Undergraduate – Department of Genetics

OVERVIEW OF BSC DEGREE

Undergraduate

Genetics forms the foundation for understanding the intricate blueprint of life, enabling breakthroughs in health, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Our undergraduate program provides students with the opportunity to explore the genetic principles that govern living organisms and shape the world we live in.

With a curriculum designed to tackle some of the most critical global challenges, students acquire a strong foundation in genetic. They learn how genetics can enhance human health, improve crop resilience, and protect biodiversity. Combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, the program equips students with the skills and expertise needed to contribute to scientific innovation, sustainable development, and environmental conservation.

Whether your goal is to advance medical research, transform agricultural systems, or protect endangered species, a degree in genetics opens the door to a world of possibilities. This program offers more than just education = it empowers you to play a pivotal role in shaping a better future through the power of genetic science.

Download the full BSc programme

Modules

Biology

Module Name	Credits	Module Description
Biology 124	16	Cell Biology Biology 124 – 16 credits Cell Biology Origin and early history of life. Cytology. Cell chemistry, biological membranes and cellular respiration. Fixation, transfer and expression of genetic information. Evolution. Close
Biology 154	8	Functional Biology Biology 154 – 16 credits Functional Biology Plant anatomy and morphology; photosynthesis; water relations; transport in plants; plant mineral nutrition; growth and development; responses to the environment. Functional biology of animals. introduction to biotechnology. Close

Biometry

Module Name	Credits	Module Description
Biometry 212	8	Introductory Biometry Biometry 212 – 8 credits Introductory Biometry Role of statistics in research; methods of tabulation and graphical representation of data; descriptive measures of locality, variation and association; the elementary principles of estimation, sampling, randomization, unbiasedness and distributions; simple linear and non-linear regression; calcualtion of standard errors; introduction to hypothesis testing; contingency tables and chi-square tests; tests for normality; F-test for homogeneity of variance. All data will be anlaysed using applicable software. Close
Biometry 242	8	Application in Biometry Biometry 242 – 8 credits Application in Biometry Treatment and experimental design; efficiency of estimation; analysis of variance; hypothesis tests for means and differences between means: F-test, t-test, Student’s LSD; confidence intervals; non-parametric tests; multiple linear regression. All data will be analysed using applicable software. Close
Biometry 311	8	Advanced Regression and ANOVA Biometry 311 – 8 credits Advanced Regression and ANOVA Matrix algebra; generalized linear models; power analysis; simple- and multiple linear regression; polynomial regression; logistical regression; diagnostic tests for influential observations; analysis of covariance; testing model assumptions. Close

Genetics

Module Name	Credits	Module Description
Genetics 214	16	Introductory Genetics – Principle of Heredity Genetics 214 – 16 credits Introductory Genetics – Principle of Heredity Part I: Principles of Heredity Molecular basis of genetic diversity and heredity; the cell cycle; mitosis and meiosis; chromosomes, genes and heredity; Mendelian genetics; linkage and crossing over of genes on a chromosome; linkage analysis and gene mapping; sexual reproduction and sex determining chromosomes; mutations that affect chromosome number and structure and their phenotypic effects. Part II: Population Genetics Introduction to population genetics; population diversity and genotype and allele frequencies; Hardy-Weinberg principle; quantitative genetics and heredity. Close
Genetics 244	16	Introductory Molecular Biology Genetics 244 – 16 credits Introductory Molecular Biology The biology of the molecule of life. The structure of double-stranded DNA; the processes of replication and recombination of DNA; the deciphering and nature of the genetic code; the processes of transcription and translation; protein structure and function; the regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; DNA mutations; DNA repair and transposable elements; the construction and analysis of DNA clones; applications and ethics of recombinant DNA technology; introduction to bio-informatics. Close
Genetics 314	16	Genomes and Genome Analysis Genetics 314 – 16 credits Genomes and Genome Analysis The module focuses on the organisation, structure and functionality of genomes and covers the following aspects: genome structure, genome organisation, genome function and methods to study genomes. Chromosome structure and organisation are also studied. Other complementary topics include: Introductory Bioinformatics to study genomes; chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes; genome models; genetics of development. Close
Genetics 324	16	Molecular Population Genetics Genetics 324 – 16 credits Molecular Population Genetics The genetic structure and dynamics of populations; frequencies of genes and genotypes; genetic polymorphisms; random mating and the Hardy-Weinberg principle; factors that determine genetic change and genetic equilibrium: mutation, migration, selection and population size; linkage disequilibrium, heterozygosity in subdivided populations; genetic relationships between populations; implications for genetic identifications (DNA typing). Close
Genetics 344	16	Advanced Topics in Molecular Genetics Genetics 344 – 16 credits Advanced Topics in Molecular Genetics Various advanced topics are addressed in this module and include: DNA markers and applications in mapping of genes involved with genetic diseases; diagnostic applications in human genetics; marker-assisted selection in plant and animal breeding; DNA fingerprinting and forensic science; applications from genome projects; personalised medicine and pharmacogenetics; epigenomics; genetic modification; cancer and apoptosis; gene therapy; genetics of behavioural traits. Close
Genetics 354	16	Quantitative Genetics Genetics 354 – 16 credits Quantitative Genetics Various advanced topics are addressed in this module and include: DNA markers and applications in mapping of genes involved with genetic diseases; diagnostic applications in human genetics; marker-assisted selection in plant and animal breeding; DNA fingerprinting and forensic science; applications from genome projects; personalised medicine and pharmacogenetics; epigenomics; genetic modification; cancer and apoptosis; gene therapy; genetics of behavioural traits. Close

Module Name	Credits	Module Description
Genetics 215	16	Molecular Techniques Genetics 215 – 16 credits Introductory Microbial Biotechnology Biotechnology is an applied science, aimed at utilising biological systems and organisms. Biotechnologists therefore use their knowledge of biological systems to generate products or deliver services. This module introduces the student to microbial biotechnology by focussing on the most important aspects of first- and second-generation microbial biotechnology. Themes that will be discussed include bioprospecting, fermentation and bioreactors, microbial metabolic pathways for respiration and fermentation, production of baker’s yeast and single-cell protein, the beer- and wine making processes, production of bio-ethanol and the production of pharmaceutically important compounds and enzymes. Close
Genetics 245	8	Genetics Data Analysis Genetics 245 – 16 credits Plant and Animal Biotechnology This module follows on from the Genetics 215 module and introduces the student to first- and second-generation biotechnology in eukaryotic systems, including plants, animals and humans. First-generation biotechnology entails the use of organisms/ biological systems as they are, e.g. extracting pharmaceutical products from plants. In contrast, second-generation biotechnology focuses on more specialised techniques, e.g. in vitro propagation, mutagenesis and breeding. Themes that will be discussed include aquaculture, aquatic bioremediation, aquatic bioprocessing, embryogeny, assisted reproduction and embryo manipulation, cell and tissue culture for both plant and animal systems, micropropagation, and the identification, characterisation and production of valuable natural products and pharmaceuticals in plants. Close
Genetics 315	8	Bioinformatics Genetics 315 – 16 credits Advanced Biotechnology This module focuses on the most important aspects of third-generation biotechnology. Third-generation biotechnology can also be described as molecular biotechnology and the themes covered include genetic fingerprinting and molecular forensics, molecular diagnostics, genetic engineering, gene therapy, bio-processing, metabolic engineering (integrated metabolism), bioinformatics and mathematical modelling of biological systems, applied “-omics” and nano-biotechnology. Close
Genetics 345	8	Scientific and Proposals Writing Genetics 345 – 16 credits Economic and Legal Aspects of Biotechnology This module is aimed at introducing the biotechnology student to the non-biological (non-natural science) aspects of biotechnology. Students will be introduced to concepts such as the generation and development of creative ideas, entrepreneurship, market research, feasibility studies, the generation of a business plan, financing, profitability, the South African legal system, intellectual property law, patents, plant breeders’ rights, trademarks and copyright, licensing agreements, regulatory measures and prerequisites in terms of research practice and GMOs, good laboratory practice, quality control and project management in a research environment. Close

Plant breeding

Module Name	Credits	Module Description
Genetics 414	16	Plant breeding techniques Genetics 414 – 16 credits Plant breeding techniques Plant breeding objectives; reproduction in plants; cell and tissue culture; breeding strategies for self- and cross-pollinating crops; the utilisation of hybrid vigour; mutation breeding; breeding for insect and disease resistance; variations in chromosome number and its exploitation in breeding programmes; plant breeders’ rights. Close

My Lecturers

My lecturers

Module code	Module name	Module number	Module coordinator	Other Lecturers
	Cell Biology;	124	Dr Marlon le Roux	Ms Mandi Engelbrecht
11061	Introductory Biometrics	212	Mr Willem Botes	Ms Cecile Bester
11061	Applications in Biometrics	242	Ms Cecile Bester	Mr Willem Botes
13285	Introductory Genetics	214	Dr Nathan McGregor	Dr Brendon Pearce, Mr Michael Wolf, Ms Mandi Engelbrecht(Pracs)
13285	Introductory Microbial Biotechnology	215	Prof James Lloyd	Florian Bauwer, Trudy Jansen (Micro), Dawievan Niekerk
13285	Introductory Molecular Biology	244	Dr Barbara van Asch	Prof Johan Burger, Dr Manuela Campa, Ms Mandi Engelbrecht(Pracs)
13285	Introductory Plant and Animal Biotechnology	245	Dr Christell vd Vyver	Prof James Lloyd, Lindy Rose
13285	Genomes and Genetic Analysis	314	Prof Anna-Maria Oberholster	Prof Zander Myburg, Dr Francois Burger
13285	Advanced biotechnology	315	Dr Paul Hills	Florian Bauwer, Melani Vivier, Dr Bianca Loedolff
13285	Molecular Population Genetics	324	Prof Aletta vd Merwe	Mr Michael Wolf(Pracs)
13285	Advanced Topics in Molecular Genetics	344	Prof Johan Burger	Dr Justin Lashbrooke, Dr Brendon Pearce
13285	Economic and legal aspects of biology	345	Dr Shaun Peters	External Contractors
13285	Quantitative Genetics	354	Prof Clint Rhode	Mr Michael Wolf (Pracs)
13285	Plant Breeding	414	Mrs Lezaan Hess

Contact us

Teaching & learning portfolio

Dr. Paul Hills

Laboratory: Plant Growth Promoting Substances Group, IPBB

Email: phills@sun.ac.za