





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 as from 2016
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi, with admission to bachelor's degree studies
- A level of at least 4 in each of four subjects designated for university admission (one of them has to be Afrikaans or English)
- For the NSC an aggregate of at least 60% (excluding Life orientation)
- Write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) according to your chosen programme. All candidates write the Academic and Quantitative literacy test (AQL). Students studying towards a programme requiring Mathematics also write the Mathematics (MAT) test
- Requirements for AgriScience programme:
- Afrikaans or English (Home
Language or First Additional Language) 4 (50%)
- Mathematics 5 (60%)
- Physical
Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) 4 (50%)
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
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