University of Pretoria Yearbook 2017

BSc Microbiology (02133404)

Duration of study 3 years
Total credits 428

Admission requirements
● The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is
deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required Grade 12 certificate with university endorsement; a
candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of
such an institution; and a candidate who is a graduate of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
● Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
● Grade 11 results are used for the provisional admission of prospective students. Final admission is based on the
Grade 12 results.

Minimum requirements
Achievement level
Afrikaans or English Mathematics Physical Sciences
APS
NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level
5 3 C C 5 3 C C 5 3 C C 30

Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Microbiology), may be
considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme for the Biological and Agricultural Sciences. The BSc
– Extended programme takes place over a period of four years instead of the normal three years.
BSc - Extended programme for the Biological and Agricultural Sciences:
Minimum requirements
Achievement level
Afrikaans or English Mathematics Physical Science
APS
NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level NSC/IEB HIGCSE AS-Level A-Level
BSc –
Extended
programme
for the 4 3 D D 4 3 D D 4 3 D D 24
Biological and
Agricultural
Sciences

Other programme-specific information

A student must pass all the minimum prescribed and elective module credits as set out at the end of each year
within a programme as well as the total required credits to comply with the particular degree programme. Please
refer to the curricula of the respective programmes. At least 144 credits must be obtained at 300-/400-level, or

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otherwise as indicated by curriculum. The minimum module credits needed to comply with degree requirements
is set out at the end of each study programme. Subject to the programmes as indicated a maximum of 150
credits will be recognised at 100-level. A student may, in consultation with the Head of Department and subject
to the permission by the Dean, select or replace prescribed module credits not indicated in BSc three-year study
programmes to the equivalent of a maximum of 36 module credits.
It is important that the total number of prescribed module credits is completed during the course of the study
programme. The Dean may, on the recommendation of the Head of Department, approve deviations in this
regard. Subject to the programmes as indicated in the respective curricula, a student may not register for more
than 75 module credits per semester at first-year level subject to permission by the Dean. A student may be
permitted to register for up to 80 module credits in a the first semester during the first year provided that he or
she obtained a final mark of no less than 70% for grade 12 Mathematics and achieved an APS of 34 or more in
the NSC.

Students who are already in possession of a bachelor’s degree, will not receive credit for modules of which the
content overlap with modules from the degree that was already conferred. Credits will not be considered for
more than half the credits passed previously for an uncompleted degree. No credits at the final-year or 300- and
400-level will be granted.
The Dean may, on the recommendation of the programme manager, approve deviations with regard to the
composition of the study programme.

Please note: Where elective modules are not specified, these may be chosen from any modules appearing in the
list of modules.

It remains the student’s responsibility to acertain, prior to registration, whether they comply with the
prerequisites of the modules they want to register for.

The prerequisites are listed in the Alphabetical list of modules.

Promotion to next study year

A student will be promoted to the following year of study if he or she passed 100 credits of the
prescribed credits for a year of study, unless the Dean on the recommendation of the head of
department decides otherwise. A student who does not comply with the requirements for promotion to
the following year of study, retains the credit for the modules already passed and may be admitted by
the Dean, on recommendation of the head of department, to modules of the following year of study to a
maximum of 48 credits, provided that it will fit in with both the lecture and examination timetable.
General promotion requirements in the faculty
All students whose academic progress is not acceptable can be suspended from further studies.
● A student who is excluded from further studies in terms of the stipulations of the abovementioned regulations,
will be notified in writing by the Dean or Admissions Committee at the end of the relevant semester.
● A student who has been excluded from further studies may apply in writing to the Admissions Committee of the
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences for re-admission.
● Should the student be re-admitted by the Admissions Committee, strict conditions will be set which the student
must comply with in order to proceed with his/her studies.
● Should the student not be re-admitted to further studies by the Admissions Committee, he/she will be informed

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 in writing.
● Students who are not re-admitted by the Admissions Committee have the right to appeal to the Senior Appeals
Committee.
● Any decision taken by the Senior Appeals Committee is final.

Pass with distinction

A student obtains his or her degree with distinction if all prescribed modules at 300-level (or higher) are
passed in one academic year with a weighted average of at least 75%, and obtain at least a
subminimum of 65% in each of the relevant modules.

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Curriculum: Year 1
Minimum credits: 140

Minimum credits:
Fundamental = 12
Core = 128
Additional information:
Students who do not qualify for AIM 102 must register for AIM 111 and AIM 121.

Fundamental modules
Academic information management 111 (AIM 111)
Module credits 4.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Service modules
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time MAMELODI, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Information Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate
technology.

Academic information management 121 (AIM 121)

Module credits 4.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Service modules Faculty of Law
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites No prerequisites.

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Contact time 2 lectures per week, MAMELODI
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Informatics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of
information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.

Language and study skills 110 (LST 110)

Module credits 6.00
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Service modules
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Unit for Academic Literacy
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
The module aims to equip students with the ability to cope with the reading and writing demands of scientific
disciplines.

Academic orientation 102 (UPO 102)

Module credits 0.00
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Natural + Agric Sciences Dean
Period of presentation Year

Academic information management 102 (AIM 102)

Module credits 6.00
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Law
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Theology
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Contact time 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English

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Academic organisation Information Science
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate
technology. Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical
and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic
information.

Core modules
Biometry 120 (BME 120)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
At least 4 (50-59%) in Mathematics in the Grade 12 examination, or at least 50%
Prerequisites
in both Statistics 113, 123
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Statistics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Simple statistical analysis: Data collection and analysis: Samples, tabulation, graphical representation,
describing location, spread and skewness. Introductory probability and distribution theory. Sampling
distributions and the central limit theorem. Statistical inference: Basic principles, estimation and testing in the
one- and two-sample cases (parametric and non-parametric). Introduction to experimental design. One- and
twoway designs, randomised blocks. Multiple statistical analysis: Bivariate data sets: Curve fitting (linear and
non-linear), growth curves. Statistical inference in the simple regression case. Categorical analysis: Testing
goodness of fit and contingency tables. Multiple regression and correlation: Fitting and testing of models.
Residual analysis. Computer literacy: Use of computer packages in data analysis and report writing.

Plant biology 161 (BOT 161)

Module credits 8.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Education
Prerequisites MLB 111 GS
Contact time fortnightly practicals, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Plant and Soil Sciences

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Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Basic plant structure and function; introductory plant taxonomy and plant systematics; principles of plant
molecular biology and biotechnology; adaptation of plants to stress; medicinal compounds from plants; basic
principles of plant ecology and their application in natural resource management.

General chemistry 117 (CMY 117)

Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Final Grade 12 marks of at least 60% for Mathematics and 60% for Physical
Prerequisites
Sciences.
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Chemistry
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
General introduction to inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry. Atomic structure and periodicity. Molecular
structure and chemical bonding using the VSEOR model. Nomenclature of inorganic ions and compounds.
Classification of reactions: precipitation, acid-base, redox reactions and gas-forming reactions. Mole concept and
stoichiometric calculations concerning chemical formulas and chemical reactions. Principles of reactivity: energy
and chemical reactions. Physical behaviour gases, liquids, solids and solutions and the role of intermolecular
forces. Rate of reactions: Introduction to chemical kinetics.

General chemistry 127 (CMY 127)

Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Natural and Agricultural Sciences students: CMY 117 GS or CMY 154 GS Health
Prerequisites
Sciences students: none
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Chemistry
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
Theory: General physical-analytical chemistry: Chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, buffers, solubility
equilibrium, entropy and free energy, electrochemistry. Organic chemistry: Structure (bonding), nomenclature,
isomerism, introductory stereochemistry, introduction to chemical reactions and chemical properties of organic
compounds and biological compounds, i.e. carbohydrates and aminoacids. Practical: Molecular structure (model
building), synthesis and properties of simple organic compounds.

Introductory genetics 161 (GTS 161)

Module credits 8.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites MLB 111 GS
Contact time fortnightly practicals, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Chromosomes and cell division. Principles of Mendelian inheritance: locus and alleles, dominance interactions
and epistasis. Probability studies. Sex determination and sex linked traits. Pedigree analysis. Extranuclear
inheritance. Genetic linkage and chromosome mapping. Chromosome variation.

Introduction to microbiology 161 (MBY 161)

Module credits 8.00
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites MLB 111 GS
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
The module will introduce the student to the field of Microbiology. Basic Microbiological aspects that will be
covered include introduction into the diversity of the microbial world (bacteria, archaea, eukaryotic
microorganisms and viruses), basic principles of cell structure and function, microbial nutrition and microbial
growth and growth control. Applications in Microbiology will be illustrated by specific examples i.e.
bioremediation, animal-microbial symbiosis, plant-microbial symbiosis and the use of microorganisms in
industrial microbiology. Wastewater treatment, microbial diseases and food will be introduced using specific
examples.

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Molecular and cell biology 111 (MLB 111)
Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Refer to Regulation 1.2: A candidate who has passed Mathematics with at least
Prerequisites
50% in the Grade 12 examination
Contact time 4 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Introductory study of the ultra structure, function and composition of representative cells and cell components.
General principles of cell metabolism, molecular genetics, cell growth, cell division and differentiation.

Physics for biology students 131 (PHY 131)

Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Education
Service modules Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Refer to Regulation 1.2: A candidate must have passed Mathematics with at least
Prerequisites
50% in the Grade 12 examination
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week, 1 discussion class per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Physics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Units, vectors, one dimensional kinematics, dynamics, work, equilibrium, sound, liquids, heat, thermodynamic
processes, electric potential and capacitance, direct current and alternating current, optics, modern physics,
radio activity.

Mathematics 134 (WTW 134)

Module credits 16.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules Faculty of Education
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Refer to Regulation 1.2: At least 50% for Mathematics in the Grade 12
Prerequisites
examination .

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Contact time 4 lectures per week, 1 tutorial per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Mathematics and Applied Maths
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
*Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 134, WTW 165,
WTW 114, WTW 158. WTW 134 does not lead to admission to Mathematics at 200 level and is intended for
students who require Mathematics at 100 level only. WTW 134 is offered as WTW 165 in the second semester
only to students who have applied in the first semester of the current year for the approximately 65 MBChB, or
the 5-6 BChD places becoming available in the second semester and who were therefore enrolled for MGW 112
in the first semester of the current year.
Functions, derivatives, interpretation of the derivative, rules of differentiation, applications of differentiation,
integration, interpretation of the definite integral, applications of integration. Matrices, solutions of systems of
equations. All topics are studied in the context of applications.

Animal diversity 161 (ZEN 161)

Module credits 8.00
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Prerequisites MLB 111 GS or TDH
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly practicals
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Zoology and Entomology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Animal classification, phylogeny, organization and terminology. Evolution of the various animal phyla,
morphological characteristics and life cycles of parasitic and non-parasitic animals. Structure and function of
reproductive, respiratory, excretory, circulatory and digestive systems.

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Curriculum: Year 2
Minimum credits: 144

Minimum credits:
Core = 144
Additional information:
Applied Microbiology option: ZEN 251 may be replaced with FST 250. Students may replace ZEN 261and/or
BOT 261 with either MBY 262 or FST 260 or BCM 262
Medical Microbiology option: Students may replace ZEN 251 and BOT 251 with FLG 211 and FLG 212.
Students should replace ZEN 261 and BOT 261 with FLG 221 and FLG 222

Microbiology and Biochemistry combination: Students should replace ZEN 251 and BOT 251 with CMY 282
and CMY 284. Students should replace ZEN 261 and BOT 261 with CMY 283 and BCM 262

Microbiology and Genetics combination: Students may replace ZEN 261 with PLG 262
Microbiology and Plant Science option: Students may replace ZEN 261 with PLG 262

Core modules
Introduction to proteins and enzymes 251 (BCM 251)
Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Health Sciences
Prerequisites [CMY117 GS] and [CMY127 GS] and [MLB111 GS]
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 90 minute practical per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Structural and ionic properties of amino acids. Peptides, the peptide bond, primary, secondary, tertiary and
quaternary structure of proteins. Interactions that stabilise protein structure, denaturation and renaturation of
proteins. Introduction to methods for the purification of proteins, amino acid composition, and sequence
determinations. Introduction to enzyme kinetics and enzyme inhibition. Allosteric enzymes, regulation of enzyme
activity, active centres and mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Examples of industrial applications of enzymes.
Practical training in laboratory techniques and Good Laboratory Practice. Techniques for the quantitative and
qualitative analysis of biological molecules. Processing and presentation of scientific data.

Carbohydrate metabolism 252 (BCM 252)

Module credits 12.00
Faculty of Education
Service modules
Faculty of Health Sciences

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Prerequisites [CMY117 GS] and [CMY127 GS] and [MLB111 GS]
Contact time 90 minute practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Biochemistry of carbohydrates. Thermodynamics and bioenergetics. Glycolysis, citric acid cycle and electron
transport. Glycogen metabolism, pentose-phosphate pathway, gluconeogenesis and photosynthesis. Practical
training in study and analysis of metabolic pathways and enzymes. Scientific method and design: Hypothesis
design and testing, method design and scientific controls.

Lipid and nitrogen metabolism 261 (BCM 261)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Health Sciences
Prerequisites [CMY117 GS] and [CMY127 GS] and [MLB111 GS]
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 90 minute practical per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Biochemistry of lipids, membrane structure, anabolism and catabolism of lipids. Nitrogen metabolism, amino
acid biosynthesis and catabolism. Biosynthesis of neurotransmitters, pigments, hormones and nucleotides from
amino acids. Catabolism of pureness and pyrimidines. Therapeutic agents directed against nucleotide
metabolism. Examples of inborn errors of metabolism of nitrogen containing compounds. The urea cycle,
nitrogen excretion. Practical training in scientific writing skills: evaluation of a scientific report. Techniques for
separation and analysis of biological molecules

Biochemical principles of nutrition and toxicology 262 (BCM 262)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Health Sciences
Prerequisites [CMY117 GS] and [CMY127 GS] and [MLB111 GS]
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 90 minute practical per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
Biochemistry of nutrition and toxicology. Proximate analysis of nutrients. Review of energy requirements and
expenditure. Respiratory quotient. Requirements and function of water, vitamins and minerals. Interpretation
and modification of RDA values for specific diets, eg growth, exercise, pregnancy and lactation, aging and
starvation. Interactions between nutrients. Comparison of monogastric and ruminant metabolism. Cholesterol,
polyunsaturated, essential fatty acids and dietary anti-oxidants. Oxidation of fats. Biochemical mechanisms of
water- and fat-soluble vitamins and assessment of vitamin status. Mineral requirements, biochemical
mechanisms, imbalances and diarrhoea. Biochemistry of xenobiotics: absorption, distribution, metabolism and
excretion (ADME); detoxification reactions: oxidation/reduction (Phase I), conjugations (Phase II), export from
cells (Phase III); factors affecting metabolism and disposition. Toxic responses: tissue damage and physiological
effects, teratogenesis, immunotoxicity, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Examples of toxins: biochemical
mechanisms of common toxins and their antidotes. Antibiotics and resistance. Natural toxins from fungi, plants
and animals: goitrogens, cyanogens, cholineesterase inhibitors, ergotoxin, aflatoxins Practical training in
analyses of nutrients, fatty acids separations, antioxidant determination, and enzyme activity measurements,
PO ratio of mitochondria, electrophoresis, extraction, solubility and gel permeation techniques.

South African flora and vegetation 251 (BOT 251)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites BOT 161 or TDH
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Plant and Soil Sciences
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Origin and affinity of South African flora and vegetation types; principles of plant geography; plant diversity in
southern Africa; characteristics, environments and vegetation of South African biomes and associated key
ecological processes; centra of plant endemism; rare and threatened plant species; biodiversity conservation
and ecosystem management; invasion biology; conservation status of South African vegetation types.

Plant physiology and biotechnology 261 (BOT 261)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites BOT 161, CMY 117, CMY 127 or TDH
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Plant and Soil Sciences
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
Nitrogen metabolism in plants; nitrogen fixation in Agriculture; plant secondary metabolism and natural
products; photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism in plants; applications in solar energy; plant growth
regulation and the Green Revolution; plant responses to the environment; developing drought tolerant and
disease resistant plants.

Physical chemistry 282 (CMY 282)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites CMY 117 and CMY 127
Contact time 4 lectures per week, 1 tutorial per week, 2 practicals per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Chemistry
Period of presentation Quarter 2
Module content
Theory: Classical chemical thermodynamics, gases, first and second law and applications, physical changes of
pure materials and simple compounds. Phase rule: Chemical reactions, chemical kinetics, rates of reactions.

Analytical chemistry 283 (CMY 283)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites CMY 117 and CMY 127
Contact time 2 practicals per week, 4 lectures per week, 1 tutorial per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Chemistry
Period of presentation Quarter 3
Module content
Theory: Statistical evaluation of data, gravimetric analysis, aqueous solution chemistry, chemical equilibrium,
precipitation-, neutralisation- and complex formation titrations, redox titrations, potentiometric methods,
introduction to electrochemistry.

Organic chemistry 284 (CMY 284)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites CMY 117 and CMY 127
Contact time 4 lectures per week, 2 practicals per week, 1 tutorial per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English

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Academic organisation Chemistry
Period of presentation Quarter 1
Module content
Theory: Resonance, conjugation and aromaticity. Acidity and basicity. Introduction to 13C NMR spectroscopy.
Electrophilic addition: alkenes. Nucleophilic substitution, elimination, addition: alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers,
epoxides, carbonyl compounds: ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and their derivatives.

Introductory and neurophysiology 211 (FLG 211)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites CMY 117, CMY 127, MLB 111 and PHY 131
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Physiology
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Orientation in physiology, homeostasis, cells and tissue, muscle and neurophysiology, cerebrospinal fluid and
the special senses.
Practical work: Practical exercises to complement the theory.

Circulatory physiology 212 (FLG 212)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites CMY 117, CMY 127, MLB 111 and PHY 131
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Physiology
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Body fluids; haematology; cardiovascular physiology and the lymphatic system. Practical work: Practical
exercises to complement the theory.

Lung and renal physiology, acid-base balance and temperature 221 (FLG 221)
Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites FLG 211 and FLG 212
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week

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Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Physiology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Structure, gas exchange and non-respiratory functions of the lungs; structure, excretory and non-urinary
functions of the kidneys, acid-base balance, as well as the skin and body temperature control.
Practical work: Practical exercises to complement the theory.

Digestion, endocrinology and reproductive systems 222 (FLG 222)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Prerequisites FLG 211 and FLG 212
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Physiology
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Nutrition, digestion and metabolism; hormonal control of the body functions and the reproductive systems.
Practical work: Practical exercises to complement the theory.

Introduction to food science and technology 250 (FST 250)

Module credits 12.00
Prerequisites CMY 117 and CMY 127 and PHY 131 and WTW 134 or WTW 165 or TDH
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Food Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Lectures: Food Science as a discipline. Activities of Food Scientists and Nutritionists. How food is produced,
processed and distributed (food pipeline). World food problem. Human nutrition and human food requirements.
Constituents of foods: Functional properties. Food quality. Food deterioration and control (food preservation).
Unit operations in food processing. Food safety, risks and hazards. Principles of food packaging. Food legislation
and labelling. Food processing and the environment. Practicals: Group assignments applying the theory in
practice; practical demonstrations in pilot plants; guest lecturers on the world of food scientists and nutritionists;
factory visit/videos of food processing.

Principles of food processing and preservation 260 (FST 260)

Module credits 12.00

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Prerequisites CMY 117, CMY 127, MBY 161, PHY 131 and WTW 134 or WTW 165 or TDH
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Food Science
Period of presentation Semester 1 and Semester 2
Module content
Lectures: Food preservation technologies: concept of hurdle technology; heat (blanching, pasteurisation and
sterilisation); cold (refrigeration and freezing); concentration and dehydration; food irradiation; fermentation;
preservatives; new methods of food preservation. Effect of various food preservation technologies on the
microbiological (shelf-life and safety issues), sensory and nutritional quality of foods. Practicals: Practical
applications of above processes. Physical, chemical and sensory evaluation of processed foods. Assignment:
Application of hurdle technology concept to a specific food product.

Molecular genetics 251 (GTS 251)

Module credits 12.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Education
Prerequisites GTS 161 GS
Contact time fortnightly practicals, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Chemical nature of DNA. Replication transcription, RNA processing and translation. Control of gene expression in
prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Recombinant DNA technology and its applications in gene analysis and
manipulation.

Genetic diversity and evolution 261 (GTS 261)

Module credits 12.00
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Service modules
Faculty of Education
Prerequisites GTS 251 GS
Contact time 2 lectures per week, fortnightly practicals
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 2

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Module content
Chromosome structure and transposable elements. Mutation and DNA repair. Genomics and proteomics.
Organelle genomes. Introduction to genetic analysis of populations: allele and genotypic frequencies, Hardy
Weinberg Law, its extensions and implications for different mating systems. Introduction to quantitative and
evolutionary genetics.

Bacteriology 251 (MBY 251)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites MBY 161 GS
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Growth, replication and survival of bacteria, Energy sources, harvesting from light versus oxidation, regulation of
catabolic pathways, chemotaxis. Nitrogen metabolism, iron-scavenging. Alternative electron acceptors:
denitrification, sulphate reduction, methanogenesis. Bacterial evolution, systematic and genomics. Biodiversity;
bacteria occurring in the natural environment (soil, water and air), associated with humans, animals, plants, and
those of importance in foods and in the water industry.

Mycology 261 (MBY 261)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites MBY 161
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Organisation and molecular architecture of fungal thalli, chemistry of the fungal cell. Chemical and physiological
requirements for growth and nutrient acquisition. Mating and meiosis; spore development; spore dormancy,
dispersal and germination. Fungi as saprobes in soil, air, plant, aquatic and marine ecosystems; role of fungi as
decomposers and in the deterioration of materials; fungi as predators and parasites; mycoses, mycetisms and
mycotoxicoses; fungi as symbionts of plants, insects and animals. Applications of fungi in biotechnology.

Invertebrate biology 251 (ZEN 251)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Education

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Prerequisites ZEN 161 GS or TDH
Contact time 4 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Zoology and Entomology
Period of presentation Quarter 1
Module content
Origin and extent of modern invertebrate diversity; parasites of man and domestic animals; biology and medical
importance of arachnids; insect life styles; the influence of the environment on insect life histories; insect
phytophagy, predation and parasitism; insect chemical, visual, and auditory communication; freshwater
invertebrates and their use as biological indicators.

African vertebrates 261 (ZEN 261)

Module credits 12.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites ZEN 161 GS or TDH
Contact time 1 practical per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Zoology and Entomology
Period of presentation Quarter 3
Module content
Introduction to general vertebrate diversity; African vertebrate diversity; vertebrate structure and function;
vertebrate evolution; vertebrate relationships; aquatic vertebrates; terrestrial ectotherms; terrestrial
endotherms; vertebrate characteristics; classification; structural adaptations; habits; habitats; conservation
problems; impact of humans on other vertebrates.

Food microbiology 262 (MBY 262)

Module credits 12.00
Prerequisites MBY 251
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Primary sources of migroorganisims in food. Factors affecting the growth and survival of microorganisms in food.
Microbial quality, spoilage and safety of food. Different organisms involved, their isolation, screening and
detection. Conventional approaches, alternative methods rapid methods. Food fermentations: fermentation
types, principles and organisms involved.

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Curriculum: Final year
Minimum credits: 144

Minimum credits:
Core = 72
Elective = 72
Additional information:
Applied Microbiology option: Students may select electives from BCM 356, BCM 357, BOT 356, BOT 358,
GTS 351, GTS 354, PLG 351, ZEN 355, BCM 367, BCM 368, BOT 365, BTC 361, FST 362, GTS 367 or ZEN 365.
Students can only take a module if they comply with all the prerequisites
Medical Microbiology option: Students may select electives from BCM 356, BCM 357, BCM 367, BCM 368,GTS
351,GTS 354, GTS 367 or GTS 368
Microbiology and Biochemistry combination: Students must take BCM 356, BCM 357, BCM 367 and BCM
368.
Microbiology and Genetics combination: Students must take GTS 351 and GTS 354, GTS 367 and either GTS
368 or BTC 361.
Microbiology and Plant Science option: Students must take BOT 356, BOT 358, BOT 365 and BTC 361.

Core modules
Virology 351 (MBY 351)
Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BCM 251, CMY 127, GTS 251, GTS 261 and MBY 161
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Introduction to the viruses as a unique kingdom inclusive of their different hosts, especially bacteria, animals
and plants; RNA and DNA viruses; viroids, tumour viruses and oncogenes, mechanisms of replication,
transcription and protein synthesis; effect on hosts; viral immunology; evolution of viruses.

Genetic manipulation of microbes 364 (MBY 364)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BCM 251, CMY 127, GTS 251, GTS 261 and MBY 251
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path

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Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Isolation of clonable DNA (genomic libraries, cDNA synthesis) cloning vectors (plasmids, bacteriophages,
cosmids) plasmid incompatibility and control of copy number. Ligation of DNA fragments, modification of DNA
end and different ligation strategies. Direct and indirect methods for the identification of recombinant
organisms. Characterization (polymerase chain reaction, nucleic acid sequencing) and mutagenisis of cloned
DNA fragments. Gene expression in Gram negative (E.coli) Gram positive (B.subtilis) and yeast cells
(S.cerevisea). Use of Agrobacterium and baculoviruses for gene expression in plant and insect cells respectively.
Applications in protein engineering, diagnostics and synthesis of useful products.

Microbe interactions 365 (MBY 365)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites MBY 251, MBY261, MBY 351 and MBY 355
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Interactions between microbes and their abiotic environment; microbial interaction with other strains of the
same and other species; microbial interactions across kingdoms; pathogenic interactions between microbes and
plant or animal hosts; mutualistic interactions between microbes and their hosts; introduction to systems
biology.

Bacterial genetics 355 (MBY 355)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BCM 251, CMY 127, GTS 251, GTS 261 and MBY 251
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Microbiology and Plant Path
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
DNA replication and replication control. DNA recombination. DNA damage and repair. Genetics of
bacteriophages, plasmids and transposons. Bacterial gene expression control at the transcriptional, translational
and post-translational levels. Global regulation and compartmentalisation.

Elective modules
Plant ecophysiology 356 (BOT 356)
Module credits 18.00

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Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites BOT 161 or TDH
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Plant and Soil Sciences
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
The emphasis is on the efficiency of the mechanisms whereby C3-, C4 and CAM-plants bind CO2 and how it
impacted upon by environmental factors. The mechanisms and factors which determine the respiratory
conversion of carbon skeletons and how production is affected thereby will be discussed. Insight into the
ecological distribution and manipulation of plants for increased production is gained by discussing the internal
mechanisms whereby carbon allocation, hormone production, growth, flowering and fruitset are influenced by
external factors. To understand the functioning of plants in diverse environments, the relevant structural
properties of plants, and the impact of soil composition, water flow in the soil-plant air continuum and long
distance transport of assimilates will be discussed. Various important techniques will be used in the practicals to
investigate aspects such as water-use efficiency, photosynthesis and respiration of plants.

Plant ecology 358 (BOT 358)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BOT 161 and BOT 251 or TDH
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Separate classes for Afrikaans and English
Academic organisation Plant and Soil Sciences
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Theory of plant community concepts, floristic and structural composition, plant diversity, ecological succession,
landscape ecology. Data processing techniques. Species interactions and an evaluation of their effects on
interacting species. Fundamentals of plant population biology: life tables; plant breeding systems and
pollination; population dynamics; life history strategies; intraspecific competition; interspecific competition and
co-existence.

Phytomedicine 365 (BOT 365)

Module credits 18.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites BOT 161 or TDH
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Plant and Soil Sciences

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Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
The module will include a review on the discovery and use of plant medicines and phyto-therapeutically
important molecules obtained from plants. Certain aspects of natural product chemistry i.e. the biosynthesis,
ecological role and toxicity of the three main classes of secondary compounds; terpenoids, phenolics, and
alkaloids are discussed. An introduction to the principles and applications of metabolomics are presented. The
role of these natural products in defence against microorganisms and herbivores is reviewed during the module.
The basics of alternative medicines such as homeopathy, ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture etc. are also
discussed. Practical sessions on drug discovery approaches using chromatographic techniques for
phytochemical analysis of secondary metabolites such as tannins, alkaloids, sterols and saponins are conducted.
Bioassays on micro-organisms are also done during the practical sessions in order to develop the skills for the
potential discovery of new antibiotics. Visits to several pharmaceutical laboratories are arranged.

Eukaryotic gene control and development 351 (GTS 351)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites GTS 251 GS and GTS 261 GS
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes: regulation at the genome, transcription, RNA processing and
translation levels. DNA elements and protein factors involved in gene control. The role of chromatin structure
and epigenetic changes. Technology and experimental approaches used in studying eukaryotic gene control.
Applications of the principles of gene controlin embryonic development and differentiation, cancer and other
diseases in humans.

General plant pathology 351 (PLG 351)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites MBY161, MBY261 and PLG262
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Plant and Soil Sciences
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Principles and examples of plant diseases and their socio-economic importance. Current trends in plant
pathology such as biosecurity, sanitory and phytosanitary issues of trade. Risk assesment and international food
safety standards. The use of global information systems to assess disease spread and impact of global warming.
Supply chain analysis, postharvest technology and food trade aspects.

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Insect diversity 355 (ZEN 355)
Module credits 18.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites ZEN 251 GS or TDH
Contact time 4 lectures per week, 2 practicals per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Zoology and Entomology
Period of presentation Quarter 1
Module content
The extent and significance of insect diversity. Functional insect morphology. The basic principles of taxonomy
and the classification of taxa within the Insecta. Insect orders and economically and ecologically important
Southern African insect families. Identification of insect orders and families using distinguishing characteristics.
General biological and behavioural characteristics of each group. Grouping of insects into similar life-styles and
habitats.

Applied entomology 365 (ZEN 365)

Module credits 18.00
Service modules Faculty of Education
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 2 practicals per week, 4 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Zoology and Entomology
Period of presentation Quarter 4
Module content
*It is strongly recommended that students first complete ZEN 355: Insect diversity 355
Impact of insects on economies, human health and well-being. Protection of corps from insect herbivores
through monitoring, forecasting and application of the principles of integrated pest management; epidemiology
and modern developments in the control of insect vectors of human and animal diseases; insects as a tool in
forensic investigations; ecological and economic significance of insect pollinators and current threats to their
survival and health. Lecturers will be complemented by practical experiences that provide students with skills in
the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation and reporting of applied entomological research.

Genome evolution and phylogenetics 354 (GTS 354)

Module credits 18.00
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites GTS 251 GS and GTS 261 GS
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week

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Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Mechanisms involved in the evolutions of genomes. Comparison of the molecular organisation of viral, archaea,
eubacterial and eukarytotic genomes. Genome project design, DNA sequencing methods and annotation.
Molecular evolution. Phylogenetic inference methods. Applications of phylogenetics and contemporary genome
research.

Population and evolutionary genetics 367 (GTS 367)

Module credits 18.00
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Prerequisites GTS 251 and GTS 261
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Genetic and phenotypic variation. Organisation of genetic variation. Random genetic drift. Mutation and the
neutral theory. Darwinian selection. Inbreeding, population subdivision and migration. Evolutionary quantitative
genetics. Population genomics. Human population genetics. Levels of selection and individuality. Arms races and
irreversibility. Complexity. Applied evolution.

Genetics in human health 368 (GTS 368)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites GTS 251 and GTS 261 GS
Contact time 1 practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Application of modern genetics to human variability, health and disease. Molecular origin of Mendelian and
multifactorial diseases. The use of polymorphisms, gene mapping, linkage and association studies in medical
genetics. Genetic diagnosis – application of cytogenetic, molecular and genomic techniques. Congenital
abnormalities, risk assessment and genetic consultation. Prenatal testing, population screening, treatment of
genetic diseases and gene-based therapy. Pharmacogenetics and cancer genetics. Ethical aspects in medical
genetics.

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Plant genetics and crop biotechnology 361 (BTC 361)
Module credits 18.00
Service modules Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
GTS 251 and {GTS 261 GS or BOT 261} and {GTS 351 and GTS 352 are
Prerequisites
recommended}
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 1 practical per week
Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Genetics
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Plant genetics and genomics: gene control in plants, epigenetics, co-suppression, forward and reverse genetics,
structural and functional genomics. Plant development: signal perception, cell death, control of cell division.
Plant-environment interactions. Crop genetic modification: food security, GMO regulation, plant transformation,
whole-chromosome transformation, synthetic biology, homologous recombination. Crop molecular markers:
marker types, genotyping, QTL mapping, marker-assisted breeding. Future of crop biotechnology: applications of
genomics, biopharming, genetical genomics, systems biology

Macromolecules of life: Structure-function and Bioinformatics 356 (BCM 356)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BCM 251 and BCM 252
Contact time 180 minute practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 1

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Module content
Perspectives on the flow of information from nucleic acids to proteins, the structure and functions of nucleic
acids and proteins and their organisation into hierarchical, interdependent systems. Nucleic acid structure as
observed in fibres and crystals as well as global DNA and RNA analyses (methods and bioinformatic analyses).
Biochemical analyses of nucleotides. DNA-DNA recognition: non-standard and higher order DNA structures. The
RNA structural world, RNAi, miRNA and ribosomes. Cellular functions of coding and non-coding nucleic acids.
Principles of small molecule-DNA recognition. Principles of protein-DNA recognition and interactions.
Bioinformatics predictions of protein and small molecule DNA interactions. Chemical reactivity of amino acids.
Domain structures of proteins and Ramachandran plots. Protein folding, sequence motifs and domains, higher
order and supramolecular structure, self-assembly, conjugated proteins, post-translational modifications,
conjugated proteins and bioinformatics predictions. Principles of protein function and protein structure
relationships. Protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions. Protein aggregation in disease. Examples of the
diverse functions of proteins and peptides, including enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, antibodies,
receptors, transport and membrane proteins. Global analysis of proteins through proteomics. Basic principles of
nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. Protein purification and
characterization including, pI, molecular mass, amino acid composition and sequence. Practical training will
include interactive computer-guided demonstrations of protein analysis, hands-on practical sessions for nucleic
acid purification and chemical structure characterisation, protein expression and purification (including SDS-
PAGE), protein sequence analysis including mass spectrometry, protein structure analysis by 3D protein
modelling and protein folding (Bioinformatics).

Biocatalysis and integration of metabolism 357 (BCM 357)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BCM 251 and BCM 252 and BCM 261
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 180 minute practical per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
Nomenclature: enzyme nomenclature and classification. Specificity and mechanisms: the active site,
mechanisms of catalysis and examples of specific enzyme mechanisms, e.g. lysozyme and carboxypeptidase A.
Advanced enzyme kinetics, Cleland nomenclature and multi-substrate reactions. Allosteric enzymes: models by
Koshland, Hill and Monod. Ligands binding to proteins. Problems and answers: tutorials of problems and answers
based on above concepts. Integration of metabolism; hormones and second messengers; cell signalling; a case
study in connectivity among metabolic pathways and their regulation, in for example diabetes and starvation.
Inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). RNA as enzymes. Applications of enzymes in food and
cosmetics industries and in clinical pathology assays as biomarkers of diseases and toxic responses. Elucidation
of metabolic pathways.
Practical sessions cover tutorials on calculations, isolation of an enzyme, determination of pH and temperature
optimum, determination of Km and Vmax, enzyme activation, enzyme inhibition, purification table and final
report, oral defense of report.

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Cell structure and function 367 (BCM 367)
Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BCM 251 and BCM 252 and BCM 261
Contact time 2 lectures per week, 180 minute practical per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Visualising cell structure and localising proteins within cells. Cell ultrastructure. Purification of subcellular
organelles. Culturing of cells. Diversity and commonality of cells. Biomembrane structure. Transmembrane
transport of ions and small molecules. Moving proteins into membranes and organelles. Vesicular traffic,
secretion, exocytosis and endocytosis. Cell organisation and movement. Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion.
Practical training includes tutorials on cytometry and mircoscopy, mini-research projects where students are
introduced and guided through aspects of research methodology, experimental planning as well as techniques
associated with cellular assays. Active transport studies in yeast cells.

Molecular basis of disease 368 (BCM 368)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites BCM 251 and BCM 252 and BCM 261
Contact time 180 minute practical per week, 2 lectures per week
Language of tuition Afrikaans and English is used in one class
Academic organisation Biochemistry
Period of presentation Semester 2
Module content
Normal and abnormal regulation of the cell cycle: The biochemistry of proliferation, quiescence, senescence,
differentiation and apoptosis, illustrated by cancer. Host-Pathogen co-evolution: How adaptive immunity
emerged from innate immunity. Infection: Molecular and cellular immunobiochemistry of protection against viral,
bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Auto-immunity: Molecular mechanisms of the maintenance and failure of the
recognition of foreign in the context of self in the mammalian body. Practical training includes debate on ethics
of research on animal and human diseases, experimental design and execution of an immunoassay to test for a
biomarker antibody of an infectious disease, tutorials to determine the performance of a diagnostic test for
disease, including the principle of ROC curve analysis, positive and negative predictiveness, sensitivity,
specificity and accuracy, applications of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for characterisation of disease
with fluorescence, confocal and electron microscopy, flow cytometry and biosensors.

Advanced animal and plant foods microbiology 362 (FST 362)

Module credits 18.00
Prerequisites FST 260, MBY 251, MBY 261, MBY 262
Contact time 180 minute practical per week, 2 lectures per week

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Language of tuition Module is presented in English
Academic organisation Food Science
Period of presentation Semester 1
Module content
With an integrated focus on animal and plant food commodities, this module considers food properties and
processing operations that impact on the growth, survival and biochemical activity of microorganisms as they
relate to spoilage, safety and fermentation. Temperature effects on microbial growth and survival including
thermal destruction and cell and spore injury. Microbial stress response (adaptation) during processing.
Selection for stress resistant and more virulent pathogenic variants and virulence mechanisms (toxin
structure/function) of food-borne pathogens during food processing. Theory and practice of new advances in
microbial detection and identification methods. Tools for the production of safe foods including food safety
objectives (FSOs) and risk analysis. Practicals will include advanced microbial detection and identification
methods applied to animal and plant foods as well as the food supply chain.

The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The
General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to
familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section.
Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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