BSc (Zoology)

BSc (Zoology)

The University of Pretoria is the top-ranked institution in Africa for the subject of Zoology and is home to the internationally renowned Mammal Research Institute. Zoology is the scientific study of animal life. In the BSc (Zoology) program you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand, protect and manage the diversity of wild African animals. This will involve training in animal evolution and diversity, physiology, behaviour and ecology, as well as related scientific fields. The BSc (Zoology) is the ideal program if you want to know how animals interact with each other, sense and respond to their surroundings, can be harvested sustainably and can be protected against human threats. This degree can lead to a career as a wildlife or marine biologist, biology teacher, conservation officer, animal welfare officer, environmental consultant or manager, zoo or aquarium curator, museum collection curator, game ranger, epidemiologist and researcher, among others.

• The admission requirements apply to students who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.
• Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to Brochure: Undergraduate program Information 2022: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB/
• Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) should also refer to Brochure: Newcomer’s Guide 2021.
• School of Tomorrow (SOT), Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) and General Education Development Test (GED): The University of Pretoria no longer accepts qualifications awarded by these institutions.
• National Certificate (Vocational) (NCV) Level 4: The University of Pretoria may consider NCV candidates, provided they meet the exemption for bachelor’s status criteria and the program requirements.

Curriculum: Year 1

Fundamental modules

• Academic information management 111
• Academic information management 121
• Language and study skills 110
• Academic orientation 102

Core modules

• Biometry 120
• Plants and society 161
• General chemistry 117
• General chemistry 127
• Introductory genetics 161
• Introduction to microbiology 161
• Molecular and cell biology 111
• Physics for biology students 131
• Mathematics 134
• Animal diversity 161

Curriculum: Year 2

Core modules

• Introduction to proteins and enzymes 251
• Introductory biochemistry 257
• South African flora and vegetation 251
• Geographic information systems introduction 221
• Molecular genetics 251
• Genetic diversity and evolution 261
• Bacteriology 251
• Invertebrate biology 251
• African vertebrates 261

Curriculum: Final year

Core modules

• Mammalogy 352
• Evolutionary physiology 354

Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.

Undergraduate Tuition fees per faculty in 2022

• 1st year: 50 000 - 62 000 + 15% VAT
• 2nd year: 45 000 - 53 000 + 15% VAT
• 3rd year: 36 000 - 42 000 + 15% VAT

Total credits: 430