The primary aim of the M(Eng) and MSc(Eng) specialising in Water Quality Engineering is to produce graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively in theory, design, modelling and operation of biological and chemical wastewater and sludge treatment systems.
To protect surface water quality and prevent the de-oxygenation and eutrophication, municipal wastewater treatment is required. In South Africa (and many other countries in the world) the preferred technology for this is the biological nutrient (N&P) removal (BNR) activated sludge system.
The primary objective of the M(Eng) and MSc(Eng) specialising in Water Quality Engineering is to produce engineers and scientists with high-level and in-depth knowledge and understanding of bioprocess engineering so that they can competently and effectively use steady state and dynamic simulation models for the design and operation of municipal wastewater treatment plants comprising primary treatment, BNR activated sludge, secondary settling tanks, flotation thickening and stabilisation of waste sludge by aerobic and/or anaerobic digestion unit operations in a plant wide integrated way.
The steady state and dynamic WWTP unit operation models are based on bioprocess engineering and mathematical modelling principles with supporting information from several scientific disciplines such as chemistry, microbiology and biochemistry. Upon completion of this curriculum the modern approach of modelling and simulation to wastewater treatment plant design and operation can be embraced with deeper insight, advanced knowledge and greater confidence.
Programme Convener: A/Prof. D Ikumi, PhD Cape Town,
Master of Water Quality Engineering [EM034CIV002]
A candidate for the ProfM is required to complete core courses totalling 95 credits (including a 45 credit project) and approved elective courses totalling 85 credits.
Core Courses (or approved equivalent)
| Number | Courses | Credits |
| CIV5145Z | Master of Water Engineering Project (2nd year) | 45 |
| CIV5144Z | Advanced Introduction to Wastewater Treatment | 10 |
| CIV5158Z | Urban Hydrology & Modelling Urban Drainage Systems | 20 |
| END5129S | Sustainable Water Management | 20 |
| Pre-approved elective credits | 85 | |
| Total credits | 180 |
Elective courses (minimum of 12 credits)
| Number | Courses | Credits |
| CIV5045Z | The Activated Sludge System | 10 |
| CIV5046Z | Solid/Liquid Separation in Water and Wastewater Treatment | 12 |
| CIV5047Z | Sewage Sludge Treatment and Biosolids Handling | 12 |
| CIV5048Z | Steady State Design of Biological Nutrient Removal Systems | 20 |
| CIV5049Z | Modelling & Simulation of Wastewater Treatment Systems | 16 |
| CIV5050Z | Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant Design | 20 |
| CIV5052Z | Aquatic Chemistry for Water Engineers | 20 |
| CIV5054Z | Advanced Chemical, Physical & Biological Processes Modelling | 10 |
| CIV5067Z | Advanced Infrastructure Management | 20 |
| CIV5131Z | Research Design and Methodology (2nd year) | 16 |
| CIV5138Z | Advanced Concrete Technology and Service Life Design | 20 |
| CIV5139Z | Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures | 20 |
| CIV5154Z | Hydrological measurements -application of internet of things | 16 |
| CIV5155Z | Innovative Design and Intellectual Property for Engineers | 12 |
| CIV5156Z | Integrated Water Treatment Plant Design | 20 |
| CIV5157Z | Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems | 10 |
| CIV5159Z | Conventional Water Treatment Processes | 20 |
| CIV5160Z | Water Treatment Technologies | 20 |
All courses HEQSF Level 9
Master of Engineering specialising in Water Quality Engineering [EM017CIV002]
A candidate for the MEng is required to complete core courses totalling 120 credits (including a 60 credit project) and approved elective courses totalling 40 credits.
Core Courses (or approved equivalent)
| Number | Courses | Credits |
| CIV5017Z | Minor Dissertation (2nd year) | 60 |
| CIV5032Z | Introduction to Wastewater Treatment | 4 |
| CIV5045Z | The Activated Sludge System | 10 |
| CIV5046Z | Sedimentation in Water Treatment | 8 |
| CIV5047Z | Sewage Sludge Treatment | 8 |
| CIV5048Z | Design of Biological Nutrient Removal Systems | 20 |
| CIV5050Z | Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant Design | 20 |
| Pre-approved elective credits | 50 | |
| Total credits | 180 |
| Number | Courses | Credits |
| CIV5045Z | The Activated Sludge System | 10 |
| CIV5046Z | Solid/Liquid Separation in Water and Wastewater Treatment | 12 |
| CIV5047Z | Sewage Sludge Treatment and Biosolids Handling | 12 |
| CIV5048Z | Steady State Design of Biological Nutrient Removal Systems | 20 |
| CIV5049Z | Modelling & Simulation of Wastewater Treatment Systems | 16 |
| CIV5050Z | Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant Design | 20 |
| CIV5052Z | Aquatic Chemistry for Water Engineers | 20 |
| CIV5054Z | Advanced Chemical, Physical & Biological Processes Modelling | 10 |
| CIV5067Z | Advanced Infrastructure Management | 20 |
| CIV5131Z | Research Design and Methodology (2nd year) | 16 |
| CIV5138Z | Advanced Concrete Technology and Service Life Design | 20 |
| CIV5139Z | Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Structures | 20 |
| CIV5154Z | Hydrological measurements -application of internet of things | 16 |
| CIV5155Z | Innovative Design and Intellectual Property for Engineers | 12 |
| CIV5156Z | Integrated Water Treatment Plant Design | 20 |
| CIV5157Z | Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems | 10 |
| CIV5158Z | Urban Hydrology & Modelling Urban Drainage Systems | 20 |
| CIV5159Z | Conventional Water Treatment Processes | 20 |
| CIV5160Z | Water Treatment Technologies |
All courses HEQSF Level 9
MSc in Engineering specialising in Water Quality Engineering [EM023CIV02]
Core Courses
| Number | Courses | Credits |
| CIV5000W | Dissertation | 180 |
| END5050X | Master’s journal paper | 0 |
| Total credits | 180 |
All courses HEQSF Level 9
MSc in Engineering specialising in Water Quality Engineering [EM024CIV02]
A candidate for the MSc Eng is required to complete core courses totalling 95 credits (including a 45 credit project) and approved elective courses totalling 85 credits.
Core Courses (or approved equivalent)
| Number | Courses | Credits |
| CIV5000Z | Dissertation (2nd year) | 120 |
| CIV5032Z | Introduction to Wastewater Treatment | 4 |
| CIV5045Z | The Activated Sludge System | 10 |
| CIV5046Z | Sedimentation in Water Treatment | 8 |
| CIV5047Z | Sewage Sludge Treatment | 8 |
| CIV5048Z | Design of Biological Nutrient Removal Systems | 20 |
| CIV5050Z | Integrated Wastewater Treatment Plant Design | 20 |
| CIV5109Z | Dissertation Preparation (1st year) | 0 |
| END5050X | Master’s journal paper | 0 |
| Total credits | 190 |
All courses HEQSF Level 9