PREFACE

BSc(Med)(Hons) degrees at the University of Cape Town Medical School are offered by the Departments of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) and Human Biology (HUB). Honours training and research also incorporates staff and projects in associated departments (such as Surgery and Medicine), and research groupings such as the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IIDMM), the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), and various MRC Units.

This booklet is aimed at students interested in reading for Honours degrees in:

  • Applied Anatomy / Biological Anthropology
  • Physiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Human Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases and Immunology

Medical Biochemistry

Readers of this booklet may also be interested in an Honours degree in Structural Biology, which is a joint programme administered by UWC.

Further info on this can be obtained by linking to:

OR

The Department of Human Biology also offers Honours degrees in Exercise Science / Biokinetics and Nutrition & Dietetics. Information regarding these programmes is best obtained from:

and

Note: If you chooset to print this booklet the best is to print to an A4 page, but set the printer to print ‘two pages to a sheet’. (i.e. This document is formatted as an A5 document.)

The overall administration of the programmes (other than Exercise Science, Nutrition) is handled by a general convenor, who currently is:

Professor Peter Meissner

Head: Division of Medical Biochemistry

Email:

Secretary – Mrs Jenè Ward ()

Telephone: 021-404-7712

Each separate discipline also has a specific convenor who is responsible for the running and administration of each programme (pages 10-17)

INTRODUCTION

The Honours programmes are aimed at introducing students to an academic or research career in a broad range of biomedical science disciplines. Within each programme, students will be able to focus on a particular speciality (e.g. Human Genetics, Medical Biochemistry etc.) but be exposed to, and learn ‘multidisciplinarity’ as well. The aim is to expand on the undergraduate experience, and develop a deeper foundation relevant to research in the medical sciences.

The objective is to prepare students for relevant Masters and PhD programmes and/or career directions in professional scientific research and service careers. The outcome is to produce students who:

  • Are trained in these disciplines and able to conduct independent laboratory research (under the supervision and guidance of established researchers);
  • Have developed the appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes to enable a career in scientific research, education and service.

The emphasis is to give a student the necessary background and training, to enable ‘immersion’ in the real world of self-learning and scientific research in the biomedical sciences. The course emphasises developing mature thinking, curious students, with a view to gaining new insights to a deeper understanding of medical science and ultimately its’ application to improved health care.

All Programmes aim to:

  • Introduce students to exciting and relevant topics in biological and biomedical research;
  • Provide students with a solid, contemporary training in laboratory and field research skills relevant to the chosen discipline;
  • Teach students to develop their thinking skills and critical analysis of the scientific literature;
  • Give students a range of opportunities to develop an ability to communicate knowledge and findings in written and oral forms;

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The programme consists of two general modules, four program modules and a research project.

General modules:

  1. The academic year begins with an intensive seven-week laboratory techniques course, which is a practical module aimed at teaching students basic and more advanced molecular and biochemical techniques, applied bioinformatics, as well as applied statistics. Basic common methodologies include general laboratory calculations, reporting and safety issues, tissue staining, cell imaging techniques, DNA isolation and restriction digestion and PCR amplification. For certain practical components, students are divided according to their programmes, and given specific training. For example:
  • Molecular science students receive training in DNA/RNA engineering and cloning, SDS-PAGE and Western Blot Analysis/FACS Analysis and ELISA, protein expression and purification;
  • Anatomy students learn human anatomy and anatomical techniques, such as embalming, plastination, the making of casts and models, and processing bone for study;
  • Physiology students will focus on techniques for physiology and neuroscience such as animal handling, stereotaxtic methods, drug infusion, and behavioural measures as well as SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis.
  1. Students also attend a scientific communication module that runs throughout the academic year and trains in the art of scientific writing and comprehension.This module takes the form of lectures, tutorials, student assignments and presentations. The writing assignments include writing a literature review on a specialist topic (chosen by the student), writing an abstract, writing ‘results’ of an experiment for a research paper etc.

Programme modules:

Students need to attend four course program modules. Each module covers a specific field and generally runs over a three-week period (i.e. there are 4 X 3-week cycles in the timetable). Students are assessed during each module (by test or assignment) and there is an examination at the end of the first semester. Three modules should be in the program module list appropriate to the chosen stream (e.g. Physiology, Cell Biology etc.) and one more module from the same stream or any of the other honours programmes.

Between 20 and 30 modules are offered. Selection of modules by each student is done in consultation with the specific Programme Convenor (certain modules are compulsory in certain programmes), with due consideration of the module timetable (i.e. some combinations of module choices are not possible because of timetable clashes). A few modules limit the number of participants. Module content is described in further detail elsewhere in this booklet (see pages 10-17).

Research project:

The Honours programme requires a substantive research project component. The research project begins in April and ends in October. Students choose their research project from a variety of projects on offer by researchers within the appropriate Divisions and other associated researchers and laboratories. Students will select a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of project and Programme Convenors will endeavour to accommodate students in one of these choices, bearing in mind this may not always be possible.

During the research project period, students become integrated into research groups and participate in weekly research discussions and seminars. They will develop their research proposal and carry out their research in accordance with requirements within each Division / laboratory.

Towards the end of the year students are required to write and present a research project report in the form of a (written) scientific paper and an (oral) ‘conference’ presentation.

Final exam:

At year end students sit a final written ‘comprehension’ examination which takes the form questions based on an unseen published paper in a field appropriate to the student’s discipline.

Students are interviewed by an external examiner at year end to assess overall success of the student, and may be used as a ‘grading’ exercise if required (e.g. to decide a student grading if the student’s overall course mark sits very close to a border line between two grades). The external examiner is also required to scrutinize all course exams, an appropriate sampling of student exam scripts, literature reviews, and project reports, as well as attend all student research project oral presentations.

Assessment:

Evaluation is based on performance in the research project, in coursework and in examinations. In order to pass the academic year students must obtain an overall final average of at least 50% with sub-minima of 50% on the research project and 45% the combined Programme interim module marks and final exam marks.

The final mark is made up as follows:

Course component:% of total mark

Laboratory techniques - test and exam15%

Scientific communication10%

Programme Modules (interim tests/evaluations)14%

Programme Modules (final examinations)16%

Research project35%

Oral presentation of project5%

Final Comprehension Examination5%

APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION

Generally, to be considered, a student requires a BSc or equivalent degree, with a major in any of the biological, life, biochemical or molecular sciences, or chemistry; or an MBChB degree. In some programmes admission may also be considered to students with an approved degree in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences.

Applications are considered from August and students must apply by the end of September at the latest. Numbers of students are limited and the acceptance process is therefore competitive (and generally based on merit).

Application should be made online at and select ‘Apply online to study at UCT’ on the Highlights menu.

Alternatively click on:

Alternatively, contact and/or send forms to Ms Salega Tape, UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, PG Admissions Office, Room N2.18.2, Anzio Rd, Observatory, 7925.

Application enquiries should be addressed to:

l. 406 6340Fax. 0865191342

All accepted Honours students will be required to register on Friday 27th January 2012 and the course will start for all students on Monday 30th January.

Applications are considered from August and students must apply by the end of September at the latest.

Numbers of students into each programme is limited and the acceptance process is therefore competitive (and generally based on merit). Acceptances are considered by the Programme and General convenors, in consultation with other members of their Divisions as appropriate.

BURSARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Bursaries for BSc(Med)(Honours) students are available from theNRF and UCT. Students wishing to apply for such should do so as soon as possible, since bursaries applications for the coming academic year close, in some cases, at the end of August.

Application forms and further information are available from the Postgraduate Centre and Funding Office at the Graduate Centre, Otto Beit Building, Upper Campus and the UCT website

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

BSc(Med)(Hons) graduates will have an excellent background inbiomedical disciplines for careers and further study in academia (Universities, Research Councils and Technical Universities), research and development in biotechnological, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries and for careers in technical support and marketing in the commercial sectors.

BSc(Med)(Honours) in Applied Anatomy (HUB4002W)

BSc(Med)(Honours) in Biological Anthropology (HUB4001W)

Programme Convenor: Dr Jacqui Friedling

e-mail:

Website:

Applied anatomy is the field of study that tries to understand human structure and function. It includes topics such as clinical anatomy, structural embryology, growth and development, and comparative anatomy. Biological anthropologyis the field of study that tries to understand human variation and human evolution. It includes topics such as comparative growth studies, demography, primate behaviour, skeletal biology and forensic anthropology. Current research interests focus on forensic anthropology

Admission requirements:

BSc or equivalent degree in the biological sciences or a MBChB degree or an approved degree in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences

Possible programme modules:

1.Neuroanatomy and Neuroembryology

2.Skeletal Biology

3.Human Variation & Comparative Anatomy

4.Forensic Anthropology

5.Human Growth & Development

BSc(Med)(Honours) in Physiology (HUB4040W)

Programme Convenor: Professor Vivienne Russell

e-mail:

Website:

This course provides students with an understanding of the function & regulation of the human body and physiological integration of the organ systems to maintain homeostasis. The main research fields include the cardiovascular system and neuroscience research, animal models of human disorders, and the effects of stress, aging and exercise on the brain

Admission requirements:

BSc or equivalent degree in the biological sciences or a MBChB degree or an approved degree in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences

Possible programme modules:

  1. Introduction to the nervous system
  2. Neural control of food intake
  3. Neocortex organization and function
  4. Cardiovascular system

BSc(Med)(Honours) in Cell Biology (HUB4000W)

Programme Convenor: Dr. Sharon Prince

e-mail:

Website:

Research in cell biology encompasses diverse approaches to understanding normal cellular processes and how they are altered in disease. This includes the study of melanocytes and melanoma, neuronal development and regeneration, stem cells and the identification of novel therapeutic approaches to treat diseases ranging from pigmentary and neuronal disorders to cancer as well as vascular biology in ocular development and disease.

Admission requirements:

BScor equivalent degree in the biological sciences or a MBChB degree or an approved degree in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences

Possible programme modules:

  1. Contemporary Cell Biology
  2. Transcriptional regulation in development and disease+
  3. Neurodevelopment and repair
  4. Developmental Biology

+ Common module for Cell Biology and Medical Biochemistry

BSc(Med)(Honours) in Human Genetics (LAB4001W)

Programme Convenor: Dr Collet Dandara

e-mail:

Websites:

Human geneticsdescribes the study of inheritance as it occurs inhuman beings. Human genetics encompasses a variety of overlapping fields including:classical genetics,cytogenetics,molecular genetics, biochemical genetics,genomics,population genetics,developmental genetics,clinical genetics andgenetic counseling. Research interests include cardiogenetics, genetic blindness, neurodegenerative disorders and family bipolar affective disorder.

Admission requirements:

BSc or equivalent degree in the biological sciences or a MBChB degree

Possible programme modules:

1.Genetic Medicine I: Mechanisms underlying disease*

2.Genetic medicine II: Diagnostics*

3.Forensic genetics module**

4.Introduction to Bioinformatics*

5.Any other module from the wider Hons programme

*Compulsory to all students Human Genetics students

**Compulsory for forensic genetics students

BSc(Med)(Hons) in Medical Biochemistry (LAB4003W)

Programme Convenor: A/Professor Arieh Katz

e-mail:

Websites: and

Medical biochemistry is the study of the complex chemical reactions in the human body and their application to medicine. Research interests include discovery of biomarkers of disease, molecular mechanisms of oesophageal and cervical cancer, molecular biology and protein function studies in the porphyrias and drug design for treatment of cardiac and renal disease.
Possible Hons programme modules include: Cancer biology, cellular signal transduction, metabolism of foreign compounds, the molecular basis of disease and transcriptional regulation in development and disease

Admission requirements:

BSc or equivalent degree in the biological sciences, or chemistry or a MBChB degree

Possible programme modules:

1.Cancer Biology #

2.Cellular signal transduction+

3.Metabolism of foreign compounds

4.Molecular basis of disease

5.Transcriptional regulation in development and disease+

#Multidisciplinary module of all programmes

+ Common module for Cell Biology and Medical Biochemistry

BSc(Med)(Honours) in Infectious Diseases and Immunology [IDI] (LAB4004W)

Programme Convenor: Professor Carolyn Williamson

email:

Programme Co-convenor: Dr. Vukani EliyaMadikane

email:

Websites:

and

The IDI programme is organised under the auspices of Medical Virology, Microbiology (Bacteriology & parasitology), Immunology and the South African TB Vaccine Initiative (SATVI). Research interests include the in tropical infectious diseases, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb), TB and HIV vaccines, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), HIV antibiotic resistance, drug discovery and development for tuberculosis therapy and the immunology of HIV-associated tuberculosis.

Admission requirements:

BSc degree in the biological sciences with a major in either chemical, biological, cellular or molecular sciences; or MBChB degree.

Possible programme modules:

  1. Cancer Biology
  2. Immunology *
  3. Mechanisms and molecular basis of antibiotic resistance
  4. Molecular biology of HIV, pathogenesis of infection and vaccine development
  5. Viral evasion of host defenses

* Compulsory module for IDI students

BSc(Med)(Honours) in Bioinformatics (LAB4005W)

Programme Convenor: A/Prof Nicola Mulder

e-mail:

Website:

Bioinformatics is the study of biological processes by developing and using intensive computational techniques. Bioinformatics research at UCT ranges from comparative genomics, to pathogen bioinformatics, protein structure and gene expression bioinformatics as well as computational molecular evolution.

Admission requirements:BSc or equivalent degree in computer science, or biological sciences or chemistry or a MBChB degree with some computing background.

Possible programme modules:

  1. Introduction to Bioinformatics*
  2. Pharmacogenetics*
  3. Cancer Biology
  4. Molecular Basis of Disease.

*Modules compulsory for Bioinformatics students

BSc(Med)(Hons) in Structural Biology

Programme Convenors:

Trevor Sewell (UCT)

Email:

Wolf-Dieter Schubert (UWC)

Email:

Website:

Description: Structural biology aims to provide an understanding of the functions of biological macromolecules and cells in relation to their 3D structures.

Admission requirements: BSc or equivalent degree in, preferably majoring in, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology. Informatics and Engineering students may also be considered.

Part of the programme is run at UCT and part at UWC – students are registered at UWC.

Programme topics include:

  1. Molecular Biology
  2. Cell Biology
  3. Protein expression and purification
  4. Computational biology
  5. Structural bioinformatics and Modelling
  6. Protein structure
  7. NMR spectroscopy
  8. X-ray crystallography
  9. Electron microscopy

1