Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry

Purpose

The Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry is designed to equip successful students with a solid framework to: Independently handle both high level Postgraduate research in chemistry handle advanced chemical concepts from among the contemporary and emerging discipline areas.

Rationale

The honours programme seeks to bridge the gap between undergraduate and Master's programmes in chemistry in terms of in depth chemistry content and research skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification. This qualification may be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning processes. Credits achieved by RPL must not exceed 50% of the total credits and must not include credits at the exit level. The provision that the qualification may be obtained through the Recognition of Prior Learning facilitates access to an education, training and career path in Botany and thus accelerates the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.

Evidence of prior learning will be assessed through formal RPL processes through recognized methods. Any other evidence of prior learning will be assessed through formal RPL processes to recognize achievement thereof. Learners submitting themselves for RPL will be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition.

Candidates who complete this degree successfully should be able to find employment in internationally comparative markets and perform well. A graduate from this qualification should qualify for further studies at a Master's level in chemistry at any credible international institution.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry.

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

Elective Modules

• Organic Chemistry IV (CHE4104), 16 Credits.
• Electrochemistry, 4 Credits.
• Electrochemical Analysis, 8 Credits.
• Basic One and Two Dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, 16 Credits.
• Organometalic Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Catalysis, 8 Credits.
• Bioinorganic Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Transition Metals, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Nanotechnology, 8 Credits
• Inorganic Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Natural Product Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Organic Synthesis, 8 Credits.
• Methods in Physical Organic Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Polymers, 8 Credits.
• Stereochemistry, 8 Credits.
• Modern Methods of Identification of Organic Compounds, 8 Credits.
• Advanced Instrumental Analysis, 8 Credits.
• Advanced Chemical Techniques, 16 Credits.
• Physical Chemistry IV (CHE4205), 16 Credits.
• Analytical Chemistry IV (CHE4202), 16 Credits.
• Inorganic Chemistry IV (CHE4103) 16 Credits.
• Crystal Symmetry and Structure, 8 Credits.
• Molecular Electronic Calculationsfor the Chemist (CHE42035), 8 Credits.
• Molecular Electronic Spectroscopy, 8 Credits.
• Seminar presentation, 2 Credits.
• Molecular Electronic Spectroscopy, 8 Credits.
• Research Methods in Science, 2 Credits.
• Project/Dissertation, 36 Credits.
• Project/Dissertation (CHE4208), 40 Credits.
• Thermodynamics, 4 Credits.
• Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis, 16 Credits.
• Surface Chemistry, 4 Credits.
• Elementary Statistical Mechanics, 4 Credits.
• Molecular Symmetry and Structure, 8 Credits.

1. Successfully conduct accurate physical laboratory measurements.
2. Successfully conduct complex laboratory synthesis and extractions.
3. Successfully conduct sample analysis using advanced laboratory instrumentation.
4. Interpret scientific data incorporating the limitations of the measuring instrument.
5. Analyse laboratory results imaginatively, display and discuss the results and draw appropriate conclusions from the results measurements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Understand chemical phenomenon through experiments and theoretical tools.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Execute complex synthetic processes in chemistry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop critical thinking and analysis of detailed steps in chemical processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop critical understanding and analysis of molecular processes as seen through spectroscopic tools such as nmr, ir and ms.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Understand scientific writing and effective communication in science by way of reports/publications/scientific journals.

Integrated Assessment

The programme as designed requires a student to take and pass a minimum of 120 Credits. Modules in group C (40 Credits) are compulsory and design competent and proficient in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to develop and enhance the student's research capability and skills. The additional 64 Credits are freely selected from the remaining CHEMISTRY groups. The Y group is a stand alone group and is compulsory by default.

The department currently houses two high field nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers ,hence we require our students to be competent and proficient in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All modules final examination papers are moderated externally and the scripts are assessed by both the course instructor and the external examiner. All projects reports are assessed by both internal and external examiners with the final mark being the average of these two.