Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics

Purpose

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

Qualifying learners will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, applied competence, ability for continued growth, and professional attitude to enable them to use their expertise as competent practicing Physicists in various sectors.

Rationale

The qualification addresses the national, regional and international shortage of Physicists by increasing the pool of specialised Physicists. Increased scientific capacity is needed to meet the demand from the "data revolution": increasing demand for better data and evidence-based decisions as well as the increase in the available data. Physicists are needed in the industry, commerce, medicine, NGOs, government departments as well as in research and Higher Education institutions.

This qualification will provide graduates who will be able to continue their studies at higher levels, thus contributing to the academic sector and scholarly activity and knowledge creation within Physics.

This qualification will provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in Physics 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)

According to the institutional RPL policy, a learner may obtain access to this degree via the RPL route if he or she meets the admission requirements of the prerequisite undergraduate degree. Learners wishing to apply this route need to provide evidence that their existing knowledge together with relevant work or research experience in the field has led to learning (skills and knowledge) which is equivalent to the formal admission requirements.

The institution's RPL office will assist the applicants to do a self-assessment and compile a portfolio of evidence which will be assessed by an assessment panel consisting of subject specialists. If necessary, further assessment of eligibility for instance in the form of a more extended portfolio of evidence, panel interview or challenge examination may be requested. Depending on the evidence provided, the outcome may be direct access or conditional access to the RPL programme or to the conclusion that the candidate is not found competent yet, with recommendations on the way forward.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry 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

• Electromagnetism, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Mathematical Methods, 12 Credits.
• Quantum Mechanics I, 12 Credits.
• Statistical Physics, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Solid State Physics, 12 Credits.
• Nuclear Physics, 12 Credits.
• Physics Honours Research Methods, 36 Credits.
• Quantum Mechanics II, 12 Credits.

1. Illustrate in-depth knowledge of the relevant theory, concepts and methods and ability to learn new concepts and methods by independent study.
2. Solve Physics problems at an advanced level using physics concepts, laws, principles and methods.
3. Design and conduct, and physics research in real-life situations and communicate the results.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Show evidence of analytical and critical thinking, and ability to apply and analyse relevant physics theories, concepts, methods and principles.
• Show evidence of relevant methods of scientific inquiry and skills in finding, validating and critically analysing information.
• Critically analyse research proposals and research reports based on the correctness of scientific methodology or methods used.
• 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 the physics concepts, laws, principles and methods critically and correctly.
• Demonstrate their prior knowledge and experience as it is relevant to their discipline.
• Connect the abstract knowledge of theory to the reality of their contexts.
• Look beyond and across traditional disciplinary boundaries for possible solutions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Conduct research using appropriate ethical considerations, professional attitude, and research methodology.
• Communicate the results and conclusions using appropriate language to specialist or non-specialist audiences.

Integrated Assessment

In all the modules, the formative assessment consists of assessment tasks which involve calculations, interpretation of outputs from computational software, written proofs, or using software to perform analysis of data.

Summative assessment consists of written examinations and research project reports. The ratio of assignments work to examination work for the final mark is 20/80 for all theory modules and 40/60 for the research project module. In the project module, the summative assessment consists of a research project.