Specs:

3/4-year degree, Bachelor Levels Degree

Common available majors include:

Applied Biology, Applied Mathematics, Archaeology, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Business Computing, Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Computer Games Development, Computer Science, Ecology and Evolution, Environmental and Geographical Science, Genetics, Geology, Human Physiology, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Microbiology, Ocean and atmosphere Science, Physics

Description:

The Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) provides students with the opportunity to acquire specific knowledge and skills in the area of science. The curricula is designed to provide students with the adequate foundations and depth in their chosen field but at the same time also attain to generic skills such as numeracy, problem solving and computer and communication skills which are essential skills needed in order to complete the course and graduate.

Student Opinions:

Dominic Obojkovits, Second Year (Computer Games Development & Computer Science- Dual Major):

“I chose to study my degree as I own a games design company and feel it aligns with my skillsets. Lowlights definitely include the tedious design of how one has to learn at varsity and how code is taught. Unfortunately, there are no highlights in my opinion.”

Clare Garrard:

“I decided to study a BSc, as I had always enjoyed science in school. My original intention was to major in Biochemistry and Chemistry, although I was sad to leave behind the French that I had loved for many years. I also did an extra course in first-year – a practical clarinet course with the College of Music. Although I loved my extra course, I would not recommend taking five courses in first-year. There is already enough to handle, with finding your feet and making new friends, that the workload is not worth it.

I had a crisis of degree choice midway through first-year: I discovered that Chemistry major was very Math’s focused – not what I had wanted at all, especially since I wasn’t enjoying the Math’s course. I am now majoring in Biochemistry and French.

The downsides:

  • Practical’s take up a whole afternoon, so those afternoons are a write-off.
  • First-year is tough. You spend half your time wondering if you are studying what you really want to, as you have to cover the foundations before you specialise. It gets better in second year when your courses are actually composed of what interests you.
  • You will need to do Honours or some further qualification if you want to be more than a lab rat

The upsides:

  • The BSc structure offers flexibility – you can even have Humanities major! (Although make sure you check out the requirements with a Student Advisor.)
  • You get a chance to do “vac” work in the labs of some of the research scientists in your department.
  • What is covered in class is closely related to practical work.

So what kind of student should study a BSc?

  • You need to be passionate about what you do; it cannot be about money, because that is certainly not guaranteed.
  • It doesn’t matter too much whether you are a people person or not, as there is a niche for whatever your personality – it’s not all lab work.
  • Conservation, ecology, teaching, drug design, cosmetic development and agriculture include some of the interests of BSc students.”

Nicole Barnes:

“The Bachelor of Science degree is a very well structured and enjoyable degree to study. I decided to do science above doing Medicine because I was really interested in understanding the science behind the medical problems that face our society today. I wanted to be behind the scenes where research was being done into possible causes and cures rather than just handing out somebody else’s cure.

I definitely recommend this degree to anyone with an enquiring mind. It satisfies all the curiosity and more. There are so many various options to major in and that makes the degree really beneficial. First-year is pretty general which gives you a feel of many different fields, which helps you to get a feel of where you see yourself.

I am now currently majoring in Human Physiology and Genetics, which means I am involved in the Medical and the Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) Departments.  The MCB department is a really great department to be a part of and I have thoroughly enjoyed my second-year here. I have learnt more than I ever expected and really feel like I know where I want to take my career in science now. There is a really great support structure of tutors and even the lectures are very keen to help you as much as they can.

The timetable is really great as all lectures end by 1pm and then you have practical’s 2-3 times a week depending on your subjects from 2-5pm. The practical modules are mostly very interesting and give you insight into what it’s like to work in a laboratory. The degree is a lot of work if you wish to really get the most out of it but it is definitely worth it.

In the end I will graduate with a Bachelors degree in Human Physiology and Genetics at the end of next year and then will go into an honours course at the Medical School. What has been really great is that the lecturers and tutors have been encouraging us to do honours and informing us about all the various options to ensure that we really enjoy the honours course.

I highly recommend the UCT Bachelors of Science degree to anyone who is interested in science but doesn’t quite know where he or she will end up career wise just yet; it’s a great platform to launch your scientific career from and is really enjoyable as well.”