Johannesburg-based audio college Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE) recently announced that they now offer the first ever accredited degree in Sound Engineering Technology in South Africa.
The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree will delve deeper than any other qualification currently on offer at the institution with greater focus on the mathematics, physical science and electronics associated with sound engineering. Other topics covered will include linear recording, synchronisation and control systems, mastering technology, broadcast infrastructure, acoustics, work surface, Ethernet controller integration and more.
The degree is a three year NQF 7 qualification. This means that it has been designed to conform to the structure of a generic NQF Level 7 B.Sc. degree and the guidelines for a B.EngTech-type programme as proposed in the Engineering Council of South Africa Position paper Implementing Engineering Qualifications under the HEQF. Therefore, according to ASE, “the programme is designed to articulate to established NQF Level 8 professional engineering programmes offered by the public universities".
The goal of the degree is to legitimise the title of “sound engineer", which has become contentiously ubiquitous and obscured throughout at least the last two decades. The goal of ASE was to develop a degree programme that:
1. Conforms to the structure and produces the outcomes of a generic B.Sc.;
2. Conforms to the structural guidelines for a B.EngTech-type Engineering Technologist programme as proposed in the Engineering Council of South Africa Position Paper Implementing Engineering Qualifications under the HEQF (ECSA, Draft 3: 27 February 2008);
3. Opens vertical articulation possibilities for graduates to enter Level 8 Honours or Post Graduate Diploma programmes;
4. Opens diagonal articulation possibilities for graduates to enter B.Eng, B.Sc. (Eng) or B.Ing Level 8 professional engineering programmes, in line with the emerging “Three-plus-two’ model proposed by the Engineering Council of South Africa and implemented at public universities such as the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits);
5. Eventually produce professional engineers as contemplated by the Engineering Council of South Africa.
