UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Undergraduate - Introduction

Introduction

In line with modern trends in Biology, the Biological Sciences has amalgamated the Schools of Biochemistry, Botany, Genetics Microbiology and Zoology into 2 new Schools - the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences and the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. The aim of the amalgamation was to provide students with a more integrated approach to modern biology without compromising the study of specialist areas.

The staff of the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences recognise that most students enter university with some idea of the career they want to pursue. This in turn, influences their choice of subjects and short courses. We have therefore organised our short courses into three "Career Lines" or "Majors". However, it is important to remember that it is NOT necessary to specialise to any great extent at the undergraduate level as this degree is designed to provide a broad base. You will be able to change direction should you so wish at a later stage. We also believe that a degree should give you not only knowledge about the subject but also the ability to solve problems.

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Career Options

Possible fields of employment requiring a degree from the School of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences:

Nature conservation: National or Conservation Agencies, private wildlife enterprises, environmental NGOs. Environmental consultancy.
Research: In government and university institutions, eg Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Agriculture, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Department of Sea Fisheries, Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Veterinary Research Institute, Medical Schools, Biology Departments.
Museums: Transv l Museum is one example. There are many others.
Education: High School teaching, Universities, Corporate training. Technikons.
Scientific Journalism: Newspapers, journals, broadcasting, natural history movies.
Commerce: Private consulting firms, environmental divisions of large corporations, marketing, scientific services, mining and forestry companies.
Industry: Numerous industries are concerned with research and development and supply of Biological products and materials.
Law, Commerce, & Medicine A basic BSc degree forms an excellent first degree for any of these professions.

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Career Lines

Three broad Career Lines are offered in the School:

  1. Zoology
  2. Ecology, Environment and Conservation
  3. Plant Sciences

Students are encouraged to discuss their careers and course selection with staff members.

Notes for the guidance of students:

  1. Begin by defining your special area of interest. You will then find that the topics offered fall into natural categories. Furthermore, you will be able to select other appropriate co-majors in the Biological Sciences or other subject areas in the Faculty of Science. At third-year-level you have the opportunity to design your own course by opting for Advanced Biology.

    If your interests are not accommodated by the topics offered, please discuss the matter with a member of staff. The courses listed below are recommended, not compulsory.
  2. Students wishing to specifically pursue a career in Zoology, Plant Sciences or Ecology, Environment and Conservation, are strongly advised to proceed to the Honours degree. Note that an Honours degree is required for registration as a Natural Scientist.
  3. The class mark will be 40 percent of the final mark for undergraduate courses.
  4. Students may not normally register for both APES302H (Field work project) and APES302I (Laboratory project) in third year.
  5. Admission requirements/prerequisite courses:

    Ecology, Environment & Conservation II, Plant Sciences II and Zoology II.Chemistry I
    Introductory Life Sciences I or Biological Sciences IB, or Zoology I or Botany I or Biology I from other institutions.
    Ecology, Environment & Conservation III, Plant Sciences III and Zoology III. Ancillary Statistics I (STAT 113 or STAT 114) or Mathematics IB(Y) (MATH 124).
    Ecology, Environment and Conservation II, Plant Sciences II or Zoology II.

    NB. For students intending to continue with Ecology, Environment and Conservation, the course Ancillary Mathematics and Statistics I or Mathematics IB (Y) (MATH 143 or MATH 144 or MATH 124) is strongly recommended

  6. You may add courses from other disciplines in both Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences or Molecular and Cell Biology in the Faculty of Science to make up the required number of points for your major/majors.

APES Two-Year Model for 2nd and 3rd year short courses (12 or 18points)

We do things differently in APES. In order to maximize the number of short courses we can offer students during 2nd and 3rd year within limited timetable slots, we have devised a system called the APES 2-year model. What this means is that some short courses run every year, and these are called core courses. You should take some core courses at the start of your second year in order to learn essential "core" concepts. However all other courses will only run once, either in 2004 or 2005. You therefore must take the courses that interest you in the year they are available irrespective of whether they are 2nd (6 or 12 point) or 3rd (9 or 18 point) year courses. In other words students in their second year of study can take 3rd year courses, and students in their third year of study can take 2nd year courses.

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INFORMATION FOR ALL PROSPECTIVE BIOLOGY TEACHERS

Please note that any student who wishes to do a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) must have a minimum of 3 courses in biology, and 2 courses in a second teaching subject (see School of Education for further details). If you are not sure whether your courses are appropriate, speak to Ms M Doidge or Prof M Sanders.