Human Genetics

The Bachelor of Health Sciences with Honours in the field of Human Genetics provides a broad overview of the rapidly expanding discipline of human genetics and explores the many exciting applications of genetics to human health and disease.

Overview

The programme is hosted by the Division of Human Genetics at the National Health Laboratory Service (Braamfontein campus), where students will enjoy first-hand exposure to a functional diagnostics laboratory and a clinical genetic service. In addition to receiving a strong theoretical foundation, students will receive laboratory training in basic molecular genetic techniques. Students will be given an opportunity to learn and practice their data analytic skills through individually assigned research projects. Candidates looking to equip themselves with the skills needed to apply genetic knowledge to human health and well-being are strongly encouraged to consider this course.

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Human Genetics Honours degree will afford access to the following career opportunities:

  • Biomedical consumable/equipment sales representative
  • Scientific writer
  • Research Assistant
  • Medical Scientist: students will need to complete an internship recognized by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
  • Genetic Counsellor: students will need to complete a Masters in Genetic Counselling degree and internship
  • Researcher/Lecturer in Human Genetics: students will need to obtain a Masters and PhD degree
  • Physician: students will need to be accepted into medicine via the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP)

Curriculum

The course has both theory and a research component. As part of the theory component, students are required to attend lectures covering a broad range of human genetics concepts, including, but not limited to: cytogenetics, Mendelian inheritance, multifactorial inheritance, clinical genetics, pharmacogenetics, epigenetics, gene regulation, bioinformatics and next-generation sequencing technologies.

For the research component, each student is tasked with a small project, through which they will experience the different facets of genetic research, from study design, and writing research proposal to analytical skills, results interpretation, and research report write-up.

Entry Requirements

Graduates with a BHSc or BSc. A third-year average mark of 65% or greater, with at least one major in a molecular biology discipline (genetics/genetics and developmental biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine) or bioinformatics is required. This is the minimum percentage required for students to qualify to apply for this programme. Please note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee students a place in this programme.

Applicants without a background in molecular biology may be considered in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a psychology graduate interested in behavioural genetics or a computer science graduate interested in bioinformatics). In such circumstances, candidates may be required to write an entrance exam.

Students are shortlisted based on their third-year mid-year marks. In addition to submitting transcripts on the application portals, students need to submit their 3rd year-mid-year progress reports or transcripts with mid-year marks to witshumangeneticshonours@gmail.com. Reports/transcripts should be submitted as a single PDF document and named as follows: surname_firstname_progressreport eg. ngcungcu_thandiswa_ progressreport.

Students with additional queries regarding entry requirements should send all enquiries to witshumangeneticshonours@gmail.com or the course coordinator.

Note: Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the programme does not guarantee students a place in this programme.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.