Advanced Diploma in Analytical Chemistry

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Analytical Chemistry offers specialiation for Analytical Chemistry qualifying learners. This qualification is designed to prepare learners for postgraduate study through the deepening of disciplinary knowledge by enhancing their understanding of the theories, methodologies, and practices of Analytical Chemistry. It provides articulation into higher qualifications such as Postgraduate Diploma at any institution in South Africa. Subject content (and names) have been selected (based on a comprehensive benchmarking exercise) to ensure articulation with equivalent national and international Higher Education (HE) qualifications.

The purpose of the proposed curriculum is to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required for further learning through an intensive, focused and applied specialisation. Specifically, the qualification provides learners with the necessary skills to achieve the following outcomes:

• Collect, display, compute and interpret experimental data in various ways and solve related problems and relate to physical and chemical properties of the compounds.
• Conduct and interpret accurately, wet chemical and instrumental analysis, using appropriate and innovative laboratory procedures.
• Critically evaluate calculations and interpret the results of analysis to meet quality assurance and quality control requirements and criteria.
• Report and communicate results obtained from the analysis effectively to a specialist and non-specialist audience using graphs, written and oral presentations.
• Perform relevant Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures to ensure that processes remain within designated limits and reliable results are generated in the laboratory.
• Manage projects using interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ensure that all assigned work is performed in compliance with relevant occupational health, safety, and environmental laws, legislation and regulations; established policies and procedures; and in accordance with ethical principle.
• Develop a plan for continued professional growth.
• Solve complex, real-life problems in the laboratory environment.

Rationale

The qualification seeks to address the needs of the South African society and the economy as outlined in the National Scarce Skills List (Government Gazette, No. 39604, January 2016) via a coherent curriculum underpinned by a constructivist educational philosophy. Qualifying Learners will successfully complete the qualification will be in high demand in diverse careers such as Analysts, Technicians, Quality Control Chemists, Laboratory Managers, Research and Development, Water Quality Analysts, and Teachers.

The occupation cluster of Technicians and Associate Professionals, under which the occupation of Chemistry Technicians (OFO Code 311101) falls on the National Scarce Skills List (2016) and is listed under occupations which are in high demand in South Africa. Analytical Chemistry technicians in particular are sought-after in a range of industries such as Mining, Pharmaceutics, Petroleum, Environment/Sanitation and Food and Beverage; there is hardly a chemical industry that does not require analysts. Qualifying learners are in high demand to work as Analysts, Technicians, Quality Control Chemists, and Laboratory Managers and in Research and Development. Analytical chemists can also be employed as Water Quality Analysts, Air Pollution Analysts, (all of them also listed as occupations in high demand on the National Scarce Skills list). Furthermore, Analytical Chemists can be trained as educators and pursue careers as Natural Science teachers.

As a result of this lack of specialisation, industries are often burdened with the task of giving new graduate employees specialised training - this is costly, both in monetary terms and time. The qualification seeks to find a balance between conceptual and contextual knowledge. This knowledge continuum is evident in the selection of and names given to the fundamental subjects: Applied Inorganic Chemistry, Applied Organic Chemistry and Applied Physical Chemistry. Knowledge is contextualised in a 30 Credit-subject (Instrumental Techniques in Chemical Analysis) that integrates theory and practice through the incorporation of a blend of work-directed theoretical learning, problem-based learning and project-based learning in a simulated work environment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In keeping with national policy frameworks and the institution's mission and vision, widening of access is promoted through Recognition of Prior Learning. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against a qualification or part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6, 360 Credits.

Or

• National Diploma Analytical in Chemistry, NQF Level 6, 360 Credits.

Or

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, NQF Level 7, 360 Credits.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 110 Credits

• Advanced Methods in Chemical Analysis, 30 Credits.
• Instrumental Techniques of Chemical Analysis, 30 Credits.
• Applied Inorganic Chemistry, 14 Credits.
• Applied Organic Chemistry, 14 Credits.
• Applied Physical Chemistry, 14 Credits.
• Scientific Reasoning, Ethics and Communication, 8 Credits.

Elective Modules, 10 Credits (Choose/Select one module)

• Environmental Analytical Chemistry.
• Medicinal Chemistry, 10 Credits.
• Nanotechnology, 10 Credits.
• Supramolecular Chemistry, 10 Credits.
• Forensic Chemistry, 10 Credits.
• Organic Synthesis, 10 Credits.
• Petroleum Chemistry, 10 Credits.

1. Apply mathematical, physical and chemical concepts to related problems in the laboratory and production.
2. Conduct and interpret accurately, wet chemical and instrumental analyses, using appropriate and innovative laboratory procedures.
3. Perform and critically evaluate calculations and interpret the results of analyses to meet quality assurance and quality control requirements and criteria.
4. Report and communicate results obtained from the analyses effectively to a specialist and non-specialist audience using graphs, written and oral presentations.
5. Perform relevant Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures to ensure that processes remain within designated limits and reliable results are generated in the laboratory.
6. Manage projects using interpersonal and communication skills.
7. Ensure that all assigned work is performed in compliance with relevant occupational health, safety, and environmental laws, legislation and regulations; established policies and procedures; and in accordance with ethical principles.
8. Develop a plan for continued professional growth.
9. Conduct research to solve complex, real-life problems in the laboratory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse data using mathematical skills such as statistical analysis, factors, ratios, conversions, linear regressions.
• Analyse and evaluate physical and chemical concepts of chemical substances based on data and mathematical modeling.
• Apply principles of physics such as fluid dynamics, electronics, wave theory and electromagnetic radiation to relate to the problems of instrumentation used in the chemical laboratory.
• Apply principles of Organic, Inorganic, Physical and advanced Analytical Chemistry to chemical problems encountered during chemical analyses and synthesis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply principles of specialist instrumental theory to the performance of chemical analyses.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment using the appropriate materials for quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis.
• Calibrate advanced/hyphenated spectrometric, electrometric and chromatographic instruments and use their associated data systems for qualitative and quantitative analyses.
• Prepare solutions of known concentrations and perform appropriate dilutions for laboratory procedures.
• Use time, equipment and materials in a cost-effective manner when performing analyses.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Evaluate recorded data of quantitative and qualitative analyses in the required format.
• Evaluate results of mathematical and statistical calculations to meet quality assurance and quality control requirements and criteria.
• Implement recommendations regarding abnormal results.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Select appropriate current software packages such as word processing, spreadsheets and databases and use them to express and manipulate chemical technology information.
• Use computers associated with the setting up and monitoring of laboratory automation.
• Acquire, store, retrieve, process and present data and/or information using software.
• Use relevant software to monitor laboratory quality assurance and quality control.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Design systems to ensure that processes remain within designated limits by applying the principles of a variety of relevant quality control/quality assurance programs such as International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and ISO guide 25).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate the ability to work as a leader in a team.
• Use oral and written formats to communicate effectively when planning and organising projects.
• Compile, organise, prepare and present scientific and technical data and results using appropriate terminology and visual aids.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply adherence to specific industrial practices including good manufacturing practice (GMP), good laboratory practice (GLP) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) consistently in a manner that reflects a clear understanding and interpretation of the standards.
• Observe and comply with environmental, health and safety legislation and their related regulations such as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Monitor and establish workplace safety protocols.
• Recognise the influence that chemistry has on society in terms of the environment, health and safety.
• Demonstrate awareness and follow ethical guidelines for professional work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Identify strategies for continued professional development.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a variety of laboratory environments.
• Consult and process relevant literature to keep up to date with advances in technology.
• Develop plans to upgrade skills as required by technological change.
• Identify the role of professional associations (such as SACI) and certification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Gather and capture information relevant to a project/task from a variety of appropriate sources.
• Analyse and interpret data using appropriate technology.
• Present a plan of action to resolve a given problem in a written and oral format.

Integrated Assessment

Continuous Assessment consists of both formal and Summative Assessments.

A variety of assessment methods have been selected, each aimed to assess different skills, practices and knowledge while meeting the cognitive demands for the level of learning (National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7). These methods will include tasks that both monitor (summative) and facilitate (formative) learning. Due to its mix of contextual and conceptual knowledge ranging between extreme semantic codes (strong sematic gravity/density to moderate gravity/density), various assessment tasks have been selected. These tasks include tests, projects (written reports), oral presentations (seminars), assignments, peer assessments, and case studies. Fundamental subjects (e.g. Applied Inorganic Chemistry; Applied Physical Chemistry; Applied Organic Chemistry; Scientific Reasoning, Ethics and Communication, etc.) are semester subjects that will be assessed using a maximum of three Summative assessment tasks including at least one integrated assignment that will cover aspects of the fundamental, the core and the elective subjects.

The two core subjects are offered over a year and will have a maximum number of five summative assessment tasks according to the institution Assessment Policy. Instrumental Techniques in Chemical Analysis is a highly practical subject underpinned by appropriate contextualized knowledge. Learning activities for this subject will mainly include projects (maximum three) designed in collaboration with industry partners. Learners will be expected to apply critical thinking skills and solve complex problems situated within a maximum of three industries in which learners would potentially find employment upon successful completion of the qualification. As such assessment tasks will not include tests or examinations, but technical (laboratory) reports and oral PowerPoint presentations of the results of the investigative projects. Elective subjects will include mainly case studies and assignments (max two per subject).

The qualification will be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence that the multiple learning outcomes of the programme have been achieved.