CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Employability: Graduates who complete the programme can expect to be employed as teachers, lecturers, education inspectors, training officers, consultants, laboratory technicians in related chemical industries etc.

Further Studies: Master’s and Doctoral studies in Biology, Chemistry or Physics Education.

5.0 PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, seminars, group work, industrial visits, micro-teaching, teaching practice, research project, individual independent study.

Assessment Methods: Written and oral examinations, tests, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, teaching practice reports, teaching practice assessments, mini-research project reports, final year research project reports, and continuous assessments.

Level 1 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
AEBI134	Introduction to Cell Biology and Inherited Change	12
AECH136	Introduction to Physical-Inorganic Chemistry	12
AEPH139	Introduction to General Physics, Mechanics, and Waves	12
AECS131	Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications	12
BCHS131	Culture and Heritage Studies	12
CS131	Communication Skills	12

Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
AEBI130	Introduction to Cellular Energetics and Regulatory Systems	12
AEPH336	Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism	12
AECH331	Introduction to Organic Chemistry	12
AEBI133	Introduction to Ecology	12
AEM101	Calculus (optional)	12

Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
EFA331	Sociology of Education	12
EFA332	Psychology of Education	12
AEBI132	Diversity of Life 1	12
AECH134	Analytical Chemistry 1	12
AECH131	Physical Chemistry 1	12

Level 2 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
EFA333	Philosophy of Education	12
EFA334	Understanding Curriculum	12
AEBI136	Diversity of Life 2	12
AECH132	Inorganic Chemistry 1	12
AEPY135	Waves and Optics	12

 

N.B. AT LEVEL 3 STUDENTS SHALL CHOOSE TWO SUBJECTS FROM THE THREE SCIENCE SUBJECT AREAS.

BIOLOGY & PHYSICS

Level 3 Semester 1 (General Stream)

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED231	Assessment and Evaluation Techniques	12
EDGS231	Introduction to Gender Studies	12
AE322	Applied Science Education	12
AEBI131	Principles of Ecology	12
AEPY231	Modern and Thermal Physics	12

Level 3 Semester 2 (General Stream)

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED131	Research Methods and Statistics	12
BED139	Teaching and Learning Skills and Micro-Teaching	12
BED140	Computer Applications in Education	12
AEBI135	Cell Biology	12
AEPY232	Electricity and Magnetism	12

Level 3 Semester 1 (Biology & Chemistry Stream)

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED231	Assessment and Evaluation Techniques	12
EDGS231	Introduction to Gender Studies	12
AE322	Applied Science Education	12
AEBI131	Principles of Ecology	12
AECH133	Organic Chemistry 1	12

Level 3 Semester 2 (Biology & Chemistry Stream)

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED131	Research Methods and Statistics	12
BED139	Teaching and Learning Skills and Micro-Teaching	12
BED140	Computer Applications in Education	12
AEBI135	Cell Biology	12
AECH431	Laboratory Techniques	12

 

CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS

Level 3 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED231	Assessment and Evaluation Techniques	12
EDGS231	Introduction to Gender Studies	12
AE322	Applied Science Education	12
AEPY231	Modern and Thermal Physics	12
AECH133	Organic Chemistry 1	12

Level 3 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED131	Research Methods and Statistics	12
BED139	Teaching and Learning Skills and Micro-Teaching	12
BED140	Computer Applications in Education	12
AEPY232	Electricity and Magnetism	12
AECH431	Laboratory Techniques	12

Level 4 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED314	Clinical Teaching Practice Report	30

Level 4 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED321	Teaching Practice Terminal Report	30
BED323	School-Based Teaching Practice Assessment	20
BED324	Teaching Practice Exit Competencies	40

 

N.B.: AT LEVEL 5 STUDENTS CHOOSE ONE SUBJECT AREA OF SPECIALISATION FROM BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS

BIOLOGY

Level 5 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
FED131	Financial Appreciation in Education	12
AEBI234	Biotechnology	12
AEBI432	Human Health and Immunology	12
AEBI231	Genetics and Evolution	12
AEBI233	Molecular Organisation and Genetics (Optional)	12
BEIE501	Entrepreneurship for Educators	12

Level 5 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED232	Project	24
AEBI433	Biomathematics	12
AEBI434	Biological Methods and Techniques	12
AEBI431	Plant Morphology and Physiology (Optional)	12
EFA335	Introduction to School Administration	12

 

PHYSICS

Level 5 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
AEM402	Mechanics	12
AEPY233	Electric Circuits	12
AEPY432	Solid State Physics	12
AEPY431	Electronics (Optional)	12
FED131	Financial Appreciation in Education	12
BEIE501	Entrepreneurship for Educators	12

Level 5 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED232	Project	24
EFA335	Introduction to School Administration	12
AEPY234	Electromagnetism	12
AEPY434	Electronic Communication (Optional)	12
AEPY433	Quantum Physics	12

 

CHEMISTRY

Level 5 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
AECH231	Physical Chemistry II	12
AECH233	Organic Chemistry II	12
AECH433	Nanochemistry	12
FED131	Financial Appreciation in Education	12
BEIE501	Entrepreneurship for Educators	12
AECH432	Environmental Chemistry (Optional)	12

Level 5 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
BED232	Project	24
EFA335	Introduction to School Administration	12
AECH232	Inorganic Chemistry II	12
AECH234	Analytical Chemistry II	12
AECH139	Industrial Chemistry (Optional)	12

MODULE SYNOPSES

AEBI134: Introduction to Cell Biology and Inherited Change

The module focuses on the physio-biochemical aspects of living organisms at the sub-cellular and cellular levels.

AECH136: Introduction to Physical-Inorganic Chemistry

The module seeks to provide the student with knowledge of atomic structure, bonding, and chemical and ionic equilibria. Students are expected to study aspects of selected ranges of elements and their compounds based on a study of patterns across periods and groups. The module also introduces the more important everyday aspects of nitrogen and sulphur and their compounds.

AEPH139: Introduction to General Physics, Mechanics and Waves

The module introduces students to the nature of physical measurements and techniques for measurement, laws of motion, properties and types of waves, and laws of reflection and refraction.

AEBI130: Introduction to Cellular Energetics and Regulatory Systems

The module exposes students to the basic anatomy and eco-physiology of multicellular plants and animals in relation to transport, gaseous exchange, energy transfer processes as well as regulation and control.

AECH331: Introduction to Organic Chemistry

The module provides a basic introductory framework that includes organic formulae, hydrocarbons, functional groups and their reactions, shapes of organic molecules and isomerism. It also focuses on organic compounds necessary for the maintenance of life in living organisms.

AEPH336: Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism

The module explores the concept of charge, conductors and insulators, and the electric and magnetic fields. It also covers aspects of electromagnetic induction, AC and DC currents as well as analogue and digital electronics.

AEBI133: Introduction to Ecology

The modules seek to examine levels of biological organisation: individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. It discusses concepts of habitat and niche; population growth and regulation life history strategies; inter- and intra-specific competition; predator-prey interactions, Biomes of the world, concentrating on tropical rain forests, savanna ecosystems, grasslands and arid lands, Biomass and productivity; utilisation by man.

AEM101: Calculus

The module exposes students to number systems: natural, integral, rational and irrational, the principle of mathematical induction, the real number system: Functions: the mean value theorems applications to maxima and minima, curve sketching, approximations and Newton’s Method, functions of several variables (limits, continuity), Tailor’s theorem, applications of maxima and minima, lagrange multipliers, multiple and triple integrals:

AECS131: Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications

This module introduces students to basic computer concepts. Topics covered include data processing cycle, number systems, computer arithmetic, types of computers, computer peripherals, types of computer software including systems software, application software and utility software, basics of computer network and data communication. 

AEBI132: Diversity of Life 1

The module focuses on taxonomy and phylogeny the goals of classification; the stages of classification; phonetics and cladistics. It examines taxonomic keys and phylogenetic trees, diversity in the kingdom Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. 

AEBI136: Diversity of Life 2

The module focuses on the kingdoms Plantae and Animalia. It explores the plant families of ecological and economic importance in the flora Zambesiaca, seeds, fruits and their dispersal, and adaptations of plants to pollinating agents. The module outlines the grades of organisation and the evolution of the two main lines of animals drawing examples from economically important classes/orders.

AECH131: Physical Chemistry I

The module explores the fundamental principles of chemical thermodynamics and its application to common chemical situations. In addition, the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics are addressed, including topics such as thermochemistry, electrochemistry, chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics. The laboratory practicals also form an integral part of the module.

AECH134: Analytical Chemistry I

The emphasis of this module is on the theory and applications of classical analytical techniques as well as the evaluation of experimental results. Topics including chemical equations and stoichiometry, introduction to statistical treatment of analytical data; theory and application of gravimetric and titrimetric methods of analysis are covered by the module. The module includes laboratory practicals.

AECH132: Inorganic Chemistry I

This module is an introduction to the fundamentals of atomic structure and chemical bonding. Simple Bonding Theories (Lewis structures, VSEPR theory, valence bond theory) Molecular Orbital Theory (sigma and pi bonding polyatomic MO diagrams). The module covers the chemical periodicity of period 2 and 3 elements, the chemistry of groups II, IV, VII as well as the chemistry of nitrogen and sulphur. Laboratory practicals are based on qualitative analysis.

AEPY135: Waves and Optics

The module focuses on the description of wave motion,  the general equation of wave motion,  elastic waves in a solid rod and in a spring,  pressure waves in a gas column, transverse waves in a string,  transverse elastic waves in a bar,  waves in 2-dimensions: wave fronts,  reflection of waves, refraction of waves,  surface waves in a liquid,  reflection and transmission of transverse waves at the interface, group velocity, sound waves: pressure waves, Fermat’s principle and its applications, aplanatic points and aplanatic surfaces.

AEBI131:    Principles of Ecology

The modules seek to examine levels of biological organisation: individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. It discusses concepts of habitat and niche; population growth and regulation life history strategies; inter- and intra-specific competition; predator-prey interactions, biomes of the world, concentrating on tropical rain forests, savanna ecosystems, grasslands and arid lands, Biomass and productivity; utilisation by man.

AEBI135: Cell Biology

The module discusses the structure of eukaryotic cells; the function of organelles, membrane structures transport across membranes; membrane synthesis, protein synthesis; sorting and delivery of the role of lysosomes in recycling cellular components, functional importance of mitochondrial membranes in respiration, the components of the cytoskeleton; cell motility; cell differentiation, unlimited cell growth and cancer cells.

AEBI231: Genetics and Evolution

The module explores genetics: mitosis and meiosis; mendelian genetics and the chromosome theory of heredity; mutation and variation; introduction to population genetics, evolution: population genetics and variation; the concept of, and evidence for evolution; theory of evolution by natural selection; adaptation and adaptive radiation; the nature of species; specific mate recognition systems; isolating mechanisms and speciation.

AEBI232: Animal Anatomy and Physiology

The module explores the introduction to animal physiology homeostatic, respiration in water and air, in fish, birds, mammals and insects; gas transport and properties of blood; circulatory patterns; locomotion in water and buoyancy; digestion, especially in herbivores; information and control (nervous and endocrine), including excitable cells; nervous system and control of effectors; and hormonal control.

AEPY232: Electricity and Magnetism

The module covers current and charge, Gauss’s law and applications, dielectrics, magnetic field and forces. Force on a current-carrying conductor and magnetic field; the magnetizing field, magnetic susceptibility and permeability, Ohm’s law, transformers, capacitors, electrostatics, Cathode Ray Oscilloscope, the CRO as a voltmeter, a clock, and a display device.

AECH133: Organic Chemistry I

The module is an introductory course to organic chemistry, focusing primarily on the basic principles to understand the structure and reactivity of organic molecules. It includes extensive treatment of hydrocarbons, halogen derivatives, hydroxyl compounds, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and derivatives, nitrogen compounds as well as polymerisation. The module also provides an introduction to the chemistry of aromatic compounds.

AECH431: Laboratory Techniques

This module is an introduction to the chemistry lab and it demonstrates the principles of chemistry and laboratory techniques.  The module offers an opportunity to learn and master the basic chemistry lab techniques for carrying out experiments. The module also accords experience of basic laboratory skills in experimental planning, preparation, execution and documenting experimental results.

AECH432: Environmental Chemistry

This module examines the chemistry of the environment, emphasizing the composition of the natural environment and the processes of natural and anthropogenic chemicals in the environment. It provides a broad overview of many important environmental issues thus providing the chemical basis for understanding the environment and environmental problems.

AEPY231: Modern and Thermal Physics

The module seeks to focus on modern physics: nuclear physics: thermal physics: thermometry, Zeroth law, laws of thermodynamics, heat transfer, entropy, Carnot cycle and heat engines, kinetic theory, ideal gas, kinetic interpretation of temperature and pressure, equipartition of energy, distribution of molecular speeds, Brownian motion, van der Waals equation.

BED321: BED323 & BED324

In the 2 semesters that the students are on work-related learning, they are expected to demonstrate a sound understanding of the basics of their programme of study. The 321 component is the report that the student produces indicating that they were able to match theory with practice. Component 323 is the assessment by the lecturers. BED 324 is assessed by school supervisors.

AEBI233: Molecular Organization and Genetics

The module serves as an introduction to chemicals of life, and biological molecules including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleotides and water. It also examines the chemical basis of heredity, the genetic material: DNA, RNA and their structure, organisation of DNA into chromosomes, gene expression, the Central Dogma, genetic code, transcription, translation, gene structure and function.

AEBI234: Biotechnology

The module examines the methods in biotechnology ethical issues and legislation. It also focuses on viral elimination by meristeming, frost prevention, Bt genes, antisense technology, breeding for resistance/tolerance, gene therapy, bacteriology, microbiology sterilisation and axenic culture, bacterial genetics, the nature and replication of the bacterial genome, mutation, transformation, transduction and conjugation.

AEBI431: Plant Morphology and Physiology

The module considers the integrated structure and function of higher plants, basic plant anatomy and architecture/morphology, tissues of the higher plant body and their functions, tissue organisation, reproductive structures, general adaptations of anatomy and morphology, ecophysiology of photosynthesis and respiration, macronutrients and micronutrients, mechanisms and control of transport processes as well as plant hormones.

AEBI432: Human Health and Immunology

The module focuses on health and immunology; types of immunity, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, cytokines; primary and secondary responses; antigens and antigen processing; antibodies, antigen interactions, non-covalent interactions, affinity, avidity, specificity; antigen reactions, theory of vaccination; basis of cellular immunity – clonal selection theory of McFarlane Burnet; immune tolerance; monoclonal vs polyclonal antibodies;   HIV and AIDS.

AEBI433: Biomathematics

The module focuses on statistics. Variability and error; precision and accuracy, populations and samples; descriptive statistics, graphical presentation of data, measures of the centre, measures of dispersion, estimation and hypothesis testing, the normal distribution, inferences about the mean, standard error of the sample mean, testing hypotheses about the mean, t-tests, confidence intervals, comparing two samples, contingency tables; Chi-squared tests for two-way tables, Mann Whitney U-test, relative merits of parametric and non-parametric procedures.

AEBI434: Biological Methods and Techniques

The module examines laboratory safety practices and procedures; preparation of solutions and standards in laboratories; absorbency spectroscopy, principles, techniques and biological applications; electrophoresis, types, principles and applications of each type; centrifugation, basis, types and applications; and chromatography. It also gives an introduction to biosensors.

AECH231: Physical Chemistry II

This module explores the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and its application in modern chemistry as well as the interaction between matter and electromagnetic waves. The module covers fundamental and applied aspects of phase equilibria, surface chemical processes; theories of molecular adsorption/desorption, physical adsorption, chemisorption, adsorption isotherms and practical physical chemistry.

AECH232: Inorganic Chemistry II

The module introduces the fundamental concepts of transition metal chemistry and coordination chemistry. It also focuses on the study of electronic structures and bonding in a transition metal, electronic spectra of transition metal complexes, magnetic properties of transition metal complexes, organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry.

AECH233: Organic Chemistry II

The module introduces the key concepts of organic chemistry through a survey of the basic synthetic methods and reaction mechanisms. It also considers the application of spectroscopic techniques for the determination of molecular structure.

AECH234: Analytical Chemistry II

This module introduces the important methods of quantitative instrumental analysis within the general rubric of separation and measurement. It covers fundamentals of modern analytical instrumentation, background theory and principles of operation. Topics covered include spectroscopic methods; mass spectrometry; separation methods; and electro-analytical methods. Practical experience is gained through the operation of chemical instruments in the lab.

AECH433: Nano Chemistry

The module provides the basic concept of Nanochemistry and changes in chemical and physical properties due to size reduction. It offers a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, characterization, fictionalization, and application of nanomaterials. Emphasis is placed on understanding the design and properties of hierarchical nanostructures that are utilized in advanced engineering applications.

AECH434: Biochemistry

The module is an introductory study to the major molecules of biochemistry-amino acids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, and saccharides- their structure, chemistry, biological function, and biosynthesis. The module provides an introduction to metabolic pathways and bioenergetics, including glycolysis, fermentation and respiration, oxidation of fatty acids, and photosynthesis.

AECH139: Industrial Chemistry

The module provides knowledge of the various industrial chemical processes and their industries; cement, pulp and paper, soap and detergent, fermentation, sulphur and nitrogen industries etc. The module introduces the actual operations in chemical industries and provides knowledge of raw materials sourcing and processing, intermediates and conversion of chemical materials to final products. It imparts concepts such as optimisation, mass balance and energy balance.

AEM402: Mechanics

The module covers kinematics, projectiles, vectors, Newton’s Laws, forces, momentum, gravity, work, energy, power, conservative and dissipative forces, impulse and moments, circular motion, motion of planets and satellites – geostationary orbits, relative velocity, uniform relative translational motion,  orbits, oscillations, elastic forces and resonance, equivalent systems of forces, system of particles, and elementary theory of rigid bodies, equations of motion, elastic and inelastic collision (1D & 2D), and hydrostatics.

AEPY233: Electric Circuits

The module covers circuit theory: Kirchhoff’s law, loop theorem, currents in multi-loop circuits, junction theorem, Thevenin Theorem, Norton Theorem, Maximum power theorem, AC circuit theory: impedance, reactance, phase diagrams, use of complex numbers in circuit theory, resonance, power factor, half power points, AC bridges, resistance, capacitance and inductance measurements, transformer, and three phase power systems.

AEPY234: Electromagnetism

The module covers vector calculus, Maxwell’s equations, Fresnel’s Equations, Brewster’s law, Antennas, transmission lines ideal or lossless, coaxial cables, characteristics impedance, reflections and short-circuited, the diffusion equation, energy absorption, Gauss’s law in integral and differential form as well as waveguides.

AEPY431: Electronics

The module focuses on the following areas: switching algebra, logic devices, combinational logic devices and data flow model – analysis and synthesis, data processing devices, data routing devices, sequential logic devices and FSM model mixed logic circuits, modular design of devices RTL architecture, analogue electronic devices and their models, analogue systems and their models.

AEPY432: Solid State Physics

In the module students will be exposed to atomic structure and atomic bonding,  amorphous and crystalline compounds, crystal structure, waves in crystals, defects and disorders in crystals, dislocations in crystals, heat capacities, electrical and thermal conductivity of solids, the Wiedermann-Franz Law, free election theory, band theory, density of states, conductors, semiconductors, insulators, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, electronic properties and processes of semiconductors: drift, diffusion recombination, the p-n junction and its characteristics, the diode law,  semiconductor devices: characteristics and circuit configurations – capacitors, resistors, diodes, transistors and thyristors and  Integrated circuits

AEPY433: Quantum Physics

The module seeks to cover linear operators and observables, Hermitian operators, Spin Operator,  normalization,  commutation relations, de Broglies hypothesis, Linear Harmonic Oscillators,  matrix mechanics, angular momentum, addition of angular momentum, vectors, WKB method , variational method, pertubation theory, both time-dependent and time-independent, born approximation, hydrogen atom,  various formulation of QM, probability density, Stern-Gerlach experiment, potential barrier and tunnelling problem,  central force, and   Pauli Exclusion Principle.

AEPY434: Electronic Communication

The module covers data and signals, analogue signal characterization (amplitude, frequency, phase),  digital signals: fourier series, fourier transform,  transmission: digital transmission, analogue transmission,  transmission modes: serial, parallel, synchronous, asynchronous, and isochronous,  transmission media: guided media (twisted pair, coaxial, fibre optic), unguided media- wireless,  modulation:: DAC, ASK, FSK, PSK QAM; analogue data to analogue signal coding:: FDM, TDM, WDM,  spread spectrum: FHSS, DSSS,  switching: circuit switching, packet switching, frame relay,  routing: interior routing and exterior routing.