BSc Entomology

Zoology is the scientific study of animals. The majority of animals, in terms of individuals and species, are insects, and their study is termed entomology. Zoology and Entomology incorporates many more specialised disciplines like anatomy, behaviour, conservation biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, physiology, the epidemiology of wildlife diseases and plant-insect interactions. Zoologists and entomologists work closely with agriculturalists, economists, engineers, mathematicians, physicists, plant scientists and veterinarians, among others.

During the fisrst two years of study, students in the BSc programmes are exposed to a range of subjects during the first two years of study to provide a firm foundation for further study. In the third year, they take specified modules to qualify in zoology, entomology or ecology. Laboratory- and field-based practical experience in all the modules provide opportunities for students to engage with the methods used to gain new knowledge in the relevant fields. They learn the skills required in the workplace and for postgraduate study. Students can combine entomology or zoology with biochemistry, genetics or plant science as part of a dual major degree.

Entomology is recommended for students with a fascination for insects. It entails controlling agricultural, forestry and household insect pests, conserving insects that provide valuable services to humans and ecosystems, and reducing the transmission of vector-borne diseases. Depending on their personal interests, graduates can become forensic entomologists, quarantine officials, insect pest management specialists, entomological collections curators, insect rearing and laboratory technicians, and environmental consultants and managers.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

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Career Opportunities

Graduates could be employed at nature reserves, environmental consultancies, conservation planning agencies, medical and veterinary research institutions, educational institutions and museums, pest management, quarantine and inspection services, in biochemical and biotechnology industries, in IT-related fields and in the corporate sector. Graduates with expertise in entomology are particularly highly sought-after in the agricultural sector as insect management specialists or researchers.


Programme Code

02133401


Closing Dates

  • SA – 30/11/2020
  • Non-SA – 31/08/2020

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.
  • In addition to meeting the admission requirements, admission is based on the performance in the TOEFL, IELTS or SAT, if required.
  • 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

 

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 (Entomology), 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

 


Duration of study

3 years, full-time.


Faculty Notes

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.


Enquiries about the programme

Click Here
How to apply

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