Medical Cell Biology
The BHSc Honours course in Medical Cell Biology provides students the opportunity to further develop their skills in the methodology of scientific research. At the same time, students further their knowledge of applied histology and cell biology by researching topics for discussion meetings, essays
Overview
The Bachelor of Health Sciences with Honours in Medical Cell Biology is a research-intensive course aiming to provide students with a thorough understanding of the theoretical aspects of cell and molecular biological processes in relation to disease and will equip students to use cutting edge molecular techniques in their research areas of choice, including neuroscience, cancer and thrombosis, toxicology and developmental biology.
Career Opportunities
BHSc Honours in Medical Cell Biology is primarily intended for students who wish to continue their postgraduate studies with an MSc or PhD. Completion of the degree may lead to careers in the following fields:
- Training in research or diagnostics as well as potentially roles as technicians in labs and universities
- Medical representative with a focus in sales, marketing or applications
- Project management
- Recruitment
- Consulting
- Students could also further their education by taking a teaching diploma/business diploma or apply for entry into the Graduate Entry Medical Programme and going down those routes.
Curriculum
The course consists of two separate entities: ANAT4015 (course work) and ANAT4016 (research work). For the course work component students are required to attend lectures and practicals covering regional cell and tissue biology, participate in cell biology discussion (theme) group meetings and seminar presentations, as well as complete a critical essay on a selected topic. Students are also encouraged to attend a basic statistics and a scientific writing short course offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences throughout the year. The research component consists of a year-long research project; students will get to select a project offered by potential supervisors - topics include toxicology, embryology, neuroscience, cancer biology and/or thrombosis.
Entry Requirements
Graduates with a BHSc or BSc. Majors in disciplines which are applicable to cell biology including anatomy, histology, cell biology, biochemistry or genetics are preferable. A minimum of 60% is required for the year and students with higher marks will be given preferential acceptance.
Note: Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the programme 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. 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. 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.