation: that all the requirements of admission are met.
Sport and Exercise Physiology
Sport Psychology The medium of instruction on postgraduate level is English.
M of Sport
Master of Sport Science Motor Learning

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Science* DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Sport History
Kinanthropometry
Adapted Sport For more information
Ms Amanda de Wet
Independent research producing a dissertation that can withstand inter- Tel: +27 (0)21 808 4404
PhD* Doctor of Philosophy
national, intellectual scrutiny. Fax: +27 (0)21 808 4947
E-mail: amandadw@sun.ac.za
Sustained research for a continuous period in a particular field of Educa- Web site: www.civeng.sun.ac.za/
DEd* Doctor of Education tion in the form of a collection of published work that had been subjected A detailed brochure is available.
to critical peer evaluation.
Within the wider discipline of civil engineering the Department
has a special focus on the areas of water resource devel-
opment, transportation engineering, pavement engineering,
structural engineering, reliability analysis, engineering man-
agement and civil engineering informatics. The Department
has at its disposal well-equipped laboratories for research in
all fields of specialisation.

Water and environmental engineering: The topics for

specialisation include water resources development and

36 37
 Structural engineering: The focus falls on steel construc-
tion, reinforced concrete construction and structural behav-
iour, development of cement-based construction materials,
structural reliability and design code development, supported
by computational and experimental mechanics.
Civil engineering informatics: The focus is on fundamen-
tal methods, models and processes of civil engineering, as
well as information technology. This provides the basis for the
systematic mapping of problems to the computer in such a
way that the potential of information technology can be fully
Signal processing: The signal processing group focuses its
research on pattern recognition techniques which may be ap-
plied, among other things, to the automatic processing of hu-
man speech, and also to the development of digital radar and
broadcasting systems. The emphasis is on the application
of statistical decision making to the processing of informa-
tion from sensors and automatic interpretation of real world
data. The group largely makes use of Linux-based computer
networks available for the development of software as well as
the design of signal processing hardware.
achieve this, industrial engineers apply their ability to coor-
dinate, integrate and optimise the inputs of other disciplines.
Engineering management includes fields like project manage-
ment, risk management, quality management, performance
management and feasibility studies.
Research is mainly coordinated and managed by the De-
partment’s Institute of Industrial Engineering (IBi). This in-
cludes the Global Competitiveness Centre (GCC), the Cen-
tre for Advanced Manufacturing (SENROB) and the Unit for
Systems Modelling and Analysis (USMA). The Centres are
mainly supported by the Technology and Human Resources
Design and automation: Research is being done on the
optimisation of computer-aided design and mechatronic sys-
tems. On postgraduate level particular attention is given to
machine vision and manufacturing applications of mecha-
tronics.
Granular flow modelling: Important work is being done on
the optimisation of dragline buckets and particle dampers.
Software for modelling granular flow is also developed in the
group.

exploited.
Engineering management: The research in this area focus-
es on project and facilities management, project economics
and finance, construction and engineering law, as well as risk
management in construction.
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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING in Industry Programme (THRIP), the National Research Foun- The Department offers a master’s programme and also indi-
dation (NRF) and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology vidual modules for part-time students. This is aimed at prac-
For more information Strategy (AMTS). Research partners include a branch of the tising engineers who are keen to expand their capabilities
Ms Amelia Henning Fraunhofer Institute, overseas universities and a number of without interrupting their work.
Tel: +27 (0)21 808 4240 foreign companies.
Fax: +27 (0)21 808 4245

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E-mail: ah2@sun.ac.za DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MECHA-
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DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELEC- Web site: www.ie.sun.ac.za/ TRONIC ENGINEERING

TRONIC ENGINEERING
For more information
The Postgraduate Officer
Tel: +27 (0)21 808 4481 / 4936 / 4478
Fax: +27 (0)21 808 4981
E-mail: ee-postgrad@sun.ac.za
Web site: courses.ee.sun.ac.za/Nagraads
The Department has four main areas of research.
Computer and control systems: This group specialises
in control, automation and system identification for a variety
of platforms: e.g. underwater vehicles, unmanned aerial ve-
hicles (UAVs), airships and satellites. The group’s research ac-
tivities take place in the Electronic Systems Laboratory (ESL),
the birthplace of SUNSAT, South Africa’s first satellite. Real-
time computer applications and FPGA-based architectures
are generally used. Other research topics include biomedical
electronics and process control.
Electrical energy: The research focuses on electric energy
conversion and control in renewable energy and power sys-
tems. Internationally recognised research is done on inter alia
multi-level power electronic converters, permanent magnetic
electrical machines, high-voltage insulators, power system
dynamics and parameter estimation, with applications in for
example wind and wave energy, free-piston Stirling engines,
electrical vehicles and energy efficiency.
Electronics and electromagnetics: The work on super-
conductor devices, electromagnetic interference, filters and
nonlinear circuits has an overall focus on high-frequency ap-
plications. A sophisticated near-field antenna laboratory, sup-
ported by appropriate instrumentation and massive comput-
ing power, provides the infrastructure for work in the areas
of computational electromagnetics and antennas, and enjoys
widespread recognition. Several members of the group are
actively engaged in the design and building of the antenna,
feed structure and RF interference minimisation policy for
South Africa’s Square Kilometre Array bid. Together with the
SUNSAT group, this forms the largest RF and microwave
academic team in South Africa.
The overall aim of the Department’s research is to promote
the global competitiveness of national enterprises and indus-
tries by concentrating on five activity areas.
Strategic industrial engineering: This area covers the en-
gineering of enterprises as a whole. In order to achieve this,
industrial engineers apply their ability to analyse enterprises,
design them, implement them and operate them. Strategic
industrial engineering includes fields like enterprise engineer-
ing, knowledge and information management, financial man-
agement and technology management.
Operational industrial engineering: Here the focus is on
the engineering of the operational processes of an enterprise.
In order to achieve this, industrial engineers apply their ability
to analyse technical and non-technical processes, to rede-
sign them, implement them and operate them. Operational
industrial engineering includes fields like value engineering,
business process redesign, quality improvement, continuous
improvement, facilities planning and ergonomics.
Systems engineering: This is the application of statistical
and modelling techniques to support decision making. In or-
der to achieve this, industrial engineers apply their ability to
model problems systematically, use scientific techniques, de-
termine optima and forecast the effect of changes. Systems
engineering includes fields like theory of constraints, system
dynamics, simulation modelling, operations research, reliabil-
ity modelling, analytical decision-making models, sensitivity
analyses and forecasting.
Applied industrial engineering: In this area, the applica-
tion of industrial engineering in specific industries is covered.
In order to achieve this, industrial engineers apply their ability
to specialise in specific industries like primary and second-
ary manufacturing, technology, finance and services. Applied
industrial engineering includes fields like manufacturing pro-
cesses, manufacturing systems, robotics, logistics, electron-
ics, metallurgy, medical technology and services.
Engineering management: This area covers the man-
agement of technical enterprises or processes. In order to
For more information
Ms Welma Liebenberg
Tel: +27 (0)21 808 4095
Fax: +27 (0)21 808 4958
E-mail: meganies@sun.ac.za
Web site: www.mecheng.sun.ac.za/
The main areas of research are as follows:-
Renewable energy: Postgraduate training and research in
the broad field of renewable and sustainable energy studies
is conducted in cooperation with various other academic de-
partments in the University. Our research focuses on solar
and wave energy where, in particular, the thermodynamic and
fluid mechanic problems are investigated.
Heat transfer and thermodynamics: The research here is
done on heat transfer, heat exchangers, cooling towers, two-
phase flow and sustainable energy systems, as well as inter-
nal combustion engines. The Department is a world leader
in air-cooled heat exchangers and cooling towers, a field in
which it boasts an A Category researcher (as rated by the
National Research Foundation).
Fluid mechanics, including computational fluid me-
chanics, turbomachinery and marine engineering: The
Department is also involved in modelling the dispersion and
accumulation of atmospheric particles.
Structural mechanics and optimisation: The research
here focuses on solid mechanics, composite materials and
structural dynamics and vibrations, including both machine
and human response. Optimisation methods that can be ap-
plied over a wide spectrum of areas are developed, but with
a particular focus on structures.
Biomedical engineering: Mechatronics and biomechanics
are used in various applications, including telemedicine, diag-
nostic aids and implants.
Materials science: Research areas are fibre-reinforced
composites and powder metallurgy.

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DEPARTMENT OF PROCESS ENGINEERING
For more information
Ms Lynette Bresler
Tel: +27 (0)21 808 4485
Fax: +27 (0)21 808 2059
E-mail: lbresler@sun.ac.za
Web site: www.chemeng.sun.ac.za/
A detailed research brochure is available.
This Department, with its very strong focus on research,
plays a leading role in upgrading and improving chemical
and metallurgical processes in industry by developing and
applying modern information systems technology. Often this
is achieved by collaborating with other local and foreign re-
search institutions. The main areas of research are:-
Bioprocess engineering: The particular focus is on the
application of chemical engineering principles to the de-
velopment and optimisation of bioprocesses. Examples of
bioprocesses include the production of valuable chemicals,
enzymes and proteins, including subunit vaccines. A major
focus is the development of production organisms together
with elucidation of process strategies for the enhancement
of the organism’s performance and optimisation of product
accumulation.
Energy and environmental engineering: The main focus
is on the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable
biomass. Biological and thermo-chemical process technolo-
gies are used to convert lignocellulose into valuable products,
to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and capture economic
opportunities in the reduction of carbon emissions. The work
is tailored to industrial needs, to ensure commercial applica-
tion of the technologies developed.
Intelligent process systems: Development is mainly con-
cerned with smart sensors, process modelling, simulation,
control and optimisation, analysis and modelling of complex
nonlinear systems, data mining and statistical modelling.
These systems are mostly applied in the mining and chemical
process industries.
PROGRAMMES AND QUALIFICATIONS
*All programmes are suitable for international students.
QUALIFICATION
PDE Postgraduate Diploma in
Engineering
MEng Master of Engineering
MScEng Master of Science in Engi-
neering
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
DEng Doctor of Engineering
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Microwave processing of materials: Research here focus-
es primarily on the design of microwave applicators for indus-
trial chemical processes. Current projects include microwave
treatment of ores and minerals and the decontamination of
drill cuttings. Much of the work involves collaboration with in-
ternational partners.
Minerals and extractive metallurgy: In the area of hy-
drometallurgy research focuses on the understanding of
leaching with particular application to uranium-bearing gold
ores and PGM ores, as well as the development of process
models. Other research projects investigate the use of on-line
analysers to aid in process monitoring on hydrometallurgical
plants. In the area of mineral processing studies are focused
on the effect of certain operating conditions and pre-treat-
ment regimes on the efficiency of flotation in the PGM indus-
try. Pyrometallurgical investigations cover the high tempera-
ture thermodynamics of metallurgical furnaces, as well as the
complex multiphase fluid dynamics and electromagnetics of
furnaces and ladles. Metal accounting is also an important
area of research.
Reactive systems: Core areas of chemical engineering ex-
pertise are integrated and projects cover all aspects of reac-
tor technology, chemical reaction kinetics, thermochemistry,
thermal separation, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
Separation technology: Experimental and fundamental
work focuses on distillation, membrane technology, super-
critical extraction, thermodynamics and absorption. In distil-
lation the work includes the characterisation of packing mate-
rial and trays, understanding the hydrodynamics in distillation
columns, practical distillation work and modelling. Membrane
technology research has two main thrusts: catalytic mem-
brane technology and the use of membranes for water treat-
ment. Work on supercritical extraction aims at developing
new super-critical extraction processes. In thermodynam-
ics the main focus is on the measurement of high pressure
multicomponent phase equilibria in the supercritical regime,
solubility measurements in supercritical fluids and thermody-
namic modelling of complex systems. In absorption the main
objective is CO2 sequestration.
BRANCHES OFFERED
Civil, industrial and process engineering.
A taught programme (minimum 180 credits) in engineering with a project (minimum
60 credits) in which the emphasis is on the advanced application of engineering
sciences in design. Fields of study: civil, industrial and process engineering, and
engineering management.
Research-focused programme (240 credits). The programme comprises either a
research project (maximum 100%), or a research project (minimum 160 credits) to-
gether with a number of prescribed modules (maximum 80 credits) that develops
the student’s design skills. Fields of study: civil, industrial and process engineering,
and engineering management.
Research and writing of dissertation. All engineering branches.
Research and publications. All engineering branches.
facultyof
Health Sciences
i
Postgraduate Office • Room 5007 Teaching Building • Faculty of Health Sciences
PO Box 19063 • TYGERBERG 7505 • Tel: +27 (0)21 938 9056 • Fax: +27 (0)21 931 3352
Web site: www.sun.ac.za/healthpostgrad
See also Calendar Part 12, Health Sciences: www.sun.ac.za/university/jaarboek/indeks.htm
47
As a leader in the field of health sciences the Faculty of Health Postgraduate Diplomas (PDs)
Sciences (FHS) nurtures a student-centred learning culture in
which independent professionals can develop further and in Some of these programmes and/or specific modules are pre-
which new knowledge relevant to Africa can be generated by sented by means of interactive telematic education technol-
means of research. The FHS also benefits the broader com- ogy (ITE; see page 10).
munity through our participation and service.
The FHS is situated on the Tygerberg Campus of Stellen- - PD in Occupational Medicine
bosch University, close to the Tygerberg Academic Hospital. - PD in Family Medicine (ITE) (coursework over two years;
The Campus is close to public transport facilities and within contact sessions)
easy reach of the main campus at Stellenbosch (40 minutes by - PD in Infection Control (coursework over 2 to 4 years; con-
car), the University of Stellenbosch Business School (10 min- tact sessions, research and self-study assignments, project
utes), Cape Town (20 minutes) and Cape Town International and assessment)
Airport (15 minutes). - PD in Nursing (Clinical Programmes) (fields of study: criti-
Tygerberg Campus has excellent facilities for postgraduate cal care nursing, advanced midwifery and neonatology,
students. These include laboratories, a library, a computer cen- operating room nursing, primary health care nursing and
tre, a skills laboratory, five student residences, sports fields, advanced psychiatric nursing)
accommodation for international students and a students’ - PD in Nursing (Non-Clinical Programmes) (fields of study:
centre. The students’ centre consists of a cafeteria, an aca- nursing education and nursing management)
demic bookshop and a well-equipped gymnasium, as well as
the fully-equipped self-catering Mankadan Lodge for visitors. BSc IN MEDICAL SCIENCES WITH HONOURS
48
In addition, the nearby head office of the Medical Research (BScMedScHons)
Council (MRC), through its excellent infrastructure, lends fur-
ther support to postgraduate students. The FHS hosts several This structured programme may be followed full-time over
MRC-supported and other research and training units, such one year or part-time over two years and offers the following
as the Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology, the Unit on fields of study: biochemistry, epidemiology, pharmacology,
Anxiety and Stress-related Disorders, the Perinatal Mortality physiology, hyperbaric medicine, nuclear medicine, human
Research Unit, and the Brain Imaging Centre. Centres that fo- genetics (clinical), human genetics (laboratory), microbiology,
cus on specific areas include the Nutrition Information Centre, morphological sciences, underwater medicine, pathology, re-
the Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, the Centre for Infectious productive biology (clinical), reproductive biology (biochemis-
Diseases, the Poison Information Centre, the Centre for Hu- try) (see ITE, page 10) and medical virology.
man Genetics Research and Education (GENRED) and the
Desmond Tutu TB Centre. The Centre for Health Sciences
Education offers courses and research that cultivate leadership
and innovation in the scholarship of teaching and learning in
health sciences in the country.
The annual research output of the FHS consists of more than
300 published scientific articles in reputable journals and more
than 600 scientific papers, abstracts and posters at congress-
es and other scientific meetings in South Africa and abroad.
We also deliver 80 master’s and 15 doctoral candidates on
average a year.
The Faculty has a Postgraduate Office which provides an ef-
ficient one-stop service to all postgraduate students. Current
and prospective postgraduate students can come here for in-
formation, assistance and skills development.
A wide variety of training opportunities from all health-related
disciplines are presented on Tygerberg Campus and the sur-
rounding training platform in the Western Cape.
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