There are three courses in the Science Extended Studies programme.  These are:

• Mathematics Literacy
• Computer Skills
• Introduction to Science Concepts and Methods (ISCM)

Course structure

There are three courses in the Science Extended Studies Programme (SESP).  These are:

• Mathematics in Extended Studies (MAT 1E)

This year-long course is worth a total of 30 credits (15 degree and 15 support credits) and is taught by a lecturer from the Mathematics Department.  The aim of this course is to help students develop appropriate mathematical tools necessary to represent and interpret information quantitatively at a university level. It also aims to develop certain skills and meaningful ways of thinking, reasoning and arguing with quantitative ideas in order to solve problems in any given context.  Lectures, focusing on mathematical theory, are highly interactive and students are expected to participate actively in class. The weekly tutorials afford students an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills.

• Computer Skills for Science (CSS 1S)

This year-long course is worth a total of 30 credits (15 degree and 15 support credits) and is taught by one or more lecturers of the SESP.  The course covers basic computer concepts, the Internet, Microsoft Office, Web designing, developing the fundamentals of programming and understanding basic information systems theory.  The course, which has six contact periods per week, is taught solely in the computer laboratories in an interactive, hands-on manner.  Four of the weekly contact periods are used for teaching new material, and two are practical periods used to consolidate course content.

• Introduction to Science Concepts and Methods (ISCM)

This year-long course is worth a total of 60 credits (15 degree and 45 support credits).  It is an integrated and multidisciplinary course that is taught around a number of themes.  These themes are used as a basis to develop students’ understanding of scientific concepts and to introduce them to methods and skills needed to construct knowledge in the sciences.  Academic staff from disciplines such as Botany, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, Mathematics, Physics, and/or Zoology contribute to the course, in the form of theme-based lectures and practicals over a five week period.  Two SESP lecturers (a science lecturer and an academic literacy lecturer) ensure continuity within and between themes throughout the year. This is done through tutorial and enrichment sessions which augment the content provided by the mainstream discipline lecturers and integrate scientific and academic literacy into the offerings of each theme. 

These three compulsory courses which comprise the first year of study establish a broad platform to enable students in their second year to choose any courses in the Science Faculty.  It should be noted, however, that some mainstream courses have a restricted intake and entry is contingent on the attainment of high marks in SESP.

Last Modified: Tue, 30 May 2017 12:28:33 SAST