Science
The Human Life Sciences degree program is a packed program that includes both theory and practical work, with Physiology being the main subject. In the Physiological theory modules, you will be studying how the systemic, metabolic and cellular components of the body functions and how they relate to disease conditions, like HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, etc. In the practicals you will then apply these theories by using the latest, high tech student learning tools.
For more information visit: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/science/physiologicalsciences/
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What do you study in Physiology?
Physiology is the study of the human body and all its integrate biochemical systems and pathways that makes the human body function.
What subjects should I take in High School to be able to get into the Human Life Sciences degree programme?
The BSc Human Life Sciences programme offers two streams: namely the Biology stream; and the Biology with Psychology stream. The following High School subjects are necessary for admission into the two streams:
Stream 1: Biology
Specific Admission Requirements:
• Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) – 4
• Physical Sciences – 4
• Mathematics – 6 (If you will be taking Mathematics 114, 144 and Physics 114, 144) OR Mathematics – 5 (If you will be taking Mathematics (Bio) 124 and Physics (Bio) 134, 154)
Stream 2: Biology with Psychology
Specific Admission Requirements:
• Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) – 4
• Physical Sciences – 4
• Mathematics – 5
Both streams can lead to an honours programme in Physiological Sciences. If you take applicable elective modules, stream 1 also leads to an honours programme in Anatomy, Biochemistry or Genetics. Stream 2 also leads to an honours programme in Genetics or Psychology. For more information have a look at the Faculty of Science Calendar (Part 5) at:
http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/Yearbooks/Current/2021-Science.pdf.
What does a degree in Human Life Sciences (Biology; of Biology with Psychology) entail?
For these two streams the following subjects are necessary for completion of the degree:
Stream 1: Biology
1 st year: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Science in Context
2 nd year: Biochemistry, Biometry, Genetics, Physiology, plus either Anatomy or Microbiology
3 rd year: Physiology, plus either one of the following: Anatomy or Biochemistry or Genetics
Stream 2: Biology with Psychology
1 st year: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Science in Context
2 nd year: Biochemistry, Biometry, Genetics, Physiology, Psychology Genetics (4 modules), Physiology (2 modules), Psychology (3 modules)
Physiology is also included in the Sport Science degree.
Is the Human Life Sciences degree programme a good alternative while waiting for acceptance for medicine?
Yes, it is a good alternative, but ONLY if you are interested in Physiological Sciences, as there is NO guarantee that you will be accepted into medicine. You could follow any other programme you are interested in before applying for medicine again. Only a few students are selected for medicine after 1 st year BSc, and you have to pass all your subjects with distinction. You can also apply for medicine after you have obtained your BSc degree, but you must also pass your degree with distinction to qualify for selection. See the Faculty of Science Calendar (Part 5) for more details: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/Yearbooks/Current/Science.pdf
What type of job opportunities is there after completion of the degree?
There are plenty of job opportunities for students that complete the Human Life Sciences degree, including, but not limited to the following options:
- Students can stay in the research field and either work for a medical research company or continue with postgraduate studies to one day work at a University to continue their research and also have the opportunity to lecture students.
- With a BSc Life Sciences degree, you can work in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
Other postgraduate options and careers
- Psychology (Clinical, Guidance)
- Education (PGEC – Postgraduate Education Certificate)
- Journalism (Medical / Lifestyle Journalist)
- LLB (Patent Attorney)
- MBA
What type of research does the Department of Physiological Sciences do and how can I become part of it?
The Department of Physiological Sciences undertakes investigative research to better understand the health challenges facing South Africa. We have several research groupings headed up by excellent principal investigators who tackle a variety of disease states (see
table below). The rationale is to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms that drive the onset of pathophysiologic states, with the ultimate aim of designing novel therapeutic interventions.
The different research groups include:
| Research groups | Principal Investigators |
| Cardio-Oncology Research group | Dr B Sishi |
| Cardio-Metabolic Research group | Prof F Essop |
| Muscle Research group | Prof K Myburgh |
| Neuro Research group | Prof B Loos |
| Cancer Research group | Prof A-M Engelbrecht |
| Integrated Metabolic Research Group | Dr T Nell |
| Clinical Hemorheology and Coagulation group | Prof R Pretorius |
To become part of one of these research groups, students have to, at least, complete an
Honours degree in the Department of Physiological Sciences.
What new programmes are available?
There are two new streams available in the BSc programme with Physiology as major subject:
1. Stream Applied Medicinal Chemistry / Stroom Toegepaste Medisinale Chemie;
2. Stream Biomedical Mathematical Sciences / Stroom Biomediese Wiskundige Wetenskappe
Stream: Applied Medicinal Chemistry
Specific Admission Requirements
- Afrikaans or English (Home Language or Additional First Language) – 4
- Physical Sciences – 4
- Mathematics – 6
Continued Study Possibilities
- This stream leads to an Honours programme in Physiological Sciences or in
Chemistry.
For more information on admission to the hounours programme you are considering, please consult the relevant honours programme’s details in the chapter “Postgraduate Programmes” of the Faculty of Science Calender (Part 5).
1 st year (140 credits)
Compulsory Modules
| Biology | 124(16), 154(16) |
| Chemistry | 124(16), 144(16) |
| Mathematics | 114(16), 144(16) |
| Physics | 114(16), 144(16) |
| Science in Context | 178(12) |
2 nd year (144 credits)
Compulsory Modules
| Biochemistry | 214(16), 244(16) |
| Biometry | 212(16), 242(16) |
| Chemistry | 214(16), 234(16), 254(16), 264(16) |
| Physiology | 214(16), 244(16) |
3 rd year (128 credits)
Compulsory Modules
| *Botany | 354(16) |
| **Patent Law | 314(16) |
| Chemistry | 314(16), 324(16), 344(16), 364(16) |
*Diversity in plant form and function
**Legal aspect of patent and innovation management
Stream: Biomedical Mathematical Sciences
Specific Admission Requirements
- Afrikaans or English (Home Language or Additional First Language) – 4
- Physical Sciences – 4
- Mathematics – 6
Continued Study Possibilities
- This stream leads to an Honours programme in Physiological Sciences or Mathematics.
- This stream also leads to a Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Science (PGDip Engineering Science), which could further lead to a Master’s programme (MEngSci) and a PhD (Biomedical Engineering) at the Faculty of Engineering.
For more information on admission to the hounours programme you are considering, please consult the relevant honours programme’s details in the chapter “Postgraduate Programmes” of the relevant Faculty Calender part.
1 st year (140 credits)
Compulsory Modules
| Applied Mathematics | 144(16) |
| Biology | 124(16) |
| Chemistry | 124 (16), 144(16) |
| Computer Science | 114(16), 144(16) |
| Mathematics | 114(16), 144(16) |
| Science in Context | 178(12) |
2 nd year (minimum 133, maximum 144 credits)
Compulsory Modules
(credits =112)
| Biochemistry | 214(16), 244(16) |
| Biometry | 212(8), 242(8) |
| Physiology | 214(16), 244(16) |
| Mathematics | 214(16), 244(16) |
plus
Elective modules
(credits = minimum16, maximum 32
Choose one or two modules from the list below.
| Applied Mathematics | 214(16), 244(16) |
| Computer Science | 214(16), 244(16) |
| Mathematics | 278(32) |
3 rd year (128 credits)
Compulsory Modules
(credits = 80)
| Physiology | 314(16), 334(16), 344(16), 364(16) |
| Biomathematics | 374(16) |
plus
Elective Modules
(credits = 48)
Choose modules to the value of 48 credits from the list below
| Applied Mathematics | 324(16), 354(16) |
| Mathematics |
314(16), 324(16), 344(16), 365(16) |
| Mathematics | 378(32) |
Contact Us
http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/science/physiologicalsciences