Master of Science in Chemistry

Goal of the Programme

The programmeme aspires to produce postgraduates with relevant skills and knowledge that meet the individual, professional, institutional, county, national and global educational needs today and in the near future. This will enhance economic development from regional to National level to facilitate achievement of a vibrant economy. The programme is also aimed at meeting dynamic world demands for graduates who can address emerging and current issues.
The programmeme offers advanced and deep foundation of theoretical and professional experience in various fields in chemistry. Besides the core disciplines, the student can select a specialized area of study to enhance skills in the field.

Expected Learning Outcomes of the Programme

The Objectives of the program shall be to:
1)    Train and equip the students with knowledge in the various areas of chemistry
2)    To impact competency to learners to modern aspects of chemistry
3)    Develop postgraduates research and writing ability of scholarly work

a) Masters’ Programme
The following is the eligibility criteria for the Masters’ Degree in the University:
i.    A holder of a first-class or a second class Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University.
ii.    Candidate who has obtained a first-class or second class degree or an equivalent qualification from another institution recognized by the University of Embu (UoEm) as being of comparable academic status from an accredited institution.
iii.    In exceptional cases, the Senate may also admit to the Master’s programme, non-holders of a first degree provided such candidates can, on the basis of the research and academic work they have done, show that they are well qualified to undertake postgraduate work, bypassing qualifying examinations.
Mode of Delivery of the programme

This shall include face to face, open learning and distant learning. Thesis research shall form part of the learning experience

Entry Requirements
The common regulations for the Masters degrees shall apply
In addition to meeting (a) above, candidates wishing to register for Master of Science in Chemistry must have any of the following:
A degree of at least an Upper Second Class Honours in Chemistry or equivalent from institution recognized by the Senate
A lower Second Class honours degree in Chemistry or equivalent from institution recognized by the Senate plus at least two years relevant research/work experience
A pass degree in Chemistry or equivalent from any other institution recognized by the Senate plus at least five years relevant research/work experience

Regulations for Credit Transfer and Exemptions

Regulations for Exemptions

• A candidate may be exempted from some course units from approved institutions by relevant Government and/or University organ(s), subject to the following conditions.
• Request for exemption should be made in writing, on admission, addressed to the Dean of school and must be accompanied by officially endorsed supporting documents including the institutions syllabuses for the relevant courses
• No candidate shall be exempted from more than forty nine percent of the total number of units required for a program
• A candidate may be required to sit and pass applicable University examinations in the relevant course units, provided they have paid the appropriate examination fees
• The courses for which exemption are sought shall be limited to first year of study
• Minimum grade for unit(s) sought excemption shall be C or its equivalent
• Payment of appropriate exemption fees   

Regulations for Credit Transfer

• Request for credit transfer should be made in writing to dean of school after admission.
• Official transcripts from an institution recognized by senate must accompany the request.
• The course units on which credit transfer are sought shall not exceed 49 % of the total units in that programme.
• The courses for which transfer are sought shall be limited to first year of study
• Minimum grade for unit(s) sought transfer shall be C or its equivalent
• The candidate seeking credit transfer shall meet all prescribed cost of the university
  
  Student Assessment Criteria
• The course shall be evaluated in terms of units; a course unit being defined as a series of 45 one- hour lecture equivalents.  For this purpose one 1-hour lecture is equivalent to one 2-hour tutorial or one 3-hour practical or any combination of these that may be recommended by the School Board and approved by Senate.
• All courses taken shall be examined during the semester in which they are offered.  Such examination shall consist of continuous assessments and practicals, where applicable, and end of semester examinations.
• End of semester examinations will comprise 70 percent of the total course marks whereas continuous assessment and practicals, where applicable, will account for 30 percent.
• End of semester examinations will take three hours.
• A candidate may, on the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be admitted to Special Examinations, in the course(s) for which the candidate failed to sit Ordinary Examinations at the prescribed time. Special Examinations shall be graded as Ordinary Examinations.
           

Course Requirements

• A student is required to attend at least two thirds of the class attendance in order to be allowed to sit for the end of semester examination in a given unit of the programme
• The lecturer shall ensure the programme course(s) are delivered in a manner that learning takes place

Student Assessment Criteria

• The course shall be evaluated in terms of units; a course unit being defined as series of 45 one- hour lecture equivalents.  For this purpose one 1-hour lecture is equivalent to one such instructional hour in lecture form or one 2-hour tutorial or one 3-hour practical or any combination of these that may be recommended by the School Board and approved by Senate.
• The course consists of coursework, continuous assessment, written examination and a research project.
• The continuous assessment shall comprise tests, assignments, practicals in certain units and/or term papers.
• The course shall be covered in a minimum of four (4) and maximum of eight (8) semesters of 15 weeks each.
   

Thesis Examination
The Second year of study shall be by thesis (equivalent to eight units) based on a research proposal submitted and approved by the end of first year. The thesis shall be examined in accordance with the common Regulations of the Masters Degrees in all Schools and Faculties.
Each candidate will submit, with approval of supervisors, a duly completed thesis for examination. The candidate shall defend the research findings at a Board of Examiners meeting recommended by the School.

Award of Degree
On successful completion of the programme, a candidate shall be awarded the degree of Master of Science in Chemistry.

Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the award of a degree, a candidate for the Master of Science in Chemistry degree shall be required to take 10 course units; 9 of which shall be core and 1 elective. In second year the candidate shall undertake a mandatory research and thesis equivalent to eight course units.

Course Outline