Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry major)
Overview
The Bachelor of Science – Biochemistry is offered from the Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses. Biochemistry focuses on the chemical processes within living organisms, blending biology and chemistry to understand life at a molecular level.
SAQA
84728
NQF LEVEL
07
DURATION
3 Years
CAO CODE
KN-P-BG4
KN-W-BG4
CLOSING DATE
30 September
DISCIPLINE
Entry Requirements
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) – Degree (Pass).
- APS score of no fewer than 28 points.
- Mathematics at Level 4 and Physical Science, Life Science or Agricultural Science at Level 4.
Modules
Semester 1
- The Smaller Side of Life – BIOL101 (16 Credits)
- General Principles of Chemistry – CHEM110 (16 Credits)
- Mathematics for Natural Sciences – MATH150 (16 Credits)
- Intro Physics for Life Sciences & Agriculture – PHYS131 (16 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits
Semester 2
- Life on Earth – BIOL102 (16 Credits)
- Chemical Reactivity – CHEM120 (16 Credits)
- Introduction to Statistics – STAT130 (16 Credits)
- Elective (16 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits.
Semester 1
Pietermaritzburg Campus
- Introduction to Biomolecules – BIOC201 (16 Credits)
- Organic Chemistry – CHEM220 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
- Introduction to Biomolecules – BIOC201 (16 Credits)
- Organic Chemistry – CHEM220 (16 Credits)
- 32 credits from the second major at Level 2 (32 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits
Semester 2
Pietermaritzburg Campus
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism – BIOC212 (16 Credits)
- Molecular DNA Technology – RDNA202 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
- Bioenergetics and Integrated Metabolism – BIOC202 (16 Credits)
- Molecular DNA
Technology – RDNA202 (16 Credits) - 32 credits from the second major at Level 2 (32 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits
Semester 1
Pietermaritzburg Campus
- DNA Chemistry – BIOC315 (16 Credits)
- Biochemical Methods – BIOC311 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
- RNA Chemistry and Gene Expression – BIOC307 (16 Credits)
- DNA Chemistry – BIOC315 (16 Credits)
- 32 credits from the second major (32 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits
Semester 2
Pietermaritzburg Campus
- Cellular Regulation and Signalling – BIOC300 (16 Credits)
- Immuno- and Protein Chemistry – BIOC316 (16 Credits)
Westville Campus
- Immuno- and Protein Chemistry – BIOC316 (16 Credits)
- PhysiologicalBiochemistry – BIOC308 (16 Credits)
- 32 credits from the second major at Level 2 (32 Credits)
Total Credits: 64 Credits
What do they actually do?
Biochemists examine the structure and functions of chemical compounds in all living organisms such as plants, animals, insects, viruses and microbes. Biochemists work only with those chemicals and reactions that occur in living organisms. Biochemists work to produce human insulin, prenatal diagnosis of genetic conditions and DNA testing. Improvements in crop yield are a result of the work of biochemists. Biochemists study the building blocks and components of living organisms, as well as their functioning and physical qualities.
The objectives:
- To identify and describe the chemical components of cells.
- Secondly, to discover how these components act and interact in processes essential to life.
Areas of Employment
- Government departments, such as Agriculture and Health
- Research organisations like SABS, CSIR, SA Medical Research Council and NECSA
- Universities and Universities of
Technology (faculties of medicine,
science and agriculture) - Industries that manufacture food,
beverages, drugs, insecticides and
cosmetics - Municipalities
- Large hospitals
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Breweries and wine corporations
- Self-employment, as a consultant to
industry and government
Apply today and take the next step toward your future.