Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Science

Qualification stream: Chemistry and Physics
Qualification code: 98801 - CAP
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 6059
APS/AS: 20
Purpose statement:
The purpose of the qualification is, in one or more sub-fields within the physical, mathematical, computer, life, earth, and environmental sciences: To produce science graduates who have: a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and an understanding of underlying concepts and principles; the ability to access and evaluate scientific information including knowing how scientific knowledge is created; a high level of cognitive and other generic skills including problem-solving, written and spoken communication and computer literacy; and competence in applying knowledge through basic research methods and practice. To provide every graduate with a sufficient depth of knowledge and skills that give opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, including postgraduate study, for gainful economic activity in a range of careers, and for rewarding and constructive contributions to society. To provide society with science graduates who demonstrate initiative and responsibility, who are professional and ethical in their roles within the economy and society, and who are able to be intellectual leaders within their society. To produce graduates in all scientific fields, in order to increase, widen and transform the leadership base in South Africa, both for innovation and science-based economic and research development, and for the education of future generations of scientists, technologists, engineers and other professional people.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

First level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CHE1501 - General Chemistry IA
CHE1502 - General Chemistry IB Co-requisite:CHE1501
CHE1503 - General Chemistry I (Practical) Co-requisite:CHE1501 & CHE1502
MAT1503 - Linear Algebra I
MAT1512 - Calculus A
MAT1613 - Calculus B Co-requisite:MAT1512
PHY1503 - Physics Practical Work I Co-requisite:PHY1505 & PHY1506
PHY1505 - Mechanics (Physics)
PHY1506 - Electromagnetism and Heat (Fisika)

Second level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
APM2611 - Differential Equations Pre-requisite:MAT1512
Co-requisite:MAT1503, MAT1613
CHE2611 - Inorganic Chemistry II (Theory) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503
CHE2612 - Physical Chemistry II (Theory) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503, MAT1512
CHE2613 - Organic Chemistry II (Theory) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503
CHE2614 - Analytical Chemistry II (Theory) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503
CHE2621 - Inorganic Chemistry II (Practical) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503
Co-requisite:CHE2611
CHE2622 - Physical Chemistry II (Practical) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503
Co-requisite:CHE2612
CHE2623 - Organic Chemistry II (Practical) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503
Co-requisite:CHE2613
CHE2624 - Analytical Chemistry II (Practical) Pre-requisite:CHE1501, CHE1502, CHE1503
Co-requisite:CHE2614
MAT2611 - Linear Algebra 2 Pre-requisite:MAT1503
PHY1604 - Modern Physics Co-requisite:PHY1505
PHY2601 - Classical Mechanics Pre-requisite:PHY1505, MAT1503 & MAT1512
PHY2602 - Electricity and Magnetism (Physics) Pre-requisite:PHY1506, MAT1503 & MAT1512
PHY2606 - Waves (Physics) Pre-requisite:PHY1503, PHY1505, PHY1506, MAT1503 & MAT1512
PLS2607 - Philosophy of Science

Third level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CHE3701 - Inorganic Chemistry III Pre-requisite:CHE2611 & CHE2621
CHE3702 - Physical Chemistry III Pre-requisite:CHE2612, CHE2622 & MAT1512
CHE3703 - Organic Chemistry III Pre-requisite:CHE2613 & CHE2623
CHE3704 - Analytical Chemistry III Pre-requisite:CHE2614 & CHE2624
CHE3721 - Inorganic Chemistry III (Practical) Co-requisite:CHE3701
CHE3722 - Physical Chemistry III (Practical) Co-requisite:CHE3702
CHE3723 - Organic Chemistry III (Practical) Co-requisite:CHE3703
CHE3724 - Analytical Chemistry III (Practical) Co-requisite:CHE3704
PHY3702 - Quantum Physics Pre-requisite:PHY1604, PHY2601 & PHY2602
PHY3703 - Statistical and Thermal Physics Pre-requisite:PHY2606
Co-requisite:PHY3702
PHY3707 - Solid State Physics Pre-requisite:PHY2606
Co-requisite:PHY3702
PHY3708 - Atomic and Nuclear Physics Pre-requisite:PHY2606
Co-requisite:PHY3702
PHY3709 - Computational Modeling