DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS & CHEMISTRY

Chairperson

Tafadzwa Vambe

MSc, BSc

Lecturers

  • Ramilison Ramilison – PhD,MSc, BSc,
  • Sipho Sibanda – MSc, Med, BSc
  • Talent Ndlovu – MSc, BScH
  • Lorraine Mabhena – MSc, BScH 
  • Isabel Linda Moyo – MSc, BScH 
  • Witness Moyo – MSc, BScH
  • Kagelo Ragwena – PhD, MSc, BA
  • Tolbert B. Moyo – MSc, BScH
  • Constatine Ndava Mupondo – MSc, BScH
MISSION
The Department of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, exists to develop and foster sound scientific and mathematical skills, primarily for aspiring entrepreneurs and scientists in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and others from elsewhere. The Department believes that true science emanates from and points back to, God the Creator and redeemer of human beings.
PHILOSOPHY

Down through the centuries, science revolutionised the way of life from the primitive hunters and gatherers to the highly industrialised and technological societies of today. These technological advances have been made possible by conscientious study of science.

Not only does modern science seek to equip humanity with more and better tools to make good life even better, but also realises that people need to understand the basic principles from which these technological innovations are derived, and to use them appropriately. If new and old inventions are used without some basic understanding of the principles on which they function, the experience can be frustrating, and may even be catastrophic.

The department firmly believes that the coherence of the principles of science and mathematics, the logical consistencies thereof, the power and versatility of these, point to the One who is omnipotent, omniscient, the only true and wise God, the Creator of the universe. Science is defined as “the attempt by man to explain nature.” Studied in the true spirit of “thirsting for true knowledge,” science and mathematics point the scholar to the source of wisdom, power and indeed the beginning of all knowledge. It believes that the human race is entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of the environment and the resources thereof. Therefore as true stewards, we advocate sustainable development in the use of our natural resources, conscious that they must benefit future generations after we are gone.

OBJECTIVES

The department of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry has the objective of producing highly competent scientists and mathematicians to serve on local, regional and global constituencies in such areas as education, commerce, agriculture and industry. This is done in the spirit as commissioned to Solusi University by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and by the provisions of the Service Charter granted by the government of the republic of Zimbabwe.

    Other objectives are providing an academic programme of sufficient rigour that the graduates of the programme can favourably compete with other graduates from other institution of higher learning on the job market and be able to pursue higher degree studies at any other university of their choice, without suffering any prejudice.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students pursuing a BSc Programme should meet the general admission requirements for universities in Zimbabwe. In addition, they need at least one O-level pass in a science subject. An O-level pass in a fashion and fabrics or an A’ level in dress and textiles is an added advantage.

Students intending to pursue the BSc programme who have a diploma from a recognised technical college and have acquired the required competencies in clothing production and pattern cutting may apply for credit by examination in the related courses as approved by the department.

Prospective students from countries that require O-levels for university entry are required to complete the Pre-University Programme during the first year (32) credits at Solusi University (see the section for Pre-University Programme in this Bulletin).

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for graduation students must have successfully completed the following requirements:

Requirements
Credit Units
General Education 27
Core 75
Cognate 13
Elective 6
Work Experience 21
BSc Mathematics Honours Total Credits 124


BACHELOR OF SCIENCE MATHEMATICS HONOURS REQUIREMENTS

CORE COURSES

MATH 111 - Calculus I (3 Credits)
This is a study and application of real functions and relations, coordinate geometry, differentiation and integration.
MATH 112 - Textile Product: Selection, Use & Care(3 Credits)
This is a study and application of functions of two or more variables and their deviations, partial deviations, multiple integrals, vector fields and integration, introductions to differential equations.
MATH 121 - Linear Algebra(3 Credits)
This is a study of vector spaces, linear mappings, solution of sets of linear equations, bilinear and quadratic mappings.
MATH 131 - Mechanics (3 Credits)
This is an introduction to kinematics and projectiles; Newton’s Laws, force, momentum, work, energy, power, conservative and dissipative forces. It includes orbits, oscillations, elastic forces and damped resonance; Equivalent systems of forces, plain statistics, systems of particles; and Elementary theory of rigid bodies.
MATH 141 - Ordinary Differential Equations I (3 Credits)
This course includes revision of the basic techniques for the solution of first and second order differential equations, methods of undetermined coefficients and method of variation of parameters, existence and uniqueness of solutions, series solutions, common differential equations of special functions, and Laplace transforms. It includes application of these topics.
MATH 152 - Foundations of Discrete Mathematics (3 Credits)
This course covers selected topics in discrete mathematics, such as logic, set theory, relations, functions, algebraic structures and graph theory. 
MATH 222 - Complex Analysis (3 Credits)
This course covers Caunchy-Rieman equations, harmonic functions, Cauchy’s integral formula; Liouville’s theorem and the fundamental theorem of algebra; Taylor-Laurent expansions; the maximum modulus theorem; Rouche’s theorem; the calculus of residues: the residues theorem and application to the evaluation of the real-valued integrals and series; linear fractional transformations.
MATH 231 - Operations research I (3 Credits)
This is a study of linear programming, and transportation: balanced and unbalanced problems, assignment problem, network models: shortest route, minimal spanning tree, maximal flow; inventory models: deterministic and probabilistic demand models; decision analysis: deterministic and probabilistic situations, and utility values.
MATH 234 - Survey of Mathematical Packages (3 Credits)
This is a survey of mathematical packages such as Mathematica, and Matlab. It includes exposure to various mathematical packages that remove the drudgery of computations, and help students to devote time to investigations that lead beyond the obvious. The course also aims at introducing students to at least two statistical packages for data analysis and graphical presentations. Statistical packages to be used include SAS, Stat view, SPSS, Minitab or Microsoft Excel. Students should be in a position to incorporate such knowledge into the research project through adequate data analysis and graphical presentations. However, students are warned that the computer cannot substitute to the need to know how to solve the problems manually.
MATH 242 - Ordinary Differential Equations II(3 Credits)
This is a study of series solution of ordinary differential equation, Method of Frobenius, Legendre polynomials and Bessel functions, Fourier series and Fourier transformers. It includes solution of partial differential equation of mathematical physics.
MATH 281 - Vector Analysis (3 Credits)
This is a study of derivatives of vector functions; directional derivatives; gradient of scalar fields, divergence and curl of vector fields, constrained extremal problems, line and surface integrals, Green’s theorem, Gauss’ divergence theorem, Stoke’s theorem, and their applications, orthogonal curvilinear coordinates.
MATH 287 - Numerical Methods (3 Credits)
This is a study of numerical analysis, Taylor series, solutions of equations in one variable, direct and interactive methods of solving linear systems, interpolation and extrapolation, numerical differentiation, integration, numerical solution of ordinary differential equations.
MATH 321 - Elements of Real Analysis (3 Credits)
This is a study of measure theory and the Lebesque Integral, Fubini’s theorem, the Riesz representation theorem, L-spaces, Ron measure on locally compact spaces.

 

CORE COURSES CONT…

MATH 322 - Mathematical Methods (3 Credits)
This course examines boundary value problems and Sturm-Liouville Theory; calculus of variations: the fundamental problem, variational problem with fixed end points, functional with higher order derivatives, and several dependent variables; isoperimetric problems, variational problems with variable end points, Rayleigh-Ritz and finite elements methods, differential equations and variational method, variational formulation of eigenvalues problems, and integral equations.
MATH 332 - Operations Research II (3 Credits)
This is a study of integer linear programming. It also includes Gomory cut and Branch and Bound procedures; project management, PERT, CPM, cost and resources scheduling, cost crash programmes, inventory: materials requirement planning, just-in-time technique, queuing: single and multiple server, replacement and reliability of simple problems.
MATH 341 - Beginning Abstract Algebra (3 Credits)
This course includes groups: definition and examples, permutation and symmetric groups, congruency, Lagrange’s theorem, isomorphisms and homomorphisms, quotient groups, fundamental homomorphisms theorem.
MATH 342 - Mathematical Modelling (3 Credits)
Aims and Philosophy of Mathematical Modeling. Modeling methodology, role and limitations. Mathematical modeling with sequences and series. Differential calculus, first order differential equations. Population and ecological models: application of linear autonomous systems to the physical and biological sciences. Optimal Policy Decisions: Models based on optimization techniques.
MATH 382 - Advanced Linear Algebra (3 Credits)
This is a study of linear mappings, matrix representation, change of basis, kernal and image of a linear mapping, eigenvalues and eigenvectors: vector spaces, basis, dimensions, basis of eigenvectors, orthogonal bases, method of Gramm-Schmidt, inner product spaces, Cayley-Hamilton theorem.
MATH 385 - Partial Differential Equations (3 Credits)
This course includes partial differentiation equations of mathematical physics and introduction to their study. Classification of second order pde’s in two independent variables. Derivation of the way, Laplace and Poisson equations: methods of separation of variables and Laplace transforms techniques. Orthogonal sets of functions in an inner product spaces. Fourier series, Fourier sine and Fourier cosine series. Discussion of convergence theorem. Integration and differentiation of Fourier series. Application of Fourier series in two variables. The Fourier transform and inverse. The convolution theorem. Applications of Bessel functions J(x), the zeros of J(x) and of orthogonal sets of Bessel functions. Fourier-Bessel series. Applications of the theory to the solution of partial differential equations stressed.
MATH 394 - Research Methods (3 Credits)
This course prepares students to undertake a research project. It is a survey of research methodologies. Each student is required to complete a spiral bound research proposal at the end of the course.
MATH 395 - Research Project (3 Credits)
Designed for the final year students, this course gives opportunity to demonstrate the ability to do research on a mathematical topic, give an oral presentation during an organised seminar, and submit a written report which was processed using mathematical text, bound into booklet form using dissertation style. Students can select a topic from a list made available by the supervisor, or get approval from their advisors on a topic of his choice. The project will be supervised by a departmental lecturing member of staff and should therefore be of high standard.
STAT 151 - Statistics I (3 Credits)
This course is a study of probability, random variables and probability distributions, mathematical expectation and special distribution: Bernoulli, binomial, geometric, negative binomial, hypergeometric, Poisson distributions. Normal, gamma, exponential, beta distributions are included.
STAT 252 - Statistics II (3 Credits)
This course is an introduction to applied statistics, its definition and scope. It includes descriptive statistics, initial data exploration, summary statistics, graphical presentation of data. It also includes Point estimation, test of hypothesis, interval estimation, non-parametric tests, chi-square tests. Finally it includes design and analysis of experiments, Regression analysis and statistical computing using MINITAB and SPSS.
STAT 253 - Statistics III (3 Credits)
This is a study of simple random sampling, systematic sampling, simple survey and questionnaire design, ratio and regression estimators, stratified populations and stratified simple random sampling, cluster and multi-stage sampling.
STAT 254 - Statistics IV (3 Credits)
This is a study of the theory and applications of statistics which include experimental design and analysis, 2k factorial experiments, confounding, fractional factorial experiments, and aliasing. Multiple linear regression: variable selection and model building, covariance analysis is included.

 

 

COGNATE COURSES

INSY 120 - Introduction to Programming (3 Credits)
An introduction to programming methodology using a procedural programming language, including computer usage within a network environment, problem-solving, algorithm development, control structures, arrays, functions, recursions, strings and pointers includes the study and implementation of simple linked lists, stacks, queues, and files. The course includes lectures and practical sessions each week.
INSY 140 - Object Oriented Programming I (3 Credits)
A study of object oriented development methodology and application of these methodologies to advanced data structures using the C++ language. It starts with universal programming basics, objects oriented concepts and gradually extends to advanced issues observed in the object oriented approach.
INSY 290 - Data Structures & Logarithms (3 Credits)
This course provides advanced coverage of strings and string manipulation information hiding methodologies, finite state automata, lexical analysers, parsing graphs and digraphs. Programming assignments are given for some topics.
PHYS 151 - General Physics (4 Credits)
This course covers fundamental concepts of classical and modern physics. It requires three lectures, one recitation, one laboratory briefing lecture, and one three-hour lab per week.

WORK EXPERIENCE

MTIA 400 - Industrial Attachment (3 Credits)
Students are required to have three credits of Industrial Attachment in their respective field, which should be registered for during the Summer of their final year. Industrial Attachment is coordinated and supervised by the Department; thus, students should plan their programme in consultation with their sponsor well ahead of time in order to avoid inconveniences in the course of their academic endeavours. Students are expected to write an industrial attachment report which should be submitted to the department at the end of the attachment period. International students are at liberty to do this in their respective country of origin provided they make prior financial arrangement for Attachment Supervision and Assessment.

ELECTIVES- MAJOR IN MATHEMATICS (Select any 2 courses)

MATH 312 - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (3 Credits)
This is an introduction to the nature of fluids, hydrostatic and pressure; Bernoulli’s equations of motions; vorticity and circulation, and Kelvin’s theorem; two dimensional flow, velocity potential and stream function, complex variable; axis symmetric flow, and Stoke’s stream function; unsteady flows, and flows with vorticity; introduction to viscid flow, Navier-Stoke’s equation.
MATH 324 - Quantum Mechanics (4 Credits)
This is study of symmetries and angular momentum, identical particles and spin, scattering theory, time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory.
MATH 333 - Operations Research III (3 Credits)
This is a study of simulation: model development, verification, validation and use of simulation packages; time series; exponential smoothing; decomposition of time series. ARINA.
MATH 337 - Mathematics of Finance (3 Credits)
This course provides exposure to financial mathematics as it impacts society. It is designed for students to use mathematics in insurance business and financial institutions. Concepts covered may include progressions, simple interest, simple discount, partial payments, compound interest, ordinary annuities, certain amortisation and sinking funds, bonds, annuities due, deferred annuities, perpetuities, annuity certain: general case, probability and the mortality table, life annuities, life insurance.
MATH 343 - Non Linear Ordinary Differential Equations (3 Credits)
Differential equations are used to model dynamical phenomena as diverse as mechanical vibrations, chemical reaction kinetics, population fluctuations and epidemics. This course develops some of the theory of systems non-linear ordinary differential equations, but the main emphasis is on formulating differential equation models and interpreting their mathematical properties in the context of the application being modelled.
MATH 352 - Multivariate Analysis (3 Credits)
This course includes tests of hypothesis concerning two or more populations, contingency table analysis, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, and experimental designs.

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

Behaviour Development
CONV 111-412: CONVOCATION (0 Credits)
ORIE 100: ORIENTATION (0 Credits)
WOED 121-122: WORK EDUCATION (0 Credits)
Health and Physical Education
PHED 116: Physical Education (2 Credits)
HLED 115: Healthier Living (2 Credits)

Mathematics
MATH 159: General Algebra (3 Credits)                                                                                                                       STAT 160:  Basic Statistics (2 Credits)

Languages Communication
COMM 102: Communication Skills and Academic Writing (3 Credits)
Natural & Social Sciences
BIOL 389: Philosophical Biology (2 Credits)
HIST 276: Selected Themes in Zimbabwean History (2 Credits)
Computers
INSY 100: Computer & Data Processing (3 Credits)
Ethics and Philosophy
RELT 105: Christian Beliefs (3 Credits)
RELB 180: Studies in the Gospels (3 Credits)
RELH 360: Seventh-day Adventist Heritage (2 Credits)
RELT 215: Philosophy of Christian Education (2 Credits)                                                                                            RELT 355: Religion & Ethics in Modern Society (3 Credits)