BSc in Chemistry
The BSc in Chemistry programme offers three streams of which you choose one:
- Chemistry and Polymer Science
- Chemical Biology
- Materials Technology
The three streams are almost identical in the first year, except that Biology is a compulsory first-year subject for the Chemical Biology stream.
Stream: Chemistry and Polymer Science
The Chemistry and Polymer Science stream trains students to become professional chemists and analytical chemists who have the chemistry-based technical background for a career in any industrial or other sector in which chemistry plays a role. They gain a thorough knowledge of polymers as the basis of various materials, and of sophisticated synthetic and analytic techniques for polymers.
The elective modules excluded, your second and third year training is devoted to Chemistry. Emphasis is placed on the use of chemistry for the processing of raw materials in the mining industry, for the refinement of metals, for metals extraction, in the petrochemical, building, paints, polymer, high explosives, textiles, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries, or in industries for the manufacture of paper, household and cosmetic products. Considerable attention is also given to the monitoring of pollution and methods to prevent and combat pollution. See the curriculum of the Chemistry and Polymer Science stream in our Calendar.
Analytical chemists may pursue a career as process controllers in chemical plants, in the development of new analytical methods, in the development of production processes, in the planning of new plants, in the operation of chemical plants, in education, in the marketing of chemicals, scientific instruments and components for chemical plants, or as environmental scientists. This stream also provides you with the basis for further study in patent and environmental law.
This stream leads to an honours programme in Chemistry, Microbiology or in Polymer Science. If applicable elective modules are taken, it could also lead to an honours programme in Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Earth Science or Computer Science.
Stream: Chemical Biology
The Chemical Biology stream trains students to become scientists for a career in those sectors of the chemical industry involved in the more organic and biochemical aspects of chemistry. This stream will also prepare you for postgraduate studies and a research career in Organic Chemistry and/or Biochemistry.
In the second and third year the focus is on Chemistry and Biochemistry. Many large and small companies depend for their existence on chemists skilled in process control and in the quality control of raw materials and manufactured products. State laboratories such as the forensic laboratories in Cape Town and Pretoria, Sasol, manufacturers of pesticides, manufacturers of cosmetic products and manufacturers of pharmaceutical products all offer career opportunities for chemists who are trained in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. See the curriculum of the Chemical Biology stream in our Calendar.
This stream leads to an honours degree programme in Chemistry or Biochemistry.
Stream: Materials Technology
The development and use of functional and smart materials is a fast-growing field and offers exciting careers for young scientists. This career-oriented stream focuses on the manufacturing and application of polymeric materials.
In the second year you take elective modules in combination with Chemistry and Textile Science, while the third year training is devoted entirely to Chemistry, Polymer Science and Materials Technology. The in-depth scientific knowledge of Chemistry and Polymer Science are combined with the more applied aspects of Materials Technology. The following topics are studied:
- the industrial production of materials;
- manufacturing techniques of functional materials; and
- the application of materials in areas like textiles, coating, biomaterials, food packaging, composites, biomedical products and nanotechnology.
In addition, you develop your creative, analytical and problem-solving skills. With this qualification, you will be able to work in the broader materials-based industry as product developer, technical sales manager, production manager or quality control manager. See the curriculum of the Materials Technology stream in our Calendar.
This stream leads to an honours programme in Chemistry or in Polymer Science.
All three streams can lead to teaching as a profession
Should you wish to qualify as a high school teacher after you have obtained a BSc, you may take the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in the Faculty of Education. Your subject choice for your degree programme, however, should enable you to teach two school subjects. Depending on the stream that you take and your undergraduate subject combination, you could teach some of the following school subjects:
- Physical Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Information Technology
- Geography
Minimum admission requirements
- For the NSC, an average final mark of 65% (excluding Life Orientation)
- Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Mathematics 70%
The BSc in Chemistry programme offers three streams of which you choose one:
- Chemistry and Polymer Science
- Chemical Biology
- Materials Technology
The three streams are almost identical in the first year, except that Biology is a compulsory first-year subject for the Chemical Biology stream.
Stream: Chemistry and Polymer Science
The Chemistry and Polymer Science stream trains students to become professional chemists and analytical chemists who have the chemistry-based technical background for a career in any industrial or other sector in which chemistry plays a role. They gain a thorough knowledge of polymers as the basis of various materials, and of sophisticated synthetic and analytic techniques for polymers.
The elective modules excluded, your second and third year training is devoted to Chemistry. Emphasis is placed on the use of chemistry for the processing of raw materials in the mining industry, for the refinement of metals, for metals extraction, in the petrochemical, building, paints, polymer, high explosives, textiles, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries, or in industries for the manufacture of paper, household and cosmetic products. Considerable attention is also given to the monitoring of pollution and methods to prevent and combat pollution. See the curriculum of the Chemistry and Polymer Science stream in our Calendar.
Analytical chemists may pursue a career as process controllers in chemical plants, in the development of new analytical methods, in the development of production processes, in the planning of new plants, in the operation of chemical plants, in education, in the marketing of chemicals, scientific instruments and components for chemical plants, or as environmental scientists. This stream also provides you with the basis for further study in patent and environmental law.
This stream leads to an honours programme in Chemistry, Microbiology or in Polymer Science. If applicable elective modules are taken, it could also lead to an honours programme in Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Earth Science or Computer Science.
Stream: Chemical Biology
The Chemical Biology stream trains students to become scientists for a career in those sectors of the chemical industry involved in the more organic and biochemical aspects of chemistry. This stream will also prepare you for postgraduate studies and a research career in Organic Chemistry and/or Biochemistry.
In the second and third year the focus is on Chemistry and Biochemistry. Many large and small companies depend for their existence on chemists skilled in process control and in the quality control of raw materials and manufactured products. State laboratories such as the forensic laboratories in Cape Town and Pretoria, Sasol, manufacturers of pesticides, manufacturers of cosmetic products and manufacturers of pharmaceutical products all offer career opportunities for chemists who are trained in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. See the curriculum of the Chemical Biology stream in our Calendar.
This stream leads to an honours degree programme in Chemistry or Biochemistry.
Stream: Materials Technology
The development and use of functional and smart materials is a fast-growing field and offers exciting careers for young scientists. This career-oriented stream focuses on the manufacturing and application of polymeric materials.
In the second year you take elective modules in combination with Chemistry and Textile Science, while the third year training is devoted entirely to Chemistry, Polymer Science and Materials Technology. The in-depth scientific knowledge of Chemistry and Polymer Science are combined with the more applied aspects of Materials Technology. The following topics are studied:
- the industrial production of materials;
- manufacturing techniques of functional materials; and
- the application of materials in areas like textiles, coating, biomaterials, food packaging, composites, biomedical products and nanotechnology.
In addition, you develop your creative, analytical and problem-solving skills. With this qualification, you will be able to work in the broader materials-based industry as product developer, technical sales manager, production manager or quality control manager. See the curriculum of the Materials Technology stream in our Calendar.
This stream leads to an honours programme in Chemistry or in Polymer Science.
All three streams can lead to teaching as a profession
Should you wish to qualify as a high school teacher after you have obtained a BSc, you may take the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in the Faculty of Education. Your subject choice for your degree programme, however, should enable you to teach two school subjects. Depending on the stream that you take and your undergraduate subject combination, you could teach some of the following school subjects:
- Physical Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Information Technology
- Geography
Minimum admission requirements
- For the NSC, an average final mark of 65% (excluding Life Orientation)
- Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Mathematics 70%