Biology and Life Sciences

Biology is one of the most diverse of all the sciences and covers all aspects of the study of living organisms, ranging from understanding the gene to managing ecosystems. At the University of the Witwatersrand situated in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, four Schools within the Faculty of Science are involved in studying biology: Anatomical Sciences; Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences; Molecular and Cell Biology; and Physiology.

Throughout the courses offered at Wits across two schools, we expose students to the treasures uncovered by biological research. The journey includes the basics of the molecular basis of life, including the biochemistry of molecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins; the physiological functions of the cells, tissues, organs and organ systems; the influence of evolutionary relationships on a wide range of biological problems; and the complex interactions between the organisms that comprise ecological systems.

Two courses in Biology are offered at the first year level. These have been designed to cover the broad spectrum of modern biology and to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the fields available before making more specialised choices at second year level.