Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
Homecoming weekend for BSc alumni
Author: Media & Communication, Faculty of Science
Published: 19/02/2016

​​Would you like to have a hands-on experience of some of the cutting-edge research taking place at the Faculty of Science? We invite BSc alumni and other interested parties to register for guided tours, featuring some of our top scientists, postgraduate students and research associates. The topics are:

Macromolecules that can change your life 

The Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science at Stellenbosch University is one of the leading research departments in chemistry in South Africa, including the largest research effort in polymer science in the country. Prof. Bert Klumperman, distinguished professor and holder of the SARChI research chair in Advanced Macromolecular Architectures, will provide a glimpse into some of the latest research efforts in polymer science, including exciting new developments in the field of nanomedicine.

Included in the programme is a guided tour of the laboratories and a poster session by postgraduate students presenting current and recent research highlights.

The fisherman, the scientist and the survival of South Africa's Great White Sharks

The white shark population around the South African coast line has such a low level of genetic diversity that it may seriously jeopardizes their capability to survive into the future. This is one of the findings from a major research project on white sharks and their DNA along the South African coast line. Dr Sara Andreotti, who collected genetic samples as part of her doctoral research at SU, relied on the expertise of well-known shark conservationist and 'shark man', Mike Rutzen, to track down white sharks along the South African coast line. The field work kept them busy for four years, sometimes for up to two months at a time. By the end of 2014 they collected over 302 genetic samples and 5000 photographs.

Experiments with single trapped atoms – trail blazing tomorrow's technologies through quantum phenomena

Our ability to trap ions (atoms with one positive charge) and experiment with them is laying the foundation for the next generation of quantum technologies. In 2015 the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Stellenbosch University instituted a joint research chair in Quantum, Optical and Atomic Physics. Join Dr Hermann Uys, the first holder of this research chair, for an introduction into the wonderful world of quantum physics and a guided tour of the ion-trapping laboratory.

Please register at: http://www.matiesalumni.com/product/homecoming-weekend-faculty-of-science/