UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Introduction to the Degree of Bachelor of Science in MCB






A Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) will provide a student with a sound foundation in the most topical, and in-demand, biology field in the world. No other biology subject area gets as much coverage in the popular press.

Why study Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of the Witwatersrand?

  • The University of the Witwatersrand is a leading South African University

  • The University of the Witwatersrand is a university of international standing.

  • Wits University has a School dedicated to this exciting field of study.

  • The curriculum offered by the School gives students a sound foundation in modern Molecular and Cell Biology, and the short course system allows students to customise their degrees.

  • Academic and support staff with proven credentials in Molecular and Cell Biology.

A MCB BSc graduate could directly enter the work market or could further his/her studies by registering for the MCB Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours. Fields of employment open to graduates include research and industry:

Research Industry
  • University Research Groups
  • South African Institute for Medical Research
  • Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  • Food Research Institute
  • Irene Animal Production Unit
  • The Department of Health
  • The Department of Agriculture
  • Onderstepoort
  • The National Botanical Institute
  • The Horticultural Research Institute
  • Hospital departments
  • Biotechnology
  • Food Industry
  • Chemical Industry
  • Breweries
  • Dairy Industry
  • Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Mining Industry
  • Agricultural Co-operatives
  • Clinical Pathology Laboratories
  • Water purification

Planning a BSc Degree in MCB

Courses within theBiological Sciences in the Faculty of Science are taught on the short course system. For each course, a student needs a preset number of points: 36 points for a first-year course, 48 points for a second-year course and 72 points for a third-year course. Since a short course has a point value of between 9 and 18 points, several short courses will constitute a course. The short course system allows a student to customise his/her degree. There is, however, no chance of a student not getting a good, solid, internationally competitive degree - academic staff members determine which short courses are fundamental for an BSc Degree in MCB and these short courses are compulsory. To obtain the desired number of points for a course, a student will select optional short courses to complement his/her compulsory short courses. The short course system enables a students to obtain a solid degree which has been customised, by the student, for personal preference and current market demand. The map below shows the courses offered within MCB.

Image Map of MCB Courses

 

  First Year
Introductory Life Sciences
Complementary Life Sciences		  
Second Year
Molecular and Cell Biology (MCBIIA)
Scienctific Practice IIA
Concepts IIB
Applications IIC		   Third Year
Biochemistry and Cell Biology III
Genetics and Development III
Microbiology and Biotechnology III


To obtain a degree a student requires a total of 396 points. At least 240 of these points must be obtained from second and third year level courses, including at least 72 points for a subject at third year level.

A student must pass the pre-requisite courses as well as the specific third year course to major in a particualr area of study. For example, a student that has passed MCBIIA: Scientific Practice, MCBIIB: Concepts, the MCBIIC: Applications short course, Current topics in Microbiology, and Biotechnology III will obtain a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology in the field of Microbiology and Biotechnology. However, provided that the student has completed and passed the compulsory short courses for Microbiology and Biotechnology III, he/she could customize his/her course by incorporating short courses from the Biochemistry and Cell Biology and/or Genetics and Developmental Biology field(s). Obviously, the same flexibility is available for students majoring in either Biochemistry and Cell Biology or Genetics and Developmental Biology.

Prospective students should note that second- year and third-year courses have pre-requisites.

It is recommended that students refer to the "Biological Sciences Handbook" for 2011 and the Faculty of Science "Rules and Syllabuses" booklet for 2011.