Policy

Mission statement

The Department of Botany and Zoology is committed to being a leader in the field of Evolutionary Biology by:

• Maintaining scholarship of the highest standards and by providing a supportive academic environment which encourages critical and independent thought
• Regularly evaluating all areas of performance by independent assessment
• Focussing on the unique opportunities offered by Africa's biodiversity
• Collaborating and participating in national and international scientific programmes
• Creating public awareness of the importance of Evolutionary Biology
• Involving staff and students in rendering relevant service in the biological sciences to the community
• Recruiting staff and students of the highest quality

Moreover, by subscribing to the general principles underpinning the Stellenbosch University mission statement we are similarly committed to:

• Academic freedom
• Redressing the inequities of the past and the repositioning of the University for the future
• Transparency in our dealings with our colleagues, students and public at large
• Tolerance and mutual respect of fundamental human rights
• Being responsive to the needs of the broader community

Language practices

The medium of tuition for undergraduate and several honours courses at Stellenbosch University is Afrikaans.  Students from other countries who do not have a good working knowledge of Afrikaans may find it difficult to follow the lectures. Class notes and discussions are also not necessarily in English.  However, all students are at liberty to write their assignments, tests and examinations in English. Although Stellenbosch University is a predominantly Afrikaans university, at postgraduate level the language of tuition is determined by the composition of the classes, which are often presented in both languages at honours level. At the masters and doctoral levels the majority of advanced postgraduate courses are conducted in English. All lecturers are proficient in both English and Afrikaans and the language preference of the student is respected.  Apart from the academic requirements for admission to degree programmes, international students have to provide official documentary evidence of their competence in English.