BScAgric (Plant Pathology)
in Plant and Soil Sciences
(Fields: Crop Production / Crop Protection and Breeding / Soil and Water Management)
A Typical Plant Pathology student!
Admission requirements
Programme
Modules
Fees
Bursaries
Mushroom hunt for 4th year Plant Pathology students
in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
(June 2008)A Typical Plant Pathology student!
Loves nature, especially plants
Enjoy laboratory and field work
Eye for detailInquisitive
Accurate, tidy
Patient, persistentHard working (seasonal work)
Good communication and writing skills
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- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi with an achievement of at least 4 in four designated university entrance subjects.
- An achievement of at least 55%, calculated in a ratio of 40:60, for the SU Access Tests and the average (excluding Life Orientation) obtained for the NSC.
- In addition to the above, at minimum:
- Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 4
- Mathematics 4
- Physical Sciences 4 OR
- Physical Sciences 3 and Life Sciences 4
For more information regarding admission requirements, contact:
The Faculty Secretary
Faculty of AgriSciences
Stellenbosch University
Private Bag X1
Matieland, 7602
South AfricaTel: +27 (0)21 808 4833
E-mail: ghgamiet@sun.ac.zaProgramme
First year: Follows the Biological Sciences programme (Faculty of Science)Second Year: Follows the Plant and Soil Sciences Programme
(Study fields: Crop Production / Crop Protection and Breeding / Soil and Water Management) (Faculty of AgriSciences)Third and Fourth Year: Choose Plant Pathology as major subject:
Modules
Crop Protection 244 - Introductory Plant Pathology and Entomology
The nature and causes of plant diseases, the impact of pathogens and pests on agriculture, the biology of important pathogens and pests, factors influencing disease development, diagnosis of plant diseases and principles of plant disease control.
Subject to continuous assessment.Plant Pathology 314 - Plant disease dynamics
Components of plant diseases, such as the plant pathogens that cause them, the host factors that influence their development, and the environmental conditions that favour them. Diseases of national and international importance and the damage they have caused to food production in the world. The dynamics of pathogens associated with seed and nursery plants, as well as those causing soil-borne, foliar and fruit diseases before harvest, and decay and damage after harvest.Plant Pathology 344 - Plant disease management
The underlying principles and methods used for plant disease control from pre-planting to post-harvest. This includes the role of plant quarantine, disease certification and cultivation practices on disease development, and on the epidemiological considerations for plant disease forecasting and disease assessment. Emphasis is placed on plant disease resistance, and chemical and biological control, either as primary control strategies or as components of an integrated disease control programme, to ensure efficient and sustainable protection against a diverse range of pathogens.
PP Plant Pathology 314Plant Pathology 414 - Taxonomy and biology of plant pathogens
Morphology, taxonomy and biology of plant pathogenic fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, mollicutes (spiroplasmas and phytopasmas) and viruses. Practicals include microscopic cultural morphology, and physiological and biochemical methods used to identify the major groups of plant pathogenic fungi, oomycetes and bacteria.
PP Plant Pathology 314, 344Plant Pathology 444 - Plant-microbe interactions
The dynamic interaction between plants and microorganisms, both detrimental and beneficial. Aspects related to fungal diversity, genetics and genomics; and the role of microbial pathogenicity factors and secondary metabolites in plant disease development. The plant’s defence mechanisms and ability to recognise and respond to pathogen attack. Enhancement of disease resistance in plants against pathogens, and the development of novel disease control strategies. Methods used for gene discovery and functional gene analyses in plants and pathogens, and concepts such as transformation and gene manipulation.
PP Plant Pathology 314, 344Plant Pathology 478 - Advanced plant pathology
Field trips to study diseases, assess field situations and collect plant pathogens that will be identified during laboratory sessions. Formulation of disease management strategies. Relevant and current experimental approaches and methods of analysis used in plant pathology. Topical issues in plant pathology related to food security and environmental challenges. Exercises in project planning and execution conducted under supervision.
Subject to continuous assessment.
PP Plant Pathology 314, 344
Career opportunities in Plant Pathology!
Researcher (e.g. ARC, Department of Agriculture, CRI, Experico)
Academic (Universities)
Consultant (e.g. Hygrotech, Merck, Kapa Biosystems, private)
Technician (e.g. Hygrotech, Merck, Kapa Biosystems, private)
Agri-businesses (e.g. Hygrotech)
Agri-chemical companies (e.g. Bayer, Du Pont, Philagro, BASF)
Diagnostic Clinics (e.g. US Disease Clinic, Nemlab, private)
Skills to work in related fields (Botany, Microbiology, Horticulture)High Flyers from our department!
Prof PW Crous (Director of the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures at Utrecht, Netherlands)
BSc Forestry (1985), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
MScAgric (cum laude) (1988), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
PhD(Agric) (1992), University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Prof MJ Wingfield (Director of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Faculty of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa)
BSc (1976), University of Natal, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
BScHons (1977), University of Natal, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
MSc (cum laude) (1979), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
PhD (Plant Pathology and Entomology) (1983), University of Minnesota, USA
Prof WFO Marasas (Retired as Director: PROMEC Unit, Medical Research Council, South Africa, Currently Extra-Ordinary Professor in Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University)BScAgric (Plant Pathology) (1962), University of Pretoria, South Africa
MScAgric (Plant Pathology) (1965), University of Pretoria, South Africa
PhD (Plant Pathology) (1969), University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Pagemaster: Tel +27(21) 808 4799
Last update: 19 April 2012
