Life at the cellular and molecular level depends on the specific interaction and cooperation of many individual biomolecules. To understand life at a fundamental level, biochemists study the role of individual biomolecules and relate this function to its unique structure. Challenges of global relevance, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, antimicrobial drug resistance and other human or animal diseases are addressed by using flow cytometry, cell sorting, biophysical analysis, protein crystallography, genome analysis, selective gene expression and metabolic profiles. Biochemists can work in medicine, veterinary science, the food and pharmaceutical industries and agriculture, and many other fields.
First-year students are exposed to a range of biological and physical science subjects to ensure a firm scientific basis. In the second and third years, they delve deeper into biochemistry, combining theoretical lectures with appropriate practical studies to learn the principles and methodology of research. In the third year, the study of the genome, transcriptome, proteome and lipidome of a living cell is pursued. Proteome analysis, crystallography, cell structure and function, enzymology and immunology are applied to understand the molecular basis of disease.
Ideally, biochemistry is combined with chemistry, microbiology, genetics, human physiology, plant science, zoology and food science. All these subjects include both theoretical and practical aspects. Students may choose elective modules related to their studies.
Postgraduate studies in Biochemistry include honours, master’s and doctoral degrees. The one-year honours degree is open to students from the biological or chemical sciences and includes exposure to a range of technologies, some self-study and a research project. At the master’s and doctoral levels, students conduct research in fields such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, anti-microbial drug resistance, diabetes, other human diseases and plant-derived medicines.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
Biochemistry offers many opportunities for exciting and challenging careers in the food and pharmaceutical, fine chemicals and waste processing industries. Careers at research councils, such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Water Research Commission (WRC) are possibilities, as are academic institutions, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and forensic and pathology laboratories. Career opportunities include those of researcher, teacher, lecturer and medical representative. Graduates are comfortable in work environments such as universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and related industries.
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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
University of Pretoria website: click here
Minimum requirements | ||||||
Achievement level | ||||||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS | |||
NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS 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 (Biochemistry), 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 Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS | |||
NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | |
4 | D | 4 | D | 4 | D | 26 |
3 years, full-time.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is a diverse faculty with 13 departments that is supported by more than 20 centres and institutes. More than 5 000 students register in this faculty annually of which 70% are undergraduate and 30% postgraduate students.
All degree programmes are designed to develop problem-solving individuals who can easily adapt to changing circumstances and take the lead in their chosen fields of specialisation. The qualifications awarded are of world-class and provide access to a multitude of career opportunities for dynamic and creative people.
In the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, we strive to continuously improve our high impact research and significantly address the national shortage of PhD graduates that respond to global and local challenges.
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