Review of Physics Training in South Africa

Edmund ZinguRetired

The SAIP-CHE Project: Background, ToR, Projected Outcomes

Quality is a Lousy Idea-

If it’s Only an Idea

What is quality?

1. The ability to make the same thing the same way, over and over again

2. What customers buy today is the same as what they bought last week and will buy next week

3. Product meets customer’s expectations 100% of the time

Quality Assurance vs Quality Control

Overall management plan to guarantee the integrity of data(The “system”)

Series of analytical measurements

used to assess the quality of the

analytical data (The “tools”)

QA OperationQA is the voice of the customer in the plant

QA establishes the expectation that the products that are to be made will meet the specifications of the customer

QA goes to the people on the line and explain what the customer expects from the products

QA gets out of the office and ask the people what is going on

From: Jack Johnathan Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 3:07 PMTo: Malcolm Madness Cc: qamanager@uuw.ac.za<Dr Quinten Okholo QA Manager> Subject: RE: Graduate Student 

Dear MalcolmI trust that you are doing well. Our research is really taking off and we could do with many more graduate research students. You will be aware that one of your B Sc graduates of last year is currently registered for the Honours degree in Physics in my department: Peter Putinmore. We were delighted to have one of your students in our programme since I am aware of the excellent work you have been doing – what a track record. We therefore did not hesitate to admit Peter based on the fact that you have certified his competence through the B Sc degree certificate and his academic transcript.

But were we surprised when we got to the first test in Electrodynamics. Peter does not have a clue. As you know, several modules at honours level require extensive mathematical skills and he does not have them either. If we were in the manufacturing industry, we would have sent him back to you to rectify his development in physics so that he complies with the minimum standards for the B Sc degree in Physics. Extra assignments and extra tuition have not helped the situation.

You will agree that introducing a bridging course at honours level is not the solution to this problem. I am writing this frank letter to you because I believe that the problem of incompetent B Sc graduates in Physics might be widespread and something needs to be done urgently. Your assistance/advice in this matter will be appreciated. Sincerely,Jack

Physics HoD’s (2008 – 2009)• Concerns• Entering students• Competence of

graduates

Benchmark Statement• Physics: B Sc and

Hons• Student

competencies• Core curriculum

Evaluation of undergraduate physics• SAIP – CHE

partnership• Focus originally on

mainstream physics

• All inclusive• Online Self-

evaluation• Developmental• Recommendation

s

Under-preparedness of entering students

(School system)Undergraduate training

Competence of

graduates

Phase 2

RoadmapReview of Physics Training in South AfricaDevelop set of standards for the

reviewGuided by the UK

benchmark statement

SA task team of physicist

s

SAIP – CHE Partnership to undertakeEvaluation of undergraduate physics teaching and learning

Set of CriteriaSet of minimum

standardsSet of Questions (Physics specific)

On-line Self-Evaluation Report

Identify: Best Practices Challenges

Group of Expertsto compile

National Report

Implementation of

Recommendations

Evaluation of Undergraduate Physics Teaching and Learning

in South Africa