Study of Engineering and the Built Environment

Engineering

The BSc(Eng) is offered in the following areas of engineering: Aeronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Metallurgy and Materials, and Mining. Our range of options also includes Information Engineering (within Electrical Engineering).

In order to accept public responsibility as an engineer in one's own right, it is necessary to be registered as a professional engineer (Pr Eng) with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Our BSc(Eng) is fully accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa. The BSc(Eng) is accepted by ECSA as fulfilling all the academic requirements for registration as an 'Engineer in Training'. Further practical experience is necessary, however, before professional recognition is obtained.

In terms of the Washington Accord signed in June 2000, official recognition of the BSc(Eng) has been approved by professional engineering accrediting bodies in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Japan and Hong Kong.

The study of engineering involves the conservation and development of the earth's natural, agricultural and mineral resources in order to serve humanity's needs. Engineering plays a vital role in the survival of the South African and international economies. We often take for granted our roads, bridges, buildings, cars, aeroplanes, fuels, electricity, television and telephones, but none of these would be possible without engineers.

South Africa and indeed the world is facing a critical shortage of trained engineers. Career opportunities for engineers are limitless and extend beyond the formal engineering sector. A career in engineering requires special talents; engineers need to be creative, practical and precise.

The Faculty also offers a 3 - year programme in Biomedical Engineering. This is not a professional qualification and should ideally be followed by an Honours degree in Physics or a professional qualification in Medicine or Engineering.

The Built Environment

The Built Environment offers qualifications that address the social, spatial, cultural and infrastructural needs of a transforming South Africa. The delivery of affordable housing, the development of rural and urban environments, and meeting other social and physical challenges form the basis of the teaching, learning and research programmes in the Built Environment at Wits.

The BSc(URP) Honours programme enables students to register with the professional body, the South Africa Council of Planners (SACPLAN). Working in the built environment requires a keen environmental and social awareness, mathematical, analytical and organisational ability.

Each of the Built Environment programmes deals with a different aspect of our physical environment.

When designing a building, the architect needs to take many factors into account. These include the purpose for which the building is intended, how to place the building in harmony with its surroundings, the restrictions of the site, as well as the creative expression of the architect.

Quantity surveyors are the financial specialists of the building industry. They contribute their skills and knowledge of costs and revenues to the planning of every kind of building and engineering project to ensure that the best designed building or structure will be the most cost effective.

Urban and regional planners help to shape better places where people live, work and relax. Good planning deals with population changes, community life, economic development, environmental questions and design.

The property studies specialist requires a combination of legal, financial and engineering skills to implement property solutions in line with corporate or government strategy. As such he/she needs to be up - to - date with latest thinking in the field of property investment and development.

Construction managers are experts in effective and efficient construction and property development. As such they are involved in the overseeing of projects which includes planning the layout of sites, overseeing the work of contractors and ensuring that building regulations are adhered to.