Bachelor of Science Honours in Materials Science

Purpose

The first purpose of the qualification is to further develop skills that were implanted with the qualifications, as part of a generic training for South African scientists: most professional scientific bodies in South Africa take a BSc Honours or equivalent as the minimum qualification for registration as a scientist. Thus, the qualification will embody aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a professional natural scientist in a work environment. The qualification will also equip learners with the tools necessary for them to enter a path to be professional academic practitioners in their particular disciplines: again, most South African Universities insist on a BSc Honours level qualification as the minimum entry standard for further postgraduate training. Accordingly, the qualification must embody aspects of academic training such as understanding of the scientific literature as well as furtherance of the requirements of literacy, numeracy and computer literacy first introduced in the qualifications.

The second purpose is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of learners in the natural sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity in these fields is widened.

The third purpose of this qualification is to provide South Africa with a cadre of educators (GEC, FEC and Tertiary level) who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress in the natural sciences prior to acquiring specific postgraduate teaching qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, NQF Level 7.

1. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decision using critical and creative thinking has been made.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
3. Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluating information.
5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards others.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
8. Demonstrate an awareness of the importance to:

• Reflect on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
• Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
• Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
• Explore education and career opportunities;
• Develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Understanding the specific scientific literature and theory at a level appropriate to the independent practice of the discipline.
• Show evidence of an adequate degree of practical skills appropriate to the discipline.
• Formulate a scientific report on practical or academic work.
• Communicate their work in writing and verbally to lay and scientific audiences.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment methods will normally include formal examination, review of essays and/or oral presentations or other written assignments or fieldwork where appropriate, and some form of review of a written research project, taking into account elements of scientific literacy, numeracy and computer literacy inasmuch as these are appropriate to the study area.