| Code | Faculty |
|---|---|
| 02240392 | Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences |
| Credits | Duration |
|---|---|
| Duration of study: 1 year | Total credits: 135 |
BScHons (Biotechnology) is a unique interdepartmental programme aimed at enabling students to pursue their interest in molecular biotechnology through relevant research areas offered within fields of biochemistry, plant science, microbiology and plant pathology, plant production, as well as genetics. Students within this programme will be registered and will conduct their studies within the department of their choice. A student’s choice of research programme will determine which of the respective departments will mentor their honours degree programme.
Renewal of registration
In calculating marks, General Regulation G.12.2 applies.
Apart from the prescribed coursework, a research project is an integral part of the study.
BSc in Biotechnology or equivalent degree with GTS 351, BCM 356 and MBY 364, an average pass mark of 60% or more at final-year level or permission by the head of department. Preference will be given to applicants with the highest final grade point averages for their preceding degree and qualifying applicants may be subjected to an entrance evaluation examination. Admission is furthermore contingent on the availability of supervisors and/or research projects within the participating departments.
Minimum credits: 135
Module content:
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 content:
Introduction to the principles and realities of working in the field of biotechnology. Discussions on various aspects, including entrepreneurship; intellectual property; patent rights; financial management; grant applications and product marketing. The module will be assessed by way of a simulated grant application for the development of a hypothetical biotechnological venture.
Module content:
Principles and applications of recombinant DNA, and other novel molecular and genomics technologies, to address questions in the biological sciences and/or biotechnology. Strong emphasis is placed on the principles of research planning, including identifying suitable research objectives, formulating a research strategy and understanding the relevance and feasibility of research. The module is assessed by means of a research project proposal, conceived and formulated by each student. The proposal must focus on the use of molecular technologies in addressing realistic questions in biology and/or biotechnology. There is also an oral defense of the project proposal.
This module is jointly presented in the departments of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology and Plant Pathology.
Module content:
Study and discussion of topical research results from recent scientific publications.
Module content:
The regulations of the International Code for Botanical Nomenclature. Principles of nomenclature. History of plant collecting. Type specimens.
Module content:
Regeneration of plants from seed under natural conditions. Early stages in the life of a plant from ovule to established seedling: seed production; seed predation; seed dispersal; seed germination and dormancy, seed bank dynamics and seedling establishment.
Module content:
Speciation in flowering plants; plant variation. Sex determination in flowering plants. Reproductive systems in flowering plants.
Module content:
Plant genome: structure and composition of the plant genome (nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplast); applications in plant biotechnology: plant tissue culture (microproagation, somatic embryogenesis and cell suspension cultures). Genetic manipulation and gene transfer technology (Agrobacterium-based and other) and DNA-marker technology.
Module content:
Regulation and interaction of primary plant metabolic pathways on the sub-cellular and whole plant level.
Module content:
Classification, identification and nomenclature, methodology of a revision study, analysis and presentation of taxonomic information, evolution, phylogeny and cladistics.
Module content:
Sources of taxonomic information; morphology, anatomy, chemotaxonomy, cytogenetics, reproductive biology, plant geography, palynology, ethnobotany and paleobotany. Importance of different characteristics, methods to obtain information and interpretation of observed patterns in variation.
Module content:
Creation of genetically modified plants and their impact on modern agriculture.
Module content:
Metabolism and functions of secondary compounds such as tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids and free amino acids. Importance of secondary compounds in the defence mechanisms of plants. Isolation and identification of medicinal bioactive compounds from plants. Their current scope and potential applications in ethnobotany. Strategies to discover new pharmaceuticals from ethnomedicine.
Module content:
Literature study, discussion and oral presentation of a subject related to the main discipline.
Module content:
Literature study of recent publications in a subject related to one of the elective disciplines.
Module content:
Principles of identification, classification and nomenclature; identification of plants; family recognition; collection of plant specimens for identification; herbarium as a source of information. Variation in seed plants and breeding systems. Practical work involves an excursion.
Module content:
Mapping and analysing spatial data. Theory and basic techniques of analysing and manipulating spatial data using geographical information systems. Mapping of vegetation types, species distributions and diversity, species traits. Understanding the spatial drivers of biodiversity patterns. The influence of scale on biodiversity analyses. Relevance for conservation planning for mapping biodiversity risk and prioritsing conservation, especially in a South African context.
Module content:
Students are guided to collect relevant literature from disparate papers and to condense and collate this into a written seminar. Seminars are presented, along with formal article talks. Themes and articles covered in the course form part of the written examination upon completion of the module.
Module content:
A mini-dissertation with well-defined limits is undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor. The students are allowed to choose from a number of projects from the different research programmes in the department. The module also has a strong theoretical component since emphasis is placed on writing and presenting a comprehensive literature review and project proposal. Additional technical and analytical training is provided. The project is concluded with a final report, presented in the format of a short manuscript, as well as a poster and an oral presentation.
Module content:
Discussions and essays focusing on a selection of advanced topics, as well as recent advances in the field of genetics, with an emphasis on contextualising these developments within the broader framework of the Biosciences and its role in modern society. Ethical and philosophical issues in genetics are debated.
Module content:
The module provides students with planning, data handling, writing, and presentation skills required for microbiological research. In addition, students are provided with hands-on experience in the advanced techniques utilised in research and analysis. Ethnical and philosophical issues in the broader field of Microbiology and Plant Pathology are also addressed.
Module content:
Students are guided to collect relevant literature from disparate papers in the broader field of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and to condense and collate this into a written seminar, which is also presented verbally.
Module content:
Discussions and essays focusing on recent advances in the broader field of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, as well as contextualising these developments within the broader framework of the Biosciences and its role in modern society.
Module content:
The module includes both practical and theoretical components. In addition to an individual research project with well-defined limits that is undertaken under the guidance of a lecturer, the module also acquaint the student with the theoretical aspects relevant to a specific research topic. The research project is thus preceded by the presentation of an in-depth review of the relevant literature, and the project is concluded with a progress report, presented in the format of a short publication and an oral presentation.
Module content:
Students are guided through the methodology of research planning and data handling, as well as science communication skills. They are offered hands-on experience in a range of advanced techniques employed in biochemistry, molecular technologies and biochemical analysis. Scientific writing and presentation skills required for research in biochemistry, are also addressed. Ethical and philosophical issues in the broader field of the Cellular and Molecular Sciences are also addressed. Several of these aspects will be presented collaboratively by the Department of Genetics and the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology.
Module content:
The latest trends towards a biological systems approach of metabolism, functional genomics and control. This includes integration of metabolic pathways, mechanisms of regulation and metabolic control analysis.
Module content:
Students are guided through the methodology of research planning and data handling. They are offered hands-on experience in a range of advanced techniques employed in molecular research and analysis. Scientific writing and presentation skills, required for research in genetics, are also addressed.
Module content:
Students are guided through the methodology of research planning and data handling. They are offered hands-on experience in a range of advanced techniques employed in molecular research and analysis.
Module content:
Applications of plant ecology principles in plant conservation: species-distribution modelling, alien plant invasions, conservation planning, threatened ecosystems, South African environmental legislation. Experimental design and vegetation survey techniques. Discussion of relevant topics in plant ecology. This module includes a compulsory 5-day field component.
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