Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases. Whereas the medical or veterinary careers focus on human and animal health, the plant pathologist focuses on plant health, which ensures healthy plants and enough food for the increasing global population. The effect of climate change, chemical residues and other toxic substances on plant health are important aspects in plant pathology. Food security and food safety are also important focus areas in modern plant pathology studies.
Cutting-edge technologies, such as molecular biology, are applied in plant pathological research, for example, to study phytobiomes and the interactions between micro-organisms and plants. Plant pathology is indeed the field of study of the future, which integrates various subject disciplines, such as biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, plant science and food science.
During the first two years of the BScAgric (Plant Pathology) degree, students are exposed to a range of subjects in agricultural and biological sciences, including more fundamental subjects such as biochemistry, genetics and biotechnology, as well as the more applied subjects in agriculture.
Specialisation occurs in the second year. Students take subjects in plant biotechnology, microbiology, genetics, plant production, entomology and plant pathology. During the third year, students get the opportunity to study plant diseases directly and visit various production systems, businesses and farms where they observe plant protection in action. This takes place during field excursions and holiday work. In the final year of study, students do a research project and a number of theory modules.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
Graduates could be employed as seed cultivators, farmers, researchers, lecturers or consultants.
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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 BScAgric (Plant Pathology), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme – Biological and Agricultural Sciences. This programme takes a year longer than the normal programmes 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 |
4 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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