The Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree equips graduates with a variety of relevant abilities, as well as the specialized knowledge needed for the industry or to continue their education at the postgraduate level. In addition to providing proper foundations and depth in the chosen disciplines, curricula are made to help students develop the general abilities they will need to be successful after graduation, including numeracy, problem-solving, computer, and communication skills.

The Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree is an academic credential that calls for the completion of nine full-year courses (or the equivalent of half-year courses) that lead to two distinct majors. It takes three or more years to achieve this. At the first-year level, 4 or 5 courses are typically taken. At the second-year level, 2 or 3 courses are typically taken. It is not required to take all first-year courses in the first year of university, unlike in high school.

These courses include the prerequisites for each major as well as electives (which are not necessary but are picked based on interest to meet the degree requirement of completing nine full courses), which are not required but are nevertheless included in the list. Every student must take a maths course. A statistics course is also necessary for several degrees. (The Science Faculty Handbook has information on the specific courses needed for each major.)

Majors offered

The Faculty offers a choice from 20 different majors, listed below. Detailed curricula leading to these majors and the rules for the BSc degree offered by the Faculty of Science can be found in the Science Faculty Handbook.

Majors offered by the Science Faculty are as follows:

• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Statistics
• Archaeology
• Astrophysics
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Business Computing
• Environmental & Geographical Science
• Genetics
• Geology
• Human Anatomy & Physiology
• Marine Biology
• Mathematics
• Mathematical Statistics
• Ocean & Atmosphere Science
• Physics
• Quantitative Biology

These majors must be taken concurrently with a major in Computer Science. A range of electives may be taken from other Faculties. Refer to the Science Faculty Handbook. (Additional Information section at the back of the book) to determine what courses are allowed, and the rules governing external courses.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS TO THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE 2024

ADMISSION GUIDELINES
NSC results are the primary guide for admission to the BSc degree. However, all applicants to the Science Faculty are
required to write the NBTs (the National Benchmark Tests in Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, and Mathematics)
as this is a University requirement. The results of the NBTs are not taken into account for admission to the Science
Faculty.

Admission criteria for applicants holding the National Senior Certificate (NSC)

Besides taking the NSC results into account for admission, other factors including availability of places and educational or
social/home background will be considered.

Faculty Points Score (FPS) and expected level of Achievement

The FPS (a score out of 800) is calculated as the sum of the percentages achieved in the best six NSC subjects, including
English but excluding Life Orientation, and doubling the percentages achieved in Mathematics and Physical Science.
Admission to the Faculty of Science requires an FPS of 550 or above. Results below 40% for any subject do not attract a
score.

Early conditional offers are made to applicants who submit preliminary results and obtain a FPS of 660 or more, and at
At least 70% for Mathematics and 60% for Physical Science.

Subject entrance requirements

Applicants for the Bachelor of Science degree must meet the following subject requirements:

• Mathematics at 70% or above
• Physical Science at 60% or above (see notes 2 and 3 below).
• Where an applicant has not completed Physical Science, Information Technology, or Life Sciences may be doubled
  (refer to notes 2 and 3 below).

Admission is not guaranteed even if you fulfill these conditions. Admission may be limited by capacity. Because placement is competitive, it depends on the number and quality of the applicant pool.

UCT Courses Science Undergraduate

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