Bachelor of Science Honours

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Science. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

• The (first) purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with Postgraduate level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of fields of the biological sciences that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity in the private, public and academic spheres and rewarding contributions to society.
• The (second) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of honours graduates in a number of biological science fields in order to ensure the broadening of local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activities.
• The (third) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with a cadre of scientists who are prepared to commence a career in research.
• The (fourth) purpose of the qualification is to train students to be able to practice theoretical and experimental biological science with a greatly improved level of self-confidence.
• The (fifth) purpose of the qualification is to prepare students for advanced graduate studies.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor of Sciences in the related field, Level 7.

Critical Cross field outcomes.

The Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) Honours (Hons) (in the field of the biological sciences) graduate will understand the place and the importance of biological sciences in human endeavour and have a basic knowledge of the philosophy and ethics of biological sciences. The graduate will be able to demonstrate competence in specialised field outcomes, such as identifying and solving problems using critical and creative thinking, working effectively on projects as an individual or as part of a team, finding relevant information and applying it in a problem solving context in the biological sciences, communicating science and technology in both writing and verbally in a precise and coherent way.

General Outcomes.

The graduate will have the following outcomes

1. A sound knowledge of the theoretical background in the core aspects of the chosen honours programme of biological sciences, that is obtained through self-learning and through formal teaching;
2. Sound practical skills in the chosen honours programme of the biological sciences;
3. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of scientific equipment, techniques and experimental approaches;
4. Demonstrate that he/she has acquired a solid scientific background to practice as a fully independent scientist in the chosen field of the biological sciences.

Specific Outcomes.

The BSc Hons (in the field of the biological sciences) graduate will have

1. An advanced understanding of the living cells on a molecular, cellular, organism and ecological level;
2. The ability to apply theoretical knowledge independently in understanding, investigating and solving biological problems;

3.The ability to use relevant statistical and computer-based methods for the analysis of biological data;

1. An awareness of the ethical, legal and social responsibility of biological investigations;
2. Depending on the choice of the programme, the graduate qualified in a number of fields is able to work as a beginning-level research scientist. for example:

• The BSc Hons in Animal Physiology graduate will have advanced theoretical knowledge of, and practical experience of advanced techniques in, applied Animal Physiology. Graduates will also have developed skills in science, communication (written and verbal), gain the ability to understand and interpret literature in the field of animal Physiology and to evaluate scientific observations, data and literature.
• The BSc Hons in Biochemistry graduate will have the ability to apply theoretical knowledge and utilise resources to understand and solve problems in Biochemistry and related life sciences; the knowledge and technical skills of various well-documented measure the physical properties of biological matter; the ability to verify and apply well-documented laboratory procedures in the field of biochemistry; the ability to plan, execute, evaluate and report on experiments in the field of biochemistry.
• The BSc Hons in Botany graduate will gain a sound, in-depth understanding of theoretical and applied aspects of Botany, well developed skills in science communication (written and verbal) ability to evaluate literature important to Botany, and understand the value/limitations of scientific observations, data and knowledge.
• The BSc Hons in Entomology graduate will have a sound knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of entomology, the capacity for independent advanced study in a specialised field via the completion of various assignments, tasks and research projects which meet the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals.
• The BSc Hons in Genetics graduate will have specialised theoretical knowledge of, and practical experience with advanced techniques in cytogenesis, molecular genetics, genetic engineering, molecular marker analysis and genetic data analysis. Graduates will be able to disseminate and discuss relevant literature and be well erased with the latest literature.
• The BSc Hons in Microbiology graduate will have a specialised knowledge of techniques in microbiology, be well versed with literature relevant to microbiology and will be able to communicate ideas and knowledge to other scientists concerning issues important to microbiology.
• The BSc Hons in Nematology graduate will have a sound knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of nematology, the capacity for independent advanced study in a specialised field via the completion of various assignments, tasks and research projects which meet the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals.
• The BSc Hons in Physiology graduate will have specialised theoretical knowledge of, and practical experience in advanced techniques in applied physiology. Graduates will also develop skills in science, communication (written and verbal) and master the ability to understand and interpret literature in the field of Physiology and to evaluate scientific observations, data and literature.
• The BSc Hons in Plant biotechnology graduate will have a sound knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of plant metabolism and plant biotechnology as well as practical skills in advanced plant biotechnological techniques. The graduate will be well versed in the scientific method and will be able to communicate ideas and knowledge to other scientists.
• The BSc Hons in Zoology graduate will have specialised contemporary knowledge and a sound grasp of principles underpinning the molecular genetics of populations and species, environmental management, the destruction of natural ecosystems and the concomitant loss of African biodiversity and animal behaviour. The graduate who specializes in the zoological sciences will be able to work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, and organisation in agriculture, conservation, the museum sciences, veterinary and health sciences and environmental management.
• The BSc Hons in Zoology (Palaeontology) graduate will have specialised theoretical knowledge of, and practical experience in field and laboratory techniques in contemporary Palaeontology. In particular the student will have an in depth knowledge of the evolution and extinction of life on the African continent as manifested by its geological and climatologically history. Skills developed in communication, philosophy of biology and the ability to critically evaluate scientific observations, will enable the graduate to work individually or as a team member in the museum sciences, tertiary education, conservation, environmental management or the eco-tourism industry.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.
• A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as seminar, laboratory and field assessments, written, laboratory and oral examinations are used.
• The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for Level 7.

Integrated Assessment

The knowledge of the students in a particular programme of biological sciences will be assessed through written literature review and project reports, practical tests, oral presentations and final oral and written examinations. The assessment procedures will attempt to assess the holistic knowledge and interpretative skills of the students.