OVERVIEW OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

1. Introduction

Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (hence after, AASTU), is one of the public universities of the country established to play as a forefront changing actor in the technological transformation of the country by creating strong linkage with industries. As it was stated in the Five-Year Growth and Transformation Plan (2010 – 2015 G.C), the establishment of well institutionalized and strong science and technology universities and institutes of technology will serve as a cornerstone to build an economically developed and industrialized state of Ethiopia. As a result, AASTU was founded in 2011 under the Directive of the Council of Ministers No. 216/2011 as well as amended by regulation numbers 314/2014 by admitting the first batch (2000 students) in November 2011.

Since 2015, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University has been following nationally harmonized undergraduate programs curriculum. Now, it is time to change the curriculum to meet the requirements of accreditation which consists of continuous quality improvements (CQI). In January 2016, the Ministry of Education (Education Strategy Center) developed a concept note to reform the education sector in accordance with the national vision and national development goals. Hence, one of the strategic plans proposed in the Ethiopian education road map has included common courses which account a total of 40 credit hours as a national requirement that led to the development of fundamental changes to the Ethiopian educational system.

In line with the given strategic direction of Ethiopian development, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University has a mission to be a problem solver of the industry, leading in the nation research, and delivering world-class education. To meet this mission, the university has given special attention to strengthen the academic sector by working towards accreditation of all undergraduate programs.

As a result of the above reasons, the university planned to revise the entire undergraduate program curriculum from the accreditation point of views. The goal of accreditation is to ensure the education provided by higher education to an acceptable level of quality. Therefore, this curriculum framework is developed based on the requirements of the Washington accord for engineering.

1.1. Background of the Program

Mining Engineering is a field of study which embraces all activities related to planning, design, extraction, processing, management and development of mineral resources. The curriculum is based on scientific engineering and geologic fundamentals and the application of these fundamentals to design and operate mines and to construct structures in or on rock to get access to the ores and prepare mine products for the market. Also the curriculum emphasis on mining technology, ground control and rock mechanics, mine environmental engineering, material transport, methods of working and mine ventilation.

 Ethiopia is endowed with substantial amount of mineral resources including non-metallic, metal ores, and solid fuel and energy sources. This all   resources explored to some extent and reported. However, not upgraded to mining stage and did not contribute the desired economic input to the country. Recently, the Ethiopian government is working heavily in promoting the economic mineral potentials of the country with which both local and foreign Mining investors can get participated. For that matter, lots of initiative policies and infrastructures have been made. As a result of these, considerable numbers of local and foreign investors are started participating in mining investment the sector.

Keeping in view the growing demand in area of mineral resources and their exploitation, utilization and the realization of its significant role in the national economy, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, the first public university in Ethiopia launched undergraduate mining engineering program in the country. So far, the Departments has graduated four batch around 100 professionals right now they are working in Mining Companies including Cement industries, companies using Industrial Mineral, Construction and Dimension Stone Companies, Public Agencies (Local and Federal Government Organizations) and Universities. Generally, they are playing vital role in the all rounded developmental activities of the country.

Mining engineering program at AASTU right now has a well-established mine computational lab for mine modeling, planning and design. Other laboratories like mine ventilation, mine machineries, rock mechanics, Ore processing are under development. The Mining engineering curriculum beyond the technical aspects of basic sciences and engineering in mining Engineering, graduates of AASTU also acquire a host of other skills which are essential in today’s global through emerging technology and skills during their study at AASTU given by the university course requirement and Mining Engineering department elective courses.

1.2. Rationale of the Program

To meet the demands in mining sector and produce the skilled man power required to meet the national demand in the field of mining engineering areas, Department of Mining Engineering has proposed a curriculum for UG Program in Mining Engineering.  Mining Engineering program takes into account various aspects involved in mineral exploration and exploitation of natural resources. It deals with the methods of mining of metallic and non-metallic resources using suitable techniques.

The UG program in Mining Engineering provides a strong insight into the concepts, principles governing the exploitation of all kinds’ of mineral resources, their geometry, type, modeling and other aspects. The theoretical knowledge is combined with practical application so as to apply the principles, techniques and methods in the exploitation of both metallic and non-metallic mineral resources and their proper evaluation and exploitation. The course offers various aspects of geology, related to metallic and non-metallic deposits and the state-of-the-art exploitation procedures, exploration techniques, analysis, modeling, and design for the environmentally friendly exploitation procedures.

2. Structure of the program

2.1. Vision and Mission of the University

Vision

To be an internationally recognized Ethiopian hub of science and technology with a strong national commitment and significant continental impact by 2030.

Mission:

Delivering world-class education and training in strategically priority science and technology disciplines based on national economic demand,

Conducting problem-solving applied researches to support the productivity and competitiveness of industries,

Serving as a center for knowledge and technological adaptation, innovation and transfer,

Building the technical and managerial capabilities of industries,

Building a national hub of science and technology

2.2 Program Educational Objectives

 Mining Engineering Graduates will have expertise to contemporary problem solving, be engaged professionally, and have continued to learn and adapt, and have contributed to their organizations through leadership, teamwork and Entrepreneur. More specifically, the PEO of Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering is presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Program Education Objectives (PEO)

2. 3 Mapping of PEO and University Mission

Table 2. Mapping of PEO with University Mission

2. 4 Program Outcome

The Program Outcome (PO)/Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) of the program are describe or state what mining engineering students shall know, understand, and perform upon completing their course and/or program of study. The Program Outcome (PO) of the mining engineering department prepared by referring (Appendix 3.2) engineering programs.

Table 3. Program Outcome

2.5 Mapping of PO and PEO

Table 4. Mapping of PEO with PO

2.6 Admission Requirements

Admissions to all regular undergraduate programs are processed through the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MOSHE) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Admissions to the continuing education program (CEP) are processed through the University Registrar Office based on the criteria set by the University’s Senate Legislation.

2.6.1. Admission to Regular Program

Admission following Preparatory Education

Students who have successfully completed the 10 plus 2 years preparatory school or completed 12th grade and have taken the Ethiopian higher education entrance exam (EHEEE) organized by Ethiopian national examination agency (ENEA) and who scored the minimum cut-off point set by Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MOSHE) could apply for admission to the Mining Engineering Department.

Admission with Advance Standing

Depending on available spaces, diploma graduates from TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) in the fields related to Civil Engineering will be admitted based on grades on competitive basis.

Admission of International Students

Applicants with a minimum cut-off point and with high scores in English, Physics and Mathematics in foreign countries examinations equivalent to the 10+2 preparatory program are also eligible. The equivalence system is determined by the Department Council (DC) referring the university legislation article-78.

2.6.2. Admission to Continuing Education Program

The criteria set for admission to the regular program will be employed as the criteria for admission to the continuing education program. But it will be applied according to Senate Legislation Article 79 for CEP program.

Candidates who are 10 + 3 diploma graduates from an Engineering School, TVET or similar recognized college in the fields of geology, mining, mineral processing, and other related programs with a minimum cut-off point and having certificate of competition/COC/ will be admitted based on space availability, and competitive basis. Limited numbers of junior staff such as technical assistants in relevant field may be admitted each year based on non-competitive basis provided that he/she:

has served the University for a minimum of 2 consecutive years;

meet the minimum admission requirement set for the program;

obtain letter of recommendation from the Academic Vice President;

Signs undertaking to serve the University after graduation, at least two years of service for one complete year of study.

2.7. Duration of study

The duration for study of the undergraduate programs in mining engineering shall be as stated in the university senate legislation July 2017, Article 90. Accordingly, this mining engineering program is running five years having 10 semesters + one term internships during 8th semester or summer time between 4th year to 5th years for regular Program and six years having 18 semesters + one term internship during 16th semester summer time between 5th year to 6th year.

2.8. Teaching and Learning Approach

Methods for course delivery in mining engineering program vary depending on the course nature. The detail teaching and learning approaches are indicated in course plan for each courses (starting from table 18). The methods of in general include (Lectures, Tutorials, Design-type problems, Open-ended problems, Open-ended laboratory work, Project-type activity, fieldworks and Extractive industry). Lab works are expected to take 2-3 hours per week and fieldworks are accompanied by group work, group discussions, preparation and presentation of complete report in group or individually, blended: E-learning”, lectures by mine industry professionals, classes and demonstrations or a combination of these and others.

2.9. Program Type

The program type of Mining Engineering is indicating whether the program is delivering in regular or continuing education program mode or both. Accordingly, the duration of the program is five year offered in 10 semesters + one term internships during the summer season for regular Program and six years having 18 semesters + one term internship during 16th semester summer time. The detailed minimum and maximum length of the program for both type of program is stated in university’s senate legislation July 2017, (sub-articles 90.1.1 to 90.1.3 of Article 90).

2.10. Assessment and Evaluation Mechanisms

Assessment and evaluation mechanisms also differ depending on nature of the courses the details assessment and evaluation mechanism presented in section 15 under for each course at the end of the course contents. In general, the assessment method includes the range of variety such as (Tests, projects using computer and numerical methods, report about field work, internship, mining Camp, oral examination and presentation and Final examination).

2.11. Grading system

Examinations are graded on letter grading system as stated in the university senate legislation July 2017, Article 92. However, the grading system for industrial attachment/internship shall be described as excellent, very good, good etc., the status description is based on the raw mark interval given in Table 5.

Table 5. Grading System

2.12. Graduation Requirement

Graduation requirement for undergraduate Mining Engineering programs should satisfy the following minimum requirements as stated in the university’s senate legislation July 2017, Article 109.A student must have passed all prescribed courses earning minimum total 187 credits except to phase in and phase out program.

A cumulative grade point average CGPA of 2.00 must be obtained;

A cumulative grade point average CGPA of 2.00 in Core courses;

No ”F” grade in any course/ taken for undergraduate program;

Scoring 50% and above national exit exam is mandatory

Student who fail to graduate due to less CGPA than the required or due to “F” grade have no more chance to upgrade their CGPA or to remove their “F” may be given certificate of attendance with their transcript stated as “Graduation failure”

Successfully defended his/her senior project/senior essay

2.13. Degree Nomenclature

In English:  Bachelor of Science Degree in Mining Engineering

In Amharic:  የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በማዕድን ምህንድስና

2.14. Course Coding

Each course will have a prefix; each prefix contains four letters without any space will be followed by four digits.  In assigning code for mining engineering courses, the first two letters of the word ‘Mining’ and ‘Engineering’ are taken with M and E in Capital i.e., MnEg followed by four digit numbers are used where by:

The first digit represents the year (level) in which the course is given,

The second digit indicates the category number, to which the course belongs,

The last two digits indicate the semester in which the course is given.

All courses given in the first semester represent by odd number (01, 03, 05, 07 …etc.)

All courses given in the second semester represent by even number (02, 04, 06, 08…etc.)

2.15. Course Category and List

2.15.1 Course Category

There are three course categories:

Category 0 = Common (National and University) and Supportive Courses,

Category 1 = Core/Compulsory Courses,

Category 2 = Core Elective Courses,

Example: Introduction to Mining Engineering course name coded as MnEg 2102. MnEg: represents Mining Engineering. The first digit number 2: indicate the year in which the course is given in this case the course is given in second year. The second digit number 1: indicates the course category represent core course, the last two digits 02, even number, indicates second semester.

Table 6. Distribution of credit hours for all course categories

Table 7. List of Courses

2.16. Course Breakdown for regular program.

Table 8. Year I Semester I

Table 9.Year I Semester II

Table 10.Year II Semester I

Table 11. Year II, Semester II

Table 12. Year III, Semester I

Table 13. Year III, Semester II

Table 14. Year IV, Semester I

Table 15. Year IV, Semester II

Table 16.  Year IV, Semster III (Summer)

Table 17. Year V, Semester I

Table 18. Year V, Semester II

Conversion rate: from Cr.hr to ECTS is given as, 1ECTS = 1.67Cr.hr.

Mining Engineering Staff Profile

Table 1:  Academic Staffs’Profile

Table 1: Mining Engineering department laboratory lists