Institutions Offering the Course
Department of Genetics - University of the Free State
The University of the Free State (UFS) is one of South Africa's oldest universities, and celebrated its centenary in 2004. The University is a multicultural and multi-lingual institution with parallel-medium instruction (English and Afrikaans). The University is recognised as a leader in transformation and is committed to serving the community.
The Department of Genetics at the University of Freestate offers undergraduate courses in genetics where the science of heredity is studied on the molecular level (DNA and gene expression), the cellular level (studies of chromosomes) and the level of the organism (population genetics). At undergraduate level Genetics forms part of the introductory biology at first year level and is presented as a complete subject from the second year. At post graduate level students may specialize in Forensic Genetics, Conservation Genetics, Population Genetics, Cytotaxonomy, Molecular Systematics, Behavioural Genetics or combinations of these fields.
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) was founded in 1829, it is not only known for its picturesque location but its excellence as a research institution. UCT has been described as a cultural melting pot with the students and staff comprising over 100 different countries from within Africa and the rest of the world.
The department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UCT offers a three year undergraduate Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Genetics, Microbiology and/or Biochemistry. The first year of the course is a standard B.Sc in which chemistry, mathematics, statistics and biology are some of the subjects required. The next two years are specializations into at least two of the majors offered by the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. The third year also includes a mini research project which contributes to the overall mark of the course and a pass is a prerequisite for graduating.
