Immunology

The Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours in the field of Immunology is a one-year full-time programme.

Overview

The programme consists of two components, namely coursework (IMML4001A) and a mini-research project (IMML4002A). The coursework is delivered in the form of formal lectures; practical sessions; research methodology; journal clubs and small group teaching.

The mini-project introduces students to Immunology research, which is carried out under supervision. Specific research areas of interest include Infectious Diseases, Autoimmune Diseases, Allergy and Transplant Immunology.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities following completion of the Immunology programme include:

  • Research Assistant
  • Science Writer
  • Medical Scientist - completion of an internship recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is essential.
  • Biomedical consumable or equipment representative.
  • Medical doctor- students will need to be accepted into medicine via the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP).

Curriculum

The objectives of the Honours programme include, but are not limited to, understanding of the immune system function and how it provides defence against microorganisms, pathogenesis of immune system disorders and strategies to correct the disorders.

The focus is also on the demonstrable ability to perform practical techniques used in diagnostic and research immunology laboratories, conform to ethical standards, and follow good laboratory practices.

The Honours programme has a research component where students are assessed on the ability to review scientific literature, use an experimental approach to test a hypothesis, interpret the resulting scientific data, and communicate effectively in both oral and written scientific forms.

Lecture topics include:

Introduction to Basic Concepts in Immunology and Applied Immunology
Innate Immune System
Adaptive Immune System
Applied Immunology

The research component aims to provide students with an introduction to scientific methodology and research including formulating a research proposal, undertaking a literature review, application to the Ethics Committee, conducting data collection and analysis and report writing in the form of a mini-dissertation.

There will be short components in research ethics, quantitative and qualitative research and an introduction to statistics.

Each student will undertake a research project supervised by a member of staff. The project topic will be chosen from a list of provided topics.

Entry Requirements

For admission into the Honours programme, you should have obtained an average of at least 65% for your overall undergraduate degree.  

Graduates with a BHSc or BSc with majors in disciplines which are applicable to Immunology, including Physiology, Molecular medicine, Haematology, Infectious diseases or any pathology-related subject are preferable.

Please note that meeting the minimum entry requirement does not guarantee students a place in the programme; students with higher marks will be given preferential acceptance.

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. Refer to Wits Postgraduate Online Applications Guide for detailed guidelines. 
  • 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. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. 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.