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Teaching

The department offers postgraduate training at Honours, Masters and PhD level.

The Immunology Honours is a one-year full-time programme, consisting of two components, namely coursework (IMML4001A) and a mini-research project (IMML4002A). The course work is delivered in the form of formal lectures; practical sessions; research methodology; journal clubs and small group teaching.

The mini-project introduces students to Immunology research, which is carried out under supervision. Specific research areas of interest include Infectious Diseases, Autoimmune Diseases, Allergy and Transplant Immunology.

MSc and PhD programs are full-time research and on a full-time study basis. Only in exceptional circumstances will part-time study be considered. Full-time research projects will be assigned following discussion with potential supervisors.

Curriculum

The objectives of the Honours program include but are not limited to, understanding of the immune system function and how it provides defence against microorganisms, pathogenesis of immune system disorders and strategies to correct the disorders. The focus is also on the demonstrable ability to perform practical techniques used in diagnostic and research immunology laboratories, conform to ethical standards, and follow good laboratory practices. The Honours program has a research component where students are assessed on the ability to review scientific literature, use an experimental approach to test a hypothesis, interpret the resulting scientific data, and communicate effectively in both oral and written scientific forms.

Lecture topics include:

  • Introduction to Basic Concepts in Immunology and Applied Immunology
  • Innate Immune System
  • Adaptive Immune System
  • Applied Immunology

The research component aims to provide students with an introduction to scientific methodology and research including formulating a research proposal, undertaking a literature review, application to the Ethics Committee, conducting data collection and analysis and report writing in the form of a mini-dissertation. There will be short components in research ethics, quantitative and qualitative research and an introduction to statistics.

Each student will undertake a research project supervised by a member of staff. The project topic will be chosen from a list of provided topics.

Under the MSc and PhD programs, students will be expected to design the study and write a research proposal with a clear experimental approach for data collection, analysis, results interpretation, research report write-up and demonstrate the ability to disseminate the findings through presentations.

Entry Requirements

For admission into the Honours program, you should have obtained an average of at least 65% for your overall undergraduate degree.  Graduates with a BHSc or BSc with majors in disciplines which are applicable to Immunology including Physiology, Molecular medicine, Haematology, Infectious diseases or any pathology-related subject are preferable. Please note that meeting the minimum entry requirement does not guarantee students a place in the programme; students with higher marks will be given preferential acceptance.

For admission to the MSc program, you should have obtained an average of at least 65% for your Honours degree, preference will be given to applicants who obtained 75% and above for the research component of their Honours degree.

Graduates with Honours in Immunology, Molecular Medicine & Haematology, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Virology or any other pathology-related field are preferred.

For admission to the PhD program, you should have obtained an average of at least 65% for your MSc degree, and preference will be given to applicants who obtained 70% or more.

Graduates with an MSc in Immunology, Molecular Medicine & Haematology, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Virology or any other pathology-related field are preferred.

Please note that the minimum requirements serve as a guide and the Department reserves the right to reject applications at its discretion and based on capacity. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place and the final selection is made subject to the availability of places and academic results.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities following completion of Immunology programs include:

  • Research Assistant
  • Science Writer
  • Medical Scientist-completion of an internship recognized by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is essential.
  • Biomedical consumable or equipment representative.
  • Medical doctor- students will need to be accepted into medicine via the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP).

Lecturer/Researcher in Immunology or medical discipline-for students with Masters and PhD degree. 

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