Undergraduate Studies

A Typical Plant Pathology student!

Loves nature, especially plants

Enjoy laboratory and field work

Eye for detail

Inquisitive

Accurate, tidy

Patient, persistent

Hard working (seasonal work)

Good communication and writing skills

Admission requirements

Basic admission requirements for university study:

A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Independent Examinations Board (IEB) school-leaving certificate as certified by Umalusi with admission to bachelor's degree studies.
A university exemption certificate issued by the South African Matriculation Board to students with other school qualifications.
The minimum academic requirement for a bachelor's degree is:
30% for a South African Language of Learning and Teaching (English or Afrikaans) and
An achievement rating of 4 (50% - 59%) in four 20-credit subjects
Only School of Tomorrow applicants have to write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) if applying for a programme in AgriSciences.

Faculty requirements for BScAgric Plant and Soil Sciences with Plant Pathology as a major

An average of at least 60% in the NSC, IEB or relevant final school examination.
The average is calculated by taking your highest score in Language of Learning and Teaching subject (English or Afrikaans) + (5 x best results in 20-credit subjects excluding Life orientation and Mathematics 3). The total divided by 6 equals your NSC average.

Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 4 (50%)
Mathematics 5 (60%)
Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) 4 (50%)

Take note:

All programmes are selection programmes and applications will be considered according to the rules and procedures as set out in the Selection guidelines and admission policy for undergraduate programmes for the Faculty of AgriSciences. For full detail, visit:

http://www.sun.ac.za/english/maties/Documents/AgriSciences.pdf

For more information regarding admission requirements, contact:
Monika Basson
Tel: +27 (0)21 808 2978
Fax: +27 (0)21 808 2001
E-mail: mh@sun.ac.za

Faculty of AgriSciences Programme Information and Admission Requirements

Selection guidelines and admission policy

Programme

First year: Follows the Biological Sciences programme (Faculty of Science)

Second Year: Follows the Plant and Soil Sciences Programme
(Study fields: Crop Production / Crop Protection and Breeding / Soil and Water Management) (Faculty of AgriSciences)

Third and Fourth Year: Choose Plant Pathology as major subject:

Modules

Crop Protection 152 - Introduction to plant protection and improvement

Introduction to the disciplines of plant breeding, plant pathology, entomology, nematology and weed science. Case studies of plant pests, diseases and weeds that have shaped the history of the world and influenced food security. The basic principles of plant improvement for pest and disease management.

Crop Protection 244 - Introductory Plant Pathology and Entomology
The nature and causes of plant diseases, the impact of pathogens and pests on agriculture, the biology of important pathogens and pests, factors influencing disease development, diagnosis of plant diseases and principles of plant disease control.
Flexible assessment

Plant Pathology 314 - Plant disease management
The underlying principles and methods used for plant disease control from pre-planting to post-harvest. This includes the role of plant quarantine, disease certification and cultivation practices on disease development, and on the epidemiological considerations for plant disease forecasting and disease assessment. Emphasis is placed on plant disease resistance, and chemical and biological control, either as primary control strategies or as components of an integrated disease control programme, to ensure efficient and sustainable protection against a diverse range of pathogens.

Plant Pathology 344 - Plant disease dynamics

Components of plant diseases, such as the plant pathogens that cause them, the host factors that influence their development, and the environmental conditions that favour them. Diseases of national and international importance and the damage they have caused to food production in the world. The dynamics of pathogens associated with seed and nursery plants, as well as those causing soil-borne, foliar and fruit diseases before harvest, and decay and damage after harvest.

Plant Pathology 414 - Taxonomy and biology of plant pathogens
Morphology, taxonomy and biology of plant pathogenic fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, mollicutes (spiroplasmas and phytopasmas) and viruses. Practicals include microscopic cultural morphology, and physiological and biochemical methods used to identify the major groups of plant pathogenic fungi, oomycetes and bacteria.
PP Plant Pathology 314, 344

Plant Pathology 444 - Plant-microbe interactions
The dynamic interaction between plants and microorganisms, both detrimental and beneficial. Aspects related to fungal diversity, genetics and genomics; and the role of microbial pathogenicity factors and secondary metabolites in plant disease development. The plant’s defence mechanisms and ability to recognise and respond to pathogen attack. Enhancement of disease resistance in plants against pathogens, and the development of novel disease control strategies. Methods used for gene discovery and functional gene analyses in plants and pathogens, and concepts such as transformation and gene manipulation.
PP Plant Pathology 314, 344

Plant Pathology 474 - Advanced plant pathology
Topical issues in plant pathology, including new approaches for the management of plant diseases. Emphasis is placed on postharvest and soilborne diseases, and the use of pesticide spray technology for improving plant disease control of foliar and fruit disease in an environmentally safe manner. Aspects related to the sustainable production of plant-based foods, including phytosanitary issues, pesticide residues and microbial contaminants of plant-based food crops. Visits to key agricultural industries in order to obtain a practical understanding of the role of plant pathology in agriculture. Attendance of postgraduate research seminars.

Crop Production 478 - Advanced Crop Production
Practically orientated crop production related field and/or laboratory investigations using relevant and current experimental approaches and methods of analysis, while addressing topical issues in crop production systems related to food security and environmental challenges. Specialization in one of the following disciplines: Agricultural Economics; Agronomy; Entomology & Nematology; Genetics; Grapevine Sciences; Horticultural Sciences; Plant Pathology or Soil Science.

Career opportunities in Plant Pathology!

Researcher (e.g. ARC, Department of Agriculture, CRI, Experico)
Academic (Universities)
Consultant (e.g. Hygrotech, Merck, Kapa Biosystems, private)
Technician (e.g. Hygrotech, Merck, Kapa Biosystems, private)
Agri-businesses (e.g. Hygrotech)
Agri-chemical companies (e.g. Bayer, Du Pont, Philagro, BASF)

Diagnostic Clinics (e.g. US Disease Clinic, Nemlab, private)
Skills to work in related fields (Botany, Microbiology, Horticulture)

High Flyers from our department!

Prof PW Crous (Director of the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures at Utrecht, Netherlands)
BSc Forestry (1985), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
MScAgric (cum laude) (1988), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
PhD(Agric) (1992), University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Prof MJ Wingfield (Director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa)

BSc (1976), University of Natal, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
BScHons (1977), University of Natal, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
MSc (cum laude) (1979), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
PhD (Plant Pathology and Entomology) (1983), University of Minnesota, USA