Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry is to provide graduates with the knowledge, specific skills and applied and theoretical competence in the field of Chemistry and to provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society.

Rationale

The qualification is a specialisation in the field of Chemistry to prepare the learners for research-based postgraduate study. The qualification provides qualifying learners with an understanding of fundamental scientific principles and methods as applied to the field of Chemistry and the intellectual and practical skills to apply the advanced theory and specialised experimental methods of Chemistry.

The qualification is intended to provide the country with graduates who have specialized knowledge in the chemical sciences and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors.

The qualification will provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in Chemistry to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

The qualification will also provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can perform a constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL procedures manual of the institution governs and guides the RPL strategy on the implementation of the RPL policy. The RPL procedures are implemented to provide alternative admission routes into formal qualifications for learners who do not meet the statutory admission requirements, granting of module credits towards a qualification or can be used as a career development tool. Recognition of prior learning at the institution serves a social justice function based on the premise that people learn both inside and outside formal learning structures and that this learning can be worthy of recognition and credit.

The procedure for RPL assessment and accreditation at the institution may be briefly summarized in the following phases

RPL application and pre-assessment phase

In this phase, candidates would apply for admission into an undergraduate qualification and consult with the institutional counselling department for guidance on the chosen qualification as well as the RPL processes. Pre-screening of the RPL application for completeness would commence. Once applications have been deemed viable, candidates will be informed and taken through the portfolio development workshop before the assessment processes commence.

Assessment phase

In this phase, the candidate would complete their portfolio and submit evidence to be assessed for RPL recognition. The submission by the candidate would then be assessed, a report on the submission will be compiled and finalised before it is sent for verification and ratification at the Executive Dean's office. Once verified, the candidate will be notified of the outcome.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for this qualification are

• Bachelor of Science, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Inorganic Chemistry, 12 Credits.
• Physical Chemistry, 12 Credits.
• Organic Chemistry IV, 12 Credits.
• Organic Polymer Chemistry, 12 Credits.
• Molecular Symmetry, 12 Credits.
• Analytical Chemistry IV, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Chemistry, 12 Credits.
• Research Project, 36 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an in-depth, specialised understanding and knowledge of advanced concepts in Chemistry.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks within the field of environmental management.
3. Communicate effectively, in both oral and written modes, with peers and the broader community using the appropriate structure, style and graphic support.
4. Exhibit necessary skills to successfully research limited scope.
5. Use science and technology in complex and challenging contexts and make autonomous ethical decisions on complex professional issues following recognised professional and/or ethical standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify, analyse and solve complex and advanced abstract problems by drawing on their own experience and theoretical knowledge and the experiential base of a single discipline or across interdisciplinary lines in the humanities.
• Use knowledge and experience to offer informed suggestions, or to generate alternative strategies, for dealing with problems at a community, national, international and global level.
• Solve problems by generating alternative strategies for dealing with those problems.
• Critically evaluate various theoretical standpoints and compare them to their views.
• Offer evidence in a variety of ways (from a theoretical knowledge base, from an experiential base, etc.) to support their stated views.
• Analyse the global, national and local community in terms of problems, needs and opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Use and propagate 'people skills' (tolerance, empathy, listening skills, etc.) in-group situations.
• Demonstrate respect for the opinion of others through (written and/or oral) reporting without bias.
• Demonstrate tolerance of diversity through (written and/or oral) reporting without bias.
• Undertake projects of a theoretical and/or practical nature to provide evidence of successful interaction with others.
• Use advanced communication skills within the group.
• Act as supportive followers and group participants.
• Organise themselves and others into effective working groups.
• Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through (written and/or oral) reporting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Communicate ideas logically and provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
• Evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments and produce sound arguments.
• Use language competently, showing awareness of (written and/or oral) conventions relevant to the discipline.
• Use appropriate models of organisation and presentation as required in the relevant discipline.
• Use statistics (where necessary) effectively in support of their ideas.
• Identify and illustrate discipline-specific jargon.
• Analyse, evaluate and critique the ideas of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify the research problem.
• Describe the research methods/procedures and techniques to be followed.
• Collect, analyse and interpret data.
• Write up the results in a clear, concise and acceptable manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Use appropriate technology correctly, safely and responsibly through the awareness of the impact of chemicals on the environment.
• Assess the risks and dangers involved in the use of chemicals and chemical technology.

Integrated Assessment

The institution has detailed policies and procedures on assessment, including moderation, assessment principles, learner dispute processes, record keeping, infringements and plagiarism. The department of chemistry follows all these policies, and keeps records of compliance, including moderation, for quality assurance and auditing purposes.

For each module, an assessment plan is captured in advanced and approved by the COD and the dean. This assessment plan includes the year mark/project/exam contributions and the contributions and due dates of individual assignments; there are strict rules on amendments made to the assessment plans.

Assessment of the Theory Modules

The formative assessment is in the form of three assignments. The three written assignments contribute a total of 20% towards the final mark. The summative assessment is in the form of a three hour written examination. The examination mark contributes 80% towards the final mark. Learners who obtain a mark of 40% to 49% in the examination qualify for a supplementary examination.

Assessment of the Chemistry Honours Research Project

The formative assessment for the CHE4808 module is in the form of a research proposal on a chosen topic in Chemistry and contributes 30% towards the final mark. The non-venue examination process involves the submission of laboratory reports and a mini-dissertation. The examination mark contributes 70% of the final mark.

To pass a module, a learner must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% during the final examination process. During the offering of the qualification, the Assignments and Examinations sections respectively record assessment results according to strict quality assurance and auditing measures. Department of Registrations keeps up-to-date information about the progress of each learner.