Science Degrees

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

The three year BSc degree.

A student has to get credit in 18 semester-credits to qualify for a degree in which
both major subjects are drawn from the Sciences. Here is just one example of
a "physical sciences" degree structure (Maths 1 is a full-year, unsemesterized course):

Year 1a is the first semester of year one and Year 1b the second semester, etc).

Year 1a: Physics 101, Chemistry 101, Maths 1, Computer Science 101

Year 1b: Physics 102, Chemistry 102, Maths 1, Computer Science 102

Year 2a: Physics 201, Chemistry 201, Statistics 101

Year 2b: Physics 202, Chemistry 202, Statistics 102

Year 3a: Physics 301, Chemistry 301

Year 3b: Physics 302, Chemistry 302

There are many other options that can be chosen.

Subject choices in the BSc degree

The structure of an ordinary Bachelor of Science degree is governed, by your
choice of major subjects. Major subjects could be chosen according to your
personal and career interests.

Many subjects are "three-year majors”, meaning that they are offered
at first-,second- and third-year level.

There are also subjects that are “two-year majors” and are offered at
second- and third-year level only.

Note: Normally, a related first-year level subject acts as an entrance
qualification for a two-year major.

The subjects that can be taken in a BSc degree are classified into two groups, A and B

Group A

is comprised of subjects that are most naturally taken in BSc degrees
(rather than in degrees like BCom):

Three-year majors (studied in first, second and third year):

Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Geology,
Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology

Two-year majors (studied only in second and third year):

Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Biochemistry, Environmental Science,
Entomology, Ichthyology, Mathematical Statistics, Microbiology

Non-major subjects (studied for one year only, but of considerable value in
broadening the scope of the degree):

Anatomy and Physiology, Applied Physiology and Anatomy, Cell Biology,
Electronics Literacy, Logic, Statistics.

Group B

is comprised of all other subjects, most of which, of course, fall more naturally into degrees
offered in other faculties.

These include:

Accounting, Afrikaans, Anthropology, Art (in various options), Classical Civilization,

Drama, French, German, Greek, History, Information Systems, Journalism & Media Studies,

Latin, Legal Theory, Linguistics and English Language, Management, Music (in various options),

Organizational Psychology, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Xhosa

The BSc(InfSys) degree

This degree, unique to Rhodes, is intended for students who wish to become
computer specialists in a commercial or industrial environment.

The degree structure consists of 20 semester-credits spread over three years.
The curriculum is fairly rigid:

FIRST AND SECOND YEARS

• Computer Science (CSC 1 and CSC 2)
• Information Systems (INF 2)
• Economics or Management (ECO 1 or MAN 1)
• Accounting (ACC 1)
• Statistics (STA 1D or STA 101, or an alternative course in Statistics)
• Logic (LOG 101)
• Discrete Mathematics (MAT 102 or MAT 1)
• Electronics Literacy (PHY 1E2)
• Two further semester-credits in Management or Economics or Mathematics
  or Statistics or Mathematical Statistics, or in some other subject approved by the Dean.

THIRD YEAR

Computer Science 3

Information Systems 3, or one of the following:

Accounting 3, Applied Statistics 3, Economics 3, Mathematical Statistics 3,
Management 3, Mathematics 3

Eligibility for taking alternatives to Information Systems 3 will depend on
exactly how students have structured their second year.

The BSc(SofDev) degree

This degree, unique to Rhodes, is intended for students who wish to become
computer specialists in software development. The degree structure consists
of 20 semester-credits spread over three years, followed by a fourth year at the
Honours level.

The curriculum is fairly rigid:

FIRST AND SECOND YEARS

• Computer Science (CSC 1 and CSC 2)
• Information Systems (INF 2)
• Economics or Management (ECO 1 or MAN 1)
• Accounting (ACC 1)
• Statistics (STA 1D or STA 101)
• Logic (LOG 101)
• Discrete Mathematics (MAT 102 or MAT 1)
• Electronics Literacy (PHY 1E2)
• Two further semester-credits in Management or Economics or Mathematics
  or Statistics or Mathematical Statistics, or in some other subject approved by the Dean.

THIRD YEAR

• Computer Science 3
• Information Systems 3

FOURTH YEAR

• Computer Science and Information Systems 4