University Of The Witwatersrand Chemistry, Chemists study the structure, composition, behaviour and energetics of substances. They explore what happens when atoms and molecules react, and they try to understand the underlying changes that occur.
- Applied Chemistry – for the chemical and allied industries
- Microbiology – for the food, biotechnology and agricultural industries
- Biochemistry – for biotechnology and medical research
- Geology – to work as a geochemist in the mining and exploration industries
- Physics – for work in materials science
- Biology – for work in the environmental field.
To become a professional chemist, you will need additional study at postgraduate level.
Career Opportunities
- Academic research
- Chemical analysis
- Environmental impact & ecology
- Product testing
- Science journalist
Entry Requirements
Science |
|||
| Programme | Minimum Admission Requirements | Selection procedures | |
| APS | Subjects & achieved scale | ||
Bachelor of Science in the field of:
|
43 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 6 Physical Science – 6 |
Applicants between 40 – 42 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places |
|
40 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 6 Physical Science – 5 |
Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places. |
|
40 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 6 |
Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places. |
|
40 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 |
Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places. |
|
40 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 6 Physical Science – 5 |
Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places.
|
|
40 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 7 Mathematics – 7 Physical Science – 7 |
Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places. |
|
42 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 6 |
Applicants between 40 – 41 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places. |
| Bachelor of Science (General) BSc (3 years) |
40 points and above | English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5 Mathematics – 5 |
Applicants between 38 – 39 points will be waitlisted subject to the availability of places. |
Application Process
Your application
- You may apply for three programmes (degrees).
- Applications to Wits must enclose a non-refundable application fee of R100 (for international applicants, R700).
Documentation / Checklist
- Submit your Grade 11 report which must be signed and stamped by your school principal.
- If you have already matriculated, attach a copy of your matric certificate.
Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
Apply now
Faculty of Health Sciences (All programmes)
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Audiology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
30 September 2018
All other University programmes
Residence applications
Online applications
- Complete an online application to study at Wits
Course Costs
The average course costs for local students range from R34 000 to R62 000, depending on the course and the number of years of study.
Tuition fees are payable for each course for which a student is registered.
Programme overview
Why study Chemistry?
The Honours degree in Chemistry is the equivalent of a professional qualification, and is a pre-requisite for registering with SACNASP as a professional chemist. It functions as the gateway for students who want to embark on higher degree research at the MSc and PhD levels, and for students wanting to make a career in chemistry.
Why study Chemistry at Wits?
The Honours Programme in Chemistry at Wits offers a comprehensive overview of the traditional areas of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, and affords candidates the opportunity to select topics of a more specialised or applied nature that will introduce students to some of the cutting edge work being done in diverse areas including energy, catalysis, drug discovery, environmental chemistry, solid state chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry.
The research component of the Wits Honours degree in Chemistry allows candidates the opportunity to work in the School’s well-equipped laboratories with access to in-house instrumentation including a range of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrophotometers, single crystal and powder X-ray diffractometers, chromatography, spectrometry and electrochemistry based-analytical equipment and various techniques to analyse properties of materials. Academic staff are actively involved in research, and the School’s publications are in the top 1% worldwide as judged by the citations they receive. By working within established research structures in the School, candidates will receive exposure to the methods, philosophy and ethos of research in areas of nanotechnology, materials and energy, organometallic chemistry and catalysis, bioinorganic chemistry, biocatalysis and green chemistry, synthesis, environmental and analytical chemistry, electrochemistry and chemical crystallography.
The relatively small class size ensures close support and attention from committed academic staff. The experience gained in our well-equipped research laboratories and a programme benchmarked against international standards will prepare you for a career in industry or graduate study at any university in the world.
Career Opportunities
A chemist’s job may involve looking for new medicines from natural sources, creating novel plastics, flavours or fragrances in the laboratory, or predicting the environmental impact of industrial processes. Chemistry is essential for the food, pharmaceutical, agricultural, mining and manufacturing industries. Chemists provide sustainable solutions for energy, materials and clean water, and also find careers in biotechnology, forensic science and the petrochemical industry. The skills developed during your training in chemistry will serve you well even if you intend moving into areas such as patent law, commerce, management and teaching.
The chemical industry is an important sector of the South African economy and accounts for about 25% of South Africa’s manufacturing sales. Manufacturing contributes over 15% of the nation’s GDP. There are many companies that employ chemists, from large multinationals to smaller companies with a focused target market. A BScHons degree in chemistry is highly advisable to be considered a candidate for these positions. A higher degree (MSc or PhD) is usually required for entry into research and development positions in industry, in national institutions such as Mintek and the CSIR, or academia.
Curriculum
Honours programme co-ordinators
Helder Marques, [email protected] and Kennedy Ngwira, [email protected]
The programme comprises 5 examinable courses, a number of workshops, seminars, and a course consisting of two short research projects, as described below:
- CHEM4007A Analytical Chemistry (incorporates Environmental Chemistry and a course in Problem Solving Using Analytical Techniques) (12 Points)
- CHEM4008A Contemporary Topics in Chemistry (incorporates five applied or specialised lecture topics in the discipline of choice) (30 Points)
- CHEM4009A Inorganic Chemistry (incorporates Inorganic Spectroscopy and Reaction Kinetics in Inorganic Chemistry) (12 Points)
- CHEM4010A Organic Chemistry (incorporates the use of Main Group Elements in Synthesis and Stereochemical Control) (12 Points)
- CHEM4011A Physical Chemistry (incorporates Mathematical Methods for Chemists, Quantum Effects in Chemistry and Statistical Thermodynamics) (18 Points)
Entry Requirements
- A Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent
- A pass in the relevant major course at this University or any other university whose programme has been approved by Senate.
- At least 60% average in the final undergraduate course.
Additional Entry RequirementsPlease note that this is a highly competitive programme and a 60% average does not guarantee admission.
Application Process
- Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.
- Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre. Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
- Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
- Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal, view academic application status, accept or decline an offer, apply and check residence application status, and generate a fees estimate.
- Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.
For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.