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To become a professional chemist you require four years to full time study. You will graduate with a BSc degree after three years and a BScHons degree after an additional year of study.
During your BSc degree you will study chemistry for three years. Chemistry will be your major subject. You can choose to take another major. There are many powerful combinations possible. For example (there are many other combinations possible):
 Chemistry and ...
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Applied Chemistry - for the chemical and allied industries
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Microbiology - for the food, biotechnology and agricultural industries
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Biochemistry - for biotechnology and medical research
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Geology - to work as a geochemist in the mining and exploration industries
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Physics - for work in materials science
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Biology - for work in the environmental field
Chemistry and one of the mathematical sciences (pure maths, applied maths, computer science) equips the chemist with the skills to do high level modelling and theoretical work, exploited in many fields including drug design and environmental impact assessments.
The Faculty of Science at Wits University allows you a unique opportunity to major in a subject from science and a subject from another Faculty. For example, you could major in Chemistry and Economics which would put you in an excellent position to pursue a management career in the chemical industry, or becomes a risk analyst specialising in the chemical sector in the financial world. A major in Chemistry and Law would enable you to eventually study towards becoming a patent attorney specialising in chemistry patents, or in helping industry cope with environmental legislation. Many other possibilities exist ? the only limiting factor may be your imagination!
During your first year of the BSc you should take:
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Chemistry I
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Physics I (preferably at major level)
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Mathematics I (preferably at major level)
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A fourth subject such as your intended second major (Biology, Geology, etc.). Applied Mathematics or Computer Science is also strongly recommended.
Second year BSc:
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Chemistry II
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Your second major (Biochemistry II, Microbiology II, Geology II, etc)
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Another subject (Mathematics II and/or Physics II is recommended)
Third year BSc:
Fourth year:
BScHons in Chemistry or Applied Chemistry (subjects from other disciplines such as Physics, Mathematics, the Biological or the Earth Sciences can be incorporated).
If you wish to pursue a research career you need a research degree, preferably the PhD degree. The research chemist typically takes an MSc (1-2 yrs) and a PhD (3-4 yrs) after the BScHons degree. It is possible to graduate with a PhD after 3 years post-Honours study.
Chemistry or Chemical Engineering?
Chemistry or Chemical Engineering? Do both at Wits! The Schools and Chemistry and Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering at Wits will introduce in 2008 a new 5 year programme that leads to 2 degrees ? a BSc in Chemistry and a BScEng(Chem Eng) in 5 years to study. This is a unique opportunity for chemists to acquire chemical engineering skills and chemical engineers to gain a deeper understanding of chemistry. Read the details by clicking here.
Materials Science
Materials Science ? a new major in the BSc at Wits. The Schools of Chemistry, Physics and Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering will introduce a new major in Materials Science starting in 2008. This is an opportunity for a science graduate to acquire fundamental knowledge of the world of materials. Read more about this by clicking here.
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