| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 02133396 | Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences | Department: Natural and Agricultural Sciences Dean's Office |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 3 jaar | Totale krediete: 428 | NQF level: 07 |
Important information for all prospective students for 2026
The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.
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 |
Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.
Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.
Unsuccessful candidates will be notified after 30 June.
Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.
Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the International undergraduate prospectus 2026: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), available at click here.
International students: Click here.
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.
Closing dates: Same as above.
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.
Note:
Closing date for applications from returning students
Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.
1.1 Requirements for specific modules
A candidate who:
or
or
1.2 Fundamental modules
A student will be promoted to the following year of study if he or she passed 100 credits of the prescribed credits for a year of study, unless the Dean on the recommendation of the relevant head of department decides otherwise. A student who does not comply with the requirements for promotion to the following year of study, retains the credit for the modules already passed and may be admitted by the Dean, on recommendation of the relevant head of department, to modules of the following year of study to a maximum of 48 credits, provided that it will fit in with both the lecture and examination timetable.
General promotion requirements in the faculty
All students whose academic progress is not acceptable can be suspended from further studies.
Minimum krediete: 142
Core modules = 128
Fundamental modules = 14
Students intending to apply for the BVSc selection have to enrol for MTL 180(12).
Please note: ANA modules can only be taken by BSc (Medical Science) students.
Module-inhoud:
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology.
Module-inhoud:
Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.
Module-inhoud:
The module aims to equip students with the ability to cope with the reading and writing demands of scientific disciplines.
Module-inhoud:
Simple statistical analysis: Data collection and analysis: Samples, tabulation, graphical representation, describing location, spread and skewness. Introductory probability and distribution theory. Sampling distributions and the central limit theorem. Statistical inference: Basic principles, estimation and testing in the one- and two-sample cases (parametric and non-parametric). Introduction to experimental design. One- and twoway designs, randomised blocks. Multiple statistical analysis: Bivariate data sets: Curve fitting (linear and non-linear), growth curves. Statistical inference in the simple regression case. Categorical analysis: Testing goodness of fit and contingency tables. Multiple regression and correlation: Fitting and testing of models. Residual analysis. Computer literacy: Use of computer packages in data analysis and report writing.
Module-inhoud:
General introduction to inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry. Atomic structure and periodicity. Molecular structure and chemical bonding using the VSEPR-model. Nomenclature of inorganic ions and compounds. Classification of reactions: precipitation, acid-base, redox reactions and gas-forming reactions. Mole concept and stoichiometric calculations concerning chemical formulas and chemical reactions. Principles of reactivity: energy and chemical reactions. Physical behaviour gases, liquids, solids and solutions and the role of intermolecular forces. Rate of reactions: Introduction to chemical kinetics.
Module-inhoud:
Theory: General physical-analytical chemistry: Chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, buffers, solubility equilibrium, entropy and free energy, electrochemistry. Organic chemistry: Structure (bonding), nomenclature, isomerism, introductory stereochemistry, introduction to chemical reactions and chemical properties of organic compounds and biological compounds, i.e. carbohydrates and aminoacids. Practical: Molecular structure (model building), synthesis and properties of simple organic compounds.
Module-inhoud:
Chromosomes and cell division. Principles of Mendelian inheritance: locus and alleles, dominance interactions, extensions and modifications of basic principles.. Probability studies. Sex determination and sex linked traits. Pedigree analysis. Genetic linkage and chromosome mapping. Chromosome variation.
Module-inhoud:
Introduction to the molecular structure and function of the cell. Basic chemistry of the cell. Structure and composition of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Ultrastructure and function of cellular organelles, membranes and the cytoskeleton. General principles of energy, enzymes and cell metabolism. Selected processes, e.g. glycolysis, respiration and/or photosynthesis. Introduction to molecular genetics: DNA structure and replication, transcription, translation. Cell growth and cell division.
Module-inhoud:
Note: PHY 131 is aimed at students who will not continue with physics. PHY 131 cannot be used as a substitute for PHY 114.
Units, vectors, one dimensional kinematics, dynamics, work, equilibrium, sound, liquids, heat, thermodynamic processes, electric potential and capacitance, direct current and alternating current, optics, modern physics, radioactivity.
Module-inhoud:
The module introduces students to psychology via an overview of the historical context of the discipline. We also introduce students to abnormal behaviour, treatments and the influence of culture on abnormal behaviour. Furthermore, students will be introduced to research in psychology, conditioning, emotion, motivation, and personality theories. Students will understand the evolution of psychology as a discipline and the general approach to research in psychology. They will better understand selected categories of psychological disorders and potential treatments used by registered psychologists.
Module-inhoud:
The module addresses key concepts and terminology related to biological psychology and cognitive psychology. Students are introduced to a basic understanding of the biological basis of human behaviour and cognitive processes. Content on the biological underpinning of emotions, behaviour and mental processes is explored in addition to understanding the physical structure and functioning of the human brain. Cognitive functions, including attention, perception, memory, language and intelligence, form the basic building blocks of human cognition. In-depth knowledge of how the brain is attuned to filtering information from the environment and how we make sense of the world around us are also studied.
Module-inhoud:
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 134, WTW 165, WTW 114, WTW 158. WTW 134 does not lead to admission to Mathematics at 200 level and is intended for students who require Mathematics at 100 level only. WTW 134 is offered as WTW 165 in the second semester only to students who have applied in the first semester of the current year for the approximately 65 MBChB, or the 5-6 BChD places becoming available in the second semester and who were therefore enrolled for MGW 112 in the first semester of the current year.
Functions, derivatives, interpretation of the derivative, rules of differentiation, applications of differentiation, integration, interpretation of the definite integral, applications of integration. Matrices, solutions of systems of equations. All topics are studied in the context of applications.
Minimum krediete: 148
Core modules = 148
Module-inhoud:
Structural and ionic properties of amino acids. Peptides, the peptide bond, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Interactions that stabilise protein structure, denaturation and renaturation of proteins. Introduction to methods for the purification of proteins, amino acid composition, and sequence determinations. Enzyme kinetics and enzyme inhibition. Allosteric enzymes, regulation of enzyme activity, active centres and mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Examples of industrial applications of enzymes and in clinical pathology as biomarkers of diseases. Online activities include introduction to practical laboratory techniques and Good Laboratory Practice; techniques for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of biological molecules; enzyme activity measurements; processing and presentation of scientific data.
Module-inhoud:
Carbohydrate structure and function. Blood glucose measurement in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. Bioenergetics and biochemical reaction types. Glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, citric acid cycle and electron transport. Total ATP yield from the complete oxidation of glucose. A comparison of cellular respiration and photosynthesis. Online activities include techniques for the study and analysis of metabolic pathways and enzymes; PO ratio of mitochondria, electrophoresis, extraction, solubility and gel permeation techniques; scientific method and design.
Module-inhoud:
Chemical foundations. Weak interactions in aqueous systems. Ionisation of water, weak acids and weak bases. Buffering against pH changes in biological systems. Water as a reactant and function of water. Carbohydrate structure and function. Biochemistry of lipids and membrane structure. Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Other functions of nucleotides: energy carriers, components of enzyme cofactors and chemical messengers. Introduction to metabolism. Bioenergetics and biochemical reaction types. Online activities include introduction to laboratory safety and Good Laboratory Practice; basic biochemical calculations; experimental method design and scientific controls, processing and presentation of scientific data.
Module-inhoud:
Orientation in physiology, homeostasis, cells and tissue, muscle and neurophysiology, cerebrospinal fluid and the special senses.
Practical work: Practical exercises to complement the theory.
Module-inhoud:
Body fluids; haematology; cardiovascular physiology and the lymphatic system. Practical work: Practical exercises to complement the theory.
Module-inhoud:
Structure, gas exchange and non-respiratory functions of the lungs; structure, excretory and non-urinary functions of the kidneys, acid-base balance, as well as the skin and body temperature control.
Practical work: Practical exercises to complement the theory.
Module-inhoud:
Nutrition, digestion and metabolism; hormonal control of the body functions and the reproductive systems. Practical work: Practical exercises to complement the theory.
Module-inhoud:
The chemical nature of DNA. The processes of DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation. Control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Recombinant DNA technology and its applications in gene analysis and manipulation.
Module-inhoud:
Chromosome structure and transposable elements. Mutation and DNA repair. Genomics and proteomics. Organelle genomes. Introduction to genetic analysis of populations: allele and genotypic frequencies, Hardy Weinberg Law, its extensions and implications for different mating systems. Introduction to quantitative and evolutionary genetics.
Module-inhoud:
In this module human development from conception through adolescence to adulthood is discussed with reference to various psychological theories. Incorporated are the developmental changes related to cognitive, physical, emotional and social functioning of the individual and the context of work in adulthood. Traditional and contemporary theories of human development explaining and describing these stages are studied in order to address the key issues related to both childhood and adulthood.
Module-inhoud:
Social Psychology is a scientific field of study that seeks to identify factors that shape our feelings, behaviour and thoughts in social situations. The general course objective is to provide students with an overview of main scientific theories and research on core topics in Social Psychology, including social cognition, emotions, attitudes and beliefs, pro-social behaviour, social influence and persuasion, aggression, interpersonal attraction, and intergroup relations.
Minimum krediete: 138
Core modules = 138
Additional information:
Module-inhoud:
Overview of higher cognitive functions and the relations between psyche, brain and the immune system. Practical work: Applied practical work with specific examples drawn from South African case studies taught within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Module-inhoud:
Mechanisms of muscle contraction and energy sources. Cardio-respiratory changes, thermo-regulation and other adjustments during exercise. Use and misuse of substances to improve performance. Practical work: Applied practical work with exercise descriptions for the South African context taught within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Module-inhoud:
Integration of all the human physiological systems. Practical work: Applied practical work.
Module-inhoud:
Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes: regulation at the genome, transcription, RNA processing and translation levels. DNA elements and protein factors involved in gene control. The role of chromatin structure and epigenetic changes. Technology and experimental approaches used in studying eukaryotic gene control. Applications of the principles of gene control in eg cell signaling pathways, development cancer and other diseases in humans.
Module-inhoud:
A unifying framework for biology. Mechanisms involved in the evolution of genes, genomes and species. Comparative genomics across the kingdoms of life. Phylogenetic inference. Applications of phylogenetics and evolutionary genomics research, including relevance to sustainable development goals for food security, good health and the biosphere.
Module-inhoud:
Application of modern genetics to human variability, health and disease. Molecular origin of Mendelian and multifactorial diseases. The use of polymorphisms, gene mapping, linkage and association studies in medical genetics. Genetic diagnosis: application of cytogenetic, molecular and genomic techniques. Congenital abnormalities, risk assessment and genetic consultation. Prenatal testing, population screening, treatment of genetic diseases and gene-based therapy. Pharmacogenetics and cancer genetics. Ethical aspects in medical genetics.
Module-inhoud:
This module provides an introduction to the field of psychopathology, or abnormal psychology, which deals with psychological disorders. The module covers both child psychopathology and adult psychopathology. The first quarter focuses on the identification of abnormal behaviour in children. It addresses how abnormal behaviour in children is defined and understood, as well as how such behaviour is assessed, diagnosed and treated. Specific disorders of childhood will be explored in terms of their symptom profiles and clinical presentations, as well as their causes. The second quarter provides an introduction to the assessment and diagnosis of adult abnormal behaviour. The symptomology and aetiology of various adult psychological disorders are critically discussed from a multidimensional perspective. The overall aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the core characteristics of both child and adult psychopathology in order to apply this to the diagnostic process.
Module-inhoud:
Processes that affect genetic evolution: mutation, drift, natural selection and recombination. Fisher-Wright and coalescence models. Groupings of genes: linkage, inbreeding, population structure and gene flow. Neutral and nearly neutral theory. Quantitative genetics and the phenotype. Optimality. Adaptation. Levels of selection in sex ratios and conflict. Reproductive value and life history. Relatedness and kin selection. Sexual reproduction and selection. Genomic complexity and neutrality.
Module-inhoud:
The module offers an introduction to research methods in the social sciences and humanities. The module aims to equip students with essential skills to navigate the research process effectively, from conceptualisation to interpretation and dissemination. Throughout the module, students develop an understanding of (i) identifying social problems, (ii) developing research questions and hypotheses, (iii) constructing effective literature reviews and research proposals, (iv) selecting appropriate research methods, (v) as well as understanding the importance of conducting ethically sound research, and (vi) interpreting and presenting data using graphical methods.
Module-inhoud:
This module consists of two distinct yet interrelated units namely Critical Psychology and Community Psychology. Critical Psychology scrutinizes the foundational assumptions and practices of mainstream psychology, particularly its contribution to maintaining power imbalances and its effects on marginalized groups. It seeks to uncover and challenge the ways in which traditional psychological theories and practices may perpetuate societal issues like racism or sexism. Community Psychology, on the other hand, applies psychological knowledge to promote health, well-being, and empowerment at the individual, group, and community levels. It emphasizes understanding and addressing psychosocial problems within the context of sociopolitical and cultural factors, particularly in diverse and complex communities.
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