Postgraduate Admission requirements for the Postgraduate programmes in the Department of Life and
Consumer Sciences
2014/2015 intake
Department
Qualification
Contact details for the Department of Life and
Consumer Sciences
Department of Life and Consumer Sciences
Masters of Life Science
Enquiries:Ms Van Wyk for all applications to the Master in Consumer Science programme
Generic email will be created.
Prof PT Matjila, Postgraduate Coordinator for the Master in Life Sciences programme,
Tel: +27 11 471 2730
Email: matjipt@unisa.ac.za
Curriculum:
A research proposal module (MPLCS90) and a dissertation (DFCON90). Students are
required to first register and comply with the requirements for completion of the research
proposal module and ethics application before registration for the dissertation will be
allowed.
The purpose of this module is for students to gain the knowledge and skills required to
execute a research project that falls within the scope of the research groups particular to d
Life and Consumer Sciences. The learner accredited with this module will be able to:
 Identify a research problem
 Formulate the problem, research questions and/or set appropriate hypothesis
 Set well defined research objectives
 Compile a literature review
 Present a suitable methodology and data analysis for the research project
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Purpose of Research Proposal Module:
MPLCS90
Application dates
Admission requirements for the MPLCS90
module
Selection procedure
 Identify the contribution the research will make
 Draft a research proposal that addresses all of the above
Students interested in the Master in Life Science program need to apply during the bulk
application dates of Unisa which are from 15 September to 15 November 2014 for 2015
admission.
Admission to Master's studies is dependent on the candidate being in possession of a
Bachelor of Honours degree (or equivalent) in any of the Life Sciences fields. A student who
is admitted on the strength of an equivalent qualification and who has not completed a
module in research methodology may be required to complete such a module at NQF level 8
for non-degree purposes (NDP) before he/she will be allowed to register for the research
proposal module.
An approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa’s policies and equality and
diversity in the discipline or department will be implemented. The following selection
procedure will be applied:
 All students are required to first choose a qualification within the College of their
choice
 All applicants are required to apply for a student number first
 Students are then required to apply for admission and provide the required
supporting documents
 Administrative verification will take place whereby students will be informed if any
documentation is outstanding
 Application should reach the student admission office no later than 15 November
 The application will be forwarded to the Postgraduate Coordinator for the Master in
Life Science programme via myUnisa in the Department of Life and Consumer
Sciences for consideration
 A selection committee consisting of the Research group leaders particular to this
programme, supervisors in the Life Sciences discipline and Postgraduate Coordinator
for the Master in Life Sciences will complete the review process of the application by
15 January 2015
 In cases where clarity is required on the application the Postgraduate coordinator
may consider requesting an interview (telephonic or in person) with the candidate
 Applications of selected candidates will be forwarded to the College Office for
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Procedures for unsuccessful applications
Documents to support application
Research and Graduate Studies where-after the selected applications will be
forwarded to the College Research Innovation and Higher Degrees committee for
final approval
 Successful candidates will be notified by the M&D section who will then assist with
further registration for the Research Proposal Module.
 Candidates who were unsuccessful may apply to the Postgraduate Coordinator for
the Master of Life Science programme for the reasons for rejection of the
application.
 All appeals will be considered by an appeal committee consisting of the Head of the
College Office for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Director for the School of
Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chair of the Department of Life and Consumer
Sciences and members of the Research Committee of the Department of Life and
Consumer Sciences
 The outcome of the appeal will be submitted to College management for approval
 A further appeal may be submitted through the appropriate Unisa procedures.
In addition to the admission requirements, ALL applicants must submit the following
documentation:
 A transcript or an academic record,
 A 4 page PDF concept document describing their intended research according to the
project details and descriptions provided on the departmental website.


Selection criteria
The Departmental Selection Document Form 1
An updated CV
Students will be accepted on the following criteria as will be evaluated in the template
provided:
 Applicant information provided
 Suggested research focus
 Research proposal evaluation
If a 1 is scored for supervisor capacity (8) in the selection criteria document the
application will not be considered for admission.
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Alignment to Enrolment plan 2015
The admission of Master in Life Sciences students are aligned to the 2015 Enrolment plan developed by the Department of Life and Consumer
Sciences
New intake for 2015
Motivation for intake
The Enrolment plan for 2015 was designed to accommodate 24 new students in the
Master of Life Science programme for 2015. The selection committee will select 40
students from the applications received. Depending on the number of applicants, an
additional 16 students will be placed on a secondary list in case any of the selected 24
students on the primary list is unable to register. The selection will be based on the
number of students who have sent in admission documents to a particular research
project for Research Group 1 or in line with the outcome of Research Group 2. Sixteen
students who comply with the selection criteria, irrespective of which project or group
they fall under will be signed off to register online. The 16 students will be allocated
within the two research groups servicing the Master in Life Science programme. The
selection committee may not be required to make use of the secondary list of students
depending on the number of applications received.
The Master in Life Sciences programme will continue a 9% intake in each year. Currently
there are 7 senior Life Scientists with PhD’s and 2 Junior lectures with MSc’s that can
supervise. Two additional posts at junior and senior lecturer level will be filled in the
current year. There is enough capacity within the department to supervise students
within the focus groups.
Alignment of intake to Research Groups
Applicants will be required to align the proposed research they will be presenting in the 4 page PDF document to any one of the research
projects stipulated in the research group. The proposed research should be developed within the broad context of the research project.
Name of the Research Group 1
OMICS
Team leader of Research Group
Prof PT Matjila
Team members of Research Group
Team members
Specialization of Team member
Prof PT Matjila
Molecular parasitologist
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Goal and Purpose of the Research Group
Key focuses of the Research Group
Motivation for the number of students
accommodated in this Research Group for 2015
Prof J Dewar
Microbiologist/virologist
Dr S Gildenhuys
Biochemist/proteomics
Dr N Parbhoo
Biochemist/proteomics
Prof Z Dlamini
Molecular biologis
Dr Z Mbita
Molecular biologist
Dr G Prinsloo
Metabolomics
Dr R Hull
Molecular biologist
The focus of the Omics group will be to advance research in the development of improved
diagnostics and therapeutics using molecular approaches. The group will focus on the
development and application of tools using advanced second and third generation DNA
sequencing technologies, and genotyping platforms for the rapid generation of high
resolution genetic maps of important plant, animal and human pathogens. These can be
used for the identification of variation in candidate genes in regions of genetic significance to
traits of importance in agricultural, veterinary and human health. Extreme emphasise will be
placed on research that is of a collaborative effort in nature, with a multidisciplinary
approach to tackle all aspects of the research and management of important pathogens
afflicting plants, animals and humans.
Diagnostics, Therapeutics, Vaccine development, Bioinformatics
Following the prescription of the enrolment plan for 2015 only 16 new students will be
admitted to research projects in this research group. The number of students will also be
determined by the availability of additional spaces within the capacity of a supervisor
depending on changing circumstances. This may mean that a supervisor will be able to take
more students than the enrolment numbers allocated to the group. The enrolment number
may also be determined by the number of applications received which may be fewer than
required. The selection committee will determine the circumstances for selecting more or
fewer students depending on unplanned changes to the profile of the available supervisors.
Therefore the number of students indicated in the capacity column of each project indicates
the maximum number of students that will be taken in as the admissions may only be for
one specific project and not for any other projects. In instances where there are admissions
for different projects the number of applications will be considered and the number in
brackets in the capacity column will be accepted.
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Research Projects in the Research Group 1
Master’s or Doctoral
level capacity
Master’s
Possible supervisor
Project name: Expression and characterization of
rotavirus capsid protein VP6
Project name:Analysis of Analysis
Babesiarossitransciptome for evaluating
potential disease outcomes
Project name:
Project name: Development of recombinant
vaccine for the control of both the tick vector
and Babesia parasite
Project name: The occurrence of tick-borne
pathogens in canines in the Western Cape rescue
organizations and townships
Project name:Development of a Rapid Diagnostic
Kit (RDK) for the detection of Babesiarossi in
dogs
Masters
Master’s/PhD
Dr S Gildenhuys
Dr N Parbhoo
Prof Matjila
Master’s/PhD
Prof Matjila
Master’s
Prof Matjila
Master’s
Prof Matila
Project name: Genotyping analysis of rotavirus
in South Africa Expression and characterization
of rotavirus capsid proteins
Master’s
Prof J Dewar
Dr S Gildenhuys
Ms L Theron
Project name: Molecular characterization of
Rotavirus
Prof J Dewar
Dr S Gildenhuys
Research group 2
Name of Research Group 2
Team leader of Research Group
Team members of Research Group
Phytochemistry and Medically Active Plant Compounds
Prof J Dewar
Team members
Dr MA Nyila
Specialization of Team member
Phytochemistry
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Ms I Setshedi
Prof SR Magano
Prof Matjila
Dr S Lebelo
Dr T Van Eeden
Mrs E Symington
Prof R Hendrick
Goal and Purpose of the Research Group
Key focuses of the Research Group
Motivation for the number of students
accommodated in this Research Group for 2015
Phytochemistry
Phytochemistry
Animal parasites
Physiology
Dietetics
Dietetics
Water analysis
Ms K De Bruyn
Water analysis
Mr G Prinsloo
Animal health
Our Department is currently involved in research with the CSIR involving the isolation,
identification and bio-assaying of anti-malarial and anti-cancer compounds from plants such
as SutherlandiafrutescensandSceletiumtortuosum, respectively. Potential MIT expansion
together with researchers from the Department of Environmental Sciences involves the
phytoremediative development of wetlands to reduce pollution levels in surface water and
with researchers from the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health where plant
extracts may be used to treat parasitic infestations of domestic animals. Dietitians, including
the Department’s Dr van Eeden and Mrs Symington, may provide valuable insights into
essential plant compounds necessary in one’s diet, the role these play in preventing
debilitating chronic diseases of lifestyle and the negative impact of dietary deficiencies on
the growth and development of our children.
Phytomedicine, antimalarial compounds, anti-cancer compounds, antiparasitic compounds
Following the prescription of the enrolment plan for 2015 only 16 new students will be
admitted to research projects in this research group. The number of students will also be
determined by the availability of additional spaces within the capacity of a supervisor
depending on changing circumstances. This may mean that a supervisor will be able to take
more students than the enrolment numbers allocated to the group. The enrolment number
may also be determined by the number of applications received which may be fewer than
required. The selection committee will determine the circumstances for selecting more or
fewer students depending on unplanned changes to the profile of the available supervisors.
Therefore the number of students indicated in the capacity column of each project indicates
the maximum number of students that will be taken in as the admissions may only be for
one specific project and not for any other projects. In instances where there are admissions
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Research Projects in the Research Group 2
Project name: Screening of plants or plantbased products for medicinal properties
Project name: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
kinases: The development of a novel
phytochemistry screen for Pelargonium sidoides
plan
Project name: Determining the effect of
processing on the microflora of leaves of
Cowpea, a naturalised, edible South African plant
Project name: Screening of plants or plant-based
products for anti-arthropod properties
Project name: Water analysis
for different projects the number of applications will be considered and the number in
brackets in the capacity column will be accepted.
Currently there exists a wide range of projects that fall within extraction of compounds from
plant species such as SutherlandiifrutescensandSceletiumtortuosumfor different applications
for anti-malaria, anti-cancer and anti-ecto parasites. For specifics on these projects kindly
contact the group leader Prof J Dewar (email: dewarj@unisa.ac.za)
Master’s or Doctoral Possible supervisor
level capacity
Master’s/Doctoral
Dr MN Nyila
Dr M Myer
Dr SL Lebelo
Ms I Setshedi
Mr AR Mudau
Mrs EA Symington
Dr van Eeden
Master’s
Prof Dewar
Master’s
Prof Dewar
Master’s/Doctoral
Prof SR Magano
Master’s/Doctoral
Prof R Hendrick
Ms K De Bruyn
Research group 3
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Name of Research Group 3
Team leader of Research Group
Translational Genomics and Drug Discovery Group
Prof Zodwa Dlamini (Molecular Medicine and Functional Genomics)
Team members of Research Group
Team members
Specialization of Team member
Dr Zukile Mbita
Molecular Genetics
Prof Fhatuwani Mudawu
Horticultural Management practices
Dr Monde Nyila
Microbiologist
Dr Rodney Hull
Molecular and Cell Biology
MrSydwel Mukhadi
Molecular Genetics
Ms Nonkululeko Mthembu
Molecular and Cell Biology
Mr Sydwell Mukhadi
Biochemistry
In collaboration with Universities of Bristol and Nottingham-UK, FreieUniversität BerlinGermany, theLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer-Austria, Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro-Brazil, Regina Elena Cancer Institute-Rome, ARC Biotechnology Platform-SA, Wits
University-SA, University of Vienna Medical School-Austria, the group uses “Translational
Medicine and Functional Genomics” technologies including the use of bioinformatics to
provide unprecedented possibilities to identify the underlying molecular basis of many
common diseases including cancer, and HIV/AIDS. The group aims at contributing new
information on how the unique genetics signatures of an individual influence the risk and
prognosis of disease. This will be the basis for future individualized medicine in the years to
come. Identifying natural products that target and regulate the splicing and the angiogenesis
machinery, molecular pathways will be pivotal for new drug discovery. This will be the basis
for future individualized medicine in the many years to come because such novel chemical
structure can serve as lead compounds for the design and development of new drugs. This
group will soon embark on preclinical work involving molecular imaging backed by the
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Cancer in Vienna-Austria and the Universities of Nottingham
and Bristol in the UK and will develop expertise locally using the DST Preclinical Drug
Development Platform hosted by the MRC and the Northwest University.
Goal and Purpose of the Research Group
Key focuses of the Research Group
Motivation for the number of students
accommodated in this Research Group for 2015
Translational medicine, Bioinformatics, angiogenesis and anti-cancer angiostatic activities,
anti-cancer spliceogenomics, HIVAN, Phytomedicine, functional genomics
Following the prescription of the enrolment plan for 2015 only 10 new students will be
admitted to research projects in this research group. The number of students will also be
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Research Projects in the Research Group 3
determined by the availability of additional spaces within the capacity of a supervisor
depending on changing circumstances. This may mean that a supervisor will be able to take
more students than the enrolment numbers allocated to the group. The enrolment number
may also be determined by the number of applications received which may be fewer than
required. The selection committee will determine the circumstances for selecting more or
fewer students depending on unplanned changes to the profile of the available supervisors.
Therefore the number of students indicated in the capacity column of each project indicates
the maximum number of students that will be taken in as the admissions may only be for
one specific project and not for any other projects. In instances where there are admissions
for different projects the number of applications will be considered and the number in
brackets in the capacity column will be accepted.
Currently the following projects are available within this group: 1] Targeting the abnormal
MicroRNA and Splicing Signatures in HIVAN and Cancer. 2] Exploiting disease-specific
molecular “signatures” with natural products that may serve as novel drugs or lead
compounds in the treatment of Cancer, HIVAN and secondary Fungal and bacterial
infections. 3] Targeting the aberrant splice variants in cancer. 4] Exploiting the angiostatic
activities of natural products for drug discovery. 5] Exploiting natural products in influencing
anti-angiogenesis by manipulating the RNA splicing machinery. For specifics on these
projects kindly contact the group leader Prof Zodwa Dlamini (email: dlamizl@unisa.ac.za)
Project name: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) profiling in
Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Associated
Nephropathy (HIVAN)
Master’s/PhD
Prof Z Dlamini
Dr R Hull
Project name: Exploiting of South African
Medicinal plants for anti-cancer/angiostatic
activities
Project name: Regulation and function of RBBP6
isoform 3 in cell cycle and carcinogenesis
Master’s
Prof Z Dlamini
Dr R Hull
Master’s/PhD
Dr. Z Mbita
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Research Proposal module details
All research projects listed above feed directly into the development of the research proposal MPLCS90 for which students will register if they
have been successfully admitted to the Master of Life Sciences.
Assessment mode for MPLCS90
The research proposal will be assessed through the use of an assessment template
consisting of key assessment categories that pertain to a research proposal
Assessment criteria for Research proposal
The assessment of the research proposal will be conducted as follows:
 A vetting committee consisting of the Research Committee in the Department of Life
and Consumer Sciences consisting of the following profiles (senior staff members
and/or may have NRF rating and/or are supervisors or co-supervisors of students
and/or have examined research proposals before and/or have been requested to do
act as an external examiner for other universities) will veteach research proposal
 The proposal will also be vetted by two appropriate internal departmental experts of
which one should at least be familiar with the field of research.
 The supervisor is required to be present at the vetting committee meeting
 The vetted proposal will then be considered at a Departmental Vetting committee
meeting
 Verbal feedback will be given to the supervisor and the template on which the
comments were documented will be returned to the supervisor in order to amend
the proposal where necessary
 If the proposal is approved, the student and supervisor will receive a letter of
approval from the COD
Assessment criteria for Research Proposal for Master in Life Sciences
Mode of delivery of MPLCS90


Online delivery will be followed through means of study units on myUnisa,
discussion forums and the submission of two assignments on myUnisa related to the
research proposal.
Video conferencing sessions may be organised by the post graduate programme
coordinator for all Master students in the department of Life and Consumer Sciences
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
Mode of supervision for MPLCS90
External supervision
Collaboration
A seminar may also be organised for the presentation of completed research
proposals which may be delivered through video conferencing or on the Florida
campus
Supervision may be delivered in different modes depending on the requirement of the
supervisor and study design:
 One-on-one contact sessions may be required which can be delivered through video
conferencing for students in remote areas or through personal visits to the
supervisor if the student is able to visit the Florida Campus
 Email contact on a personal basis to assist in addressing student queries will be the
main mode of delivery
 Track changed documents or pdf scanned documents in which the supervisor has
made corrections or provided suggestions will be used.
Should the need arise to include an external supervisor the decision will be made based on
the expertise or assistance required from an external supervisor on a particular part of the
project. This will only be implemented if the internal capacity of supervision cannot support
the requirement of the research project. Students undertaking research outside the borders
of South Africa must be allocated an external supervisor/co-supervisor that is
knowledgeable, or resides in the area in which the research is undertaken. Students are
welcome to identify possible external supervisors, however, the selection and appointment
of these external supervisors remains the responsibility of the Department of Life and
Consumer Sciences.
The Department of Life and Consumer Sciences has collaborative agreements with the
following institutions:
i. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
ii. Agricultural Research Council
iii. Medical Research Council
iv. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Where relevant, a student may be placed in collaborative research with any of the above
institutions.
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