Biochemistry

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What is Biochemistry?

Biochemistry bridges the gap between chemistry and biology, exploring the chemical and molecular processes that drive life. Biochemists investigate everything from molecular structures to macromolecular interactions and their roles in biological functions. This deep understanding fuels scientific and medical advancements across diverse fields, including pharmaceuticals, forensics, and nutrition for both humans and animals.

The Department of Biochemistry cultivates a dynamic environment where advanced research is integrated with developing future scientific leaders. From our beginnings in 1974 as an emerging voice in the university’s scientific landscape, we have strived to be a place where fundamental change is brought about in our students, ourselves, our environment and in the way we understand life at the molecular level. That spirit thrives today in our laboratories and classrooms, guided by values of integrity, respect, communication and accountability.

“Our commitment to progress is reflected in areas such as steroid research, drug discovery, immunology, and systems biology – fields where groundbreaking insights inform teaching and fuel further inquiry.”

Our Programmes

The subject Biochemistry is a major in a variety of degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Science. The following degree programmes have Biochemistry as a major:

BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

This programme gives you the background knowledge to understand the functioning of living organisms at the molecular level, and lays the foundation for a career requiring knowledge and skills in Molecular Biology and its application in Biotechnology.

BSc Human Life Sciences

Physiology is the study of the human body and all of its intricate biochemical systems and pathways that make the human body function. This programme provides the basis for understanding the functioning of the human body and mind, from molecular to systems level.

BSc (Focal area: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology)

In this programme, biological questions are studied using enormous volumes of biological data, generated by highly parallelized methods used in modern biological research. You will acquire the skills to use these data sets, design databases to ease information access, or design algorithms and software tools to analyse the data sets.

BSc (Focal area: Biomathematics)

Biomathematics is a broad interdisciplinary field where mathematical, statistical, and computing techniques are used to explain phenomena and research problems within the biological, biomedical, and environmental sciences – from predicting the influence of HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis to the effects of climate change.

BSc Chemistry (Focal area: Chemical Biology)

Students are trained to become scientists for a career in those sectors of the chemical industry involved in the more organic and biochemical aspects of chemistry (such as food production and medicinal chemistry). This focal area will also prepare you for postgraduate studies and a research career in Organic Chemistry and/or Biochemistry.

BSc Physics (Focal area: Laser Physics - Biological)

Because of the rapid increase in the use of lasers in medical and biological fields, there is a worldwide need for trained physicists with expertise in optics, lasers, and laser applications in the field of biology and medicine.

Postgraduate programmes

BSc Honours

The BSc Hons in Biochemistry is an integrated one-year programme offering an advanced biochemical education. In additional to factual knowledge, there is a great emphasis on generic and specific subject-related practical and computational skills.

MSc

This is an advanced research degree. Students are required to complete an original research project in one of the research groups, and report their results in a thesis.

PhD

This is an advanced research degree. Students are required to complete an original research project in one of the research groups, and report their results in a dissertation.

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Science Café Stellenbosch explores the complex relationship between steroid hormones and women's health.

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Contact us

Phone: +27 21 808 5862

Chairperson:
Prof. Erick Strauss
[email protected]

Departmental Manager:
Ms Gertrude Gerstner
[email protected]

Postgraduate and Research Support Officer:
Ms Tarryn-Lee Kruger
[email protected]

Physical address
Department of Biochemistry
JC Smuts Building
(Ground Level – A Block)
Van der Byl Street (off Banghoek Street)
Stellenbosch