FACULTY OF APPLIED AND COMPUTER SCIENCES
Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, NDT and Physics
Foreword from HoD
The department, as can be ascertained, has four sections, two offering full qualifications, namely the diploma in Non-Destructive Testing – uniquely the only higher education institution in South Africa offering this programme – and a diploma in Environmental Science, which is still in its infancy.
The other two sections offer career-oriented Mathematics and Physics modules to students enrolled for qualifications in Applied Sciences and Engineering. It is therefore clear that the staffing complement is both diverse and specialized in their academic fields. None the less, the teaching and learning is anchored on the premise that all students must continually be offered relevant subject matter to help them to first understand the importance the basic science subjects as the backbone of all science and technology careers and secondly to appreciate the practicality of the programmes.
It will be evident as you peruse through the website, staff are also involved in research and innovation endeavors as academics. These range from Mathematics education to Non-Destructive Testing methods applications and simulations including collaborations with other departments in nanomaterials research. By all aspects, the research endeavors by staff are only beginning to take root and will flourish in the not so distance future.
It will also be noted that the department has in the past also sought to exploit opportunities for it to be involved in community engagement projects. These have included sponsorship of school shoes and other essentials for learners in special needs schools and in identifying secondary schools where interventions in Mathematics and Physics teaching is required particularly in guiding the educators and assisting with the simple practicals for the learners in our laboratories.
I urge you to take time and reflect as you learn more about our department.
QI Sikakana (PhD)