UFS Bachelor of Science BSc Physics Course
About
This learning programme makes provision for the student who is interested in Physics. Careers include working in industry, research laboratories, and teaching at schools or universities. This programme is well suited to careers in many manufacturing industries (mining, agriculture, and metallurgy) or engineering firms concerned with mechanical, civil, telecommunication and/or electronic and electrical activities. Careers in design, energy production, computer sciences, advanced instrumentation development, and modelling are also possible. Postgraduate studies can be pursued in Physics, provided that the necessary prerequisites are met. Combined career directions, for example combinations of Physics and Law (e.g. patent lawyer) or Physics and economic fields (e.g. financial modelling or risk assessment) can also be considered after further studies in these directions.
Physics and Agrometeorology:
By combining Physics with Agrometeorology, students get the opportunity to apply numerous physical principles to agrometeorological applications, such as remote sensing, developing and calibrating instrumentation, numerical model refinement, thermodynamical and microphysical processes in the atmosphere, and weather forecasting in general. This is a popular combination with potential employers.
Careers/fields of study: Careers in research institutions, e.g. ARC and SAWS; private consultation, e.g. irrigation scheduling; meteorological instrumentation companies, e.g. Campbell Scientific; academia, e.g. university lecturing and research.
Astrophysics:
In this learning programme, Astrophysics is presented together with Physics on the Bloemfontein Campus. Students who have successfully completed their studies, can pursue postgraduate studies in Physics with Astrophysics modules, which can lead to an MSc and a PhD in Physics, specialising in Astrophysics.
Careers/fields of study: Careers in research institutes, e.g. SAAO, SKA, HartRAO, and HMO; academia, e.g. university lecturing and research; space science (satellite applications) or public education centres, e.g. planetariums or museums.
Physics with Engineering subjects:
This is a NEW programme which provides an alternative route into Engineering studies at other academic institutions.
In this learning programme, the basic building blocks for Engineering are presented together with Physics. In the last semester (third year), students will have to choose between Physics and Engineering. Students who have successfully completed the programme in the Engineering option, will be able to apply for integration into the third year of study in certain Engineering degree programmes (civil, mechanical, electrical / electronic) at universities that offer BEng or BScEng degrees. Integration will be subject to the availability of space in these degree programmes, the selection processes, and other requirements prescribed by the particular collaborating university.
Careers: Engineering assistant or construction site manager or the Physics option: this will enable graduates to either enter workplaces requiring a physics focus, or continue with postgraduate studies in Physics should they meet the entrance requirements, or the Engineering option: This will enable graduates to pursue further discipline-specific Engineering studies at other universities such as: Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering.
Our faculty is a vibrant place that attracts both national and international students as a result of its stimulating curriculum, and to which scholars are lured because of our exciting research agenda. We are an engaged faculty, whose interactions with its community is integrated with research and teaching. The faculty provides opportunities for further study, research, and scholarly community engagement in diverse disciplines spanning the natural, agricultural, and building sciences.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT ANY OF THESE PROGRAMMES PLEASE CONTACT:
Enquiries: Dr Johan Venter | +27 51 401 3336
Requirements
- NSC and an AP of 30
- Language of instruction on level 4 (50%)
- Mathematics on level 5 (60%)
- Life Sciences on level 5 (60%)
- Physical Sciences on level 4 (50%)
- NBT for Academic (AL) and Quantitative (QL) Literacy Test; and Mathematics Test (MT)
BSc Physics
| Programme Description | Minimum Admission Requirements | |||||||||
| Programme | Academic Plan Code | AP | Language of instruction | Mathematics | Life Sciences | Physical Sciences | Compulsory National Benchmark Test | Campus | ||
| BSc majoring in Physics and Agrometeorology | BC434012 | 30 | 4 (50%) | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) | 4 (50%) | AL, QL, MT | BC | ||
| BSc majoring in Physics and Astrophysics | BC434017 | 30 | 4 (50%) | 5 (60%) | 5 (60%) | 4 (50%) | AL, QL, MT | BC | ||
| BSc majoring in Physics and Engineering Subjects | 34 | 4 (50%) | 6 (70%) | 7 (80%) | AL, QL, MT | BC | ||||
ADMISSION
Pay attention to the following important information:
- Higher Education South Africa (HESA) set specific admission requirements that you must meet if you want to study at any South African university. If you finished school in or after 2008, and have a National Senior Certificate (NSC), you need the following to apply for admission to a Bachelor’s Degree at any South African university:
- Four (4) of the seven (7) subjects included in your NSC subject package, must be from the designated subject list.
- Achieve a performance level of at least 4 (50%) in each of these four (4) subjects
- All admission requirements apply to first year students in 2018.
- Admission to study at the UFS is dependent on the following:
- Your application meets all the minimum requirements for the programme
- The programme must have available space and capacity to admit students
- You have to submit valid school results with your application
- The UFS reserves to right to change the minimum requirements of each programme without notifying you.
- Applications for all non-selection programmes close on 29 September 2017.
An admission point (AP) consisting of seven levels is used. Points will be awarded for six academic modules.
No points will be awarded for achievement levels lower than 30%:
| Percentage | 7 (90-100%) | 7 (80-89%) | 6 (70-79%) | 5 (60-69%) | 4 (50-59%) | 3 (40-49%) | 2 (30-39%) |
| AP | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
One point is awarded for Life Orientation (LO) from achievement level 5 (60%) or higher.
How to apply
APPLICATION TO STUDY AT THE UFS IS FREE FOR SA, SADC AND NON-SADC STUDENTS
ONLINE application: Go to www.ufs.ac.za. Follow the link ‘how to apply’ – online application. For assistance, contact +27 51 401 9538.
Remember to upload copies of:
- Your ID or passport
- Your parent’s ID or passport if you are younger than 18 years
- Your Grade 11 final results and Grade 12 June results, both with the school’s stamp
- Your academic records if you are a current student at another institution of higher learning
WRITTEN application: Go to www.ufs.ac.za. Follow the link ‘how to apply’ and download the application. Complete and sign it, and post it with all the relevant documentation to The Application Office, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300.
Remember to include copies of:
- Your ID or passport
- Your parent’s ID or passport if you are younger than 18 years
- Your Grade 11 final results and Grade 12 June results, both with the school’s stamp
- Your academic records if you are a current student at another institution of higher learning
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT ANY OF THESE PROGRAMMES PLEASE CONTACT:
Enquiries: Dr Johan Venter | +27 51 401 3336