Department of Life and Consumer Sciences

Admission Requirements: PhD in Life sciences

2017 Intake

Department / Department of Life and Consumer Sciences
Qualification / PhD in Life Sciences
Contact details for the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences / Enquiries:Dr S Gildenhuys, Postgraduate Coordinator for the PhD in Life Sciences programme,
Tel: +27 11 471 3295
E-mail:
Curriculum: / A research proposal module (DRPLS10) and a thesis (DPTLS10). Students are required to first register and comply with the requirements for completion of the research proposal module and ethics application before registration for the thesis will be allowed.
Purpose of Research Proposal Module: DRPLS10 / The purpose of this module is for students to gain the knowledge and skills required to execute a research project that falls within the scope of the research conducted within the Life and Consumer Sciencesdepartment. The learner accredited with this module will be able to:
  • Identify a research problem
  • Formulate the problem, research questions and/or set appropriate hypothesis
  • Set well defined research aim and objectives
  • Compile a literature review
  • Present a suitable methodology and data analysis where applicable for the research project
  • Identify the contribution the research will make
  • Draft a research proposal that addresses all of the above

Application dates / Students interested in the PhD in Life Sciences program need to apply during the bulk application dates of Unisaas posted on the Unisa website.
Admission requirements for the DRPLS10 module / Admission to PhD studies is dependent on the candidate being in possession of anMSc (or equivalent) in any of the Life Sciences fields. In the case of a course work Master's Degree the applicant must submit a PDF version of the research project that formed part of such a degree. In addition to the above requirements, all applicants must submit a transcript or an academic record, as well as a 4- page PDF concept document describing their intended research. Guidelines for compiling the document can be found on the departmental website. Students will be accepted on the following criteria: Suitability and viability of the intended research; Adequate supervisory capacity and research expertise in the department. An approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa's policies on equality and diversity in the discipline or department will be implemented. Students, who are awaiting master's examination results, must still submit applications by the due date. Applications will be considered once results become available.
Selection procedure / An approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa’s policies and equality and diversity in the discipline or department will be implemented. The following selection procedure will be applied:
  • All students are required to first choose a qualification within the College of their choice
  • All applicants are required to initially apply for a student number
  • Students are then required to apply for admission and provide the required supporting documents
  • Administrative verification will take place whereby students will be informed if any documentation is outstanding
  • Application should reach the student admission office no later than the closing date indicated on the Unisa website.
  • The application will be forwarded to the Postgraduate Coordinator in the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences for consideration
  • A selection committee consisting of the Research group leaders particular to this programme, supervisors in the Life Sciences discipline and Postgraduate Coordinator for the PhD in Life Sciences will complete the review process of the application by dates determined in early 2017
  • In cases where clarity is required on the application, the Postgraduate Coordinator may consider requesting an interview (telephonic or in person) with the candidate
  • Applications of selected candidates will be forwarded to the College Office for Research and Graduate Studies where-after the selected applications will be forwarded to the College Research Innovation and Higher Degrees committee for final approval
  • Successful candidates will be notified by the M&D section who will then assist with further registration for the Research Proposal Module.

Procedures for unsuccessful applications /
  • Candidates who were unsuccessful may requestfrom the Postgraduate Coordinator the reasons for rejection of the application.
  • All appeals will be considered by an appeal committee consisting of the Head of the College Office for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Director for the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chair of the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences and members of the Research Committee of the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences
  • The outcome of the appeal will be submitted to College management for approval
  • A further appeal may be submitted through the appropriate Unisa procedures.
  • Appeals can be submitted using the document below

Documents to support application / In addition to the admission requirements, ALL applicants must submit the following documentation:
  • A transcript or an academic record,
  • A 4 page PDF document describing their intended research according to the project details and descriptions provided on the departmental website.
  • Name of the proposed research supervisor

  • The Departmental Selection form
  • An updated CV

Selection criteria / Students will be accepted using the following criteria as will be evaluated in the template provided:
  • Applicant information provided
  • Suggested research focus
  • Research proposal evaluation
If the majority of the assessment points are a no then the candidate will not be admitted. But if the majority of the points are a yes and the evaluation concludes the candidate should be admitted then they will be admitted to the degree

Alignment to Enrolment plan 2017
The admission of PhD in Life Sciences students are aligned to the 2016 Enrolment plan developed by the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences
New intake for 2017 / The Enrolment plan for 2017 was designed to accommodate 24 new students in the PhD programme for 2017. The selection committee will select up to 24 students from the applications received. Depending on the number of applicants, an additional 5students may be placed on a secondary list in case any of the selected 24 students on the primary list is unable to register. The selection will be based on the number of students who have sent in admission documents to a particular research project. The selection committee may not be required to make use of the secondary list of students depending on the number of applications received.
Motivation for intake / The PhD in Life Sciences programme intends to annually increase by 4.5% the PhD student intake. Currently there are 6 permanent senior Life Scientists with PhD’s. There are also academic staff appointed on contract who will add greatly to co-supervision and supervision where applicable as well as laboratory staff that can assist with technical aspects of projects. Additional posts will be filled in the current year. There is sufficient capacity within the Department to supervise students.
Alignment of intake to Research Groups
Applicants will be required to align the proposed research they will be presenting in the 4 page PDF document to any one of the research projects stipulated below in line with potential supervisors research interest. The proposed research should be developed within the broad context of the research project.
Name of the Research Group 1 / Molecular and Cell Biology in Health
Team members of Research Group / Team members
Prof Dewar
Dr Makhafola
Dr Gildenhuys
Dr Parbhoo
Dr Lebelo
Dr Meddows-Taylor
Ms Mankga
Ms Lithole
Mr Monyama
Mr Chabalala
Ms van Zyl
Mr Kgokolo
Name of the Research Group 1 / Industrial Applications of Natural Sciences
Team members
Prof J Dewar
Prof Magano
Dr Nyila
Dr Dingaan
Dr Tabit
Dr Makhafola
Ms Mankga
Mr Chabalala
Mr Lebepe
Mr Mudau
Ms Ntsimane
Research themes with projects
Research Themes from both research groups / PhD projects available under this theme / Possible supervisor
Plant Diversity / 2 / Dr Dingaan
E-mail:
Phyto-medicine / 2 / Dr Nyila
E-mail:
Environmental microbiology / 1 / Dr Nyila
E-mail:
Antimycotoxogenic effects of South African plants / 1 / Dr Makhafola
E-mail:
Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of South African plants / 1 / Dr Makhafola
E-mail:
Antimicrobial activity of South African plants against pathogenic microorganisms / 1 / Dr Makhafola
E-mail:
Molecular epidemiology and characterization of gastroenteritis viruses and bacteria in sewage, surface water or in stool samples / 2 / Prof Dewar
E-mail:
Determination of antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis / 1 / Prof Dewar
E-mail:
Characterizing structure function relationships of proteins / 1 / Dr Gildenhuys
E-mail:
The role of innate immune responses in primary HIV infection / 1 / Dr Meddows-Taylor
E-mail:
Motivation for the number of students accommodated / The number of students admitted will also be determined by the availability of capacity of a supervisor depending on changing circumstances. This may mean that a supervisor will be able to accept more, or fewer, students than the enrolment numbers or as allocated in the projects listed above. The enrolment number may also be determined by the number of applications received which may be fewer than required. The selection committee will determine the circumstances for selecting more or fewer students depending on unplanned changes to the profile of the available supervisors.
Research Proposal module details
All research projects listed above feed directly into the development of the research proposal DPLSCO4 for which students will register if they have been successfully admitted to PhD of Life Sciences.
Assessment mode for DPLSCO4 / The research proposal will be assessed through the use of an assessment template consisting of key assessment categories that pertain to a research proposal
Assessment criteria for Research proposal / The assessment of the research proposal will be conducted as follows:
  • A Vetting Committee consisting of the Research Committee in the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences with the following profiles - senior staff members and/or may have NRF rating and/or are supervisors or co-supervisors of students and/or have examined research proposals before and/or have been requested to do act as an external examiner for other universities - will vet research proposal
  • The proposal will also be vetted by two appropriate internal departmental experts of which one should at least be familiar with the field of research.
  • The supervisor is required to be present at the Vetting Committee meeting
  • The vetted proposal will then be considered at a Departmental Vetting Committee meeting
  • Verbal feedback will be given to the supervisor and the template on which the comments were documented will be returned to the supervisor in order to amend the proposal where necessary
  • If the proposal is approved, the student and supervisor will receive a letter of approval from the COD

Assessment criteria for Research Proposal for PhD in Life Sciences / The research proposal will be assessed through the use of an assessment template consisting of key assessment categories that pertain to a research proposal

Mode of delivery of DPLSCO4 /
  • Online delivery will follow discussions held between the PhD students and the supervisor and the submission by the student and editing by the supervisor of draft versions of the research proposal.
  • Video conferencing sessions may be organised by the post graduate programme coordinator for all PhD students in the department of Life and Consumer Sciences
  • A seminar may also be organised for the presentation of completed research proposals which may be delivered through video conferencing or on the Unisa Science campus

Mode of supervision for DPLSCO4 / Supervision may be delivered in different modes depending on the requirement of the supervisor and study design:
  • One-on-one contact sessions may be required which can be delivered through video conferencing for students in remote areas or through personal visits to the supervisor if the student is able to visit the Unisa Science Campus
  • Email contact on a personal basis to assist in addressing student queries will be the main mode of delivery
  • Track-changed documents or scanned pdf documents in which the supervisor has made corrections or provided suggestions will be used.

External supervision / Should the need arise to include an external supervisor the decision will be made based on the expertise or assistance required from the external supervisor on a particular part of the project. This will only be implemented if the internal capacity of supervision cannot support the requirement of the research project. Students undertaking research outside the borders of South Africa must be allocated an external supervisor/co-supervisor who is knowledgeable, or resides in the area in which the research is undertaken. Such an external supervisor will be contracted by Unisa in this position. Students are welcome to identify possible external supervisors, however, the selection and appointment of these external supervisors remains the responsibility of the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences.
Collaboration / The Department of Life and Consumer Sciences has collaborative agreements with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Where relevant, a student may be placed in collaborative research with the above institution or with any other institution as and when collaborative agreements are made.

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