Analytical Chemistry

National Diploma - Analytical Chemistry

Dr Michael Shapi HOD (0)31 907 7269 mshapi@mut.ac.za
Phumlile Kunene Secretary (0)31 907 7554 kunenepg@mut.ac.za

 

VISION

To produce Chemistry graduates of choice, vital to Southern Africa€™s needs.

MISSION

  • Providing students with knowledge, skills, values and competencies that create graduates of choice who engage in meaningful and productive careers.
  • Developing students’ entrepreneurial skills.
  • Continuously training staff in the latest technological trends in the chemical industry.
  • Building and providing support for research capacity, community engagement, academic excellence of staff and students.
  • Strengthening relationships with all stakeholders.
  • Continuously developing programmes that will meet the needs of the chemical industry.
  • Working ethically, safely and responsibly with due consideration for the environment and for fellow human beings.
  • Working as part of a team, or independently, as required by the working environment.

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

Analytical chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the identification and analysis of all components in a sample, the sample may come from a number of sources such as:

  • Manufacturing industry.
  • Samples from rivers, oceans and lakes.
  • Drinking water.
  • Air samples to check pollution levels.
  • Petroleum products.
  • Forensic samples.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The study of Analytical chemistry leading to the National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry requires good Mathematical, Physical Sciences, and English language skills. The following are the minimum requirements for entry into the course:

SUBJECT NCS LEVEL
English 4
Mathematics 4
Physical Science 4

 

Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements for entry into the Diploma are required to do a six month bridging course.

LIST OF SUBJECT EQUIVALENCES

DURATION OF STUDY

Three years.

CURRICULUM SUBJECTS

SEMESTER 1:

Analytical Chemistry I
Chemistry I
Communication Skills I
Mathematics I
Physics I

SEMESTER 2:

Analytical Chemistry II
Analytical Chemistry Practical II
Inorganic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry II

SEMESTER 3:

Computer Skills I
Inorganic Chemistry III
Organic Chemistry III
Physical Chemistry III

SEMESTER 4:

Analytical Chemistry III
Analytical Chemistry Practical III
Chemical Quality Assurance

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING

This is carried out for a period of one year in an industrial laboratory. A project is done during this year, which is then presented. Work integrated learning (WIL) modules focus on the application of learning in an authentic work-based context under the supervision and/or mentorship of a person/s in a workplace aligned with the purpose of the programme. All prescribed compulsory and elective theory modules (instructional offerings) and the prescribed work integrated learning modules must be passed in order to graduate from programmes requiring work integrated learning.

This requires that the students get exposure to the working environment in order to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the course they are involved in. This will also help to satisfy the outstanding requirements for the award of the Diploma.

This will entail, amongst other things, the following:

  • Exposure and training in laboratory environment so that students interact with processes and instrumentation in a Chemistry related environment.
  • Participation in a minor or major project during training in order to assess understanding of the chemistry processes and theory.
  • Involvement in routine activities in a chemistry laboratory.
  • Account of the experimental procedures used and administrative duties.
  • Responsibilities in relation to the technology used, management, and marketing.
  • Exposure to quality management systems.

The training is subdivided into two components:

  • Six months of work integrated learning, which entails the exposure of student into the laboratory environment. This involves ‘hands on experiences’. During this period the student will interact with laboratory personnel and acquire necessary skills in terms of different analytical techniques and instrumentation.
  • Six months of project training. The aim of the Chemistry Project III is to develop knowledge and understanding of chemistry which will enable the student to make immediate and effective contribution to the solution of practical problems within the chemical industry. The project ideally should be industry based, probably initiated as a result of work integrated learning employment. The project does not have to be original but in the case of an assigned topic it is likely to be related to current research. In the case of an industry based topic, the work must be carried out under the supervision of a suitable industrial mentor and in consultation with the institutional mentor from MUT.

In collaboration with the industrial mentor and institutional mentor, the design of the project should be agreed to in principle before commencement. A written proposal should be presented by the student to both the parties before commencement of the project.

An acceptable project need not present any new or original contribution to analytical chemistry but it must show that the student:

  • Understands the nature of his/her investigation.
  • Is sufficiently acquainted with relevant literature.
  • Has mastered the necessary techniques.
  • Has acquired a thorough understanding of the scientific method.
  • Is capable of assessing the significance of the findings.

When completed, the student will write a report on the investigation. A copy of the report must be submitted to the industrial mentor, who will mark and assess the validity of the written report and allocate marks. The same report will be submitted to institutional mentor for his/her assessment and allocation of marks.