Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics

• The (first) purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with postgraduate level specialised knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of physical natural sciences (Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences) that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity in the private, public and academic spheres and rewarding contributions to society.
• The (second) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with adequate numbers of graduates on the honours level in the physical sciences in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activities.
• The (third) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with a cadre of scientists who are prepared to commence a career in research.
• The (fourth) purpose of the qualification is to train students to be able to practice theoretical and experimental physical science with a greatly improved level of self-confidence.
• The (fifth) purpose of the qualification is to prepare students for advanced graduate studies.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in the related field, Level 7.

Generic/Critical cross-field outcomes

The Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc-Hons) graduate in the field of the physical sciences will understand the place and the importance of physical sciences in human endeavour and have a basic knowledge of the philosophy and ethics of natural physical sciences. The graduate will be able to demonstrate competence in specialised field outcomes, such as identifying and solving problems in the natural physical sciences i.e. Chemistry. Physics, Geology or Geography and Environmental Sciences using critical and creative thinking, working effectively as an individual or in a team on projects, finding relevant information and applying it in a problem solving context in these fields, communicating science and technology in both writing and verbally in a precise and coherent way.

General outcomes.

The Bachelor of Science (BSc)-Honours (Hons) graduate will have

1. A sound knowledge of the theoretical background in the core aspects of the chosen honours programme of the natural physical sciences, that is obtained through self-learning and through formal teaching.
2. A sound knowledge of the working and application of a range of scientific equipment, techniques (procedures) and experimental approaches.
3. An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly and understanding of scientific observations. The means by which evidence is gained to support or refute models as a means of gaining scientific knowledge and the limitations of such knowledge.
4. The BSc-Hons graduate will thus have demonstrated that he/she has acquired a solid scientific background to practice as a fully independent scientist in the chosen field of the physical sciences.

Specific outcomes.

1. The BSc-Hons in Physics graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in physics.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical properties of matter.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures and experiments in physics.

2. The BSc-Hons in Laser Physics graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in Laser Physics.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical properties of matter with lasers.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures and experiments in the laser field.

3. The BSc-Hons in Theoretical Physics graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply postgraduate theoretical knowledge and effectively use the computer environment in understanding and solving problems in the physical sciences.
• An advanced ability to judge the important physical considerations relevant to mathematical and computer modelling of problems in the physical sciences.

4. The BSc-Hons in Radiation and Health Physics graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in radiation and health physics.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation in the field of radiation and health physics.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures and experiments in the field of radiation and health physics.

5. The BSc-Hons in Nuclear Physics graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in nuclear physics.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical properties of matter in the field of nuclear physics.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures and experiments in the field of nuclear physics.

6. The BSc Hons in Materials Science (Modern Materials) graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in material sciences.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical properties of matter in the field of material sciences.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures and experiments in the field of material sciences.

7. The BSc-Hons in Chemistry graduate will have

• The ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in chemistry on an advanced level.
• In-depth knowledge of and technical skills in various advanced methods and instrumentation to analyse the composition and structure of pure compounds as well as mixtures in industrial and mining laboratories.
• The ability to verify, apply, and also modify documented laboratory procedures and experiments in chemistry in order to prepare new useful products for the manufacturing sector.
• The ability to evaluate the role of chemical processes in industry and environmental ecology and to contribute to the creation of a sustainable environment.

8. The Bsc Hons in Bio-organic Chemistry graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in bio-organic chemistry.
• In depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well-documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical properties of matte ran the field of bio-organic chemistry.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures and experiments in the field of bio-organic chemistry.
• An advanced ability to understand the chemical basis of biological processes and hence to collaborate with scientists working or doing research in various fields of biology.
• An advanced ability to evaluate the role of chemical processes in environmental ecology and to make meaningful contributions to the creation of sustainable development.
• The ability to contribute to the development and production of pharmaceuticals and countless other commodities that are essential for the survival of modern civilization.

9. The Bsc Hons in Polymer Science graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in polymer chemistry as related to R&D and to industrial needs.
• In depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well-documented methods and instrumentation to determine the structure and measure the physical properties of matter in the field of polymer chemistry and so design structure/property relationships.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures and experiments in the field of polymer chemistry in order to create an understanding of materials, processes and products. Hereby improvements and advancement in science and in industrial products and processes are obtained.

10. The Bsc Hons in Applied Earth Sciences graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in the Earth Sciences.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of matter in the field of Earth Sciences.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory and field procedures and experiments in the Earth Sciences.
• The ability to provide a valuable professional contribution to the diversity of fields in the mining, minerals, geological and environmental industry where Earth Scientists are employed.

11. The Bsc Hons in Petroleum Geology graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in the Earth Sciences and in those related to Petroleum Geology.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical and chemical properties of matter in the field of Earth Sciences and in particular Petroleum Geology.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory and field procedures and experiments in the Earth Sciences and in particular Petroleum Geology.
• The ability to provide a valuable professional contribution to the diversity of fields in the mining, minerals, geological and petroleum industry where Earth Scientists are employed.

12. The Bsc Hons in Applied Geoinformatics for Geologists graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in the Earth Sciences and those related to Geoinformatics.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in various well documented methods and instrumentation to determine and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of matter in the field of Earth Sciences.
• An advanced ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory and field procedures and experiments in Earth Sciences and Geoinformatics.
• The ability to provide a valuable professional contribution to the diversity of fields in the mining, minerals, geology and environmental industry where Earth Scientists and expertise in Geoinformatics are employed.

13. The Bsc Hons in GIS for Spatial Analysis and Decision-making graduate will have

• An advanced ability to apply theoretical knowledge in understanding and solving problems in the geographical and environmental sciences.
• Skills to identify, analyse and monitor environmental, regional and urban problems.
• In-depth knowledge of and advanced technical skills in relevant methods and techniques to handle spatial developmental challenges.
• Skills in applying GIS as an integrative technological aid for solving problems of a spatial nature.

The assessment used for Bachelor of Science Honours (BScHons) ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved in the physical sciences.

• A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as written and oral examinations, work-place assessments and written laboratory and research reports are used.
• The required range of modalities in the field of choice is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.
• The assessment consists of samples generalising to the domain of the chosen field and are selected in a judicious and planned way in order to ensure reliability.
• The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement of Level 7.

A variety of assessment procedures will be used, such as

General outcome

• Using written tests and examinations (including open and closed book methods).
• Using practical tests, examinations, assignments and lab reports.
• Through the use of theoretical and practical problem-solving assignments. These will take place during tutorials and problem-solving practical exercises.
• Scientific article analysis exercises that are marked and assessed for the ability to understand and interpret scientific research papers and other articles, i.e. written reports and assignments designed to assess self-learning ability.
• The design, execution and interpretation of simple experiments using self-acquired and provided data sets.
• Assessment of the way in which knowledge has been acquired from major historical, well-documented, benchmark experiments and current experience from the research work of lecturing staff.
• Marked essays, practical and assignment reports.

Integrated Assessment

The written and oral tests and examinations, practical tests, problem-solving tutorials, written reports, all are carefully planned and selected to be representative of the knowledge and skills required to constitute an integrated assessment.

In some of the programmes (eg. Geology) a compulsory research project constitutes a "capstone" which assess the students' integration of the knowledge and basic competencies acquired in the various modules of the programme. The project integrates a distilled literature review, practical field or laboratory work, an interpretation and assessment of results and a written and oral presentation.