Medical Physiology
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Division of Medical Physiology

​​B.Sc. (Hons) in Medical Physiology Course Description

GENERAL

The B.Sc. (Hons) Course in the Division of Medical Physiology at the University of Stellenbosch is aimed at introducing B.Sc. graduates who majored in Physiology, and persons with Medical and Dental qualifications to the Science of Physiology and Research Methodology. The Course is thus a prelude (and in most cases a prerequisite) to registration for a higher degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in Medical Physiology or a related discipline. The one-year B.Sc. (Hons) Course is aimed at preparing a small but important group of students for a career in Science (particularly in the biomedical sciences). We aim to instil a healthy scepticism of dogma, to exercise and expand the student's analytic thinking, and to promote their problem-solving and hypothesis-formulating skills. On completion of the Course the student will be familiar with research techniques and should feel confident to tackle the rigours of a M.Sc. or Ph.D. project. 

AIM

The one year BSc (Hons) Course is aimed at preparing a small but important group of students for a career in Science. We aim to instil a healthy scepticism of dogma, to exercise and expand the student's analytic thinking, and to promote their problem-solving and hypothesis-formulating skills. On completion of the Course the student will be familiar with research techniques, and should feel confident to tackle the rigours of an MSc or PhD project.

SELECTION CRITERIA AND PROCESS

Applications occur online, and open on the first day of June 2021, and applications close 30 September 2021. Applicants who have attained an average score of >60% for all their undergraduate subjects, and an average score of >60% for undergraduate Physiology Courses, come into consideration for pre-selection into our program. This does not guarantee immediate/automatic acceptance into our program, it only brings you in consideration for final selection.  From the applicants who satisfy the initial selection criteria stated above, only the top students and only a certain number (15-17 students our Division can only host so many students), will be ranked and selected based on their academic achievements and receive final acceptance after the selection process is completed. No discussions will be entered into regarding the outcome of the selection process. Therefore, upon completion of the initial selection stages, the students with the top (overall) academic marks and top marks for Physiology, will receive a provisional acceptance letter. Please note that this is provisional (not final acceptance!) and this letter does not guarantee final acceptance into our program, it only brings you in consideration for further strict selection. The process to a final acceptance can take months as many students only receive their final marks January the following year. Therefore, after provisional letters are sent out, our team will wait for the final marks of all the applicants, in order to make our final acceptances. If you at any point during the selection process, you are no longer interested in our programme, or you have committed to another academic programme, please inform the programme coordinator, Dr. Gerald Maarman at gmaarman@sun.ac.za

STUDENT SELECTION

Admission to the B.Sc. (Hons) Course is restricted to graduate (B.Sc., MBCh.B., and B.Ch.D.) students who have attained an average score of >60% for all their undergraduate subjects. They must also have scored >60% in their final year undergraduate Physiology Courses. This does not guarantee immediate/automatic acceptance into our program, it only brings you in consideration for selection.

COURSE CONTENTS

The BSc Hons in Medical Physiology course (778) is divided into two modules: (a) The Theoretical Module (771), which consists of capita select (a) Lectures with assessments, Tutorials, and a Literature review project; and (b) The Research Module (772) which consists of the Laboratory Research Project and Laboratory Rotations during the year. You must achieve at least 50% in each Module to pass the course. For more information in attached “Hons Medical Physiology Flyer". 

ENQUIRIES

BSc Hons Programme co-ordinator: Dr. Gerald Maarman

Email: gmaarman@sun.ac.za

Phone: +27 (0)21 938 9392