MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

I would like to welcome you our esteemed readers, students and staff to the School of Natural Sciences website. The School of Natural Sciences is one of the largest faculties of the University of Zambia (UNZA). UNZA has a total of nine faculties or schools namely; Agricultural Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Mines, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. The School of Natural Sciences is among the original faculties of the University having opened its doors in 1965. The School is an integral part of the University and provides the country with the much-needed science-based manpower. It is the only School, which provides a wide range of science-based programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Departments in the School Of Natural Sciences and Career Development The School comprises six (6) departments, namely; Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Geography, Mathematics & Statistics and Physics. These departments offer several programmes and many applied courses details of which are in this website. I invite you to access the website of each department. As I stated earlier, the School is a cornerstone of all science-based programmes with courses ranging from natural resources, environmental management, geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, Cartography, human and physical geography courses, offered by the Department of Geography. Mathematics and Statistics-based programmes include courses such as algebra, real analysis, statistics, mathematical methods, topology, and applied mathematics offered by the Department of Mathematics & Statistics. Issues involving wildlife, tropical ecology and biodiversity, entomology, genetics and plant biology are ably dealt with in the Department of Biological Sciences.  The Department of Chemistry offers environment-related programmes with specialisations in analytical, organic and industrial chemistry including Physical and Inorganic Chemistry as other related fields. The Department of Physics plays a significant role in the development of solar panels, computational physics, and optics among others. Our most recent department, Department of Computer Studies, has played and continues to play an important role to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the country. This Department attracts the cream of the School entrants from second year programmes to pursue studies in programming, software and hardware development. Much of these details can be obtained from the individual websites of the six Departments.

The School of Natural Sciences has well qualified staff in its ranks and we are proud to say that our graduates have easily found employment not only in the sub-region but also in Europe, America and Asia.

Challenges of Year I in the School of Natural Sciences

The first year programme of the University is an attitude-changing programme in which secondary school graduates are transformed to properly handle the pressures not only in the School of Natural Sciences but also in other science-based schools. After first year, students are free to choose careers of their choice ranging from Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Mines, Veterinary Medicine, or indeed several of the programmes offered within the School of Natural Sciences. The career opportunity therefore is wide but competitive.

As students of the sciences, you will meet several challenges during the course of your studies while in this School.  The teaching in all programmes is such that it is divided into three (3) parts, namely: lectures, laboratories, and tutorials. These learning activities are time-demanding and they require a dedication on the part of students and a sound time management. It is common belief that once one has cleared first year of Natural Sciences, a student is essentially adequately well prepared to handle the challenges of University life.

We at the School of Natural Sciences are proud of the School and always eager to receive first year students into the University, and teach them their first subjects in their chosen science careers.  So, it is my pleasure to invite you to read thoroughly the details of the various career programmes of each Department and to grasp the requirements needed for pursuing degree programme of your choice. The School of Natural Sciences on this website offers an exciting information package for career development.  The School is more than ready to receive you with open arms and offer every support possible to those that choose science and natural resources management as their life long careers.

I therefore invite you to join me in reading this website of the School of Natural Sciences and six of its Departments.  

Wishing you success and worthwhile careers!!

Dr. Henry M. Sichingabula (PhD)

DEAN, SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES


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