University of Pretoria Yearbook 2020
BSc Biological Sciences (02133397)
Minimum duration of
3 years
study
Total credits 140
NQF level 07
Admission requirements
● The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection
programme is full and has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further
admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the
closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
● The following persons will be considered for admission: candidates who are in possession of a certificate that is
deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate with university
endorsement, candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status
of a graduate of such an institution, and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of
Pretoria.
● Life Orientation is excluded from the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
● Grade 11 results are used for the conditional admission of prospective students. Final admission is based on
Grade 12 results.
● Please note that the Faculty does not accept GED and School of Tomorrow qualifications for entry into our
programmes.
Transferring students
● Candidates previously registered at UP or at another university
❍The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers applications of candidates who have already completed the
final NSC or equivalent qualification examination and/or were previously registered at UP or another
university, on grounds of their final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.
● Candidates previously registered at a FET college or a university of technology
❍The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers the application of these candidates on the grounds of their
final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.
Qualifications from countries other than South Africa
● Citizens from countries other than South Africa and South African citizens with foreign qualifications must
comply with all the other admission requirements and the prerequisites for subjects/modules.
● Candidates must have completed the National Senior Certificate with admission to degree studies or a
certificate of conditional exemption on the basis of a candidate’s foreign qualifications, the so-called
“Immigrant” or “Foreign Conditional Exemption”. The only condition for the “Foreign Conditional Exemption”
that is accepted is: ‘completion of the degree course’. The exemption certificate is obtainable from Universities
South Africa (USAf). Detailed information is available on the website at click here.
University of Pretoria website: click here
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National Benchmark Test website: click here
Minimum requirements
Achievement level
English Home
Language or
English First Mathematics Physical Sciences
Additional APS
Language
AS
NSC/IEB AS Level NSC/IEB AS Level NSC/IEB
Level
5 C 5 C 5 C 32
* Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for
admission. Students in the Cambridge system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at
the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.
* International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be
considered for admission. Students in the IB system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with
performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.
Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Biological Sciences), may be
considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme -- Biological and Agricultural Sciences. The BSc –
Extended programme takes a year longer than the normal programme to complete.
BSc – Extended Programme – Biological and Agricultural Sciences
Minimum requirements
Achievement level
English Home
Language or
English First Mathematics Physical Sciences
Additional APS
Language
AS
NSC/IEB AS Level NSC/IEB AS Level NSC/IEB
Level
4 D 4 D 4 D 26
Other programme-specific information
A student must pass all the minimum prescribed and elective module credits as set out at the end of each year
within a programme as well as the total required credits to comply with the particular degree programme. Please
refer to the curricula of the respective programmes. At least 144 credits must be obtained at 300-/400-level, or
otherwise as indicated by curriculum. The minimum module credits needed to comply with degree requirements
is set out at the end of each study programme. Subject to the programmes as indicated a maximum of 150
credits will be recognised at 100-level. A student may, in consultation with the relevant head of department and
subject to the permission by the Dean, select or replace prescribed module credits not indicated in BSc three-
year study programmes to the equivalent of a maximum of 36 module credits.
It is important that the total number of prescribed module credits is completed during the course of the study
programme. The Dean may, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, approve deviations in
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this regard. Subject to the programmes as indicated in the respective curricula, a student may not register for
more than 75 module credits per semester at first-year level subject to permission by the Dean. A student may
be permitted to register for up to 80 module credits in a the first semester during the first year provided that he
or she obtained a final mark of no less than 70% for grade 12 Mathematics and achieved an APS of 34 or more in
the NSC.
Students who are already in possession of a bachelor’s degree, will not receive credit for modules of which the
content overlap with modules from the degree that was already conferred. Credits will not be considered for
more than half the credits passed previously for an uncompleted degree. No credits at the final-year or 300- and
400-level will be granted.
Promotion to next study year
A student will be promoted to the following year of study if he or she passed 100 credits of the prescribed credits
for a year of study, unless the Dean on the recommendation of the relevant head of department decides
otherwise. A student who does not comply with the requirements for promotion to the following year of study,
retains the credit for the modules already passed and may be admitted by the Dean, on recommendation of the
relevant head of department, to modules of the following year of study to a maximum of 48 credits, provided that
it will fit in with both the lecture and examination timetable.
Pass with distinction
A student obtains his or her degree with distinction if all prescribed modules at 300-level (or higher) are
passed in one academic year with a weighted average of at least 75%, and obtain at least a
subminimum of 65% in each of the relevant modules.
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Curriculum: Year 1
Minimum credits: 140
Fundamental = 12
Core = 128
Additional information:
● Students who do not qualify for AIM 102 must register for AIM 111 and AIM 121.
● Students who intend on applying for MBChB, or BChD selection, have to enrol for FIL 155(6), MGW 112(6) and
MTL 180(12) with the understanding that they defer doing WTW 134 in the first semester, however, should they
not be selected and want to continue with a BSc programme, WTW 165 must be taken in the second semester
of the first year.
● Students intending to apply for the BVSc selection have to enrol for MTL 180(12).
● Please note: ANA modules can only be taken by BSc (Medical Science) students.
● Please note: A student may be permitted to register for up to 80 module credits in a the first semester during
the first year provided that he or she obtained a final mark of no less than 70% for grade 12 Mathematics and
achieved an APS of 34 or more in the NSC.
Fundamental modules
Academic information management 102 (AIM 102)
Module credits 6.00
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Law
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology and Religion
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Information Science
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate
technology. Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical
and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic
information.
Academic information management 111 (AIM 111)
Module credits 4.00
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Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Service modules
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology and Religion
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Information Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate
technology.
Academic information management 121 (AIM 121)
Module credits 4.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Service modules Faculty of Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology and Religion
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Informatics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of
information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.
Language and study skills 110 (LST 110)
Module credits 6.00
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Service modules
Faculty of Veterinary Science
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Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Unit for Academic Literacy
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
The module aims to equip students with the ability to cope with the reading and writing demands of scientific
disciplines.
Academic orientation 102 (UPO 102)
Module credits 0.00
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Natural and Agricultural Sciences Deans Office
Period of presentation Year
Core modules
Biometry 120 (BME 120)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
At least 4 (50-59%) in Mathematics in the Grade 12 examination, or at least 50%
Prerequisites
in both Statistics 113, 123
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Simple statistical analysis: Data collection and analysis: Samples, tabulation, graphical representation,
describing location, spread and skewness. Introductory probability and distribution theory. Sampling
distributions and the central limit theorem. Statistical inference: Basic principles, estimation and testing in the
one- and two-sample cases (parametric and non-parametric). Introduction to experimental design. One- and
twoway designs, randomised blocks. Multiple statistical analysis: Bivariate data sets: Curve fitting (linear and
non-linear), growth curves. Statistical inference in the simple regression case. Categorical analysis: Testing
goodness of fit and contingency tables. Multiple regression and correlation: Fitting and testing of models.
Residual analysis. Computer literacy: Use of computer packages in data analysis and report writing.
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Plant biology 161 (BOT 161)
Module credits 8.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Education
Prerequisites MLB 111 GS
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly practicals
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Basic plant structure and function; introductory plant taxonomy and plant systematics; principles of plant
molecular biology and biotechnology; adaptation of plants to stress; medicinal compounds from plants; basic
principles of plant ecology and their application in natural resource management.
General chemistry 117 (CMY 117)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
A candidate must have Mathematics for at least 60% and 60% for Physical
Prerequisites
Sciences.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Chemistry
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
General introduction to inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry. Atomic structure and periodicity. Molecular
structure and chemical bonding using the VSEOR model. Nomenclature of inorganic ions and compounds.
Classification of reactions: precipitation, acid-base, redox reactions and gas-forming reactions. Mole concept and
stoichiometric calculations concerning chemical formulas and chemical reactions. Principles of reactivity: energy
and chemical reactions. Physical behaviour gases, liquids, solids and solutions and the role of intermolecular
forces. Rate of reactions: Introduction to chemical kinetics.
General chemistry 127 (CMY 127)
Module credits 16.00
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Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Natural and Agricultural Sciences students: CMY 117 GS or CMY 154 GS Health
Prerequisites
Sciences students: none
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Chemistry
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Theory: General physical-analytical chemistry: Chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, buffers, solubility
equilibrium, entropy and free energy, electrochemistry. Organic chemistry: Structure (bonding), nomenclature,
isomerism, introductory stereochemistry, introduction to chemical reactions and chemical properties of organic
compounds and biological compounds, i.e. carbohydrates and aminoacids. Practical: Molecular structure (model
building), synthesis and properties of simple organic compounds.
Introductory genetics 161 (GTS 161)
Module credits 8.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites MLB 111 GS
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly tutorials
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Chromosomes and cell division. Principles of Mendelian inheritance: locus and alleles, dominance interactions,
extensions and modifications of basic principles.. Probability studies. Sex determination and sex linked traits.
Pedigree analysis. Genetic linkage and chromosome mapping. Chromosome variation.
Introduction to microbiology 161 (MBY 161)
Module credits 8.00
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly tutorials
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
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Department Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
The module will introduce the student to the field of Microbiology. Basic Microbiological aspects that will be
covered include introduction into the diversity of the microbial world (bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic
microorganisms and viruses), basic principles of cell structure and function, microbial nutrition and microbial
growth and growth control. Applications in Microbiology will be illustrated by specific examples i.e.
bioremediation, animal-microbial symbiosis, plant-microbial symbiosis and the use of microorganisms in
industrial microbiology. Wastewater treatment, microbial diseases and food will be introduced using specific
examples.
Molecular and cell biology 111 (MLB 111)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
A candidate who has passed Mathematics with at least 60% in the Grade 12
Prerequisites
examination
Contact time 1 practical/tutorial per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Introduction to the molecular structure and function of the cell. Basic chemistry of the cell. Structure and
composition of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Ultrastructure and function of cellular organelles, membranes
and the cytoskeleton. General principles of energy, enzymes and cell metabolism. Selected processes, e.g.
glycolysis, respiration and/or photosynthesis. Introduction to molecular genetics: DNA structure and replication,
transcription, translation. Cell growth and cell division.
Physics for biology students 131 (PHY 131)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Education
Service modules Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
A candidate must have passed Mathematics with at least 60% in the Grade 12
Prerequisites
examination
Contact time 1 discussion class per week, 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Physics
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Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Units, vectors, one dimensional kinematics, dynamics, work, equilibrium, sound, liquids, heat, thermodynamic
processes, electric potential and capacitance, direct current and alternating current, optics, modern physics,
radio activity.
Mathematics 134 (WTW 134)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites 50% for Mathematics in Grade 12
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 134, WTW 165,
WTW 114, WTW 158. WTW 134 does not lead to admission to Mathematics at 200 level and is intended for
students who require Mathematics at 100 level only. WTW 134 is offered as WTW 165 in the second semester
only to students who have applied in the first semester of the current year for the approximately 65 MBChB, or
the 5-6 BChD places becoming available in the second semester and who were therefore enrolled for MGW 112
in the first semester of the current year.
Functions, derivatives, interpretation of the derivative, rules of differentiation, applications of differentiation,
integration, interpretation of the definite integral, applications of integration. Matrices, solutions of systems of
equations. All topics are studied in the context of applications.
Mathematics 165 (WTW 165)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites 50% for Mathematics in Grade 12 and MGW 112# or registered for BVSc
Contact time 1 tutorial per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Period of presentation Semester 2
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Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 134, WTW 165,
WTW 114, WTW 158. WTW 165 does not lead to Mathematics at 200 level and is intended for students who
require Mathematics at 100 level only. WTW 165 is offered in English in the second semester only to students
who have applied in the first semester of the current year for the approximately 65 MBChB, or the 5-6 BChD
places becoming available in the second semester and who were therefore enrolled for MGW 112 in the first
semester of the current year.
Functions, derivatives, interpretation of the derivative, rules of differentiation, applications of differentiation,
integration, interpretation of the definite integral, applications of integration, matrices, solutions of systems of
equations. All topics are studied in the context of applications.
Animal diversity 161 (ZEN 161)
Module credits 8.00
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly practicals
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Department Zoology and Entomology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Animal classification, phylogeny organisation and terminology. Evolution of the various animal phyla,
morphological characteristics and life cycles of parasitic and non-parasitic animals. Structure and function of
reproductive,
respiratory, excretory, circulatory and digestive systems in various animal phyla. In-class discussion will address
the sustainable development goals #3, 12, 13, 14 and 15 (Good Health and Well-being. Responsible
Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life on Land).
The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The
General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to
familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section.
Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.
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