Yearbooks

Programme: BScHons Bioinformatics

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Code Faculty Department
02240702 Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Department: Genetics
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 135 NQF level:  08

Admission requirements

  1. Relevant BSc degree
  2. A weighted average of at least 60% at final-year level

Note: Additional modules may be required in order to reach the desired level of competency  

Minimum credits: 135

Core credits:        120

Elective credit:      15

Additional information:

Students with degrees in biological sciences should choose BME 780 as an elective. Students from computer science and other related backgrounds should choose BIF 704. Other additional modules may be prescribed for non-degree purposes to address shortcomings in a candidate’s undergraduate training.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    General concepts in bioinformatics; sequence motifs and features; sequence databases; common bioinformatics tools; programming in Python; the bioinformatics toolkit for Python; pairwise and multiple sequence alignments; genome analysis; data visualisation; specialised statistics for bioinformatics; specialised algorithms for bioinformatics; nucleic acid modelling; transcription analysis; microarray data analysis; genome annotation; phylogenetics; mapping and markers; structural modelling.

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  • Module content:

    Study and discussion of topical research results from recent scientific publications.

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  • Module content:

    Principles and applications of recombinant DNA, and other novel molecular and genomics technologies, to address questions in the biological sciences and/or biotechnology.  Strong emphasis is placed on the principles of research planning, including identifying suitable research objectives, formulating a research strategy and understanding the relevance and feasibility of research.  The module is assessed by means of a research project proposal, conceived and formulated by each student.  The proposal must focus on the use of molecular technologies in addressing realistic questions in biology and/or biotechnology.  There is also an oral defense of the project proposal. 
    This module is jointly presented in the Departments of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology and Plant and Soil Sciences.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    Atoms and molecules; the chemistry of life, organisation of the cell; energy; chromosomes; heredity; DNA; RNA and protein synthesis; gene regulation; genetic engineering; genomes; genes and development; evolution; speciation; diversity.

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  • Module content:

    The principles of experimental design as required for the selection of an appropriate research design. Identification of the design limitations and the impact thereof on the research hypotheses and the statistical methods. Identification and application of the appropriate statistical methods needed. Interpreting of statistical results and translating these results to the biological context.

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The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

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