School of Life Sciences

Biodiversity & Evolutionary Biology

Biodiversity is the variety/ variability of life on Earth and Evolutionary Biology studies the evolutionary processes that produced that diversity of life. This cluster is comprised of three disciplines: Biological Sciences, Ecology and Marine Biology.

Disciplines

Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences is a diverse field that focuses on living things and their interaction with the environment. Our courses combine practical and theory work with a mixture of lectures and lab work. 

Ecology

Ecology is the study of organisms, the environment and how the organisms interact with each other and their environment. It is studied at various levels, such as organism, population, biosphere and ecosystem.

Marine Biology

Marine biology is the study of marine organisms, their behaviors and interactions with the environment. Marine biologists study life in the oceans, and sometimes the oceans themselves.

Programmes

Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)

The three-year undergraduate, focussed programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological Sciences is offered on the Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses.

  • Entry requirements:

    NSC degree pass with Maths, English and Life Orientation Level 4 (50%) and Agricultural Science or Life Sciences or Physical Science Level 4 (50%)

  • Application Performance Score (APS) range:

    28 - 48

Bachelor of Science (LES Stream)

The three-year undergraduate programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) is achieved through a general and BSc Life and Earth Sciences (LES Stream) with possible major subject combinations of any two of the following:

  • Biochemistry (PMB & WVL)
  • Biology (PMB)
  • Cellular Biology (WVL)
  • Ecology (PMB)
  • Genetics (PMB & WVL)
  • Microbiology (PMB & WVL)
  • Entry requirements:

    NSC degree pass with Maths, English and Life Orientation Level 4 (50%) and Agricultural Science or Life Sciences or Physical Science Level 4 (50%)

  • Application Performance Score (APS) range:

    28 - 48

Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology)

The three-year undergraduate, focussed programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Marine Biology is offered on the Westville campus.

  • Entry requirements:

    NSC degree pass with Maths, English and Life Orientation Level 4 (50%) and Agricultural Science or Life Sciences or Physical Science Level 4 (50%)

  • Application Performance Score (APS) range:

    28 - 48

CASSE

CASSE provides alternative access to students predominantly from disadvantaged educational backgrounds who do not meet the entry requirements to enrol for various science and engineering programmes. Though students are expected to study and pass augmented modules in the first two years, they eventually graduate with various qualifications in the school with mainstream students.

  • Entry requirements:

    NSC degree pass with English and Life Orientation at Level 4 (50%), Maths at Level 3 (40%) and Agricultural Science, Physical Science or Life Sciences at Level 3 (40%)

  • Application Performance Score (APS) range:

    26 - 27

How to Apply

All first-time South African applicants to UKZN for entry into degree/ diploma study (Grade 12s and undergraduate transfer students from other institutions) must apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

A one-year specialist programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours). A minimum of 50% must be achieved at BSc level to gain admittance to Honours. 

Honours programmes in Biological Sciences (PMB & WVL) and Marine Biology (WVL) are offered.

Master of Science

A Master of Science programme is offered, whereby students engage in research under the supervision of an academic staff member. A minimum of a BSc Honours degree or equivalent must be achieved to be considered for this programme. This degree takes a minimum of one year.

Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy programme is offered where students engage in novel research supervised by academic members of staff. This is typically three years of full-time study and normally follows on from a Master of Science Degree

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted to our College office. Visit the College website to see the steps to follow, download the application pack/ forms and access the link to apply online

Research

Research Areas

We are a research-led institution, producing knowledge for the rapidly-changing and information-rich world.

Research Groups

We have a number of research groups that specialise in areas of research in Chemical Engineering. 

Student dissertations

UKZN Research Space was developed to increase the visibility, availability and impact of tour students’ research output.

Contact us

Ms Shereen Samuels

Ms Tanya Karalic

Ms Ziyanda Ndlovu

Ms Busisiwe Mbhele

Ms Shireen Chetram