Bachelor of Science Honours in Structural Biology
Purpose:
Source: SAQA official qualification record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Honours Degree
Credits
120
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of the Western Cape
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences
Subfield
Physical Sciences
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
Structural Biology is an inter-disciplinary field at the interface of biology and the physical sciences that seeks an understanding of the functions of biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids in terms of their molecular structures. Despite its huge impact on modern biology over the past decade, and its pivotal role in the growth of biotechnology worldwide, Structural Biology is still seriously under-represented in South Africa, due in large part to the lack of articulation between the biological and the physical sciences in South African universities, and the resultant shortage of biologists with sufficient background in the physical sciences and conversely industry.
Rationale
Structural Biology has made a huge impact on modern biology and medicine over the past decade. It plays a pivotal role in the growth of medical, agricultural and industrial biotechnology worldwide. The programme aims to address this shortage by providing training in the theoretical aspects of Structural Biology, followed by a research project in an associated laboratory in academia or industry. Furthermore, it will enable students to learn the methods and applications of Structural Biology.
Entry requirements and RPL
Students should have a basic understanding of Mathematics and Computation and have demonstrated the ability to reason scientifically. No prior knowledge of biology is assumed.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Access to the programme can also be provided in terms of the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria as stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidate's interest in the Structural Biology Studies an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.
Access to the Qualification
- A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification in any appropriate area with a minimum overall grade of 70%.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
Bachelor of Science Honours: Structural Biology, NQF Level 7, 120 credits.
All the modules offered as part of the course are compulsory.
The three core experimental techniques of Structural Biology
- X-ray crystallography.
- Bio-molecular NMR.
- Three-dimensional Electron Microscopy.
- Structural Bioinformatics and Molecular Modelling.
- Introductory Primers.
- Mathematical and Computations Methods.
- Techniques of Molecular Biology.
- Protein Expression and Purification.
- Cell Biology.
- Principles of Protein Structure.
- Application of Structural Biology in current research.
Exit level outcomes
The student must be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding and critical awareness of the theory and the methodologies of the fields studied in this course. The student must be able to apply this understanding to independently identify and solve new problems. Students should be able to prepare samples of proteins using biological expression systems suitable for structural analysis and be able to analyse the samples using X-ray crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electron Microscopy.
Associated assessment criteria
Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Medical Anthropology as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments, class tests and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented.
Furthermore, the student is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage a project in this context.
Integrated Assessment
The University adopted a Continuous Assessment System. Assessment consist of a number assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example, tests, essays, practical reports, project reports and oral presentations).
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
N/A
International comparability
This qualification responds to the specific and local needs. There is no direct comparability with qualifications in other countries.
Notes
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012; 2015.
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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