BHSc (Honours) Chemical Pathology

Chemical Pathology is a multi-faceted discipline which intersects with a number of specialities in medicine. Nationally there is a profound lack of adequately qualified scientists in this field.

Overview

To bridge the gap, this Honours programme, aims to provide the appropriate molecular, biomedical and analytical skills to suitably qualified and interested students.

The Department of Chemical Pathology is located on the 3rd floor at WITS Medical School. This honours course aims to equip students for laboratory-based research focused on the pathophysiology of diseases (e.g. diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease) and the establishment/validation of new diagnostic tests.

The course introduces students to key concepts relating to molecular biology, pathogenesis of diseases, mass spectrometry as well as basic human physiology and biochemistry.  At the end of the course, students should have sufficient theoretical knowledge and research tools to lay the foundation for an exciting career in the biomedical/health sciences arena.

Career Opportunities

The Chemical Pathology honours programme will allow graduates to undertake research in a wide array of medical disciplines.  Upon completion of this degree, students will be eligible to register for the HPCSA intern medical scientist programme. Potential careers include:

  1. Scientist in an academic or private medical/diagnostic laboratory
  2. Medical sales representative
  3. Application specialist in a pharmaceutical/biotechnology company
  4. Clinical research associate
  5. Data analyst in financial services
  6. Consultancy
  7. Teaching
  8. Intellectual property and patent lawyers
  9. Science writer, journalist or editor

Further studies may be required for some of the careers listed.

Curriculum

The degree consists of a coursework and research component.

The coursework component consists of a series of theoretical topics in molecular biology, endocrinology and physiology related to Chemical Pathology. Examples of topics covered include therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetics, obesity and diabetes. These topics are assessed in two written exams.  Students are required to write a review article and complete assignments (practical and/or theoretical). In addition, students will complete a three-week techniques course covering molecular biology, immunohistochemistry and chromatography techniques.

The research component requires students to complete a six-month research project. The students are required to write a comprehensive research report and to present their work orally.  

Entry Requirements

Admission into this course requires students to have a BHSc/BSc degree (NQF7) with majors in Molecular Medicine, Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology or similar. A minimum of 60% is required for major third year subjects.

Please note: This is the minimum percentage required for students to qualify to apply for this programme. Meeting the minimum entry requirements 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.