BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS DEGREE IN INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY (HIC)

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The programme aims to produce industrial chemists with the skills and knowledge needed to work in the chemical industry, education, research and innovation institutes. There is an emphasis on research and innovation entrepreneurship and commercialisation of goods and services. The programme also offers qualities and transferable skills necessary for further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

 

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 Industrial Chemistry 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 programme graduates are open to the following opportunities:-

– in chemical industry as technical business analysts, production managers (supervisors), product development chemists/managers, quality controllers, quality assurance managers

– as chemists in food, metallurgical, coatings, soaps and detergents, pharmaceutical, textile, paint, agrochemicals, plastics, rubber and allied, synthetic fibre and artificial leather, ceramics, heavy chemicals, sugar, petroleum, pulp and paper, mining industries and agriculture, water and effluent treatment plants

–in research and development departments in industry and research institutes 

–entrepreneurship in the manufacture of chemicals 

–pursue Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry and other relevant related areas    

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

N.B.     *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
**HIC 131	Analytical Chemistry I		12
**HIC 132	Inorganic Chemistry I		12
**HIC 137	Mathematics for Chemists		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
**HIC 133	Organic Chemistry I		12
**HIC 134	Physical Chemistry I		12
*HIC 135	Laboratory Techniques		12
HIC 136	Materials Chemistry		12
**HIC 138	Introduction to Industrial Chemistry		12
HIC 139	Mineral Technology		12

 

Level 2 Semester 1

 

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HIC 231	Chemical Instrumentation I	**HIC 131	12
**HIC 232	Inorganic Chemistry II	**HIC 132	12
*HIC 235	Chemical Research Methods and Statistics		12
**HIC 236	Fluid Flow, Heat and Mass Transfer		12
*TCNP 201	Technopreneurship		12
*GS 231	Introduction to Gender Studies		12

 

Level 2 Semester 2

 

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HIC 233	Organic Chemistry II	**HIC 133	12
**HIC 234	Physical Chemistry II	**HIC 134	12
HIC 237	Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry		12
**HIC 238	Chemical Processes		12
**HIC 239	Unit Operations		12
HIC 240	Quality Management Systems		12

 

Level 3 Semester 1 

 

Code	Module Description	Credits
**HIC 332	Work-Related Learning I	40

 

Level 3 Semester 2 

 

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
**HIC 333	Work-Related Learning II	**HIC 332	80

 

Level 4 Semester 1

 

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
*HIC 431	Chemical Instrumentation  II	**HIC 231	12
*HIC 432	Inorganic Chemistry III	**HIC 232	12
**HIC 434	Industrial Microbiology		12
**HIC 435	Energy Technology		12
**HIC 436	Polymer Chemistry and Composites		12
**HIC 437	High Energetic Materials and Chemical Safety		12

 

Level 4 Semester 2

 

Code	Module Description	Prerequisites	Credits
*HIC 433	Organic Chemistry III	*HIC 233	12
**HIC 438	Environmental Chemistry, Legislation and Sustainability		12
**HIC 439	Project Management		12
**HIC 440	Research Project		36

 

SYNOPSES

HIC 131 Analytical Chemistry I

The module covers fundamental concepts of solution chemistry, the chemical composition of solutions, acid-base equilibrium, solubility and solubility equilibria, redox stoichiometry, gravimetric methods of analysis and elementary treatment of data. The module also covers some introduction to practical aspects of chemical analysis.

 

HIC 132 Inorganic Chemistry I

The module equips students with knowledge on atomic theory and elements of bonding. It also focuses on the study of the Periodic Table itself and the general trends in periodic and group properties of the elements. The introductory elements of coordination chemistry are also covered in this course.

 

HIC 137 Mathematics for Chemists

The course is a survey of mathematical methods mostly for physical chemistry. Calculus: Differentials and Derivatives, Partial Derivatives, Integrals, Algebraic Functions, Transcendal Function; Coordinate Systems- Point in Space, Coordinate Systems for Molecules, Abstract Coordinate; Integration: Change of variables in integrand, Jacobian determinant, Gaussian integrals, Improper Integrals, Line Integrals; Numerical Methods: Interpolation, Numerical Differentiation, Random Numbers; Differential Equations in chemical reaction rates, thermodynamics, chemical reaction mechanism; Linear Algebra: Vector Spaces, Spaces of Functions, Matrices, Eigen Value Equations, Schrödinger’s Equation; Fourier Analysis.

 

HCSCI 131 Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications

Refer to Computer Science Department regulations

 

CS 131 Basic Communication Skills 

Refer to the Communication Skills Department regulation

 

HIC 133 Organic Chemistry I

The module covers the study of carbon compounds, their structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparations. The areas covered include Stereochemistry, Systematic Aliphatic Chemistry and basic Benzene Chemistry.

 

HIC 134 Physical Chemistry I

This module is an entry level module for university physical chemistry. Both kinetics and thermodynamics are the main elements constituting the bulk of physical chemistry

 

HIC 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).

 

HIC 136 Materials Chemistry

The module is focused on understanding the relationship between the arrangement of atoms, ions and molecules of a material and the bulk physical and structural properties of that material. Students will acquire skills to synthesize and characterize these materials.

 

HIC 138 Introduction to Industrial Chemistry

This module helps the student chemist to clarify the career areas and technical problems which are to be considered when chemical reactions are carried out on a large scale. It covers the research and development of consumer products based on chemical processes. Topics covered include the chemical industry and large-scale chemical manufacturing.

 

HIC 139 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.

HIC 231 Chemical Instrumentation I

This module will introduce students to chemical instruments used in Analytical chemistry, based on atomic spectroscopy and molecular spectroscopy. Methods covered in this module include flame and furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, flame emission spectroscopy, plasma emission spectroscopy, ultraviolet visible, infrared, fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence spectrophotometry and X-Ray spectrometry.

 

HIC 232 Inorganic Chemistry II

The module introduces students to the main group, d-block and lanthanide chemistry. In addition, students will acquire knowledge on bonding of coordination compounds in terms of the crystal field and molecular orbital theories as well as an interpretation of electronic spectra of transition metal complexes.

 

HIC 235 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.

 

HIC 236 Fluid Flow, Heat and Mass Transfer

This module imparts knowledge of the concepts and laws of fluid mechanics, and their applications in pipe sizing and flow metering. In addition, it will impart in-depth knowledge about the selection and design of fluid flow systems in process industry. Students will develop an understanding of the concepts and laws of heat transfer for design of heat transfer equipment.

 

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 interaction. 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

 

HIC 233 Organic Chemistry II

This module seeks to equip the student with further techniques that are required in synthesis and characterization of organic compounds. The module covers advanced stereochemistry and alicyclic chemistry, rearrangement reactions and introduction to organic spectroscopy.

 

HIC 234 Physical Chemistry II

The module is an advanced study from Physical Chemistry 1. Students will have a deeper appreciation of gas-phase and solution kinetics. In addition, concepts of phase equilibria, properties of simple mixtures in solution and surface studies will be imparted.

 

HIC 237 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.

 

HIC 238 Chemical Processes

This module aims to familiarize students with conversion of raw materials into finished products on industrial scale using conventional and green technology. The module will cover areas such as, development of Chemical Process Industry; agrochemicals, petroleum products, mineral processing, pulp and paper, sugar, heavy chemicals, cement and ceramics, glass, food and beverages, soaps and detergents, water treatment and purification, coatings, synthetic fibre and artificial leather.

 

HIC 239 Unit Operations

This module aims to expose students to the fundamentals of various unit operations and their applications. Equipment for various types of operations is covered, for example, gas – liquid, liquid – liquid, and solid – fluid operations.

 

HIC 240 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, Organisation of Quality, Quality Consulting, Quality Assurance in Chemical Laboratory, Total Quality Management Systems, Quality Control in Chemical Measurement Systems, Practical Work.

 

HIC 431 Chemical Instrumentation II

This module advances the student’s knowledge of electrochemistry and chromatographic techniques, which were introduced at Level 2. Areas covered will include modified voltammetric techniques and high performance liquid chromatography. Students will acquire skills in state-of-the-art instrumental methods of analysis based on Fourier transform and hyphenated techniques.

 

HIC 432 Inorganic Chemistry III

Further properties of transition metal compounds, reaction mechanisms, introduction to photochemical reactions, organometallic chemistry fundamental concepts. Practical Inorganic Chemistry

 

HIC 434 Industrial Microbiology

This module aims to develop understanding of the large-scale and profit motivated production of microorganisms or their products for direct use, or as inputs in the manufacture of other goods, that is, in the production of high-value products such as drugs, chemicals, fuels and electricity

 

HIC 435 Energy Technology

The purpose of this module is to develop understanding of various energy sources and related technologies. The areas covered will include petrochemicals, hydrocarbon fuels and natural gas, coal technology, biomass conversion, electrochemical energy storage and renewable energy

 

HIC 436 Polymer Chemistry and Composites

This module gives knowledge of polymers, their raw materials, processing techniques, and uses. Student will gain skills on how to synthesize, characterize polymers and polymeric composite materials. Nanocomposites synthesis and fabrication approaches, characterisation and applications.

 

HIC 437 High Energetic Materials and Chemical Safety

This module aims to develop an understanding of the chemistry and ballistics of propellants, primary and high explosives and pyrotechnics. Students will acquire knowledge and skills for the safe production and use of energetic materials.

 

HIC 433 Organic Chemistry III

Alicyclic Chemistry, Heterocyclic Chemistry, Further Aromatic Chemistry, Carbohydrate Chemistry

 

HIC 438 Environmental Chemistry, Legislation and Sustainability

The module seeks to enlighten the students to environmental chemistry and how it relates to industrial operations. Nanotechnology and the environment. Students will gain knowledge and understanding on cleaner production technologies, sustainable practices and environmental legislation

HIC 439 Project Management

The module involves the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirement.

 

HIC 440 Research Project

This is a double module that involves a research proposal, experimental work, and a dissertation. The student is required to make oral presentations on the above-mentioned stages.