Human Biology

The Bachelor of Health Sciences with Honours in the field of Human Biology is a course aimed at students with interests in the broad discipline of Human and Comparative Biology. It is a research intensive course with research areas related, but not limited, to human and comparative skeletal biology,

Overview

The Bachelor of Health Sciences with Honours in the field of Human Biology is taught by the School of Anatomical Sciences. It is a research intensive course which deals with research skill development (scientific literacy, critical thinking) within the broad discipline of Human and Comparative Biology. It covers key concepts and new discoveries pertaining to evolutionary aspects of research in human biology through a series of seminars, essays and short courses in basic statistics and scientific writing. The emphasis is on independent learning and the acquisition of research skills. Students also complete a full year course in human morphological anatomy. 

Career Opportunities

Like many Honours courses, a BHSc Honours in Human Biology is primarily intended for students who wish to continue their postgraduate studies with an MSc or PhD. However, completion of the BHSc Honours in Human Biology may lead to careers involving work in:

  • Curation
  • Academia
  • Research
  • Forensic sciences
  • Human rights and humanitarian recovery missions

Possible employment opportunities may include:

  • Museums
  • Tertiary institutions (further study will be required)
  • South African Police Service (SAPS)
  • National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
  • Medical examiners offices (forensic mortuaries)
  • NGO and First Response Providers (Argentine Forensic Team, Kenyon International, United Nations, International Commissions, etc.) 

Curriculum

The BHSc(Hons) in Human Biology is a one year full-time course. It has a coursework and research component.

The coursework component involves:

  • Morphological anatomical
  • A series of seminars on key concepts underlying research in human and comparative biology
  • Short courses in basic statistics and scientific writing
  • Writing assignment(s)

The research component consists of a major research project which involves conducting a background literature review, formulating a specific research question and developing a protocol, conducting data collection and analysis, presenting the results, and writing a comprehensive report. Depending on the research topic selected, students will also be exposed to various research methodologies, such as skeletal analysis, microscopy, immunohistochemistry, etc.

Entry Requirements

An undergraduate degree (BA, BSc, BHSc) with a strong performance in anatomy and biological courses are preferable. A minimum of 60% for third year major courses 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. Students with higher marks will be given preferential acceptance.  

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.