Undergraduate Study Programmes

For detailed information on degree structure and subject choices for the 4-year course in Crop Production Systems or Conservation Ecology please refer to the University of Stellenbosch Calendar Part Seven for the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences or contact a member of the academic staff (for e-mail addresses see: Academic staff) of the Department or of the University Administration (lj1@sun.ac.za).

In the first year, learners take the basic BSc-modules in the Faculty of Science. From the second year onwards, modules are taken in the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences. Modules are coded to reflect the year of study (1 is first year of study etc.), the semester in which presented (1, 2 or 3 refers to the first semester, 4, 5, 6 to the second semester), sequence of module (departmental), and modular credits, for example (16). In the latter case, 16 credits would mean three lectures dealing with theory and three lectures devoted to practicals per semester of 14-16 weeks. Lecture units (theoretical and practical) are 50 min each and are indicated for each module. Modules are either presented mainly in Afrikaans, but usually with prescribed texts and reading material in English, or mainly in English, or by a combination of Afrikaans and English. Tasks, tests and examinations are set in Afrikaans and English and students can respond in either of these two languages. Some modules require previous module exposure (P = Pass requirement, PP = Preceding attendance requirement, C = Simultaneous module attendance required).

The following undergraduate modules are presented by the Department:

CROP PROTECTION 53961

(Departments of Entomology, and Plant Pathology)

244(16) Introduction to crop protection (3l, 3p) (mainly in Afrikaans)

The recognition and effects of plant pathogenic organisms and arthropods on crops; the principles of epidemiology; integrated pest management and disease control.
(Subject to continuous assessment)

ENTOMOLOGY 34576

(Department of Entomology)

314(16) Insect pest management (3l, 3 p) (mainly in Afrikaans)

Origin and types of insect pests; analysis of an insect problem; methods of control: biological control, lures, sterilants, juvenile hormones, resistant plants, agrotechnical methods, legislative measures and chemical control; properties and testing of pesticides; pest management. Biology and control of key pests.

424(16) Insect Diversity (3l, 3p) (mainly in Afrikaans)

Diversity and classification of economically important insects.

434(16) Functional morphology of insects (3l, 3 p) (mainly in Afrikaans)

The integument. Morphology of the head, thorax and abdomen. Nervous, glandular, muscular, alimentary, circulatory, ventilatory, excretory and reproductive systems. Reproduction and morphogenesis. Sensory mechanisms. Light and sound production. Movement and behaviour. Introduction to molecular entomology.

454(16) Applied entomology (3l, 3 p) (mainly in Afrikaans)

Biology, pest status and control of economically important insects.

464(16) Insect conservation ecology (3l, 3 p) (mainly in English)

Natural and disturbed ecosystems in terms of insect diversity and numbers; interactions between insects and other organisms; pollination ecology; insect conservation: threats, perceptions, species numbers and diversity, habitat destruction, recovery and conservation, extirpations and extinctions.

NEMATOLOGY 43850

344 (16) Plant nematology (3l, 3p) (mainly in Afrikaans)
Body structure of eelworms and classification of plant parasitic species within Nematoda. Decanting and sedimentation techniques for extraction of eelworms from soil and plant material. Crops and eelworm types that damage them. Integrated management of nematode numbers.

Postgraduate study programmes

The Department presents postgraduate courses in the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and in the Faculty of Science. The postgraduate courses are given in English, but candidates can respond in either Afrikaans or English.

In the Faculty of Science:

Bachelor of Science with Honours (BScHons)
Master of Science (MSc)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Science (DSc)

In the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences:

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with Honours (BScAgricHons)
Master of Science in Agriculture (MScAgric)
Doctor of Philosophy (Agriculture) [PhD(Agric)]
Doctor of Science in Agriculture (DScAgric)

Bachelor of Science with Honours (BScHons)
Entrance requirements are subject to the rules and regulations governing admittance to the University (refer the University Calendar, Part 1). Prospective students with a BSc-degree of this University, or a BSc-degree with Entomology or other biological major as major subject may apply for admission to the Department's study programme. An average final mark of at least 60% in the applicable modules or major is required.

The study programme entails further, specialized study in Entomology or Nematology. In the case of Entomology, supplementary studies include modules Entomology 424, 434, 454 and 464. Nematology is not required for this programme. Lectures, practicals and seminars are presented on the following subjects: morphology, systematics, integrated pest management and ecology. Additional study on specific topics may also be required. A prescribed seminar must be completed. The programme is research and vocationally oriented. It is based on most recent research and literature, and ties in with the research activities of the Department. Allowance is made for specific interest and requirements of students towards further study. The study programme for Nematology is designed in accordance with the needs of the individual student.

The aim of the study programme is to create and develop analytical and critical thinking skills and to foster a positive research attitude in entomology or nematology. More specifically, the programme aims to broaden and strengthen the theoretical and practical insight in these fields of study at a higher intellectual level, to acquaint the student with interpretation, evaluation and synthesis of advanced entomological or nematological literature and to empower the student with the methodology of research, including its planning, execution, data analyses and eventual publication of results.

Students attend the prescribed lectures and/or consult regularly with the lecturers concerned on aspects of their study programme. The course work is divided into three or four major fields of study, as outlined below. A seminar and presentation(s) on various aspects of each of the prescribed study fields is required. A research project serving as a precursor for the master's degree is usually started at this stage.

The study programme for a particular student is designed in cooperation with the Departmental Chair and other academic staff. At least one course must be taken in each of the three fields of study and more in the preferred field of study. At times modules presented in other departments may form part of the course.

Evaluation is on oral presentations, seminar(s), research project and written examinations. Normally, written three hour examinations are taken in each field of study and a final oral examination on the entire course. An overall final mark of at least 50% must be obtained to pass the course. To pass with distinction, the final mark should be 75% or higher.

STUDY GUIDELINES (ENTOMOLOGY)

Functional morphology, systematics and phylogeny, and biogeography of insects (Dr A. Timm)

In the section Functional morphology the morphological and anatomical overview of the general structure of a generalized insect, development (embryology, eclosion, postembryonic), metamorphosis and polymorphism in insects is studied. Systematics and phylogeny deals with the relationships of insects to and within the Arthropoda, the fossil history of insects and development of hexapod structures, and systematics of insects. In Biogeography of insects present and past distributions of selected groups of insects are studied.

As part of your training it is expected that you are thoroughly aquainted with the various techniques dealing with collection, preservation and conservation techniques of insect material. To enhance your knowledge of the identity and classification of insects, it is necessary to spend some time in the Departmental museum.

Insect pest management (Dr KL Pringle, Dr P. Addison)
Determination of damage to crops by insects, sampling for monitoring insects pest populations, pest management techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing practical skills.

Presentation(s) can be selected from the following topics: The effects of feeding by insects on crops; Sampling systems for monitoring insect pest populations; Cultural control measures; Plant resistance and insect pest management; Biological control; Chemical control with special reference to the development of resistance to insecticides; The use of semio-chemicals in insect pest management; The use of recombinant DNA technology in insect pest management; The use of the sterile insect technique in insect pest management.

Insect conservation ecology (Prof MJ Samways)
Insects have been hugely successful. There are possibly 8 million species making up some four fifths of all multi-cellular animals. The basic insect structure or 'bauplan' has been a moldable one, with flight being a hallmark. Nevertheless, insects are structurally limited in the size to which they can grow. Thus insects remain small, yet generally highly mobile. It is the tensile strength of the cuticle that has been the raw attribute for evolutionary sculpturing of a wide array of morphological modifications so vivid in the insect world. To take just the mouthparts: they can pierce, sponge, rasp and chew. So it is that insects have been able to inhabit a wide range of nooks, crevices and tunnels throughout all but the very coldest and saltiest parts of the planet. Flight between these retreats enables searching for distant resources, dispersal to more salubrious settings and dispersal of gametes.
Insect genetic versitility has also been notable. Polymorphisms of all sorts are common among insects. This includes developmental polymorphism, where, from functional and conservation viewpoints, the caterpillar is a different animal from the butterfly.
Although insects have been an immensely successful life-form that has taken so many diverse evolutionary paths, for many, their world is suddenly changing so much faster than at any time before (with the exception of major meteor impacts). This is threatening for many of them, with an estimated 7-30 species going extinct every week.
This module is about these jewels of our planet, the insects, and it focuses in depth on selected topics in the fields of behavioural, population, community and landscape ecology relative to insect diversity conservation.
For the course, you will be given selected contemporary literature on insect conservation ecology that underpins the topic, plus readings on aspects that are of particular interest to you. Based on a sound knowledge on underlying ecology, you will develop a conservation plan for an area, a group of insects or a particular species.

Master's programmes

Entrance requirements are subject to the rules and regulations governing admittance to the University (refer the University Calendar, Part 1 and respective Faculty Calendars). Prospective students with a BSc-degree of this University with the following modules Entomology 314 and Zoology 344, or a BSc-degree with Entomology or other biological major as major subject, or in possession of a BScHons- or BScAgricHons with Entomology or other biological major, may apply for admission to the Department's study programme. An average final mark of at least 60% in the applicable modules or major is required. In the case of BSc- or BScAgric-programmes, the enrolment duration is a minimum of two years (to include the requirements for the honours programme in the Department) and for candidates with an appropriate honours degree a minimum of one year. Additional course work may be required.

The programme consists of a theoretical section (for those enrolling for the two-year course; see honours courses) and a research project. The research project comprises independent research on a topic as approved by the supervisor concerned. A preliminary title is entered at the time of enrollment. General requirements for the presentation of a master's thesis are detailed in the University's Calendar (Part 1). Research must preferably, but not essentially, be carried out either on campus or in close proximity to Stellenbosch. The minimum duration of the research project is one year. In the case of a two-year master's programme, the final mark is based on the theoretical part and the research project in the ratio of 50:50, while in the case of a posthonours programme (one year minimum) on research only.

Doctoral programmes

Entrance requirements are subject to the rules and regulations governing admittance to the University (refer the University Calendar, Part 1). Prospective students with a MSc- or MScAgric-degree of this University with Entomology or other biological major with a final mark of at least 60% may apply for admission to the Department's study programme.

For the doctoral degree an extensive study on an entomological or nematological topic is required; this study must show that the candidate has significantly contributed to further and innovative knowledge in the field of entomology or nematology. The results of the study must be presented in the form of a dissertation. General requirements for the presentation of the dissertation is given in the University's Calendar, Part One. Prospective students must communicate with the Department on a suitable study topic before application for admittance to this study programme is made. The minimum duration of a doctoral study is two years, but experience has shown that it usually takes about three years. The candidate must also present him/herself for a public oral examination on the dissertation and related aspects of the field of study.

ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

For general admission requirements, please consult the University Calendar Part One (http://www.sun.ac.za/). The Department has, especially in the case of postgraduate study programmes, specific requirements for admission to a particular programme. This entails that the subject matter proposed for such studies must be appropriate to the capacity of the Department. Prospective students should approach the Department with an outline and motivation for a proposed topic. The Department will assess such proposals and inform the prospective candidate as to the feasibility and capacity of the Department. Financial assistance may be available from the National Science Foundation and other sources. Some students, however, particularly those from overseas, may have to rely on their own sources of funding. However, the Department can assist in the latter cases by supplying supporting motivation to potential sponsors of candidates. International students should approach the University's International Office as to the requirements for study permits, accommodation and course fees.