GENERAL INFORMATION
FOR
BIOCHEMISTRY &
MICROBIOLOGY AND
PHYSIOLOGY STUDENTS
2011
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
Objectives of the Department of Biochemistry
& Microbiology
Staff
Undergraduate studies
3.1
Second-year modules
3.2
Third-year modules
3.3
Prescribed Books
3.4
Language
3.5
Consultation
3.6
Practicals
3.7
Class Attendance
3.8
Tests
3.9
Absence from Tests or Exams
3.10
Copying and Plagiarism
3.11
Mark Allocation
3.12
Duly Performed (DP) Certificates
Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology. We
hope you will have a good year with us and that you will achieve your
academic goals.
This booklet contains the information you will need to organise your
studies for the year.
1.
Objectives of the Department
The Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology is committed to
guide you in the acquisition of scientific skills and insights. We are
committed to excellence in academic achievement and purposeful
research.
We aim to assist you to develop:
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
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An understanding of concepts and principles as well as
acquired knowledge in science – particularly Biochemistry &
Microbiology;
The ability to use scientific knowledge and skills to solve
problems in innovative ways, using appropriate principles,
tools, techniques, methodology and logical reasoning;
Skills used to investigate phenomena related to Biochemistry,
Microbiology and science and to understand the changing and
contested nature of knowledge in science;
The ability to use oral and written modes of communication
through the effective preparation, organisation and
presentation of research;
The ability to use science and technology effectively, critically
and safely, while showing responsibility to the environment
and the health of others;
An understanding of the world through integration of
knowledge and skills;
The ability to transfer knowledge across contexts;

2.
The ability to work effectively in a team, collaborating to
develop commitment, respect, shared responsibility,
interpersonal relationships and managerial skills in order to
achieve a set purpose.
Staff
At university, you are a student and not a pupil. The academic staff is
there to assist you but you are a partner in your own education and not
a reluctant bystander. The success of your studies depends on your
contribution and not on authoritarian discipline. Mutual respect and
cooperation between students and lecturers will result in effective
education. Try to be considerate of lecturers and other students. This
will result in a good working system.
The staff with whom you will interact are:
Prof V Oosthuizen
Professor: Biochemistry
Head of Department
Office: 12 0307
Tel:
504 2435
Email: vaughan.oosthuizen@nmmu.ac.za
Ms L Smith
Departmental Secretary
Office: 12 0306
Tel:
504 2441
Fax: 504 2814
Email: lourine.smith@nmmu.ac.za
Dr V Oosthuizen
Senior Lecturer: Biochemistry
Office: 12 0301
Tel:
504 2435
Email: vaughan.oosthuizen@nmmu.ac.za
Dr M van de Venter
Lecturer: Biochemistry
Office: 12 0330
Tel:
504 2813
Email: maryna.vandeventer@nmmu.ac.za
Dr CL Frost
Senior Lecturer: Biochemistry
Office: 12 0327
Tel:
504 4123
Email: carminita.frost@nmmu.ac.za
Dr BM Somai
Senior Lecturer: Microbiology
Office: 12 0205
Tel:
504 2608
Email: benesh.somai@nmmu.ac.za
Dr TG Downing
Lecturer: Microbiology
Office: 12 0201
Tel:
504 2359
Email: tim.downing@nmmu.ac.za
Ms S Govender
Lecturer: Microbiology
Office: 12 0206
Tel:
504 2347
Email: sharlene.govender@nmmu.ac.za
Dr S Roux
Senior Lecturer: Physiology
Office: 12 0303
Tel:
504 2132
Email: saartjie.roux@nmmu.ac.za
Mr S. Rayise
Technician: Physiology
Office: 12 0331
Tel: 504 2443
Email: Samuel.rayise@nmmu.ac.za
Mr R van den Bergh
Senior Technician: Biochemistry
Office: 12 0328
Tel:
504 2237
Email: ryno.vandenbergh@nmmu.ac.za
3.
Mrs A Erasmus
Technician: Biochemistry/Microbiology
Office: 12 0330
Tel:
504 4070
Email: anna.erasmus@nmmu.ac.za
Undergraduate studies
Term dates:
Term 1: 14 February – 1 April
Term 2: 04 April – 31 May
Term 3: 25 July – 13 September
Term 4: 14 September – 04 November
Exams (Terms 1 & 2): 28 May – 15 June
Exams (Terms 3 & 4): 9 November – 29 November
Mrs W Wilde
Technician: Microbiology
Office: 12 0231
Tel:
504 2351
Email: wendy.wilde@nmmu.ac.za
3.1 Second year Modules
Biochemistry
Mrs M Fensham
Technician: Physiology
Office: 12 0204
Tel:
504 2654
Email: megan.fensham@nmmu.ac.za
Content: Foundations of Biochemistry, water, amino acids, peptides
and proteins, 3D structure of proteins, protein function,
enzymes.
Lecturers: Prof Oosthuizen
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 28 May –15 June
Examination hours: 2
Credits: 10
Mr S Pambuka
Technician: Biochemistry
Office: 12 0330
Tel: 504 2237
Email: simthembile.pambuka@nmmu.ac.za
BC 211 – Introductory Biochemistry
BC 221 – Immunology
Content: Cells and organs of the immune system, innate and acquired
immunity, antigens and antibodies, antibody gene organisation,
B-cell receptor, T-cell receptor, MHC and co-receptor
proteins, antigen presentation, cytokines, B and T cell biology,
complement, immune diseases, immunological techniques.
Lecturer: Dr G Dealtry
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BC 231 – Carbohydrate Metabolism
Content: Carbohydrates and glycobiology, bioenergetics, glycolysis,
gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, glycogen
metabolism, principles of metabolic regulation, citric acid
cycle, carbohydrate biosynthesis in plants and bacteria.
Lecturers: TBC
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BC 241 – Lipid Metabolism
Content: Lipids, membrane structure, fatty acid catabolism, lipid
biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation,
photophosphorylation.
Lecturer: Prof M van de Venter
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
Microbiology
BM 210 – Introductory Microbiology
Content: The discovery of micro-organisms. The scope and
relevance of Microbiology. The composition of the microbial
world. Prokaryotic cell structure overview. Structure and
function of cellular components. Nutrition and growth of
bacteria. Bacterial culture techniques. General properties of
viruses. Virus structure. Introduction to bacteriophages and
animal viruses. Cultivation of viruses. Virus purification and
assays. Fungal distribution and significance. Structure.
Nutrition and metabolism. Reproduction. Characteristics of
fungal divisions. Slime moulds and water moulds.
Lecturer: Dr TG Downing
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BM 221 – Host-Microbe Interactions & Epidemology
Content: Symbiotic associations. Epidemiology of infectious
diseases. Health statistics. Investigation of an epidemic.
Human pathogens (viral, bacterial, fungal & protozoan
diseases). toil microorganism associations with plants.
Plant-microbe interactions. Plant pathogens.
Lecturer: Dr S Govender
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BM 240 – Control of Micro-Organisms
Content: Physical and chemical control. Cell wall synthesis.
Chemotherapy and resistance to antibiotics. Microbial control
in Food Microbiology.
Lecturer: Dr TG Downing
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BM 251 – Microbial Genetics
Content: General principles. Gene structure. Transcription.
Translation. Gene regulation. Mutation. DNA repair.
Recombination. Plasmids. Transformation. Conjugation.
Control of lysogeny. Transduction. Transposons.
Lecturer: Dr BM Somai
Lectures: 35
Practicals: 10
Examination Period: 28 May –15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
BC 330 – Enzymology
Content: Nomenclature and classification of enzymes.
Thermodynamic considerations. Enzyme kinetics. Mechanism
of enzymatic catalysis with examples. Regulation of enzymatic
activity. Purification and characterization of enzymes.
Lecturer: Prof Oosthuizen
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
BC 341 – Eukaryotic Genetics
3.2 Third Year Modules
Biochemistry
BC 311 – Protein Technology
Content: Amino acid metabolism, cell fractionation, bulk
purification techniques, solute exchange and
concentration techniques, centrifugation, protein
purification, spectrometry and electrophoresis, protein
sequencing and structure determination.
Lecturer: Prof Oosthuizen
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Content: Nucleotide biosynthesis, DNA metabolism, RNA metabolism,
protein metabolism, regulation of gene expression,
recombinant DNA technology.
Lecturer: Dr G Dealtry
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
BC 351 – Cellular Biochemistry
Content: Molecular motors, membrane transport, biosignalling,
hormonal regulation and endocrinology, sensory molecules,
cell biology.
Lecturers: Dr M van de enter
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
BM 341 – Molecular Genetics and Gene Manipulation
Microbiology
BM 311 – Bacteriology & Microbial Ecology
Content: Bacterial physiology and stress responses. Bacterial
morphogenesis. Bacterial taxonomy. Bacterial systematics:
The archaebacteria and deeply branching Eubacteria. The
Proteobacteria. The Gram positives. The Actinomycetes.
Remaining Eubacteria. Bacteria in natural environments.
Nutrient cycling. Experimental design and field work (field
trip). Models of bacterial growth and competition.
Lecturer: Dr TG Downing
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
BM 321 – Virology & Mycology
Content: Principles of virus taxonomy. Bacteriophages. Animal
viruses. Plant viruses. Introduction to cell and tissue culture.
Mycology.
Lecturer: Dr BM Somai
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Examination Period: 28 May 15 June
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
Content: General principles. Enzymes used. Cloning vectors.
Cloning techniques. Blotting techniques. PCR. DNA
sequencing. Expression of cloned genes. Site-directed
mutagenesis. Applications. Bioinformatics.
Lecturer: Dr BM Somai
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
BM 361 – Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
Content: Microbial growth processes. Microbial process kinetics.
Bioreactor/fermenter design. Downstream processing in biotechnology.
Production development, regulation and safety. Practical applications.
Amino acids, organic acids, microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates.
Polysaccharides and lipids. Industrial ethanol. Production of vitamins
and steroid hormones. Antibiotics (biosynthesis, strain improvement,
fermentation). Microbial biomass production. Environmental
applications. Biosensors. Microarrays. Biopesticides and
nanotechnology.
Lecturer: Dr S Govender
Lectures: 45
Practicals: 15
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 15
SERVICE COURSES
ZBC 201-202: Biochemistry for 2nd year Pharmacy students
ZBC 201 – Biomolecules in Pharmacy
Content: pH and buffer action; Biomolecules (amino acids,
monosaccharides, lipids and nucleotide bases). Complex
macromolecules (proteins, polysaccharides, DNA, RNA).
Enzymatic catalysis. Protein biosynthesis.
Lecturer: Prof M van de Venter
Lectures: 29
Practicals: 7
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 7
ZBC 202 – Metabolism for Pharmacists
Content: Bioenergetics. Metabolism of carbohydrates. Lipids and
Nitrogen. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
Xenobiochemistry
Lecturer: TBC
Lectures: 46
Practicals: 7
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 11
BVC 103 – Biochemistry for Nursing Science
Content: Macromolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, DNA
and RNA). Enzymes. Carbohydrate metabolism. Lipid
metabolism. Protein metabolism. Digestion. Urine. Blood.
Vitamins.
Lecturer: TBC
Lectures: 60
Practicals: 7
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 12
ZMB 310 – Microbiology for Pharmacy
Content: Scope of Microbiology. Prokaryotic cell structure and
function. Nutrition and growth of bacteria. Microbial genetics,
recombinant DNA technology. Characterizing and classifying
prokaryotes, protozoa, fungi, algae and viruses. Host-microbe
interactions. Infectious disease epidemiology. Pathogenic gram
positive cocci and bacilli, pathogenic gram negative cocci and bacilli,
mycoplasma, Rickettsias, Chlamydias, Spirochetes and Vibrios.
Pathogenic fungi, parasitic protozoa, pathogenic DNA viruses,
pathogenic RNA viruses.
Lecturer: Dr S Govender
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 7
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 3
Credits: 13
Credits: 10
ZSP 101–104 Physiology and Pathophysiology for 1st year
Pharmacy students
ZSP 101
Content: Organisation and Movement of the Human Body and
related Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Dr S Roux and Dr JJ Meiring
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
ZSP 104
Content: Maintenance of Body’s Metabolism and Fluid
Concentrations and Reproduction with related
Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Dr JJ Meiring
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BSP 201 – 204: Physiology and Pathophysiology for 2nd year
BSc Human Movement Science students
ZSP 102
Content: Nervous System. Brain. Special Senses of the Human
Body and related Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Dr H Davids
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BSP 201
Content: Organisation and Movement of the Human Body and
related Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Prof S Roux and Dr JJ Meiring
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
ZSP 103
Content: Cardiovascular System. Respiratory System.
Lymphatic and Immunity Systems with related
Pathophysiology
Lecturers: Prof S Roux and Dr JJ Meiring and Dr G Dealtry
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 9 November - 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
BSP 202
Content: Nervous System. Brain. Special Senses of the Human
Body and related Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Dr H Davids
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BSP 203
BWV 102
Content: Cardiovascular System. Respiratory System.
Lymphatic and Immunity Systems with related
Pathophysiology
Lecturers: Prof S Roux and Dr JJ Meiring and Dr G Dealtry
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
Content: Principles of Support and Movement of the Human
Body and related Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Prof S Roux
Lectures: 42
Practicals: 11 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 1.5
Credits: 6
BWV 103
BSP 204
Content: Maintenance of Body’s Metabolism and Fluid
Concentrations and Reproduction with related
Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Dr JJ Meiring
Lectures: 56
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BWV 101 – 204: Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
for 1st and 2nd year Nursing Science students
BWV 101
Content: Organisation of the Human Body and related
Pathophysiology
Lecturer: Dr G Dealtry
Lectures: 42
Practicals: 11 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 1.5
Credits: 6
Content: Special Senses. Digestive System. Nutrition and
Metabolism
Lecturers: Dr JJ Meiring
Lectures: 42
Practicals: 11 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 9
BWV 104
Content: Defence Mechanisms and Reproduction
Lecturers: Dr JJ Meiring and Dr G Dealtry
Lectures: 42
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BWV 201
Content: Cardiovascular System
Lecturer: Dr S Roux
Lectures: 48
Practicals: 12 hours
Examination Period: 28 May –15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 8
BWV 202
Content: Respiratory System. Urinary System and Acid-Base
Lecturer: Dr JJ Meiring
Lectures: 36
Practicals: 10 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 7
BWV 203
Content: Endocrine System and Somatic Nervous System
Lecturers: Dr H Davids
Lectures: 42
Practicals: 11 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 2
Credits: 10
BWV 204
Content: Autonomic Nervous System. Brain. Integration of
Brain Functions
Lecturer: Dr H Davids
Lectures: 42
Practicals: 11 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Exination Hours: 2
Credits: 9
BMG 101-104: Physiology for 1st year Human Movement
Science students
BMG 101
Content: Organisation and Movement of the Human Body
Lecturer: Mr M Kramer
Lectures: 28
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 1.5
Credits: 6
BMG 102
Content: Cardiovascular System.Respiratory System.
Digestion and Metabolism
Lecturer: Mr M Kramer
Lectures: 28
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 28 May – 15 June
Examination Hours: 1.5
Credits: 6
BMG 103
Content: Special Senses.Endocrine System. Urinary System. AcidBase
Lecturer: Mr M Kramer
Lectures: 28
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination Hours: 1.5
Credits: 6
BMG 104
Content: Nervous System and the Brain. Lymphatics and Immunity.
Lecturer: Mr M Kramer
Lectures: 28
Practicals: 21 hours
Examination Period: 9 November – 29 November
Examination hours: 1.5
Credits: 6
3.5 Consultation
Lecturers are available for consultation after completion of lectures and
during practicals. Lecturers will also be available for consultation at
other times by appointment. Students are requested not to contact
lecturers at their homes unless an emergency arises.
3.6 Practicals
3.3 Prescribed Books
BC 2/3: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Nelson & Cox, 5th edition .
BC2: Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Abbas & Lichtman
BC3: Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology, Wilson & Walker, 7th edition.
BM 2/3: Microbiology
Prescott, Harley & Klein Microbiology, 7th Ed.
Physiology: Principles of Anatomy & Physiology
Tortora, Grabowski, 11th Ed.
Pathophysiology, Nowak & Handford, latest edition.
Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, Martini, 3rd edition.
Lecturers will inform you of recommended books at the beginning of
each module.
Practical session attendance is compulsory. The whole period
allocated to practicals will be used. Do not plan any other activities
during this period. For safety reasons, shoes must be worn at all
laboratory practicals, and no eating or drinking is allowed in the
laboratories. The lecturer(s) for each module will explain how the
practical mark will be determined for that module. Only illness is
considered a valid reason for absence from practicals. Absence from a
practical without submitting a medical certificate will result in a mark
of 0% awarded for that practical. If practicals are missed due to
illness, the mark for that practical will not count towards the class
mark. Practical reports must be submitted one week (7 days) after the
completion of the practical, and will incur a penalty of 2% per day for
a maximum of 7 days after the official due date (7 x 2% = 14%), after
which time a mark of 0% will be awarded.
3.7 Class Attendance
3.4 Language
Lectures are presented in English. Students whose home language is
not English are requested to ask the lecturer to clarify the content
should they not understand.
Undergraduate students must commence attending lectures in all
modules from the first day that lectures start, even if they have not
registered for 2011. An undergraduate student who does not attend
lectures in certain modules from the first day may be refused
permission by the Head of Department to register for those modules at
a later stage. The Head of Department will have full discretion to bar
from class any student who does not adhere to the requirements to
attend lectures from the first day. The onus is solely on the student to
check the rules and requirements of each department in which they are
studying.
It is unreasonable to expect a lecturer to repeat work if you have not
attended a class. Announcements of test dates and assignment
schedules are communicated in class. Failure to attend class is not
an excuse for missing deadlines.
3.8 Tests
The lecturer, in consultation with the class, will set test dates during
each module. Each lecturer will disclose the composition of the test
mark at the beginning of the module.
3.9 Absence from Tests or Exams
Only illness is considered to be a valid reason for being absent from
tests or exams. Exemption from tests is dependent on submission of a
fully completed NMMU medical certificate. Please make sure you
have a blank NMMU medical certificate in your possession so that if
you have to visit a doctor you do not have to make a second visit to
have the form completed. A mark of 0% will be recorded for tests
where no exemption is granted.
As a basic premise, it is accepted that the onus will be on the student
to acquire a suitable class mark. Any tests or tutorial tests missed will
simply increase the weighting of the next assessment. Students that do
not write tests or tutorial tests due to illness will not be afforded retests.
Leave of absence for sport is granted only for approved South African
University activities and for participation at first-class provincial and
national levels. Such exemption is dependent on prior acceptance by
the Head of Department of written documentary evidence submitted
well in advance. Exemption for other extra-curricular activities may
also be considered, dependent on similar submission being made to the
Head of Department. Submissions after the event will not be
considered.
3.10 Copying and Plagiarism
It is a serious offence to pass another person’s work off as your own.
At no stage is copied work acceptable as a submission for any
assignment or practical, and students who copy the work of others run
the risk of disciplinary action. Plagiarism of printed or electronic works
will also result in disciplinary action
3.11 Mark Allocation
The final mark for each module will be calculated as the average of the
class and exam marks. The lecturer(s) for each module will determine
the composition of the class mark for that module. A pass mark is 50%
or higher. Marks will be posted on the notice boards on the 2nd and 3rd
floors where they will appear against your student number.
The following codes are used to indicate the status of a mark:
PD – pass with distinction
P – pass
PN – pass on link
FX – absent from tests and examination
F1/F2 – reassessment awarded (45-49%)
F6/F8 – special exam granted
F – fail.
FR – fail subminimum
A minimum class mark of 40% is required for examination entry. It is
important to work consistently throughout the module to reduce stress
at exam time.
Students will be notified of the reassessment examination details
(awarded, time and venue) by the Examinations Office. If a student
fails to attend the reassessment examination, the original examination
mark will be awarded.
3.14 Time Management
3.12 Duly-Performed (DP) Certificates
Students who fail to obtain a DP will be notified by the publishing of
their student numbers on the notice boards on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Students will not obtain their DP certificates if they fail to attend more
than two double lectures per module without a medical certificate; do
not obtain the subminimum 40% class mark; or fail to attend all
practical sessions.
The DP lists will be published by the last day of lectures before the
exam.
In order to help you develop time management skills, the department
will implement a strict penalty system for late submission.
In ALL cases, proportional deductions will be made for progressively
late submissions as follows:
1 day late:
2 days late:
3 days late:
4 days late:
5 days late:
6 days late:
7 days late:
8 days late:
mark x 0.98
mark x 0.96
mark x 0.94
mark x 0.92
mark x 0.90
mark x 0.88
mark x 0.86
mark x 0
3.13 Reassessment Examinations
A reassessment examination:




will be granted if the final mark is 45 – 49%
may be either oral or written
will be on all the work covered in a module
does not constitute a separate new assessment and the mark
obtained for the reassessment replaces the original mark, and
the final mark may not exceed 50%.
3.15 Study Methods
Objectives, study materials and learning outcomes will be provided to
students during each module. Students will be expected to do
supplementary reading. Students should study the relevant section
thoroughly before it is covered in class. Useful class discussions are
only possible if students have prepared in advance. The success of
your studies is dependent on the effort you put into your work. The
lecturer is a facilitator in this process.
Emphasis is placed on understanding and insight. However, aspects of
the work must be memorised in order to have discussion on the topic.
An example of this is terminology unique to Biochemistry &
Microbiology. This type of learning must be complete before the
lecturer and class have fruitful discussions.
In order to complete your studies successfully, you will have to
manage your time well. Familiarise yourself with the requirements at
the beginning of the module, and if you are uncertain about them,
consult the lecturer or head of department. Take careful note of the
dates set for assignments and tasks. DO NOT FALL BEHIND. It is
very difficult to catch up once you are behind. In order to encourage
good time management marks will be deducted for work handed in
late.
Remember that you learn a lot during class.
CLASSES. Attendance is entirely to your benefit.
DO NOT SKIP
Do your own work. You are responsible for learning as much as you
can. Submitting someone else’s work under your name is a serious
offence and disciplinary action will be taken in such cases. Copying
other students’ work is plagiarism and is illegal. But, most
importantly, you will not learn anything if you do not do the work
yourself.
3.16 Computers
The department do not provide undergraduate students with computer
facilities. This is because of the large number of students relative to
the number of departmental computers. Approach the ICT section for
instruction within the university computer laboratories.
3.17 Bursaries
Information on undergraduate student bursaries may be obtained from
the Financial Aid Office on the ground floor of the Embizweni
building.