DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC RULES

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Minimum Admission Requirements and Programme Characteristics

Admission Requirements

BSc (3-year programmes)

For the Mainstream Curriculum Programmes, the following is required:

• National Senior Certificate (NQF Level 4) with a Bachelor’s degree endorsement
• Minimum achievement rating of Level 4 in:
– English
– Mathematics
– Physical Sciences

A student may qualify for admission if:
• A summed level score of at least 12 is achieved based on:
– Mathematics
– Physical Science
– English
• A minimum of Level 4 (50%–59%) is attained in at least two of the major subjects

Examples:

 

• Minimum requirement for Mathematics is Level 4 (Level 3–1 not accepted)
• Summed level score = sum of levels for Mathematics, English and Physical Science

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BSc (4-year Extended Curriculum Programmes)

For the Extended Curriculum Programmes:

• National Senior Certificate (NQF Level 4) with a Bachelor’s degree endorsement
• Minimum achievement rating of Level 3 in:
– English
– Mathematics
– Physical Sciences
• At least one subject must be Level 4

A student may qualify for admission if:
• A summed level score of at least 10 is achieved
• A minimum of Level 3 (40%–49%) is attained in each subject

Examples:

 

• Minimum level per subject: Level 3
• Level 1 and Level 2 are not accepted
• Admission preference:
– First Time Entrants (FTEN): 75%
– Others: 25%

FTEN: A student entering university for the first time

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Admission Rules

Admission into the programme is contingent upon:

• Meeting minimum requirements
• Selection into the programme (subject to enrolment limits)
• First come, first served basis
• Preference given to FTENs

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Recognition of Credits from Other Institutions

• Maximum of 50% credits may be recognised
• All exit level courses must be completed in the department
• One exit level subject may be recognised with prior Senate approval
• See General Prospectus Rule G15 & G16

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Programme Rules (Undergraduate)

Progression Requirement

• All core modules must be passed at the current level

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Registration Requirements

• First-time students must register for all courses at entry level
• Students failing across levels must first complete lower-level modules
• Higher-level enrolment allowed only if prerequisites are met and no clashes exist
• No jumping of levels or enrolling across more than two levels
• No mainstream registration until 120 credits from extended programme are obtained
• The Head of Department may limit the number of courses when poor academic progress is evident

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Re-Admission of Continuing Students

• Only students meeting progression rules (Rule G7) will be registered
• Students progress after completing all core and prerequisite modules

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Completion Rules

• All curriculum modules must be completed
• Minimum 120 credits per level
• Minimum 360 total credits required

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General Programme Rules

Bachelor of Science Programmes

• Minimum duration: 3 years
• Maximum duration: 5 years
• Core and foundation modules must be completed
• Students must accumulate 120–128 credits per year
• Excess credits cannot compensate for deficits
• Concurrent registration is not permitted
• A course may not be repeated more than twice
• Minimum semester mark: 40% to write examinations
• Minimum 80% attendance required for examination eligibility

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Bachelor of Science Honours

• The programme is by coursework and mini research paper
• Minimum duration: 1 year (full-time)
• Maximum duration: 2 years (full-time)
• A student must develop and present a proposal, conduct research, present findings, and submit a written report
• Graduation is subject to internal and external quality assurance

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Master of Science

• Students must develop a proposal within one year and present it in a departmental seminar
• Research must be conducted and findings presented
• Dissertation assessed by internal and external examiners
• Proposal must be submitted within three months to higher degrees committees
• Ethical clearance is required
• Graduation subject to quality assurance requirements

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Doctor of Philosophy

• Refer to Faculty Prospectus

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Progression Rules

• Students must fulfil curriculum requirements to progress
• Students who have successfully completed 75% of modules may register for the next level (Rule G17.1)

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Completion Rules

Bachelor of Science Programmes

• Minimum credits required:
– 360 credits (mainstream)
– 480 credits (extended programme – old programme MT)

• All foundation and core modules must be passed
• Minimum 120–128 credits per level
• Third-year modules are externally moderated

Bachelor of Science Honours

• Minimum 120 credits required
• All core modules and research project must be passed
• External moderation required

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Master of Science

• See Faculty of Natural Sciences Prospectus

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Doctor of Philosophy

• See Faculty of Natural Sciences Prospectus