Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences

The Department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes mainly in Chemistry and Physics.


Mission of the Department

The mission of the department is to become a centre of excellence both in teaching and research.

Our direct aim is to give young people in the Eastern Cape and beyond the hope and opportunity to realise their scientific aspirations, foster economic growth that will create job opportunities.


Goals of the Department

  • Build up the Department as a major research centre, with well-equipped laboratories and well-qualified and competent staff.
  • To focus on both basic and applied research relevant to the Eastern Cape, the nation and the region at large.
  • To achieve excellence in teaching and engage actively in community partnership programmes.

Programmes in the Chemistry Unit

BSc Chemistry (3 and 4-year programmes)

Admission Requirements

  • National Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification with a minimum of a 4 symbol in Mathematics, Physical Science and English.

Purpose of Qualification

  • The programme is designed to produce graduates with solid foundations in all branches of chemistry.
  • The graduates also take additional mathematics courses up to level two thereby making them capable of understanding physical science phenomena.
  • The industrial and environmental chemistry courses (planned to be offered in the near future) will help students understand their environments and make them environmentally conscious.
  • Chemists are employed in every sphere of human activity.
  • Chemistry graduates are highly sought after in the private as well as in the public sectors.
  • A chemistry degree is also a good basis for further studies in chemical engineering, finance and business studies.

Curriculum

For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.


Bachelor of Science Honours (Chemistry)

Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or equivalent qualification.

Purpose of the Qualification

Graduates of this programme receive a solid foundation in chemistry that opens up various career opportunities for them. They find employment in education, research institutions and industry. A good number of students proceed to postgraduate studies in chemistry.

Curriculum

For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.


Master of Science (Chemistry)

Admission Requirements

The Masters programme is currently by research only. Graduates of this programme generally continue their studies to PhD level, or they may get employed in industry as research scientists and in government. 

Curriculum

For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.


Doctor of Philosophy (in Natural Sciences)

Admission Requirements

  • Entry is by selection.
  • The Master of Science in Chemistry a pass mark of 60% or better is required.
  • Students who do not meet this requirement but interested will have to undergo a departmental assessment to establish their potential to undertake the programme.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will not be applicable.

Curriculum

For details of the curriculum and other rules, download a copy of the 2021 Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus.