Plants are fascinating organisms, and much is still unknown about their potential uses. It is, however, well known that plants are the best factories for synthesising valuable natural products. The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences is a large department that offers both BSc and BScAgric degrees.
Much of the research conducted in the department is of an applied nature. It contributes to the improvement of agricultural crops and agricultural methods (including soil science), knowledge of plant diseases, the use of plant- derived compounds, biodiversity and plant biotechnology.
In medicinal plant science, students learn about the discovery and use of plant medicines and phytotherapeutically important molecules obtained from plants. In plant biotechnology, molecular tools and the use of model plants are discussed to study whole- plant physiology. Gene and promoter identification, transfer techniques for plant improvement and the analysis of plant transcriptomes for plant improvement using micro-arrays are investigated. In the study of plant diversity and ecology, students learn about South Africa’s rich and diverse vegetation and how to facilitate conservation and management strategies for future generations.
During the first two years of study, students are exposed to a range of subjects in the biological sciences. They can specialise during their third year. The Department specialises in plant diversity and ecology, plant biotechnology, plant pathology and medicinal plant science.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
Careers range from working in a laboratory to studying plants in their natural environment. Graduates could be employed at biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms, South African National Parks (SANParks), private ecological companies and research institutions such as the CSIR, ARC and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
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Applications for this plan have closed.
Important information for all prospective students for 2022
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme at the University of Pretoria (UP) –
A transferring student will be considered for admission based on
Note: Students who have been dismissed at the previous institution due to poor academic performance, will not be considered for admission to UP.
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme –
A returning student will be considered for admission based on
Note: Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP. The Admissions Committee may consider such students if they were not dismissed more than twice. Only ONE transfer between UP faculties will be allowed, and a maximum of two (2) transfers within a faculty.
Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2022
University of Pretoria website: click here
Minimum requirements | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
5 | 5 | 5 | 32 |
Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Plant Science), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme – Biological and Agricultural Sciences, which requires an additional year of study.
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 | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 26 |
*The BSc – Extended programmes are not available for students who meet all the requirements for the corresponding mainstream programme.
*Please note that only students who apply in their final NSC or equivalent qualification year will be considered for admission into any of the BSc – Extended programmes.
3 years, full-time.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is home to more than 6 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Faculty presents degrees in fields ranging from the proverbial A to Z – from actuaries to zoologists, and consists of 13 departments.
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. According to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings the University has achieved new world rankings in Physical Sciences, a discipline which features strongly in NAS and also maintains excellent positions on the ISI Web of Science (WOS) field rankings in Plant and Animal Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Environment and Ecology Sciences.
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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