BSc Chemistry

The Bachelor of Science is part of UBD’s Undergraduate GenNEXT Degree programmes offered from the Faculty of Science (FOS). Entry requirements are detailed here.

The core undergraduate modules for the GenNext Bachelor of Science major in Chemical Sciences contain basic, intermediate and advanced topics in analytical, environmental, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Students will attend lectures, tutorial, seminars and hands-on practical classes and their final year project. In addition to essential elements of a GenNEXT degree and laboratory skills, computing and IT skills are also incorporated in the undergraduate modules as employers increasingly prefer job applicants to be not only computer literate, but also capable of applying computer skills to modelling and simulation tasks. Nowadays, most laboratory instruments are also computerised and the ability to operate and understand the equipment will be part of these undergradmodules.

Assessment methods vary depending on the type of undergraduate modules taken and most of the undergraduate modules involve both coursework-based assessment (such as practical reports, assignments, tests and seminar) and examination.

Facilities

The Chemical Sciences section is ably equipped with modern scientific instrumentation to provide the students with hands-on experiences in using these instruments during practical classes and final year projects. These instruments include CHN analyser, GC-MS, HPLC, UF-HPLC, IC, FTIR, UV-Vis spectrometers, AAS, ICP-OES, Voltammetric analyzers, automated Kjedahl total protein analyzer, automated total fat analyzer, automated fiber analyzer, PCR, electrochemical analyzer, electrochemiluminescence analyzer, ELISA reader, fluoro-spectrometers and many more.

Careers

There are many career paths available to chemistry graduates. Chemistry graduates work in many different capacities from finance to sales in multinational companies such as Shell, TOTAL, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes; and in the government sector - in Health, Environment, Water Services, Fisheries and the Agriculture. Graduates may go on to study chemical engineering, medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, or other advanced qualifications.

Many chemists work in research and development. They investigate the properties, composition, and structure of matter and the laws that govern the combination of elements and reactions of substances. This information is used to create new products and processes, or improve existing ones. Chemists also work in production and quality control in chemical manufacturing plants. They prepare instructions for plant workers, which specify ingredients, mixing times, and temperatures for each stage in the process. They monitor automated processes to ensure proper product yield, and they test samples to certify that the product meets industry and government standards.

Module information

• Major Module requirement for Chemistry: Not less than 72 MC, with at least 24 MC of the SC-4000 undergradmodules.