Revision Histo ry
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL
AND
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Revision:
01
Approved
Date:
28/01/2025
Approved By
Lecturer: S Bosman
SUBJECT GUIDE
Faculty of
Engineering and The
Built Environment
BUSINESS FOR ENGINEERS
2025
HOD: Prof Yan
COURSE CODE: BFE690S
QUALIFICATION INFORMATION
QUALIFICATION TYPE:
MASTER OF ENGINEERING: ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
SAQA CODE:
118177
SAQA CREDITS:
180
NQF LEVEL (EXIT):
09
SUBJECT GUIDE
SUBJECT NAME:
BUSINESS FOR ENGINEERS
SUBJECT CODE:
BFE690S
NQF LEVEL OF SUBJECT
WITHIN THE PROGRAMME:
9
SAQA CREDITS:
15
NOTIONAL HOURS:
150
IMPLEMENTATION:
JANUARY 2025
DURATION:
SEMESTER
QUALIFICATION LINKAGE/S:
PROGRAM-LEVEL LINKAGE/S:
PRE-REQUISITE SUBJECT/S:
C0- REQUISITE SUBJECTS
COURSE LINKAGE/S
As an NQF level 9 course, it links into doctoral level programmes at several institutions across South Africa,
typically doctorates in Engineering Management and Industrial Engineering
Masters of Engineering: ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
None
None
ORGANISATIONAL COMPONENT
INTRODUCTION
WORD OF WELCOME
The subject Business for Engineers is aimed at developing an understanding in MEng Engineering
Management students of how businesses are managed and how to analyse and model the financials of the
enterprise. The content of this subject consists of six core topics namely Business Structures, Management,
Leadership and Governance, Cost and Management Accounting, Financial Management, Budgeting,
Forecasting and Planning and Entrepreneurship.
Page 1 of 7
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
SUBJECT
On the topic Business Structures students are given an overview of different legal structure in an
organiSation and the various legal forms of organisations are explored. The rights and obligations of
shareholders in different frameworks of corporate law are introduced and students are exposed to the design
of articles of incorporation for organisations. On the topic of Management, Leadership and Governance,
students are the management structure in enterprises in general and processes that enable the various
levels of decision making. Students will gain an understanding of the Management Board of an organization
and the rights and duties of its members. On the topic of Cost and Management accounting this subject is
geared to introduce MEng Engineering Management students to Management Accounting and the
relationship between Management Accounting and Cost Accounting. On the topic of Financial Management,
the subject provides an overview of the objectives and scope of Financial Management in an organization
and introduces students to Financial Markets and tools for Financial Analysis and Planning such as Financial
Ratio Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis and Working Capital Management. Topic five which is Budgeting,
Forecasting and the Planning Process presents an overview of the link between strategy, forecasting,
planning, budgeting, performance and measurement. Finally, topic six imparts an understanding of the
various skills required for good Entrepreneurship and goes into depth about risks and opportunities as a
general requirement of modern entrepreneurship. Different methods to generate business cases and
students engage with the elements of a business plan. Students are taught to set up a control system to
follow up milestones that developed in the business plan.
GENERAL
CONTACT INFORMATION
LECTURER/EXAMINER:
INTERNAL MODERATOR:
EXTERNAL MODERATOR:
DEPARTMENT SECRETARY
Name
Building/Room
Telephone
e-mail address
S Bosman
B Muvunzi
S Ngonda
Mech & Ind Eng
Mech & Ind Eng
Mech & Ind Eng
021 959 6600
021 959 6600
021 959 6600
bosmans@cput.ac.za
muvunzib@cput.ac.za
ngondas@cput.ac.za
Consulting
Hours
By appointment
Office hours
TIMETABLE
NB:
1. For the Official Subject Lecture and the Assessment Timetables refer to Department Notice Board & Learner Management System
(Black Board).
2. Also obtain an official lecture and assessment timetable copy from the department secretaries.
LENGTH OF COURSE
DURATION IN WEEKS
METHOD
Formal Lecturers; - Contact hours
YEAR
Week
Numbers
CONTACT HOURS per week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Total Notional
hours
-
-
-
X
-
48
Consultation Times
12
12
X
-
-
X
-
12
Tutorials
12
-
X
-
-
-
10
Practical’s
12
-
-
-
X
-
-
Assignments
12
-
-
-
X
-
20
Projects
12
X
X
X
X
X
40
Tests
12
-
-
X
-
10
FISA
12
TBD
-
-
-
10
TOTAL
-
150 hours
Page 2 of 7
COURSE TEXTBOOK/S:
COURSEWARE
Reader:
Various. Notes will be provided
RECOMMENDED BOOKS /
READINGS:
Carlos Correia, David Flynn, Enrico Uliana, & Micheal Wormald, 2019 Financial Management. 9th
edition Juta. Publication.
Cather, H., Morris, R. and Wilkonson, J. 2001. Business skills for Engineers and Technologists.
Newnes: Oxford
Samuelson, P. and Nordhauss, W. 1998. Economics. Boston: Irwin/McGraw-Hill
LEARNER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Blackboard.
WEBSITE/S:
Various Internet Websites.
OTHER MATERIALS:
Additional notes, articles, journals, CPUT library, etc.
STUDY COMPONENT
SUBJECT OBJECTIVES
To equip students with knowledge and understanding of how the use of technology and innovation is transforming the global economy. On
completion of the course the students should be able to define, describe and discuss the relevant matter and have the ability to
(a)
Understand how to read financial reports.
(b)
Understand how organisations are structured.
(c)
Understand how organisations and governance are related to ensure efficient enterprises.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Primary learning objective:
This subject will prepare students for making strategic decisions in engineering management environment, specifically related to finance and
general business matters
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA (AAC)
ECSA Exit
LEARNING OUTCOME
Level Outcome
On completion of this subject, students should be able to: / Graduate
Attribute
Demonstrate an in-depth
N/A
• Identify different legal structures and assess the various legal forms of
understanding of understanding of
setting up an engineering enterprise.
the different legal structures in an
• Identify stakeholders and compare and discuss the function of each in an
Engineering Business entity as well
engineering concern
as the roles and responsibilities of
each stakeholder in different legal
frameworks.
Differentiate between the various
• Compose an evaluative report by discerning and contrasting, to show an
stages and levels of decision
understanding of the importance of each level and stage of decision making
making in an engineering business
authority.
and the rights and duties of Board
• Differentiate between each of the important roles that make up a Board of an
Members
organisation to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the duties of each
and how that impacts on the engineering organisation as a whole.
Page 3 of 7
Use business decision making tools
(for example Fund FlowAnalysis,
Cash Flow Analysis, Standard
Costing and Marginal Costing) for
Management Accounting purposes
to simplify complex financial data
and turn them into actionable
insights for an engineering concern.
Develop an in-depth understanding
of the principles relating to the
Financial Management within the
context of a contemporary
engineering organisations (within
the context of Industry X.0)
•
Select an appropriate tool to manage each accounting function in an
engineering business.
•
Appropriate use the following online accounting tools for decision making
•
•
•
•
o
Marginal Costing: Break-even analysis and Cost Volume Profit
Analysis
o
Differential Cost Analysis
o
Stock Valuation under Marginal Costing vs Absorption Costing
o
Application of Marginal Costing in decision making and
o
Transfer Pricing to determine Inter departmental or inter
organisation transfer price
Critically appraise the theories on the cost of capital, capital structure,
dividend decisions and leverage analysis within the context of Industry X.0.
Extract key concepts from relevant and reputable sources
Prepare a technical report on capital budgeting and investment decisions in
engineering organisations.
Validate the concepts used in the technical report by objectively evaluating
the outcome against literature.
Page 4 of 7
Teaching and Learning and Assessment Strategy
Teaching and Learning strategy
A combination of the following Teaching and Learning Practices will be
employed; -
Assessment Strategy
Applicable) will be used; -
Lecture/large group teaching; - Heads of Academic Departments will
ensure that there are adequate lecture rooms (with regard to seating,
acoustics, and the provision of educational technology). Lecturers will
ensure that appropriate supportive materials (PowerPoint Notes, OHT
slides, etc) for large group teaching are developed.
Continuous assessment (CA): CA is the assessment of students'
progress throughout a course of study, rather than exclusively by
examination at the end of it. CA comprises a number of summative
assessments (i.e., assessment tasks, assignments, tests, written or
oral examinations, etc.) that count towards students’ mark record).
CA includes both summative and formative elements.
Tutorial/small group teaching; -Course convenors will ensure: appropriate staff or tutor/student ratios - training of tutors - alignment of
tutorial content and methodology with programme requirements
Evaluation of assessment: This is the reflective process of
describing the value or worth of assessment plans, processes
and/or tasks.
Practicals; - Heads of academic Departments will ensure all laboratories,
workshops, and design studios are adequately resourced for learning
activities. Programme convenors and lecturers to ensure that all
laboratories, workshops, and design students contain safety regulations
and procedures.
Formative assessment (FA): FA is an assessment task intended
as a learning exercise (e.g., a ‘quiz’, a draft of an essay or report in
a writing process, or a ‘mock exam’) or as preparation for a
summative assessment task (e.g., an essay, a report, an
examination).
Peer learning groups; - The programme convenor to ensure adequate
meeting venues for peer learning (project teams, discussion groups, and/or
peer tutorials). All lecturers to ensure that peer learning groups are
adequately trained in peer learning methods.
High stakes assessment (HSA): HSA tasks have important
consequences for the candidate. Passing has important benefits,
such as the award of a qualification, a scholarship, or a license to
practice a profession. Failing has important disadvantages, such
as being forced to re-register for a subject, or not being able to
practice or find employment. Examinations that cover key elements
of the semester or year’s work are typical HSAs. The use and
misuse of HSA is a controversial topic in South African higher
education. HSA are often required by a professional board or
industry council for entry to a profession.
Experiential learning; - The programme convenors to ensure that there is
adequate planning, monitoring, visitation, ‘debriefing’ and reflection for
experiential learning. The programme convenors to ensure that students
are placed in workplaces that facilitate learning in alignment with the aims
and outcomes of the programme.
Independent learning/reading; - Lecturers will make available
appropriate consultation times. All student guides should specify
consultation times. All student guides should include additional reading
lists. All Head of Academic Departments will ensure that appropriate library
and Internet resources are available to all students.
Integrated/integrative assessment (IA): IA tasks include a variety
of outcomes within a single subject area and/or across two or more
subject areas. IA tasks contribute to students’ professional
development, and should be part of all professional programmes.
Independent research; - Independent research includes project work,
case studies, design activities, site visits, and/or fieldwork. The
programme convenor will ensure that provision is made with respect
to facilities for research – eg library and Internet facilities, the
provision of materials and equipment, and/or safe transport
arrangements for off-campus learning.
Summative assessment: SA occurs at the end of a section of
work (not necessarily at the end of a semester or year); SA
tasks assess student attainment against course outcomes; SA
happens at particular times or has specific deadlines and the
results of the SA task contribute to the students’ mark record
ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATIONS*
ASSESSMENT NUMBER
ASSESSMENT TYPE
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
WEIGHT
ASSESSMENT 1:
Homework and tutorials
10%
ASSESSMENT 2:
Written/online test
Satisfactory Application of Relevant Techniques.
Satisfactory Application of Relevant Techniques.
ASSESSMENT 3:
Project
Satisfactory Application of Relevant Techniques.
15%
ASSESSMENT 4:
Final written/online test
Satisfactory Application of Relevant Techniques.
50%
25%
* Assessment Criteria are given in individual assignment/project assessment rubrics.
ASSESSMENT ADMINISTRATION
DESCRIPTION
T1
T2
T3
Page 5 of 7
T4
-
-
WEIGHT IN %:
MODERATION SELECTION:
SUBMINIMA:
10
25
15
50
100 %
NO
NO
NO
YES
MIN 50% BY
WEIGHT
None
None
None
None
ASSESSMENT OUTLINE
The policy of the Department of Industrial and systems Engineering is one of continuous assessment.
Note that a minimum of 40% is required for the FISA (T4) in order to qualify for a reassessment.
NB: -
IT IS COMPULSORY THAT ALL ASSESSMENTS ARE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED.
Although teamwork is encouraged, copying is prohibited and projects must be submitted as students own work.
It is of paramount importance that classes are attended regularly and promptly – progress / homework will be checked regularly.
As per the Senate approved multi-modal delivery of the curriculum, all departments will be engaging in both on-campus and online activities, and
therefore this will require both online and face-to-face activities. It must be noted that whilst the curriculum will be delivered in multimodal delivery
(including online), it does not automatically imply that the assessments must also be done online.
For any online assessment which may be conducted on campus or off campus (depending on the lockdown status), the following measures will
apply to manage plagiarism and misconduct:
•
•
•
Appropriate proctoring measures must be in place to ensure that legitimate students are completing the online assessment . Therefore,
all online assessments must be conducted with Blackboard lockdown browser and monitor.
For online assessments, a venue will be made available on campus for students that do not have conducive learning environments at
home or that have challenges with devices, data, and connectivity.
Students opting for the online assessment written off campus must ensure their devices can access the Blackboard and the Blackboard
Lockdown Browser and Monitor, have adequate data and connectivity during the duration of the assessment. If not students must use
the on-campus facility as no 2nd opportunities will be granted outside of the institutional and faculty rules and guideline.
Minimum required to pass
Distinction
=
=
50% overall (for module)
75% overall (for module)
Satisfactory performance: - To Pass the student must achieve ≥ 50% for all of the assessment criteria assessed.
Consequence of unsatisfactory performance: - Student fails the subject.
SUBMISSION DATE:
All assignments and project submissions must be submitted by the due date. No
excuses will be tolerated. A “0” (zero) will be awarded for any late submission. (In the
workplace engineers must be able to execute tasks and complete projects on time).
RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
NB:
1.
Students must read this document in conjunction with the MEng: Engineering Management Programme Guide and familiarise
themselves with all the content outlined therein, e.g. the programme structure; teaching methodology; rules, roles and
responsibilities; attendance; problem resolution; assessments; remedial interventions; academic exclusion policy;
plagiarism, etc.
2.
Students must also familiarise themselves with the contents contained in the Student Black Rule Book.
3.
If in doubt about any matter students should ask the subject lecturer, the Head of Programme, or the Head of Department for
explanation or clarity. The secretary is also available to facilitate any student queries.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
It is important to cancel a subject by the last date as communicated by the faculty office.
Students who cancel their studies/subjects must contact the faculty office with regard to any financial credits.
Page 6 of 7
SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE
YEAR
31 JANUARY –24 JUNE 2022
Lecture
Weekes
TOPIC
1
Introduction to the subject
2
Business structures
3
Management, leadership and governance
4
Cost and management accounting and financial management
5
Financial engineering
6
Budgeting, forecasting and the planning process
7
Information management and management systems
8
Entrepreneurship
9
Review
REFERENCE /
SUBMISSIONS
Reader / Blackboard
Study Week
Assessment Period. FINAL TESTS – FISA.
Sick / Trauma Tests, Moderation, Marks Upload, etc.
Marks Review / Final Marks Submitted.
Publication of Results. Semester Ends.
UNIVERSITY CLOSES for JULY HOLIDAY
ADDITIONAL NOTES
1.
The above schedule serves as a guide.
2.
Details of test schedules will be displayed on the relevant department notice boards when ready.
3.
The sequence of the above topics may be changed as required.
4.
The Program Guide and Subject Guides are electronically available on Blackboard.
5.
This document is subject to revision.
6.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the latest version of this document is used.
REVISION HISTORY
No
1
Change Description
Original
Date
28/1/2025
[end-of document]
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