Genetics is the study of how the genetic material in the cells of all living organisms is transmitted from parent to offspring across generations and how that genetic material is encoded and decoded to provide the blueprint of all life on earth. This pioneering discipline is at the core of the biological, agricultural, veterinary and medical sciences and has become essential in fields as diverse as virology and epidemiology, biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.
The advent of advanced technologies continues to enhance existing research strategies. This allows for dynamic interdisciplinary collaboration, not only within the life sciences, but also in fields such as informatics and mathematics. The genomes of numerous animals, plants and pathogens, as well as those of humans, have been decoded. This has led to new informative methods for studying gene interactions at various cellular levels. Computational modelling has proven invaluable to novel gene discovery and understanding the origins and spread of emerging viruses, such as the H1N1-virus.
The Division of Genetics is an active player on the international scientific stage and offers internationally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. These degrees are research oriented and have a strong emphasis on developing analytical skills. The Department of Genetics offers both single- and dual-major options in its Genetics and Human Genetics programmes. This gives students the choice to specialise in genetics as a single major, or to combine their genetics subjects with a second multidisciplinary major, such as biochemistry, microbiology, plant science or zoology, as well as human physiology in the Human Genetics programme.
At the undergraduate level students are provided with a thorough background in the principles of genetics, as well as the applications of these principles in fields as diverse as genomics, plant and animal biotechnology, diagnostics and risk determination, bioethics and conservation ecology, as well as population, behavioural and evolutionary studies.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
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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 (Genetics), 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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