Microbiology provides many diverse and interesting study opportunities. Micro-organisms (viruses, bacteria and fungi) form an essential part of our planet and students are trained to study their functions and roles, as well as how microbes could be used or controlled in our everyday lives.
Micro-organisms are important to health and agriculture due to the diseases they cause. In this regard, microbiologists study the pathogens responsible for serious infectious diseases affecting humans, animals, wildlife and plants in order to treat and control them. Microbiology also focuses on the different applications that use beneficial micro-organisms in food production, water purification and other industrial applications.
A microbiologist’s basic training is a three-year BSc degree. Apart from exposure to a range of subjects in the biological sciences, there is also a focus on specialised microbiology topics, such as mycology, bacteriology, virology, microbial ecology, clinical microbiology, plant pathology, molecular microbiology, microbial interactions and food microbiology. Students can combine microbiology with genetics, biochemistry, zoology or plant sciences as part of a dual-major degree.
Postgraduate studies are essential for a career in research. The University of Pretoria has several internationally recognised research programmes of which postgraduate students form an integral part. At the molecular and cellular level, the focus is on issues such as the design of new vaccines, understanding pathogenicity, and the development of new and improved ways to detect and quickly identify microbes. There is also a focus on the discovery and description of new micro-organisms, and gaining a better understanding of their evolution and diversity.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
Microbiologists can pursue a variety of careers involving activities ranging from practical application to basic research. Career opportunities are available in the food, dairy, beer, wine, baker’s yeast and fermentation industries, and at mines where they will be involved in corrosion control. Graduates can also follow careers as medical or veterinary microbiologists, researchers at organisations such as the CSIR, MRC or ARC, or lecturers and researchers at academic institutions.
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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 (Microbiology), 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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