BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS DEGREE IN CHEMICAL LABORATORY MANAGEMENT (HCLM)
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The program focuses on chemical laboratory management and provides career opportunities in laboratory-related occupations in a multitude of different industries and sectors such as environmental and mining. The program curriculum combines elements from industrial analytical chemistry and environmental testing while at the same time equipping students with the skills to design, implement, maintain and improve a quality management industrial laboratory. Modules will place emphasis on a combination of technical and management skills in quality control and assurance, data analysis, and instrumentation control and usage.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
For all entry pathways candidates must have at least five ‘O’ Level subjects/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject at grade C or better.
Normal Entry
In order to qualify for normal entry to a Bachelor of Science Chemical Laboratory Management Honours Degree, a prospective student must satisfy the Entry Requirements specified in the General Regulations and the Faculty Regulations.
In addition the applicant must: Have obtained a pass at ‘A’ Level Chemistry and any one of the following subjects at ‘A’ Level; Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Biology, Food Science.
Special Entry
National Diploma, Higher National Diploma in relevant fields
Mature Entry
Five ‘O’ Level passes including Mathematics and English plus at least 25 years of age and 5 years of experience in the relevant field.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION
After completing the program graduates are open to the following opportunities;
- work as chemical analysts, quality controllers, research chemists, chemical laboratory managers and environmental analysts in relevant industries and government
- experts and consultants in industry and government institutions
- academia as researchers
- further education in laboratory management and related fields
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
*Denotes core modules which are not Minimum Body of Knowledge and Skills
**Denotes core modules which are Minimum Body of Knowledge and Skills
Level 1 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
**HCLM 131 Analytical Chemistry I 12
**HCLM 132 Inorganic Chemistry 12
**HCLM 137 Normative Standards I 12
*HCSCI 131 Introduction to Computers
and Computer Applications 12
*CS 131 Basic Communication Skills 12
Level 1 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
**HCLM 133 Organic Chemistry 12
**HCLM 134 Physical Chemistry 12
**HCLM 135 Laboratory Techniques 12
**HCLM 136 Occupational Health and Safety 12
**HCLM 138 Industrial Chemistry I 12
HCLM 139 Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering 12
Level 2 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
**HCLM 231 Analytical Chemistry II **HCLM 131 12
**HCLM 232 Normative standards II **HCLM 137 12
*HCLM 233 Chemical Research Methods and Statistic 12
**HCLM 234 Laboratory Quality Management 12
*TCNP 201 Technoprenuership 12
*GS 231 Introduction to Gender studies 12
Level 2 Semester 2
Code Module Description Credits
**HCLM 235 Performance Management 12
**HCLM 236 Industrial Chemistry II **HCLM 138 12
HCLM 237 Mineral Technology 12
HCLM 238 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry 12
**HCLM 239 Managing Operations and Processes 12
*HCLM 240 Finance for the non-financial managers 12
Level 3 Semester 1
Code Module Description Credits
**HCLM 332 Work-Related Learning I 40
Level 3 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
**HCLM 333 Work-Related Learning II **HIC 332 80
Level 4 Semester 1
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
**HCLM 431 Management and Organizational Theory 12
**HCLM 432 Quality Management Systems 12
**HCLM 433 Chemical Instrumentation **HCLM 231 12
HCLM 434 Forensic Technology 12
**HCLM 435 Planning and Decision Making 12
*HCLM 436 Project Management 12
Level 4 Semester 2
Code Module Description Prerequisites Credits
HCLM 437 Fuel Technology 12
**HCLM 438 Environmental Management 12
*HCLM 439 Green Chemistry 12
**HCLM 440 Research Project 36
SYNOPSES
HCLM 131 Analytical Chemistry
Ionic Equilibrium; Chemical composition of solutions; Chemical equations and stoichiometry; Elementary treatment of analytical data; Gravimetric Methods: Precipitation from homogeneous precipitation (PFHS); Volumetric (titrimetric) methods of analysis.
HCLM 132 Inorganic Chemistry
Atomic Structure; Electronic structure of atoms; Periodicity of atomic properties; Polyatomic molecules; Transition Metal Chemistry: Introduction to the magnetic properties of transitional metal complexes; Practical Inorganic Chemistry; Qualitative analysis.
HCLM 137 Normative standards 1
Students are introduced to the Normative Standards which are the internationally accepted documents that describe the current state of the art and science on how to manage and operate a modern analytical testing laboratory. The purpose of this module is to introduce and study these normative documents and Standard Operating Procedures for the purposes of managing laboratories.
HCSCI 131 Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications
Refer to Computer Science Department regulations
CS 131 Basic Communication Skills
Refer to Communication Skills Department regulations
HCLM 133 Organic Chemistry
Bonding and structure of organic reactions and their mechanisms; Stereochemistry; Projection formulae: Fischer, Sawhorse, Newman, D/L configurations, R/S systems, compounds with more than one chiral centre; Aromatic chemistry; Aromatic substitution reactions; Organic practicals: isolation of selected simple natural products from local plant materials.
HCLM 134 Physical Chemistry
Thermodynamics; Work; Heat and energy; First law of thermodynamics; Reversible and irreversible changes; Thermochemistry; Reaction kinetics; Electrochemistry; Thermodynamics of electrochemical cells; Ions in solution.
HCLM 135 Laboratory Techniques
Sampling techniques; Separation and purification techniques; Concentration techniques; Stoichiometry; Common laboratory processes; Reporting analytical results; Interpretation of data; Keeping an organized lab notebook; Laboratory safety; Safety symbols; Materials Safety Data Sheets; Handling of chemicals and their disposals; Strategies for procurement of chemicals; Good laboratory Practices (GLPs).
HCLM 136 Occupational Health and Safety
Introduction to occupational health; Hazardous installations; Emergency exposure limits; Accidents causation and prevention; Stressors: Identification, evaluation and control: Physical (noise, heat, barometric, illumination), chemical, egonomical, biological, psychological; Risk assessment and management; Emergency preparedness and response; Job safety analysis (HAZOP: Hazard Operatability); Confined space management; Fire; Safety communication; Safety audit; Safety legislation; Safety systems (NOSA, OSHA18000); Practical; Threshold limit values; Safety Programme management; ILO Conventions; Occupational epidemiology and statistics; Practical and occupational hygiene fieldwork; Occupational hygiene legislation.
HCLM 138 Industrial Chemistry I
Unit operations; Industrial finance; Industrial separation processes; Drying of solids; Industrial gases: Oxygen, Nitrogen, Argon, Helium, Hydrogen; Liquefied Natural Gases: Acetylene and acetylene chemistry (Reppe Chemistry), Carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide, sulphur and sulphuric acid, Nitrogen compounds, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, sugar processing, food and beverages, soaps and detergents chlorine, (Weldon Process), Methane and methane products (synthesis gas, acetylene, HCN, chloromethane, CS2, egg white); Cement: Wood: Paper Technology. Environmental impacts of industrial processes
HCLM 139 Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering
Definition of a chemical process; Process analysis and modelling; Physical quantities and process variables; Material balances with and without reactions; Single and multi-phase systems; Energy balances; Combined mass and energy balances; Process safety; Classification of unit operations; and Transport processes.
HCLM 231 Analytical Chemistry II
Introduction to Instrumental methods; Statistical treatment of analytical data; Spectroscopic methods of analysis; Chromatographic methods of analysis; Electroanalytical chemistry. The module covers the theory and methodology for the technical analysis.
HCLM 232 Normative Standards II
Building on Normative Standards I, this module explores new items in the language of analytical chemistry. Students use documents for laboratory audits, assessments and management reviews of the laboratory quality system in small groups, discussing and formulating their own documents and Standard Operating Procedures for the purposes of managing a quality industrial laboratory. Students attend a local laboratory to discuss current practices with industry professionals.
HCLM 233 Chemical Research Methods and Statistics
Understanding research: research methods and scientific methods; Ethics in research; Planning research proposal; Organizing data with descriptive statistics; Linear and nonlinear models; and Experimental designs.
HCLM 234 Laboratory Quality Management
Quality Assurance in Chemical: The Chemical Laboratory: Quality Systems and Quality Assurance, Total Quality Management Systems. (TQM). Quality Control in Chemical Measurement Systems: Methods selection and validation, Equipment calibration and maintenance, Estimation of measurement uncertainty, Data handling, Quality Assessment of Chemical measurement systems
TCNP 201 Technopreneurship
Small business model and financial issues: Developing a business model, Basics of small business management, Risks and stages of funding, Sources of funding, Financial funding for growth, product valuation. How to form and register a small business in Zimbabwe. New Product development (NDP): Opportunity recognition and creation, Sources of opportunity, Screening technology opportunities, Designing your product/service: design thinking; process thinking, strategic thinking; The NPD process: idea generation, idea screening, concept testing, market strategy development, business financial analysis, prototyping, test marketing, commercialization. Developing and Protecting Intellectual Property: Concept of intellectual property, Theory behind IP protection, Intellectual Property (IP)-driven vs non-IP driven technopreneurship. Trade secrets, Copyrights, Trademarks, Patent and Trademark protection and its significance, Basics of patenting, legislation governing IP in Zimbabwe. Case studies of successful technopreneurs. Project.
GS231 Introduction to Gender Studies
This module will empower the students with knowledge and skills that enable them to be gender sensitive in the University, workplace and in all their social interactions. Topics covered include: understanding gender, gender analysis, gender issue in Zimbabwe, redressing gender imbalances, empowerment and strategies for creating gender responsive environment. Students gain insight into accounts of gender studies in Science and Technology
HCLM 235 Performance Management
Managing individual performance, poor performance, performance appraisal versus performance management, rewarding performance, ethics of managing performance.
HCLM 236 Industrial Chemistry II
Types of chemical industries: synthesis, processing, purification; Economics of industry: classification of costs, operating costs, direct and indirect expenses; Economic criteria and evaluation; Break-even point; investment criteria; Chemical conversions; Modelling and process optimization: single multivariable optimization, constrained optimization, linear and nonlinear optimization, structural, profile optimization, solution of equations using optimization, search of global optimality; Choice of separators for homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures: and distillation sequencing for azeotropic distillation, Catalysis and catalysts.
HCLM 237 Mineral Technology
Minerals and metallurgical Industry; Metallurgical Principles; Mineral dressing: Milling Size Control; Separation: Principal Exploitable characteristics, Refining, Specific industrial processes for the production of selected metals: iron, cobalt, nickel, sodium, copper, zinc, tin and manganese; Minerals processing operations: ore preparation, pre-blending, size reduction, separation and concentration, sorting, floatation, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy and electrometallurgy; Fire Assaying; Calculation of gold and silver; Critical success factors; Limitations and limit of detection; Effect of impurities; and Analysis of the PGMS.
HCLM 238 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Introduction to biochemistry: important biological molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, enzymes and lipids) in a human body, medicinal drug metabolism, the search for drugs in plants, drug design and development. Selective toxicity, Strategies to select the plant material for study; main groups of natural products derived from plants; representative natural products derived from marine organisms, preparation of extracts and selection of active fractions, screening strategies; separation and purification of active components; benchtop bioassays, chemical assays and structure elucidation. Synthesis of some pharmaceutical products: analgesics, anti-allergy agents, antibacterial, antibiotics, antidepressants, and antiviral. Drug discovery, delivery, absorption and metabolism. Biomedical analysis, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, analytical techniques and quality assurance. Industrial preparation of drugs and marketing
HCLM 239 Managing Operations and Processes
The context in which the laboratory operates; the role of the laboratory in achieving the organization’s strategic goals. The formulation of the laboratory strategy; establish what the competitive advantage of the laboratory in which the person works, is. The operational management process in the laboratory. The potential inefficiencies in the process, the impact on productivity and how to plan to address the inefficiencies identified in the process flow. The value of delegation in managing and monitoring the plan to address the gap identified in the process flow.
HCLM 240 Finance for the non-financial managers
Development of the financial skills needed by functional experts in human resources, marketing, production, and general management. The objective is to interpret finance and accounting documents and apply that information to sound business decision-making. Topics include financial statements and forecasting, capital budgeting, project evaluation, working capital management, stocks and bonds, time value of money, and international financial management. Emphasis is on practical applications to facilitate informed discussions with business professionals for financial decision-making. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses
HCLM 431 Management and Organizational Theory
An examination of the four functions of management; planning, organizing, leading, and controlling; with emphasis on the application of management concepts and theories to achieve organizational goals. The aim is to develop strategies, goals, and objectives to enhance performance and sustainability. Topics include pollution, social responsibility, globalization, and change and innovation.
HCLM 432 Quality Management Systems
Basic concepts, Statistical tools in Quality Control, Metrology, Inspection, Reliability and Dependability, New product quality, Quality specifications, Supplier relationship, Manufacture of quality, Customer relations, Quality Audit, Economics of Quality, Quality Data, Improving Quality, Human Factors in Quality, Quality Policy and Objectives, Quality Systems, Organization of Quality, Quality Consulting.
HCLM 433 Chemical Instrumentation
Instrumental Method of analysis, Electrochemical methods, Modified voltammetric methods, Spectroscopic methods, Radiochemical methods, Chromatographic methods, Practical.
HCLM 434 Forensic Technology
Investigating the Crime Scene. Investigating and Processing Physical Evidence, Trace evidence, Pattern evidence, Biological evidence, Chemical evidence. Chemical toxicology, environmental toxicology, forensic aspects of toxicology, types of poisons, how poisons act, treatment of acute poisoning and control of poisonous material, Forensic anthropology.
HCLM 435 Planning and Decision-Making
Levels of planning, organisational goals, barriers to planning, management by objectives, decision-making, models of decision-making, decision-making process, group decision-making, strategic management and planning.
HCLM 436 Project Management
The module involves the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirement.
HCLM 437 Fuel Technology
Fuel Chemistry: Review of energy sources both renewable and non-renewable; Classification of fuels and their calorific value; Coal: Uses of coal both fuel and non-fuel in various industries; Coal composition; Carbonization of coal; Coal gas, producer gas and water gas composition and uses; Fractionation of coal tar; Uses of coal tar bases chemicals; Requisites of a good metallurgical coke; Coal gasification (Hydro Gasification and Catalytic gasification); Coal liquefaction and Solvent Refining; Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) and Coal-To-Liquid (CTL) processes; Fischer-Tropsch process; Sasol process; Direct Coal Liquefaction: Bergius Process; Methanol-To-Gasoline Process (MTG); Petroleum and Petrochemical Industry: Composition of crude petroleum, Refining and different types of petroleum products and their applications; Ongoing or planned future projects; Renewable energy sources: Biomass & Biofuels overview, Biogas (anaerobic digesters), Bioenergy from wastes, dedicated bioenergy crops, Woody biomass, Liquid biofuels, (bioethanol, biooils), issues and future prospects, biodiesel-uses, production and process; Fuel cells, Transportation (hybrids, fuel cells, flexi-fuels); and Government, regional and international initiatives.
HCLM 438 Environmental Management
Types of industrial wastes; solids and liquids, nuclear waste; Causes and effects of water, land and air pollution; Legislation on pollution; Industries responsibilities; Wastewater treatment; Air pollution control technologies; Incineration of industrial wastes; Responsible use of landfills; Recycling; Sampling analysis and management of industrial effluent; Fate and transport of contaminants of emerging concern in air, water, solid waste, and soils; Investigate the fate, transport, and remediation of potentially harmful contaminants and their by-products; Emerging contaminants; and International agreements (Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement), ISO 14001 Environmental management and audits.
HCLM 439 Green Chemistry
The twelve principles of Green Chemistry are considered together with their application to chemical synthesis, whilst contributing to improved sustainability.
HCLM 440 Research Project
Students carry out research projects on a topic of their choice concerning pertinent issues in chemical industries under the guidance of their supervisors.