UNISA Chemistry Course Module 2025-2026
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: CHE1501 (or XHE1501), CHE1502 (or XHE1502), CHE1503, MAT1512 (or XAT1512)
NQF Level: 6: CHE2611, CHE2612, CHE2613, CHE2614, CHE2621, CHE2622, CHE2623, CHE2624
NQF Level: 7: CHE3701, CHE3702, CHE3703, CHE3704, CHE3721, CHE3722, CHE3723, CHE3724
| Analytical Chemistry II (Theory) – CHE2614 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 8 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE1501 (or XHE1501), CHE1502 (or XHE1502) & CHE1503 |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to gain insight into statistical treatment of data, titrimetry, gravimetry, potentiometry and coulometry. |
| Physical Chemistry III (Practical) Semester 1 on ly – CHE3722 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 3 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE3702 |
| Purpose: The purpose of the Physical Chemistry practical course is to facilitate and improve the understanding of the theory covered in Module CHE3702, and to direct you, the student, towards the awareness that the theory which you are studying is based on reality and is applicable to experimentation and measurements: |
| Inorganic Chemistry II (Practical) Semester 1 on ly – CHE2621 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE2611 |
| Purpose: The acquisition and demonstration of laboratory skills and techniques associated with the theoretical concepts covered in module CHE2611. |
| Organic Chemistry III (Practical) Semester 1 on ly – CHE3723 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 3 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE3703 |
| Purpose: The purpose of the module is to enable learners to gain and demonstrate Organic Chemistry laboratory skills and techniques, process and present data in a scientific way and make meaningful conclusions based on theory and practical knowledge. |
| Physical Chemistry II (Practical) Semester 2 on ly – CHE2622 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE2612 & MAT1512 (or XAT1512) |
| Purpose: The acquisition and demonstration of laboratory skills and techniques associated with the theoretical concepts covered in module CHE2612. |
| Analytical Chemistry III (Practical) Semester 2 on ly – CHE3724 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 3 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE3704 |
| Purpose: This module is to equip learners with a sound understanding of further concepts on the sample pre-treatment and instrumental analysis techniques and how they could be applied in solving real life problems. Students accredited with this module should be able to prepare real samples for analysis, select suitable sample pre-treatment and instrumental methods of analysis to generate quality creditable data to address the fundamental question of how much and what is it. |
| Organic Chemistry II (Practical) Semester 2 on ly – CHE2623 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE2613 |
| Purpose: The acquisition and demonstration of laboratory skills and techniques associated with the theoretical concepts covered in module CHE2613. |
| Inorganic Chemistry IV – CHE4801 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Coordination Complexes, Electronic structures and bonding in transition metal complexes, Electronic Spectra, colors, Redox and magnetic properties of transition metal complexes, Reaction mechanisms, Introduction to organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis,Introduction to Bioinorganic Chemistry, Synthetic methods in Coordination Chemistry |
| Analytical Chemistry II (Practical) Semester 1 on ly – CHE2624 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE2614 |
| Purpose: The acquisition and demonstration of laboratory skills and techniques associated with the theoretical concepts covered in module CHE2614. |
| Physical Chemistry IV – CHE4802 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Molecular and thermodynamic basis for chemical phenomena. |
| Inorganic Chemistry II (Theory) – INC251U |
| Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE181T & CHE1PRA |
|
| Purpose: Chemical bonding; a more advanced study of ionic bonding; introduction to chemical reactions and factors that determine their possibility and rate; acids and bases; precipitate and complex formation in aqueous solutions; redox chemistry and derivation of oxidation state diagrams; hydrogen; group I (Na, Li, K); group II (Mg, Ca); group III (B, Al); group IV (C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb); group V (N, P); group VI (O, S); group VII (F, Cl, Br, I). Appropriate laboratory work. |
| Organic Chemistry IV – CHE4803 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The structure of organic compounds and its relationship to chemical bonding, stereochemistry and reactivity. |
| General Chemistry IA – CHE1501 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: Students credited with this module can explain and apply general chemistry principles. These principles include basic atomic theories, the electronic structure of atoms, the periodic table and periodicity, chemical bonding, behavior of matter, stoichiometry, acids and bases, types of chemical reactions, concentrations, kinetics, gases, thermochemistry and chemical equilibrium. |
| Inorganic Chemistry II (Practical) – INC2PRA |
|
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: INC251U |
| Purpose: Appropriate laboratory work. |
| Analytical Chemistry IV – CHE4804 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Theory and practice of instrumental methods of analysis: absorption spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, mass spec-troscopy, electrometric methods and fundamental electronics. |
| General Chemistry IB – CHE1502 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE1501(or XHE1501) |
|
| Purpose: Introduction to organic chemistry |
| Organic Chemistry II (Theory) – ORC221F |
| Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE181T & CHE1PRA |
|
| Purpose: Introduction – structure and properties; organic nomenclature; alkanes; alkylhalides; alkenes; alkynes; benzene; alcohols; ethers; phenols; aldehydes and ketones; carboxylic acids; derivatives of carboxylic acids; amines. Appropriate laboratory work. |
| Molecular Symmetry – CHE4805 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Quantum chemistry, molecular symmetry and group theory. |
| Chemistry I (Practical) – CHE1503 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE1501 (or XHE1501) |
Co-requisite: CHE1502 (or XHE1502) |
| Purpose: Students credited with this module can demonstrate basic hands-on laboratory skills and techniques associated with some theoretical concepts covered in General Chemistry which include types of chemical reactions, titrimetric methods of analysis and organic synthesis. Students accredited with this module will be able to demonstrate a theoretical concept of general chemistry in a practical way and they will appreciate critical issues related to health, safety and the environment as they work in the laboratory. The learners will be trained to solve problems individually and critical thinking will be initiated. |
| Organic Chemistry II (Practical) – ORC2PRA |
|
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: ORC221F |
| Purpose: The purpose of the ORC2PRA module is to explain the general principles in Organic Chemistry and help the students demonstrate an understanding of the different laboratory techniques in practical organic chemistry. The ORC2PRA module highlights semi-micro techniques in organic chemistry and their applications in preparations, separations, purifications, analyses and physical determinations of different organic compounds. |
| Organic Polymer Chemistry – CHE4806 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
|
Co-requisite: CHE4803 |
| Purpose: Polymer Concepts: Basic Principles; Conventional Free Radical Polymerization; Copolymerization; Controlled/Living Free Radical Polymerization; Anionic and Cationic Polymerization Methods; Polymerization with Complex Coordination Catalysts; Step Growth Polymerization, Polymer Characterization. |
| Chemistry I (Theory) – CHE181T |
| Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 8 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE1PRA |
| Purpose: Matter; scientific measurements; atomic structure; chemical bonding; gases, liquids and solids; chemical formulas and stoichiometry; rates of chemical reactions; the gaseous phase: chemical equilibrium; the liquid phase: solutions; the liquid phase: ionic equilibrium; oxidation and reduction reactions; electrochemistry; introduction to organic chemistry; introduction to inorganic chemistry. Appropriate laboratory work. |
| Physical Chemistry II (Theory) – PCH241P |
| Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 7 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE181T, CHE1PRA |
|
| Purpose: Gases; chemical kinetics; chemical equilibrium; ionic equilibrium; activity coefficients; electrochemistry; colligative properties of solutions; colloids. Appropriate laboratory work. |
| Environmental Chemistry – CHE4807 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: Chemical and allied industries in South Africa: Chemicals; Processes; Sources of chemicals; Environmental aspects. Environmental issues and the chemistry behind them: atmosphere; hydrosphere; biosphere; energy. |
| Chemistry I (Practical) – CHE1PRA |
|
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 4 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE181T |
| Purpose: Appropriate laboratory work. |
| Physical Chemistry II (Practical) – PCH2PRA |
|
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 7 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: PCH241P |
| Purpose: The purpose of laboratory experiments in Physical Chemistry is to perform measurements, usually under controlled conditions, in order to illustrate, prove or disprove a theory or a scientific law. |
| Honours Project (Practical) – CHE4808 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE4801, CHE4802, CHE4803 & CHE4804 |
| Purpose: Students who complete this module will be able to compile a research proposal on a chemistry problem, conduct experimental work to investigate the problem, compile a scientific report on the findings, and disseminate the findings. Students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in this module in the chemistry industry and in teaching and research environments, and will be equipped to undertake further studies in Chemistry and related fields. |
| General Chemistry IA (Extended) – XHE1501 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Year module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to enable the student to demonstrate a basic understanding of classification and properties of matter and atomic theories, atomic structure and quantum numbers, the periodic table and periodicity, chemical bonding, the structure and nomenclature of inorganic compounds and ions, the mole concept and stoichiometry, solutions and concentrations, acids and bases, types of chemical reactions, rates of reactions and chemical equilibrium, and gases. |
| Inorganic Chemistry III – CHE3701 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE2611 & CHE2621 |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to gain insight into spectroscopy, advanced coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry. |
| General Chemistry IB (Extended) – XHE1502 |
|
Year module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE1501 (or XHE1501) |
|
| Purpose: Introduction to organic chemistry |
| Physical Chemistry III – CHE3702 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE2612, CHE2622 & MAT1512 (or XAT1512) |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to gain insight into changes of state, equilibria, electrochemistry, kinetic theory of gases, transport and diffusion and molecular reaction dynamics. |
| Inorganic Chemistry II (Theory) – CHE2611 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 8 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE1501 (or XHE1501), CHE1502 (or XHE1502) & CHE1503 |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to demonstrate their understanding of chemical bonding; ionic solids; solvents, solutions, acids and bases; introduction to co-ordination chemistry and transition metals. |
| Organic Chemistry III – CHE3703 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE2613 & CHE2623 |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to gain insight into and demonstrate an understanding of stereochemistry and conformational analysis, reaction mechanisms, applications of spectroscopic methods, carbanions, polyfunctional compounds, orbital symmetry and synthesis. |
| Physical Chemistry II (Theory) – CHE2612 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 8 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE1501 (or XHE1501), CHE1502 (or XHE1502), CHE1503 |
Co-requisite: MAT1512 (or XAT1512) |
| Purpose: To enable students to demonstrate their understanding of the laws of thermodynamics and changes of state. |
| Analytical Chemistry III – CHE3704 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE2614 & CHE2624 |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to demonstrate their understanding of electroanalytical methods, molecular and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic emission and absorption spectrophotometry, chromatography and extraction methods. |
| Organic Chemistry II (Theory) – CHE2613 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 8 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Pre-requisite: CHE1501 (or XHE1501), CHE1502 (or XHE1502), CHE1503 |
|
| Purpose: To enable students to gain insight into dienes, aromaticity, electrophilic aromatic substitution, benzene, arenes, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their functional derivatives, ethers and epoxides, amines, phenols and aryl halides. |
| Inorganic Chemistry III (Practical) Semester 2 on ly – CHE3721 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 3 |
| Module presented in English |
|
|
Co-requisite: CHE3701 |
| Purpose: The purpose of this course is to motivate student to understand the fundamental concepts of electronic structure and spectra in the metal complexes and coordination compounds and organometallic Chemistry. |
