Bachelor of Science Honours in Biochemistry

Purpose

The Bachelor of Science Honours in Biochemistry is a theoretical and laboratory practical-oriented qualification that provides knowledge in Biochemistry. Learners are taught research-oriented Biochemistry techniques, scientific literature and evaluation skills through critical analysis of published articles that they present during journal club sessions, and scientific writing skills (via proposal and dissertation writing). Learners are also taught how to plan, conduct, assess and report hypothesis-driven research.

Because learners are at the formative years of research, learners are assigned supervisors based on the learner's interest. The supervisor chooses a topic for the learner and through intensive guidance on a one-on-one setting as well as a classroom teaching and group discussion setting, learners go through from planning, proposal writing, and implementation of the study protocol and writing of the research paper.

Qualifying learners will have acquired the following

• Application of Biochemistry theoretical knowledge towards solving life problems as in the case of a research problem.
• Principles and practical knowledge of research-oriented Biochemistry techniques.
• Critical analysis of scientific literature.
• Scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Skills to develop and implement hypothesis-driven research.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Understanding of learner-supervisor relationship.

Also, learners are taught Biochemistry techniques that they may use when investigating Biomedical research questions in their Master of Science qualification.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Science Honours in Biochemistry was identified as a needed qualification so that individuals pursuing Medical Science as a career can register as Medical Biological Scientists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). It is mandatory that individuals who want to practise as Medical Biological Scientists must hold a Bachelor of Science Honours, complete an internship training of twenty-four months at an internship training facility that is accredited by the board, and pass an examination as determined by the board for registration.

According to the 2009 HPCSA regulations relating to the qualification for registration of the Medical Scientists that were developed under section 24 of Act No. 56 of 1974, Bachelor of Science Honours qualification must include a research component and principles of scientific methodology. The Bachelor of Science Honours in Biochemistry offered at Walter Sisulu University is designed to provide advanced knowledge in Molecular Biology techniques and theoretical aspects of mechanisms related to the development of diseases. The major component of the program is research-oriented and entails seminars in Research Methodology, which are followed by a specific research project to be conducted by each learner.

The qualification is a transitional phase for learners from a generic undergraduate qualification to specialised and research-oriented master qualification and doctoral that provide training for them to be qualified Medical Scientists who can be employed as lecturers, research assistants, technicians in diagnostic laboratories, and Specialist Scientists in research institutions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy is used to grant access and advanced standing, if applicable. This will be based on the entry-level qualification of the learner who completed Bachelor of Medical Sciences in Biochemistry or other related biomedical sciences fields such as Biotechnology and Genetics.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Medical Science in Biochemistry, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Other related medical sciences qualifications, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 8, totalling 126 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 8, 106 Credits

• Research Project, 60 Credits.
• Seminars in Biochemistry, 30 Credits.
• Biochemical Instrumentation and Techniques, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 8, 20 Credits (Choose one)

• Nutritional Biochemistry, 20 Credits.
• Clinical Biochemistry, 20 Credits.
• Molecular Biochemistry, 20 Credits.
• Biotechnology, 20 Credits.

1. Understand fundamental principles governing molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in health and diseases.
2. Exposure to current 'omics' technologies that are used in the laboratory to investigate trends and mechanisms of diseases in communities and populations, country-wide.
3. Acquire basic laboratory techniques and standard operating procedures applicable in research and diagnostics.
4. Design and implement research studies, and communicate findings scientifically using the appropriate methodologies and platforms.
5. Develop critical analytical skills essential in understanding scientific and technical publications.
6. Complete the three compulsory and one elective module successfully.
7. Complete a mini-dissertation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1 and 2

• Assess the understanding of biochemical mechanisms related to health and diseases and 'omics' technologies through written assignments and oral presentations.
• Allocate marks for a written assignment and oral presentation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Assess acquisition of basic laboratory techniques and standard operating procedures via observations of the learner during the practical session and through written practical reports.
• Allocate marks for each written practical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Submit a written proposal, design a study and present a project plan.
• Implement the proposed study, analyse, and present final findings to different audiences within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Choose published original research articles that are related to their research topic and critically analyse and orally present it to the departmental audience.
• Allocate marks for the oral presentation.
• Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6 and 7
• Assessment must incorporate formative and summative assessments.

Integrated Assessment

There is no summative assessment in these modules. Formative assessment contributes towards the final marks, and are as follows:

Compulsory Modules

Seminars in Biochemistry.

An intensive theory-based module. Topics in biochemical mechanisms related to health and diseases and 'omics' are given to learners to choose from. Each learner is expected to choose four topics from the list given, and write a review assignment followed by an oral presentation. The assignments are marked by different Biochemistry lecturers. There are also formative exercises (feedback) for oral presentations to assist learners in identifying gaps in knowledge to formulate intervention strategies. Oral presentations and written assignments marks from each assessor (Biochemistry lecturers) are compiled to give the formative and final mark.

Biochemical Instrumentation and Techniques

In this module, learners are trained in basic laboratory techniques and standard operating procedures. The practical sessions are accompanied by seminars on the principles of or theory behind Biochemistry techniques. After each practical session, learners are expected to write a practical report. Each practical report must include a principle of the technique and experiments related to it, which were done during each practical session. Marks obtained from these practical reports are compiled, and an average will be used as a formative and final mark.

Elective modules

There is no summative assessment in these modules. Formative assessment contributes towards the final marks. Topics in Biochemistry of Nutrition, Biotechnology, Chemical pathology (Clinical Biochemistry), and Molecular Biochemistry are given to learners to choose from. Each learner is expected to choose two topics from the list given for each module, and write an assignment on the review of each topic, followed by an oral presentation. The assignments are marked by different Biochemistry lecturers. There are also formative exercises (feedback) for oral presentations to assist learners in identifying gaps in knowledge to formulate intervention strategies. Oral presentations and written assignments marks from each assessor (Biochemistry/Chemical Pathology lecturers) are compiled to give the formative and final mark. Clinical Biochemistry is outsourced from the Department of Chemical Pathology.

Research Project

Learners design a research study under the supervision of a qualified researcher. A research proposal is submitted for Science and Ethics review to the respective committees in the Faculty of Health Sciences. After that, execution of the research study by each learner is supervised, and findings presented orally and as a mini-dissertation.

The examination panel consists of (1) internal examiner and (1) external examiner. The internal examiner should not be the supervisor of the project. External examiners with appropriate qualifications are approved by the Senate. The average of the internal and external examiner marks constitutes the final project mark. If the difference between the two marks, a third examiner assesses the written mini-dissertation. A learner will be required to resubmit the project if he/she has failed to obtain the minimum mandatory 50% in the project.