Master of Science (MSc)

A Master of Science (MSc) equips students with skills for a career in the private sector or for PhD research.

Our Department offers MSc programmes in Entomology, Wildlife Management or Zoology. We also offer the MScAgric in Entomology for students with a four-year undergraduate agriculture degree who wish to pursue research in agricultural entomology.

The MSc degree is conferred on the grounds of a written dissertation (but may involve additional postgraduate coursework, if prescribed by the Dean). The dissertation reports the results of a research project undertaken by the student.

When submitting your dissertation for examination it is compulsory for you to include with it a draft manuscript that is suitable for submission to a journal for publication. The Department strongly encourages that you work with you supersor(s) to develop your "concept manuscript" for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal before submission of your dissertation so that there is some chance of it already having been accepted for publication. This demonstrates your mastery of the scientific process and improves your profile when applying for scholarship and employment opportunities.

The duration of study is a minimum of one year uninterrupted full-time study, but 18 months of full-time study from registration to dissertation submission is the norm. To remain in the MSc degree programme, students must demonstrate satistfactory progress by:

  • Presentation of an oral research proposal within three months of registration
  • Delivery of an oral presentation of research results to the Department at its Annual General Meeting at the end of the first calendar year of registration
  • Meeting milestones agreed to between the student and supervisor(s) in a memorandum of agreement

The entry requirement for MSc degree study in Entomology, Wildlife Science or Zoology is a BScHons degree (or BScAgric for the MScAgric Entomology) in an appropriate field, with an average of at least 60% in the Honours year. Potential MSc students must also have the support of a potential supervisor in the Department to be offered admission. If you are interested in pursuing MSc degree study within the Department of Zoology and Entomology, contact a potential supervisor from amongst the academic staff with similar interests to your own to discuss available options and obtain in-principle support before applying for admission.

Applications for admission should be submitted using the UP online application form.

For further information, or for assistance in identifying a suitable potential supervisor, contact the Postgraduate Coordinators, Prof. Catherine Sole and Dr Honest Machekano.

To find out more about being a postgraduate student in the Department of Zoology and Entomology, or to raise an issue relating to the postgraduate experience within the Department, contact one of the the Postgraduate Representatives Dylan DacreCourtney Robertson or Dené Visser.

MSc dissertation submission

There is a process that needs to be followed in the lead-up to MSc dissertation submission. Click here for more information.

MSc bursary opportunities

MSc bursaries are often linked to specific projects for which research funds have been obtained by academic staff. Advertisements for these project-linked bursaries are circulated on the mailing lists of scientific societies and on the Facebook page of the Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria.

MSc bursaries can also be sought from external sources:

Dr Sylvia Meek South Africa Scholarship for Entomology

In partnership with Malaria Consortium, a non-profit organisation based in the UK, the Department of Zoology and Entomology hosts a prestigious, competitive scholarship to support one student conducting research on public health entomology and registered in the MSc in Entomology programme. A call for applications is usually made in the second half of the year preceding the year of commencement. Applicants must be nationals of an African country.

http://www.malariaconsortium.org

GreenMatter Fellowships

The GreenMatter Fellowships support outstanding graduates, passionate young professionals and experienced leaders from all walks of life to pursue Honours, MSc and PhD study. It promotes the view that leadership for biodiversity can and should be evident across sectors, occupations, qualifications and positions.

The GreenMatter Fellowship has several unique characteristics. These include:
  • Specifically targeting the priority skills needs of the biodiversity sector, as informed by research;
  • Providing a quality, holistic support package, supplementing financial awards with mentoring, personal and professional development support; and
  • Supporting individuals, but also connecting them to the wider national context.

http://www.greenmatterza.com/

NRF Freestanding, Scarce Skills and Innovation Masters Scholarships

The South African National Research Foundation offers MSc scholarships on a competitive basis to South African citizens registered for MSc degree study at South African Universities. Applications are usually due in May of the year preceding the year of commencement.

http://www.nrf.ac.za/funding

Bursaries from South African agriculture industries

Students pursuing MSc projects that directly benefit one of the South African agriculture industries may be able to apply for a bursary from the relevant sector. Examples include (others are advertised during the year):

Citrus Academy

Oil and Protein Seeds Development Trust

- Author C. Weldon

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