Process Control & Computer Systems – About Us

The department of Process Control and Computer Systems offers under Electrical Engineering a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma, MEng and DEng qualifications in Process Control and Computer Systems Engineering. Computing, communication and process instrumentation and control systems are installed in a wide range of simple and complex systems. Computing and communication has become inseparable in everyday life. Smart cell phones and VOIP mobile phones and IPads are examples of this inseparability or integration.

Process Control and Instrumentation is extensively used in industry and enables mass production of consistent products from continuously and batch operated processes used in oil refineries, petro chemical, paper manufacturing, chemicals and power plants as examples. Process Control addresses automation of instrumentation and safety systems, by which operating personnel can operate a complex process in a specific plant environment safely from a central control room.

The purpose of the different qualifications for the Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma, MEng and DEng qualifications: Process Control or Computer Systems is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for the student’s further learning towards becoming a competent practicing Engineering Technician, Technologist or Researcher in the relevant field. The qualifications are intended to subsequently empower candidates to demonstrate the capability to apply the acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values in the work environment in South Africa and beyond. The qualifications are also designed to add value to the qualifying student in terms of enrichment of the person, status and recognition.

Candidates studying Computer Systems Engineering could be involved with projects involving networks, software development, hardware systems, and software engineering. There is ample opportunity to attain job satisfaction and attractive financial rewards. This qualification provides challenging career opportunities in a variety of specialisation fields in Computer Systems Engineering, such as networking, software engineering, engineering programming, database engineering and administration.

Candidates studying Process Control Engineering could be involved with projects such as wireless instrumentation, safety systems, advanced process control methods and plant optimization. There is ample opportunity to attain job satisfaction and attractive financial rewards. This qualification provides challenging career opportunities in a variety of specialisation fields in Process Control Engineering, such as fundamental Process control systems with distributed control systems, plant maintenance in instrumentation and interfacing systems with power systems, PLC Programming, Plantweb Control Applications, Industrial Networks and specialized interfacing between electrical control systems and process control systems.

The probable employers include the Public and Private sectors, Government Departments, Provincial and Local Authorities