Program Overview

Immunology Program

The Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours in the field of Immunology is a one-year full-time programme.

Overview

The programme consists of two components, namely coursework and a mini-research project. The coursework 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
• Transplant Immunology

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities following completion of the Immunology programme include:

• Research Assistant
• Science Writer
• Medical Scientist - completion of an internship recognised 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)

Curriculum

The objectives of the Honours programme 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.

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.

Entry Requirements

For admission into the Honours programme, 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. Meeting the minimum entry requirement does not guarantee students a place in the programme; students with higher marks will be given preferential acceptance.

University Application Process

Applications are handled centrally. Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle. Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide, and meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

The current average tuition fees are available. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, the University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities available to postgraduate students.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: MHA00
• Faculty: Health Sciences
• School: Pathology
• Qualification: BHSc(Honours)
• Duration: 1-year
• Study Mode: Full-time
• Closing Date: 31 October 2025
• Course Coordinator: Mr Nakampe Mampeule