BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
This BSc degree programme lays the foundation for a career as a molecular cell biologist and biotechnologist in the private or public sector, or in the academic environment.
Microbiologists, biochemists, geneticists and biotechnologists are like detectives, who unravel the exact functioning of microscopic cells, such as human cells, yeasts, bacteria, fungi and viruses and the applications on human, plant or animal level. They then apply this knowledge to develop disease-free plants, new medicines or tests for diseases, or to determine which enzymes or bacteria can be useful in industry such as the mining sector, or in the development of biofuel. Their knowledge is also applied in waste water management and the water treatment sector.
The programme gives you the background knowledge to understand the functioning of any living organism at the molecular level. Together with this theoretical training you do a lot of laboratory work, developing your experimental and specific scientific skills.
Depending on your undergraduate subject combination, this stream leads to an honours programme in Biochemistry, Genetics, Plant Biotechnology or Microbiology.
Contact information
Programme overview
More information
Career opportunities
Minimum admission requirements – NSC/ IEB
- Afrikaans OR English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Mathematics 60% or 70%
If you take Mathematics and Physics as first-year subjects:
Mathematics 70%
If you take Mathematics (Bio) and Physics (Bio) as first-year subjects:
Mathematics 60%
Minimum admission requirements – International curricula
IEB-ISC (NBTs compulsory) IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 65% (excluding Active Citizenry) Mathematics 60% or 70% Physical Sciences (Physics AND Chemistry) 50% English Home Language 50% OR Afrikaans Home Language 50% OR Afrikaans or English First Additional Language 50% Applicants are also subjected to selection according to selection criteria
German Abitur
University Exemption with 65% average
English 5 (Nam 9)
Maths 8 (Nam 10)
Physics AND Chemistry 5 (Nam 7)
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
University Exemption with 65% average
English 4 on HL or 5 on SL
Maths 4 on HL or 5 on SL
Physics AND Chemistry 4 on HL or 5 on SL
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
65% average
Afrikaans or English, First or Second Language, C on AS-Level or B on GCSE/O-Level
Maths C on AS-Level
Physics AND Chemistry a C on AS-Level
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
65% average
Afrikaans or English, First or Second language, E on A-Level, or B on GCSE/O-Level
Maths E on A-Level
Physics AND Chemistry an E on A-Level
Programme structure
Full-time