SS Bio Science Issue 05

THE DYNAMICSOF BIO SCIENCE

ISSUE 05SCIENCESTARS

4 Science Stars Magazine Issue 5 | www.sciencestars.co.za

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FEATURES

5 FOREWORD

Prof. Julian May

8 sCIENCE

Bio Science

10 DST

Bio-Economy Strategy

17 DST

Centre of Excellence

21 scIENCE STARS

ARC Stars

30 ImmunologIST

Dr Tandeka’s interview

33 CSir

Biomanufacturing

40 DST

Budget vote

42 DST

Decoding of Eucalyptus

46 Bio science

InstitutionsTh

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CONTENTSCONTENTS

5Science Stars Magazine Issue 5 | www.sciencestars.co.za

Prof. Julian May

theFOREWORD

weeded out undesirable plants, a tasty plant would flourish. When nomads travelled on horseback across the Mongolian Steppes with goat skins of milk tied to their saddle, science transformed milk that would spoil into yoghurt or cheese that lasted longer. Fr. Gregor Mendel’s hybridizing experiments at St Thomas’s Abbey in the nineteenth century pioneered the science of genetics which eventually led to the Green Revolution in the 1960’s. As a result we were able to dramatically increase production and thus our ability to feed the world’s rapidly growing population. Bio-science can now eliminate important nutrient deficiencies through food fortification or by modifying the genetic structure of the things that we eat. Bio-science can also identify opportuni-ties for alternative uses of plant products, reduce crop losses and reduce wastage.This edition of Science Stars introduces the new DST-NRF Centre of Excellence hosted by the Universities of the Western Cape and Pretoria. The Centre is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional vir-tual institution involving almost twenty South African and inter-national organisations and more than 80 researchers. This edition also reports on new uses for a South African icon, rooibos, as well as the eucalyptus tree which we often use only as firewood. Enjoy reading about the science of food!

Food is so much part of our lives that we don’t often stop to think about what it is, where it comes from, and who was involved in bringing it to our plates and hands. However without enough food we will weaken and eventually die, and if we eat the wrong food, or too much food, we place ourselves at risk of preventable ailments such as diabetes or hypertension. What food you eat defines who you are, with whom you eat defines your family and friends, and in some cultures, when you eat and when not, signifies adherence to your faith. In addition, there are millions of livelihoods involved in the production, pro-cessing, distribution, preparation and disposal of food, and when food prices increase, families experience hardship and may have to give up other items in order to survive.Science plays a critical role in this food system. Science began to transform our food when the first farmers noticed that if they CoE Director

FOREWORD

A vital basic need


ED’S NOTE

Evans Nyasha Manyonga

When I first heard about Bio-technology I got excited. Well, all things scientific excite me but this sounded sophisticated and also simple at the same time. I definitely knew what the ‘technol-ogy’ in Bio-technology meant and stood for, the only hard part was actually understanding what the three letters ‘b-i-o’ stood for. Well, that’s how it all started and my journey of discovery took me to a lot of interesting places and as they usually say, ‘the rest is history’.

So in short Bio-Technology is a combination of Biology and Technology. It covers a wide variety of subjects like Genetics,

Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Chemistry and Engineering and is also concerned with many other subjects like Health and Medicine, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Cropping system and Crop Management, Ecology, Cell Biology, Soil science and Soil Conservation, Bio-statistics, Plant Physiology, Seed Technology etc. Bio-Technology is the use of living things, especially cells and bacteria in industrial process.Fortunately you have the rest of the issue to read and go through and your own journey of discovery will also begin, with your usual suspect and friend in all things scientific, Science Stars. I hope you will enjoy reading this issue and also be motivated to take up Bio-technology subjects. As you will read in one of our profiles, no one knows where life will take us. You might be the next person who will find a cure for AIDS or Cancer. So read on and discover more. As we always say, the careers in Science are simply limitless! So here are yet more options to look at.Finally we are looking forward to the upcoming National Science Week which will be in Bloemfontein at the beginning of next month. We hope to see you there and we are sure it will be a super week. Come by the Science Stars stand and feel free to interact with us. Till the next issue, work hard and take care.

Managing Editor • Evans [email protected]

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Project Manager • Renata Williams

Contributing Writer • Unathi Kondile

Chairman • Madambi Rambuda

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Ambassador • Azwindinni Muronga

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LetteR FROM

THE EDITORteamScience Stars

Managing Editor

TECHNOLOGY THROUGH SCIENCE

FROM CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM

From building schools to supporting black entrepreneurs, from making university study possible for disadvantaged students to providing work experience for young graduates, Shanduka Foundation strives to develop South Africa’s human potential.

Through a set of complementary programmes, Shanduka Foundation creates opportunities for educational development, career growth and the acquisition of entrepreneurial capabilities.

• Adopt-a-School Foundation mobilises companies and individuals to adopt disadvantaged schools with the aim of improving the academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in schools.

• The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust provides bursaries to disadvantaged students and organises vacation work in companies in the Shanduka Group.

• The Shanduka internship programme provides experiential training for selected learners and job seekers within Shanduka Group and across its partner network.

• Shanduka Black Umbrellas nurtures qualifying 100% black owned businesses by providing meaningful access to markets, networks and finance through its small enterprise incubators and online procurement portal.

Thanks to the ongoing support of many partners in business, government and civil society, Shanduka Foundation is making a significant impact in the lives of young South Africans.

To find out more about the work of the foundation and its programmes, visit

www.shanduka.co.za/shanduka-foundation

4050 Shanduka - A4 CSI handbook advert 275x215mm REP.indd 1 2014/02/26 10:17 AM


WHAT IS BIO SCIENCE

If breeding strong hunting dogs is your favourite thing to do, a career in bio-science is waiting for you. If you love

studying biology, mathematics and chem-istry at school, rest assured that there is a whole new world waiting for you to dis-cover using biotechnology. If you want to be the first person to create a cure for HIV and make serious money, I have a secret for you, it is bio-technology.What is Bio-technology?Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products, or any technological application

that uses biological systems, for example using the extracts of the rooibos plant to develop a cure for skin cancer or skin dis-eases in a lab. For years Sangomas/traditional heal-ers have been using bio-technology to produce strong mutis or medicine. Your local traditional healer uses primitive bio-technology to convert plant extracts into useful medicine or muti. Biotechnology has applications in four major industrial areas, health care (medi-cal), crop production and agriculture, non-food (industrial).

Bio-Technology is a research oriented sci-ence, which means biotechnologists spend long hours in the lab using their Biology and Technology knowledge. It covers a wide variety of subjects like Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Chemistry and Engineering and is also concerned with many other subjects like Health and Medicine, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Cropping system and Crop Management, Ecology, Cell Biology, Soil science and Soil Conservation, Bio-statistics, Plant Physiology, Seed Technology etc.

BIO-TECHNOLOGY Opening up new possibilities


BIO-TECHNOLOGY

To pursue a career in biotechnology one

must love doing science experiments,

love solving problems and be prepared to

spend long hours in the lab. The biotech-

nology field can offer a person an oppor-

tunity to create new products that can

change the world.

Bio-technology’s use

Biotechnology uses genetically modified

crops to play a crucial role in helping to

improve the heat-resistance and drought-

tolerance of crops, resistance to certain

pests, diseases, stressful environmental

conditions, resistance to chemical treat-

ments, reduction of spoilage, improv-

ing the nutrient profile of the crop and

addressing the challenges of climate

change, diminishing water and grazing,

and potential loss of biodiversity.

Biotechnology is used to manufacture and

develop new and improved therapeutics

(drugs, vaccines, phyto-medicines and bio-

pharmaceuticals) to address the disease

burden that the world is facing. Modern

bio-technology is being used to manufac-

ture existing medicines relatively easily and

cheaply.

Also impressive is that Bio-technology

can be used to manufacture and maintain

bio-based chemicals, biomaterials and

bio-energy and water and waste. This field

of bio-technology is called industrial bio-

technology and currently various countries

are using this technology to contribute to

and grow their economies.

South Africa’s bio-technology sector is

still small but growing at a rapid rate. The

Department of Science and Technology

(DST) has already developed a strategy that

will help grow the bio-technology sector.

This means that in the near future there

will be lots of job opportunities in the bio-

technology sector. See the bio career page

on page 10 and 11 to see which biotech-

nology career path you would like to follow.


WHAT IS BIO SCIENCE

The

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DST

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HEALTH• Vaccines

• Biopharmaceuticals

AGRICULTURE• Crops

INDUSTRY• Biofeuls

• Munical Waste• Remedy Instrustrial

• The strategy involves the development of products and services that have a real-world need in government and industry.• This strategy provides a high-level framework to guide biosciences research and innovation investments, as well as decision-making.• All the relevant sectors need to support and commit to the strategy due to the multisectoral and long-term nature of bio-based developments• Requires guidance and support from the relevant departments and industry sec-tors.

The Bio-economy Strategy is thus not a Department of Science and Technology strat-egy – it is a South African strategy.

THE BIO-ECONOMY STRATEGY

agriculture,forestry & fisheriesDepartment:Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to award comprehensive bursaries to qualifying applicants pursuing and/or intending to further their studies in critical scarce skills in the agriculture, forestry and sheries sectors for the 2015 academic year. The bursaries will cover tuition, accommodation, books, meals and monthly allowance. The bursary awards target the previously disadvantaged and impoverished persons from poverty-stricken and deep rural communities.

Notes

1. It is worth noting that certain study elds are only available at certain institutions of higher learning:• B.Sc. Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural Engineering): University of KwaZulu-Natal• Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.): University of Pretoria• B.Sc. Viticulture and Oenology/Soil Science/Plant Pathology: University of Stellenbosch• B.Sc. Forestry and Wood Science: University of Stellenbosch• B.Sc. Oceanography and Marine Biology: University of Cape Town• B.Sc. Ichthyology specialising in Aquaculture: Rhodes University• National Diploma: Forestry: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University• National Diploma: Oceanography: Cape Peninsula University of Technology• National Diploma: Fisheries Resource Management: Cape Peninsula University of Technology

2. Applicants must be South African citizens.3. Applicants must complete relevant bursary application forms available online at: www.daff.gov.za (Click the following: Branches, Food Security

and Agrarian Reform, then Sector Education and Training and then Careers).4. Successful candidates will be informed from 15 January 2015, after the National Bursary Committee has nalised the selection process. If you

do not hear from us by the end of January 2015, consider your application to be unsuccessful.5. All completed bursary application forms together with certi ed copies of ID and certi cates/performance results should be sent to the following

address:

Fields of studies Minimum requirements(National Senior Certi cate)

1. B.Sc. Bioresource Engineering (Agricultural Engineering)2. Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc.)

Mathematics and Physical Science 6 (70-79)

3. B.Sc. Viticulture and Oenology/ Soil Science/Plant Pathology4. B.Sc. Food Science5. B.Sc. Plant Pathology6. B.Sc. Agric Soil Science7. B.Sc. Agric Agronomy8. B.Sc. Forestry and Wood Science9. B.Sc. Geo-informatics10. B.Sc. Marine Biology11. B.Sc. Oceanography and Marine Biology12. B.Sc. Ichthyology specialising in Aquaculture


13. National Diploma: Food Technology14. National Diploma: Forestry15. National Diploma: Fisheries Resource Management16. National Diploma: Oceanography


16. Postgraduate studies (B.Tech, B.Sc. Hons, M. Tech., M.Sc., D.Tech. and Ph.D.) in different agriculture, forestry and sheries study elds linked to DAFF priority research projects.

The Director: Ms Amanda Shokane For further enquiries please contact:

Directorate: Sector Education and TrainingDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesPrivate Bag X250 PRETORIA 0001

Mr Looksharp Makaringi: 012 319 7923Ms Boitumelo Maleka: 012 319 7024Mr Frans Setsiba: 012 319 7848

NB. (i) The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reserves the right to determine the total number of bursary allocations for the academic year based on the total budget available.

(ii) The National Bursary Committee will make use of the Bursary Scheme’s 14-point system to allocate points to shortlisted applicants.(iii) The Bursary Scheme of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is in ful lment of the sector strategic objective of elimination

of skewed participation in the agriculture, forestry and sheries sectors.

Closing date for all applications: 30 September 2014

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES BURSARY AWARDS FOR 2015

People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.


FEATURECAREER

CAREERS IN BIO-TECHNOLOGY

One for the future

Bio-Technology is a research oriented

science, which means most of the

work in Bio-Technology is based on

research. Bio-Technology is a combina-

tion of Biology and Technology. It covers

a wide variety of subjects like Genetics,

Biochemistry, Microbiology, Immunology,

Virology, Chemistry and Engineering and

is also concerned with many other sub-

jects like Health and Medicine, Agriculture

and Animal Husbandry, Cropping system

and Crop Management, Ecology, Cell

Biology, Soil science and Soil Conservation,

Bio-statistics, Plant Physiology, Seed

Technology etc. Bio-Technology is the use

of living things, especially cells and bacte-

ria in industrial process.

We have compiled a number of prominent

careers in the Bio-Technology field.

Agricultural Bio-TechnologistThis area of Bio-Technology focuses on

enhancing and changing the genetic

makeup of plants. A new gene can be

introduced in a plant for a specific pur-

pose, e.g to resist certain diseases.

What do I need to be an agricultural biotechnologist?Characteristics: Natural curiosity, methodi-cal and precise by nature.Important school subjects: Biology, Mathematics, Physical Science.Qualifications MSc – Natural Sciences/Biological and

Life Sciences/Biotechnology/Microbiology/

Molecular and Cell Biology or similar, M

Tech (Biotechnology).

Where can I get a job as an agricul-tural biotechnologist?Agricultural research institutes, many

of which are linked to the Agricultural

Research Council (ARC), universities and

commercial companies such as Mondi and

Sappi.

Related careersPlant Pathologist, Molecular

Biotechnologist, Plant Molecular Biologist,

Plant Breeder, Agricultural Scientist.

The EnzymologistSmoking chimneys and chemical waste

streams are side effects of modern living

standards. Can we find more environmen-

tally friendly alternatives from Mother

Nature in the form of enzymes? Enzymes, which are a type of protein that

speed up biological reactions (catalysts),

are found in every living thing (plants,

animals, humans, insects and microbes).

Enzymes are made in the cells, according

to their specific genetic recipe. To work, an

enzyme needs a very specific target called

a “substrate” with which it matches like a

key fitting into a lock. Like other catalysts,

an enzyme does its job without being used

up or destroyed, but being a protein, it is

completely bio-degradable.

What do I need to become an enzymolo-

gist?

Characteristics: Natural curiosity about all

living things, good observation and analyti-

cal skills, patience.

Important school subjects: Mathematics,

Biology, Physical Science.

Relevant training and qualification: B Tech - Biotechnology, M Tech –

Biotechnology; BSc – Biochemistry/Natural,

Sciences/Biological and Life Sciences/

Biotechnology/Microbiology/Molecular

and Cell Biology/Chemical and Biological

Sciences or similar

Where can I find a job as an enzymolo-gist?Pharmaceutical, food, brewing and agro-

chemical industries, research organisations,

universities, medical research institutes,

vaccine producing companies.


CAREER

Related careers:Biochemist, Molecular Biologist, Molecular

Geneticist, Microbiologist, Cell Biologist,

Bioprocess Engineer

Bio-ChemistryBiochemistry is about trying to understand

the chemical processes that happen in

living cells that are needed for the cell

to survive, reproduce, and do its “job”. For

example, the job of red blood cells is to

make haemoglobin which carries oxygen

around the body. To do all this, a cell

needs DNA.

Bio-Chemists job is to find new ways to

treat and cure medical conditions and dis-

eases by using his knowledge about what

happens within the building blocks of

cells. Bio-Chemists for example can con-

clude through research that some people

are less likely to get cancer because their

“detox” genes code for the “best” enzymes

to remove toxins caused by smoking and

drinking.

What do I need to be a medical bio-chemist?Characteristics: Perseverance, commitment,

analytical mind, meticulous nature.

Important school subjects: Mathematics,

Biology, Physical Science.

Qualifications: BSc – Biochemistry/

Natural Sciences/ Biological and Life

Sciences/ Biotechnology/ Microbiology/

Molecular and Cell Biology/Human Life

Sciences/ Bio-organic Chemistry/Chemical,

Molecular and Cellular Sciences.

Where can I get a job as a medical biochemist?Mostly research institutions, including

universities and medical research groups

such as the Medical Research Council

(MRC), biotechnology companies, some

multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Related careers:Clinical Biochemist, Chemical Pathologist,

Medical Scientist.

Plant BreederPlant Breeders develop new, improved

types of plants. A Plant Breeder can pro-

duce a type of maize that produces more

and better cobs, cope better with stress

and can resist diseases that infect the

maize.

Then can do this by selecting maize plants

with these characteristics and then breed

them. This results in the genetic “recipe” of

the plants being changed and improved.

Once these “hybrids” have been fully test-

ed, which can take many years, they are

sold to farmers.

Most plant breeders specialise in one crop

only. To do this job they have to under-

stand the science behind plant breeding,

the growing conditions of maize in South

Africa, the agricultural market and the

needs of those who use or eat the maize.

They also have to predict how these factors

will change in the next ten years. What do I need to be a plant breeder?Characteristics: Passion for working out-

doors; patience, as it can take five to seven

years before a hybrid is ready to be sold; an

ability to work systematically, independently

and in teams

Important school subjects: Biology,

Mathematics, Physical Science

Qualifications: BSc – Natural Sciences/Biological and Life

Sciences/Microbiology/Molecular and Cell

Biology/Agriculture or similar.

Where can I get a job as a plant breed-er?Private, commercial seed companies (inter-

national and local) such as Monsanto,

Pannar, Pioneer, Syngenta and various

smaller companies, public research insti-

tutes and universities.

Related careers: Plant Pathologist, Plant

Geneticist, Plant Biotechnologist, Genomics.

This is an additional list of other career options:

• Agricultural Biotechnologist

• Bio-informaticist

• Biological Forensic Analyst

• Bioprocess Engineer

• Biosafety Regulator

• Conservation Geneticist

• Environmental Biotechnologist

• Enzymologist

• Fermentation Scientist

• Human Geneticist

• Immunologist

• Medical Biochemist

• Microbiologist

• Patent Attorney

• Plant Breeder

• Plant Molecular Biologist

• Plant Pathologist

• Technical Sales Representative

• Veterinary Virologist

SCIENCE STARSBUILDING LEGENDS

Science Stars is supported by:• The Department of Science and Technology • CSIR• University of Stellenbosch• UCT• SANRAL•• Shanduka Foundation • Old mutual • NSFAS• UJ• Engen• Scifest Africa• Shanduka black umbrellas•• SAASTA• TCTA

Science Stars is distributed to all 9South African provinces by ELTINSEF.


/sciencestars.faceb.co.za@ScienceStars2


SCIENCE STARSBUILDING LEGENDS

Science Stars is supported by:• The Department of Science and Technology • CSIR• University of Stellenbosch• UCT• SANRAL•• Shanduka Foundation • Old mutual • NSFAS• UJ• Engen• Scifest Africa• Shanduka black umbrellas•• SAASTA• TCTA

Science Stars is distributed to all 9South African provinces by ELTINSEF.


/sciencestars.faceb.co.za@ScienceStars2


SCIENCE IN PRACTICE

PROF JULIAN MAY

Prof Julian May is based at the

University Of Western Cape (UWC).

He obtained his doctoral degree in

Development Studies at The University

of the KwaZulu-Natal.. He is a Research

Associate at the Brooks World Poverty

Institute, the International Food Policy

Research Institute, the Department of

Social Policy, Oxford University and the

South African Labour and Development

Research Unit, University of Cape Town.

Between 1994 and 1998, Prof. May led the

Poverty and Inequality Report, which was

the first review of South Africa’s poverty

reduction policies after the Apartheid

era. The Professor has also worked in a

number of other countries. He worked on

an evaluation of the World Bank’s social

fund program in Jamaica, Nicaragua,

Zambia and Malawi, on bio-diversity stud-

ies in Mozambique and Namibia, poverty

reduction strategy in Lesotho, Zambia and

Uganda, and on monitoring and evaluation

in Mauritius, Maldives, Namibia, Swaziland

and Zimbabwe.

He was also the principal researcher for

the KwaZulu-Natal Income Dynamics

Survey (KIDS), a ten year panel study of

poverty dynamics. May has edited 3 books,

published over 60 papers in books and

academic journals, and produced more

than 120 working papers, research reports

and other publications. His research

interests are poverty and inequality, agrar-

ian reform, and impact assessment meth-

odologies.

Science Stars had the brilliant opportunity

of sitting down with Prof. May. We asked

him a few questions. Read on and enjoy:

Who has been your biggest inspiration in all things scientific?

Depends what you mean by science. If

systematic knowledge building, then my

first choice is Desiderius Erasmus (1466 –

1536), of economics (my discipline) then

John Maynard Keynes, and if mathematics,

then Kurt Gödel.

What do you think about the state of Maths and Science in South Africa at the moment?

We face a serious crisis. It seems that

maths is feared by many South Africans,

rather than something that is to be

enjoyed and something that helps. We

are falling behind countries that are

much poorer than us, as well as those

with whom we will be competing with for

resources and markets. It is critical that

we support initiatives to improve maths

learning and usage in South Africa.

What is your biggest mathematic or scientific regret?Not paying attention during my algebra

classes in my matric year. It took me years

to fill in the gaps in my knowledge.

If you were not actively involved in science and mathematics what would you be doing?I might be a chef in a restaurant as I enjoy

cooking, or perhaps a photographer.

What are your thoughts on the poten-tial of Bio-Science in SA?There is immense potential for bio-science

in South Africa, but we cannot achieve its

potential unless we first address issues of

inequality, injustice and exclusion.

What is your favourite quote?I have many, but this is a current favourite:

“If you think education is expensive, try

ignorance.” (Derek Bok)

Who is the best mathematician or sci-entist of all time in your view?

Once again I can think of many, but a

current favourite is Tim Berners-Lee, the

inventor of the World Wide Web. He made

continuous learning easily available for

most people.

What can you say to our aspiring future scientists and mathematicians?

Learning is a life-long experience, requiring

serious commitment and energy. Only while

you are at school or in college or university

will you have the opportunity to devote

your full attention to this activity. Don’t

squander this chance: the older person that

you will eventually become will always be

grateful for the knowledge that you build

during this time.

Prof Julian May

A strong academic


DST - NRF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN

FOOD SECURITY

“Hunger is not a natural phenomenon. It is a man-made trag-

edy. People do not go hungry because there is not enough food

to eat. They go hungry because the system which delivers food

from the fields to our plates is broken.”

CompositionThe DST - NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security

(COE) is a virtual centre hosted by the Universities of the

Western Cape and co-hosted by the University of Pretoria.

Researchers in the Centre are drawn from Universities of

Cape Town, Fort Hare, Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela, North

West, Stellenbosch University, Venda, Tshwane University of

Technology, the Agricultural Research Council and the Water

Research Council. Our international partners are the Australian

National University, City University of New York, Institute of

Development Studies, International Food Policy Research

Institute, Michigan State University and Missouri University.

Centre DirectorThe CoE Director Prof. Julian May works on poverty reduction

including land reform, social grants, information technology

and urban agriculture in southern and East Africa. He formerly

held the South African Research Chair in Applied Poverty

Impact Assessment.

Prof. Sheryl Hendriks, the University of Pretoria node head,

works on household food security measurement, agricul-

tural growth and food policy analysis. She is a member of

the Committee on World Food Security’s High Level Panel of

Experts.

Food security and nutrition are imperative for human survival

with dignity. Achieving food security must take into account

economic vitality, social justice, human and environmental

health.

Goals and aspirationsThe COE goal is to undertake research, capacity building

and dissemination activities to promote a sustainable

food system that brings about food security for poor, vul-

nerable and marginal populations.

Their research goes across different focus areas and

involves using innovative methodologies for high-impact

science through understanding and taking action on com-

plex societal problems. We adopt a partnership approach

to the organisation of our activities by building purposive

strategic relationships for the co-design and co-ownership

of research problems, methodologies and solutions.

Through a transformative agenda, we provide leadership,

evidence for decision making and critique of policies

and programmes aimed at reducing food insecurity. Our

comprehensive and systems approach to development

recognises the underlying causes of food insecurity such

as poverty, unemployment and inequality.

OrganisationTheir work is carried out in four different areas

• Food Creation

Production, processing and preservation.

• Food Distribution

Markets, livelihoods and value chains

• Food Consumption

Health, nutrition, choice and behaviour

• Food Governance

Safety, standards, policy and rights

Ensuring a stable future

FEATUREDST


FEATUREDST

REWARDING EXCELLENCE

Grade 11 and 12 pupils excel in National Science Olympiad

Four South African grade 12 pupils

will attend the 2014 London

International Youth Science Forum,

and two grade 11 pupils will participate

in the Australian National Youth Science

Forum after coming out tops in the

National Science Olympiad.

Southern Africa’s top young science

performers in 2014 were honoured at a

gala event at Emperors Palace on 10 July

2014. The top achievers were drawn from

schools in the southern African region,

including Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Namibia and

South Africa.

The Olympiad aims to contribute towards

excellence in science among learners and

to encourage them to take up careers in

science, engineering and technology. Just

under 30 000 learners in grades 10 to 12

wrote either the Physical Sciences or Life

Science paper on 3 March 2014. Winners

in different categories received prizes such

as laptops, iPads, e-bookreaders and more

at the awards event. The top-performing

schools received science equipment for

their laboratories.

The event in 2014 also celebrated 50

years of the competition. Past Science

Olympiad winners were also honoured,

including the likes of Prof. Nithaya Chetty,

Group Executive for Astronomy at the

National Research Foundation, Mteto

Nyati, Microsoft’s GM of emerging regions

in Africa and the Middle East, and award-

winning poet Imraan Coovadia.

Delivering the keynote address Minister

of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor,

said: “The Olympiad is much more than a

science and biology exam competition. It’s

the jewel in the crown of our Youth into

Science Strategy, which is all about identi-

fying and nurturing talent. The Olympiad

also identifies talent. It identifies talent

that teachers have nurtured in schools

across the length and breadth of the coun-

try.”

The Minister added that the country needed

more young scientists to improve the qual-

ity of life of all citizens, especially those in

rural areas.

“Many South African inventors have pro-

duced products that improve the quality

of life of rural people in South Africa and

elsewhere in Africa,” said Minister Pandor,

citing solar power projects like the turbo-

spiral solar heater and the sun-catcher

solar cooker.

Hamandishe Mathivha and Danielle Vellema

Ms Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor


DST

Congratulating winners of the 50th

National Science Olympiad, the Minister

said government was increasing invest-

ment in research and development, and

modernising infrastructure devoted to sci-

ence and technology.

The Minister encouraged the winners to

add to the length of the list of inventions

for which South Africa was known.

“South African scientists have been able

to exploit both geographic and knowledge

advantages. We are internationally com-

petitive and recognised in Astronomy. As

a country rich in human fossil remains, we

are also a leading country in palaeontol-

ogy and related sciences,” she said.

“There is much to be proud of in South

African science. We boast a long list of

impressive inventions – from early tools

for collecting, cutting up and storing

food, to traditional medicines, horse-

drawn vehicles, medical apparatus, attack

helicopters, vuvuzela horns and articu-

lated dump trucks. We are particularly

renowned for breakthroughs in the medi-

cal field, which include heart transplant

procedures and the development of com-

puter axial tomography, which led to break-

throughs in X-ray scanning.”

Hamandishe Mathivha of Mbilwi Secondary

School in Limpopo and Danielle Vellema of

Outeniqua High School in George, Western

Cape will travel to Australia in 2015 for the

Science Focus Week.

Best overall marks in Physical Science:

Thomas Orton of Bishops High School,

Cape Town. Ishaaq Lakhi of Raisethorpe

Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal won

Best overall marks in Life Sciences and

Rebecca Rogers Reddam House, Western

Cape top girl Learner in Life Sciences.

Winners:Best overall marks in Physical Sciences:

Thomas Orton of Bishops High School in

Cape Town.

Best overall marks in Life Sciences: Ishaaq

Lakhi of Raisethorpe Secondary School in

KwaZulu-Natal.

Best marks in Physical Sciences in Grade

11: Bataung Mohapi, African Leadership

Academy, Gauteng.

Top girl learner in Life Sciences: Rebecca

Rogers, Reddam House Atlantic Seaboard,

Western Cape.

Two learners have been selected to attend

a Science Focus Week in Australia in

January 2015:

Hamandishe Mathivha of Mbilwi Secondary

School, Limpopo.

Danielle Vellema of Outeniqua High School

in George, Western Cape.

Dr. Vuyane Mhlomi and Ms Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor

Thomas Orton, Ishaaq Lakhi and Rebecca Rogers


ARC

The ARC has a very vibrant and

strong graduate development

programme. Science Stars inter-

viewed two students who have been part

of this programme, Nokuthula Innocentia

Ramatsoma and Cornelius Mahlanza.

How did you hear about the ARC Professional and graduates develop-ment programme?I came to the ARC as a volunteer for my

B-Tech project. To get my degree I was

required to volunteer at Agricultural

Research Council, Irene. Besides not get-

ting an income I was not discouraged. I

did as required to learn more on agricul-

ture science. Once I completed my degree,

I had an interest in pursuing my studies

to postgraduate level; being at ARC infor-

mation about Professional and graduates

Development Programme was readily

accessible. Due to my commitment and

professionalism, the Agricultural Research

Council committed to fund me for my

Masters project.

What is your area of expertise?Conducting research under Animal

Breeding and Genetics, with a particular

focus on dairy cattle genetic improvement.

Through developing strategies to improve

desirable and economically important

traits (such as milk production, live weight

etc. in dairy cattle).

What has been the greatest benefit of joining this programme?Joining the programme has helped me

gain the necessary knowledge and skills

with regard to scientific research. I have

been involved in various projects attended

workshops, conferences, made scientific

publication and presentations. The big-

gest benefit was the opportunity I got to

pursue my studies and acquire my master’s

degree.

Can you tell us a bit about your back-ground?I am from Limpopo province and aged

26. I attended an agricultural high school

and from there I decided to follow a

career in agriculture. I acquired a diploma

and degree in Agriculture at Tshwane

University of Technology. Currently I am

at the final stage of my masters and plan

to proceed with PhD studies, as soon as I

graduate for my master’s degree.

How has this programme assisted your career development?When joining the programme I lacked

knowledge in terms of scientific research.

I have acquired vast knowledge in how to

conduct research projects, write scientific

publications and make presentations. The

programme has also trained me on how to

collect, edit and analyse data.

What would you like to say to ARC about the programme?My studies would have never been a

success without the financial aid from

the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

Professional Development Programme.

Thank you, thank you; my outmost

gratitude goes to you for giving me

the opportunity to explore the greatest

experience in research. If it wasn’t for

Agricultural Research Council (ARC) for

the Professional Development Programme

with the help from my mentor Dr CB

Banga and the Animal Breeding and

Genetics staff; I would not be having any

scientific publications, knowledge on how

to make scientific presentations, analyse

and interpret data.

What are your future plans?I see myself well established in my

career with a PhD. Working in agricultural

research. Helping other students develop

their careers. Possibly emerging into a

world class scientific researcher.

Where do you see yourself in 2yrs time?In 2yrs time I hope to have enrolled for

my PhD studies. Attained many publica-

tions because presently I have published

one article in a peer-reviewed journal and

I am about to publish another article and

still have other articles awaiting for pub-

lications. I’m anticipating making an inter-

national presentation and training.

What can you say to other people about the ARC graduate programme?The Professional Development Programme

is not only a programme that will assist

in your studies but it will also develop

your career in the field of agriculture. The

programme also gives the platform to be

recognised WORLDWIDE as you will be

conducting your research in one of the top

research councils (ARC).

ARC PROFESSIONAL AND GRADUATES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMENurturing our future lifeblood

Ramatsoma Nokuthula


ARC

Cornelius Mahlanza

How did you hear about the ARC Professional and graduates develop-ment programme?I visited one of the institutes

What is your area of expertise?Microbiology and biochemistry.

What has been the greatest benefit of joining this programme?Exposure to the work environment.

Can you tell us a bit about your back-ground?I have a Master’s degree in biochemistry.

How has this programme assisted your career development

This programme gave me a head start into

my career while I was still studying.

What would you like to say to ARC about the programme?The programme is relevant as it addresses

the current needs for more qualified aca-

demics to assist ARC achieve its vision.

What are your future plans?Completing my PhD.

Where do you see yourself in two years time?Embarking on a postdoc.

What can you say to other people about the ARC graduate programme?It’s a good platform for anyone that has an

interest in agricultural academic research

Cornelius Mahlanza

www.maties.com

Are you creative and eager to explore? So is Stellenbosch University.

Do you see the world as your classroom and your future as yours to shape?

Stellenbosch University does. Are you driven to make a difference?

Then Stellenbosch is the place for you.

Bran

ding |

www

.gstud

io.co

.zaYOU UNLIMITED

StellenboschUniversity.What setsus apart?


ARC


ARC

Seokedzi Mothokwa is just one of the 179 learners that SANRAL’s

scholarships from 2012-2013 is helping to realize his dreams

of doing well and going on to study at university.

It’s an investment for us, for him and for our country. Who knows what he may become – but we know

that better education means more opportunities, and that means a better

nation for us all.

At my math and science. And it paid off. SANRAL’s scholarship

programme is helping me to pay for my schooling to

pave the way for my success.

“

”

www.sanral.co.za | 0800 SANRAL (726 725)

3527

3527 BENEFICIARY AD - Science Stars.indd 1 2014/08/12 3:13 PM

GET ALL THE ANSWERS AT THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT UJ

Choose the right subjects in Gr 9Learn well in Gr 10Earn the marks you need in Gr 11Apply on time in Gr 12Register to become a UJ student once accepted to UJ

Individuals, parents, teachers and all groups are welcome – proof of your booking must be presented on entrance.

Campus tours will take place on the last Friday of every month, unless there is a public holiday and must also be booked on future.uj.mobi.

Please look out for more information in the press and online regarding UJ’s winter schools and other helpful initiatives aimed at keeping you CLEAR about your future!

From 2014 the UJ OPEN DAY format will be changing to give you, the learner, a valuable experience with us. Instead of one large OPEN DAY, we have put together a calendar filled with smaller focused interactions to offer you the best guidance for your future.

* Please note these dates may be subject to change.

DATE EVENT

23 April 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

9 May 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12



4 June 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

23 June 2014 Subject Choice Seminars – Grade 9

24 June 2014 Subject Choice Seminars – Grade 9

30 July 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

6 August 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

10 September 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 11

17 October 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 11

Booking is essential, so book today by visiting future.uj.mobi either on your phone or PC or click on the My Future UJ Learner Portal Banner on www.uj.ac.za. If you have problems booking please email [email protected] or call 011 559 6372.

SMS the keyword ODays to 45813 for any further info on any of these events.** Standard sms rates apply.

106838 UJ A4.indd 1 2014/02/18 12:48 PM

4

3

2

1

SCIENCE NEWS

Professor Azwinndini Muronga is the winner of this year’s NSTF-BHPBilliton Award for his outstanding contribution toscience, engineering and technology innovationthrough science communication for publicawareness over the last five years. The award issponsored by SAASTA.

Ms Zanele Magwaza-Msibi hasbeen appointed as the Deputy Minister ofScience and Technology (DST)

Did you know that alcohol decreases the

level ofsex hormone testosterone in men, but

increases it in women.

Puma Biotech announced that a Phase III clinical trial of its experimental drug blocked the return of breast cancer in some women. Shares of the small development biotech firm more than tripled on Wednesday morningafter the news — and created a new billionaire inthe process.

W MEN IN

SCIENCE

Women In Science Awards will be held on the 15 of August 2014


Science Stars interviewed Research

fellow Dr Tandeka Magcwebeba

from Stellenbosch University. Dr

Magcwebeba works in Bio-Chemistry

which is a very interesting area of study.

Dr Magcwebeba was named after the first

female doctor in Queenstown, Eastern

Cape. “She was the doctor who took care

of my mother while she was pregnant with

me, after I was born the doctor asked my

parents to make sure I get educated and

the sad part is that two years after nam-

ing me Tandeka she passed away. In later

years my parents kept reminding me that

DR Tandeka wanted me to study and they

even exaggerated it and said she wanted

me to be a doctor.”

Here are some interesting questions and

answers between Science Stars and Dr

Magcwebeba . This is one inspirational

story and at SS we are sure it will moti-

vate you all our young readers. Can you tell us more about your upbringing?

I grew up in the remote area of Ezweleni

Zone 1, Queenstown, Eastern Cape. I start-

ed my primary schooling at Nolwabo and

also studied at Empendulo primary school.

I started school at the age of five because

my mother was a teacher and didn’t have

a nanny to look after me so she decided to

send me to school so the teachers would

look after me. I was a top student in pri-

mary school.

This shocked my parents because they

did not think I would excel in school as I

started school at a very young age. They

had even told the teachers that it would

be ok if I failed or repeated classes but

the fact that they didn’t think I would pass

made me ambitious and I worked hard and

passed, and not only did I just pass, I was

the best student in my class. The average

schooling starting age during my time was

(7) so the teachers used to hide me when

school inspectors would come to visit

the school, because they didn’t want the

inspectors to know that I was underage.

Can you tell us more about your high school?I went to a model C high school and fit-

ting in was a big challenge because of the

language barrier. I came from a very Xhosa

school and I was not fluent in English, in

high school I initially wanted to study his-

tory so that I could be a lawyer but after

discovering that I was more analytical

and loved solving problems I grew to love

maths and science and I ended up study-

ing science and maths instead of history.

Can you tell us more about your matric year?I was very playful in grade 12, and I think

it was partly because I started school early

and this made me more playful, I did not

do well in matric so I got a conditional

exemption. This meant I was restricted on

what degrees to study and the worst part

was that my parents still wanted me to be

a Doctor with my low marks. All the major

universities in SA turned me down and I

had to change my career. My dad’s friend

said that if I applied to study at UWC

they would accept me with my low marks

because my maths marks where very good,

when I got to UWC I read the words bio-

chemistry on the notice board and that

fascinated me. The white coat also got me

excited me because I used to see Brooke

from ‘The bold and beautiful’ wearing it

and looking smart.

How was your University life after-

DR TANDEKA

IMMUNOLOGIST TURNS TO BIO-CHEMISTRY

Rooibos is more than tea


wards?At UWC I studied a general BSC, because

of lack of career information I just went for

subjects that I liked, after I graduated my

family expected me to work but my father

advised me to pursue an honours degree,

but just like in high school I didn’t do well

in my final year and I had to change from

majoring in Bio-Chemistry to physiology, I

then took Bio-Chemistry as a minor.

When I was doing my under-graduate

degree I had no clear idea of what I was

going to work as, so I was just studying

without a plan, I went from an under-

graduate degree to honours without

knowing what I was going to be employed

as. I did my honours in medical biology.

My honours research project focused on

people with defunct immune systems,

like HIV positive people and pregnant

women, for my Masters we used technics

from micro biology and bio-chemistry

like “pcr” to study how contaminated river water affected people with compromised

immune systems.

My Masters research made me very curious

and I started thinking about my career and

started planning my future.

After my masters I ended up at the MRC,

this is where I started growing and gain-

ing confidence because I was using top

facilities to implement what I learnt at

UWC, MRC shaped my goal and how to

approach things.

At MRC I started working on the famous

rooibos research. MRC exposed me to a

whole different world, I turned into a pro-

fessional scientist at MRC, and did my doc-

torate in Bio-Chemistry at the university of

Stellenbosch.

For my PHD I used the Bio-Chemistry

technic and Stellenbosch gave me an

opportunity to be around bio chemists, so

I became an immunologist in a bio chem-

istry field.Tell us about the rooibos story?While I was growing up I only knew

rooibos as a tea not a plant, but after

my Masters MRC employed me because

I had a background in immunology and

they wanted me to research how rooibos

extracts could prevent cancer, at first I was

shocked to see that something we used at

home could be used to treat cancer and be

researched by scientist in a lab.

The rooibos research was very interesting,

it made me fall in love with bio chemistry,

for my PHD we developed a model to see

how plants can cure diseases and I now

see myself continuing being a researcher

for a very long time.

I strongly think that people must take

women who are studying science and

maths seriously and support them.

What would you be if you were not a scientist?An actress in Generations, probably playing

Mawande.

Your other talents?

I can cook Mphokoqo very well.

Tell us about your typical day?I go to the lab in the morning , run experi-

ments, read research articles, discover new

problems and try to solve them.

DR TANDEKA

Dr Tandeka Magcwebeba

CSIR BURSARY

2015

PROGRAMME

• PleasenotethatthebursaryprogrammeisopentostudentsstudyingatSouthAfricanuniversitiesinallprovinces.

• Shouldyounotbecontactedwithinonemonthoftheclosingdate,pleaseconsideryourapplicationunsuccessful.

Closing date: 15 September 2014Should you experience any problems in submitting your application, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre at [email protected]. Please do not submit your application to this mailbox.

To apply for a bursary go to http://www.csir.co.za/recruitment/bursary.php To request a manual application form email [email protected]

The CSIR is a responsible employer; we have put measures in place to ensure that equity is implemented such that it best serves the interests of the organisation and South Africa as a whole. Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and people living with disabilities. This speaks to the CSIR’s commitment to the Employment Equity Act of 1998.

By applying for this bursary at the CSIR, the applicant understands, consents and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or SAPS (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualifications and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

TheCSIRinvitesapplicationsfromstudentswishingtoregisterforundergraduate(alllevels)andHonoursstudiesforthe2015academicyearinthefollowingoperatingunitsandfields:

activate your career

CALL FOR APPLICATIONSThe CSIR is pleased to announce a comprehensive bursary programme that is aimed at providing support for talented students in selected fields of science, engineering and technology (SET). The bursaries are designed to be especially attractive to those students that are considering a career in research, with a value that will comprehensively cover all the normal costs associated with university studies, such as registration, tuition, books, accommodation, meals, laptop, etc. A generous living expenses allowance is an additional part of the package, to assist all selected students with incidental costs. Both academic merit and financial need will be considered during the selection process, as well as the imperative to increase the participation of women and black people in SET.

The CSIR invites applications from students wishing to register for undergraduate (all levels) and honours studies for the 2015 academic year in the following operating units and fields:

CLO

SIN

GD

ATE

:15

SEPT

EMBE

R20

14

www.csir.co.za

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the built environment fields:•Civil •Architecture•Geo Information Systems(GIS)•Construction Management•Mathematics •Oceanography•Mechatronics•Mechanical

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgrad-uate studies in the defence and security fields:•Electronic•Electrical (light current)•Mechanical•Aeronautical• Industrial •Computer Science •Computer Engineering•Applied Mathematics and Physics•Chemistry •Biomedical Engineering

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the information and communication technologies fields:•Electronic •Software •Computer Engineering•Computer Science•Artificial Intelligence• Information Systems•Computational Linguistics• Information Technology•Remote Sensing

Areas of Interest include: Speech analytics (audio and text), Wireless technologies, High Performance computing, Hybrid broadcasting and broadband technologies, Software devel-opment, Mobile applications, Data Science and Visualisation, Sensor Networks

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the information security fields:•Applied Mathematics (physics) (first year)•Mechanical Engineering (first year)

•Computer Science (third or fourth year)•Computer Engineering (third or fourth year)

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemical Engineering (BTech or BEng) (fourth

year)•Meteorology/ Climatology (Applied Math-

ematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences) (third year)

•Chemistry (fourth year)

BSc/BEng postgraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemistry •Meteorology/Climatology (Applied

Mathematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences)

•Geography and Environmental Management with a focus on Waste management

Requirements:•A South African citizen •Planned enrolment at a South African university

in 2014 •An average of 65% for the current academic year

Your application must include: •A copy of your Identity Document• A copy of your CV • Latest transcripts (academic results).


CSIR BURSARY

2015

PROGRAMME

• PleasenotethatthebursaryprogrammeisopentostudentsstudyingatSouthAfricanuniversitiesinallprovinces.

• Shouldyounotbecontactedwithinonemonthoftheclosingdate,pleaseconsideryourapplicationunsuccessful.

Closing date: 15 September 2014Should you experience any problems in submitting your application, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre at [email protected]. Please do not submit your application to this mailbox.

To apply for a bursary go to http://www.csir.co.za/recruitment/bursary.php To request a manual application form email [email protected]

The CSIR is a responsible employer; we have put measures in place to ensure that equity is implemented such that it best serves the interests of the organisation and South Africa as a whole. Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and people living with disabilities. This speaks to the CSIR’s commitment to the Employment Equity Act of 1998.

By applying for this bursary at the CSIR, the applicant understands, consents and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or SAPS (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualifications and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

TheCSIRinvitesapplicationsfromstudentswishingtoregisterforundergraduate(alllevels)andHonoursstudiesforthe2015academicyearinthefollowingoperatingunitsandfields:

activate your career

CALL FOR APPLICATIONSThe CSIR is pleased to announce a comprehensive bursary programme that is aimed at providing support for talented students in selected fields of science, engineering and technology (SET). The bursaries are designed to be especially attractive to those students that are considering a career in research, with a value that will comprehensively cover all the normal costs associated with university studies, such as registration, tuition, books, accommodation, meals, laptop, etc. A generous living expenses allowance is an additional part of the package, to assist all selected students with incidental costs. Both academic merit and financial need will be considered during the selection process, as well as the imperative to increase the participation of women and black people in SET.

The CSIR invites applications from students wishing to register for undergraduate (all levels) and honours studies for the 2015 academic year in the following operating units and fields:

CLO

SIN

GD

ATE

:15

SEPT

EMBE

R20

14

www.csir.co.za

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the built environment fields:•Civil •Architecture•Geo Information Systems(GIS)•Construction Management•Mathematics •Oceanography•Mechatronics•Mechanical

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgrad-uate studies in the defence and security fields:•Electronic•Electrical (light current)•Mechanical•Aeronautical• Industrial •Computer Science •Computer Engineering•Applied Mathematics and Physics•Chemistry •Biomedical Engineering

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the information and communication technologies fields:•Electronic •Software •Computer Engineering•Computer Science•Artificial Intelligence• Information Systems•Computational Linguistics• Information Technology•Remote Sensing

Areas of Interest include: Speech analytics (audio and text), Wireless technologies, High Performance computing, Hybrid broadcasting and broadband technologies, Software devel-opment, Mobile applications, Data Science and Visualisation, Sensor Networks

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the information security fields:•Applied Mathematics (physics) (first year)•Mechanical Engineering (first year)

•Computer Science (third or fourth year)•Computer Engineering (third or fourth year)

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemical Engineering (BTech or BEng) (fourth

year)•Meteorology/ Climatology (Applied Math-

ematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences) (third year)

•Chemistry (fourth year)

BSc/BEng postgraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemistry •Meteorology/Climatology (Applied

Mathematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences)

•Geography and Environmental Management with a focus on Waste management

Requirements:•A South African citizen •Planned enrolment at a South African university

in 2014 •An average of 65% for the current academic year

Your application must include: •A copy of your Identity Document• A copy of your CV • Latest transcripts (academic results).

CSIR

CSIR LAUNCHES AN OPEN-INNOVATION PLATFORM AIMED AT DEVELOPING AND

SUPPORTING BIO-MANUFACTURING

The CSIR has launched a

Biomanufacturing Industry

Development Centre (BIDC) to pro-

vide product and process development

support to SMEs that intend to produce

biologicals for industrial, veterinary and

human applications.

Funded through the Jobs Fund of the

Development Bank of Southern Africa

(DBSA) and the Department of Science

and Technology (DST), the centre is the

first of its kind built in the country. The

BIDC is meant to become a hub for open-

innovation in biomanufacturing and is

specifically dedicated to start-ups and

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

in the development of new technologies

and products. It will provide incubated

companies with access to ready-to-use

biomanufacturing facilities and supporting

research and development (R&D) labora-

tories, as well as access to experts in the

fields related to bioprocess development

and scale-up.

The BIDC aims to support and develop

at least 12 businesses over the next

three years, leading to a potential Gross

Domestic Product contribution of up to

R180 million per annum. The true benefit

of this investment however, will be seen in

the years thereafter as the biomanufactur-

ing sector grows.

The CSIR BIDC is located in newly refur-

bished buildings at the CSIR campus in

Pretoria.

The centre will support companies

through the prototyping and scale-up

phases of product development and will

assist them to do market acceptance test-

ing, and to launch products on the market.

The companies will remain the sole own-

ers of their innovations and retain abso-

lute control over their future in terms of

added value and partnerships. The facility

will also help lower the cost and barriers

that inhibit innovative enterprises from

translating their inventions into market-

ready products, and will play an enabling

role in developing necessary partnerships

that will directly contribute to sustainable

job creation.

The CSIR BIDC is designed in such a way

that it is highly flexible and adaptable

because this synthesis of academic and

industrial activity will accelerate innova-

tion and process development. With entre-

preneurs, students and industrial experts

all in the mix, we expect the CSIR BIDC to

help evolve the best practices of biomanu-

facturing by providing applied experience

for the incubatees to go out there and

become well-established business people.


CSIR

MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS AN HIV/AIDS-FREE GENERATION

“I am always affected by the statistics

on women who are infected by HIV,

but also children. Children do not

choose to be HIV positive; they are born

with it, especially through mother to child

transmission. The idea is to help mothers

who are already HIV positive. Even if they

are taking anti-retrovirals (ARVs), research

has proven that 33% of the children who

are breastfed by HIV positive mothers still

get infected,” says Dr Grace London who is

a senior researcher within the emerging

health technologies competence area at

the CSIR.

Her area of specialisation is the preven-

tion of mother to child transmission in

breast milk using nucleic acid ligand

called aptamers. This work is something

that is close to her heart. Grace and the

team of research scientists that she works

with envisage an HIV/Aids-free generation

where children will not get infected at all.

Her determination and drive to bring

change to the lives of others led to

her joining the CSIR in 2008 from the

University of Cape Town, where she was

enrolled for her MSc studies. In 2013,

she completed her PhD and went on to

become the first black woman from Parys,

a small town in the northern Free State, to

obtain a PhD.

“I did not even know that I was the first

black woman from Parys to obtain a PhD.

I was even surprised when the Premier of

the Free State, Ace Magashule, mentioned

in his State of the Province address on 21

February 2014 that he would like to con-

gratulate a lady from his hometown who

just graduated with her PhD. I think the

reason he mentioned it was not all about

bragging, but rather for young people to

be motivated.”

“The journey was not simple. A PhD is very

demanding and an emotional roller-coast-

er. You get a lot of roadblocks, sometimes

things don’t really work out and you can

go on for a year doing one thing. However,

I learned a lot through that period, and

that’s the emotional part of it because

sometimes you spend roughly 20 hours a

day trying to make things work. The per-

son I was when I started my PhD is not

the same person I am after I graduated.

You mature so much.”

Among her accolades are several inter-

national scholarships. These include the

Global Health - Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation Scholarship and the Fulbright-

Fogarty Award to complete part of her

PhD work at Scripps Research Institute in

California for six months. Grace has also

presented at eight conferences (four inter-

national and four local). Moreover, in 2013

she won the Discovery Clinical Excellence

Award for best poster at the 6th South

African AIDS conference held in Durban.

Dr Hazel Mufhandu, one of Grace’s col-

leagues, describes her as a hard worker.

“Her determination to get things done, as

well as the drive to constantly look for

better ways of doing things ultimately

helps her to pull through, no matter how

challenging the situation she finds her-

self in,” she says. Hazel adds, “Grace is a

humorous person; likes to chat a lot; is

a go-getter; and accomplishes her tasks

once she puts her mind to it.”

Apart from her research work, Grace is

also interested in astronomy and is a

member of the Silverton Astronomy Club.

She also loves road running. “I belong to

the CSIR Running Club and ran the Old

Mutual Two Oceans Marathon 56 km this

year.”


DST

Two of our young researchers from

South Africa will be among thou-

sands of scientists and researchers

attending Europe’s largest science confer-

ence, which takes place in Copenhagen,

Denmark, from 21 to 26 June.

Takatso Semenya, a physiotherapist at the

University of Limpopo, and Prof. Mamello

Thinyane, who is an associate professor

at Fort Hare University’s Department of

Computer Science, will be accompanying

the Minister of Science and Technology,

Naledi Pandor, and the newly appointed

President of the Medical Research Council

and leading HIV/Aids specialist, Prof.

Glenda Gray.

The EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF)is an

open platform to debate science and a

showcase for global research. It also aims

to promote dialogue on the role of sci-

ence and technology in society and public

policy.

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister

Pandor said: “The EuroScience Open

Forum presents an opportunity for South

Africa to showcase its latest advances in

science. There is much to learn from this

country!”

Looking forward to discussions, Ms

Semenya said attending ESOF2014 would

help her glean best and novel practices in

science, technology and innovation, which

she would share and implement in South

Africa as a contribution to building a

knowledge-based economy.

“My plan is to use this opportunity to

learn from different experts in order to

help transform this country’s health sci-

ences research environment and products

into something uniquely African yet being

globally competitive,” said Ms Semenya.

Prof. Thinyane is particularly interested

in how information and communication

technologies (ICTs) can be used to address

socio-economic challenges, particularly in

rural areas and among the youth.

“For me this event presents a valuable

opportunity to exchange knowledge in

the ICT field and network with research-

ers from other countries. There are many

Europeans who are interested in Africa,

and ESOF is a chance to sell South Africa

and find ways to form partnerships

towards the development of this country,”

said Prof. Thinyane.

Prof. Gray is scheduled to make a presen-

tation on how health diplomacy drives

business and innovation.

Themed “Science Building Bridges”, the

conference is aimed at raising the public’s

awareness of science and strengthening

the “bridges” between science and society.

Denmark has a deep-rooted scientific

tradition and a strong commitment to

scientific and technological innovation,

which play an important role in translat-

ing knowledge from science to society.

South Africa remains one of the most suc-

cessful participants from outside Europe

in the EU Framework Programmes for

Research and Technological Development,

with major participation dating back to

the fourth framework programme. Under

the seventh, more than R400 million in

EU funding was allocated to South African

organisations.

SA SCIENTISTS IN ACTIONScientists join Minister Pandor for EuroScience Open Forum 2014

Prof. Glenda Gray, Ms Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor and Prof. Mamello Thinyani

National Science Week 2014 Focus Week 2014: 4 - 9 August 2014Launch: Saturday, 2 August 2014


UWC

UWC LAUNCHES GREEN NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE

Meaningful science for helping humanity

On the 14th of July the University

of the Western Cape (UWC)

proudly launched its newest

research facility, the Centre for Green

Nanotechnology.

The establishment of this Centre was

made a reality through the positive part-

nership between the University of Missouri

(UM) and UWC that spans approximately

30 years.

To celebrate the launch of this Centre,

speakers at the event included Prof Brian

O’Connell, Rector of UWC; Prof Richard

Bowen Loftin, Chancellor of UM; Prof Ken

Dean, Provost of UM; and Prof Ramesh

Bharuthram, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of

UWC.

Green nanotechnology is a relatively new

science which aims to create environ-

mental green technologies in an effort to

tackle real problems. Nanotechnology has

improved the design and performance of

products in various areas such as electron-

ics, medicine and medical devices, food

and agriculture, cosmetics, chemicals,

materials, coatings, energy and so forth.

According to Prof Bharuthram, “Green nan-

otechnology provides an opportunity to

combine the strengths of nanobioscience,

nanochemistry and nanophysics towards

innovative solutions for societal benefit”.

The establishment of the Centre for Green

Nanotechnology started in 2008/09 when

UWC embarked on developing a 5-year

institutional strategic plan for 2010-2014.

The Institutional Operational Plan (IOP)

identified eight institutional goals which

included: Goal 2 – Teaching & Learning;

and Goal 3 – Research & Innovation.


UWC

TEAM YOUDUBSWins international

supercomputing competition

The University of the Western Cape

(UWC) congratulates the South

African supercomputing Centre for

High Performance Computing (CHPC) team

comprising of UWC’s “Team Youdubs” –

Nicole Thomas, Eugene de Beste, Warren

Jacobus and Saeed Natha – together

with two others Ellen Nxala (Fort Hare

University) and Pieter Malan (Stellenbosch

University), for proudly representing

South Africa and clinching the number

one spot at the fiercely contested Annual

International Student Cluster (ISC) compe-

tition in Leipzig, Germany.

Team Youdubs had won the South African

national Student Cluster Competition,

which enabled them to compete at this

international event.

“UWC is exceptionally proud of the stu-

dents and this result. The fact that our

students are able to compete and win at

an international level further proves the

high quality level of education offered at

UWC,” says Prof Brian O’Connell, Rector and

Vice-Chancellor of UWC.

At this year’s competition, 11 national

teams from around the world competed

against each other to measure applica-

tion performance which included keeping

within a power budget of 3kW.

During the competition teams had to

assemble, test and tune their computer

cluster machines illustrating their know-

how and innovation capabilities. A com-

puter cluster is a set of loosely connected

or tightly connected computers that work

together so that in many respects they can

be viewed as a single system.

Students from the University of Science

and Technology, China took second place;

third place went to students from Tsingua

University (also China); and the University

of Edinburgh, UK (EPCC) team took the

award for highest LINPACK with an

impressive 10.14 teraflops.

Team SA has been driven by David

Macleod and Nick Thorne from the Centre

for High Performance Computing (CHPC),

and the team was also supported by Peter

van Heusden, a Senior Software Developer

based at UWC. Van Heusden says that

while he did not go to Germany with the

team, they kept in contact on a daily basis.

Van Heusden says that with regard to

South African computational science, we’re

always fighting being the ‘data providers’

– whether it is in astrophysics or in bioin-

formatics, there is this idea that the data

comes from Africa, the analysis from the

US and Europe.

Assisting the students with this competi-

tion has been his contribution towards

changing that, and illustrating that SA has

some great scientific minds.


BUDGET VOTE

An additional R5,8 billion is needed

if South Africa is to achieve the

National Development Plan’s target

of 100 000 PhDs by 2030.

Delivering the Department of Science and

Technology’s Budget Vote for 2014/15 in

Parliament, Minister Naledi Pandor said, “In

order to reach this target we need to train

6 000 PhDs per annum. We now produce

just over 1 800 PhDs per year.”

“Currently we lack research-supervision

capacity and the doctoral-student pipe-

line is too narrow. We need to support

researchers who are capable of supervis-

ing postgraduate students, and to cre-

ate appropriate incentives for students

to remain in the system up to doctoral

level. We have recently begun investing in

emerging researchers through postdoctor-

al fellowships in the Thuthuka programme,

and research-career-advancement fellow-

ships,” she added.

The budgetThe Department of Science and

Technology received a total of R6 470,2

billion from the National Treasury for the

2014/15 financial year.

Most of this is distributed to the six enti-

ties reporting to the Department, which

are the National Research Foundation

(R851 million); the Council for Scientific

and Industrial Research (R825 million);

the Technology Innovation Agency (R380

million); the Human Sciences Research

Council (R276 million); the South African

National Space Agency (R118 million) and

the Academy of Science of South Africa

(R21 million).

Key priorities in 2014/15Over the medium term, the Department

of Science and Technology will focus on

developing human capital, creating new

knowledge, investing in research and

development infrastructure and encourag-

ing innovation in South Africa by fund-

ing marketable products emerging from

research.

The Department will also make transfers

to fund the MeerKAT, precursor to the

Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio tele-

scope. The MeerKAT, which will eventually

have 64 antennae, should increase from

four dishes in 2014/15 to 27 in 2015/16

and 31 in 2016/17.

The African Very Long Baseline

Interferometry Network (AVN) is being

rolled out and will involve South

Africa’s eight SKA African partner coun-

tries. Through the AVN programme,

SKA South Africa, in partnership with

the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy

Observatory, has also trained scientists

and engineers from Ghana and Kenya. The

AVN programme will continue to assist

with training more technicians and scien-

tists.

R1,4 billion has been allocated over

the medium term from the Economic

Competitiveness and Support Package for

industrial partnerships, research into satel-

lite development, titanium technology and

nanotechnology, and for the internship

programme.

To improve South Africa’s global competi-

tiveness, the Department will make trans-

fer payments to the Council for Scientific

and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the

National Research Foundation (NRF) to

fund 11 440 bursaries for postgraduate

research students in 2014/15, and close to

30 000 over the next two financial years.

TransformationThe NRF will disseminate a total of R1,7

billion in research grants and bursaries

this financial year to meet the strict

transformation guidelines set by Minister

Pandor, which include

increasing the ratio of black to total

researchers from 28% in 2013/14 to 40%

in 2016/17.

Increasing the ratio of female to total

researchers from 36% in 2013/14 to 50%

in 2016/17.

increasing the ratio of black to total

graduate students funded from 63% in

2013/14 to 71% in 2016/17.

increasing the ratio of female to total

postgraduate students funded from 53% in


2013/14 to 55% in 2016/17.

South African Research Chairs Initiative

There are now 157 awarded chairs, of

which 128 have been filled. Of the chair

holders, 73% were recruited in South

Africa, 21% are women and 28% are black.

There are plans for another 20 chairs. The

initiative has contributed to the transfor-

mation of the system by increasing the

number of black and female researchers.

Since the inception of the programme, the

number of black undergraduate students

has increased by 450% and the number of

postgraduate students by 400%.

Centres of excellenceCentres of excellence are physical or

virtual centres of research which concen-

trate existing capacity and resources to

enable researchers to collaborate across

disciplines on long-term projects that are

locally relevant and internationally com-

petitive in order to enhance the pursuit of

research excellence and capacity develop-

ment.

There are now 14 centres and invest-

ment in them has increased at an aver-

age of 20% a year since 2010/11. The

Department of Science and Technology is

exploring a further three centres – in Aids,

Human Settlements and Water Research,

all in collaboration with other depart-

ments.

Attracting young people to scienceThe Department will invest R497 mil-

lion over the Medium Term Economic

Framework period in implementing a

coordinated approach to science educa-

tion, science awareness and science com-

munication. The programme, run through

the South African Agency for Science and

Technology Advancement (SAASTA), will

reach about 350 000 learners and about

13 000 teachers.

In pursuit of increasing public engagement

on science, technology and innovation, a

science and education centre will be built

in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape at a cost

R30 million to encourage an appreciation

for science and to offer teacher training

in the area. A mobile science laboratory,

funded by the Department and the Sasol

Inzalo Foundation, will help the science

centre reach nearby rural areas.

Between 2012 and 2014, the Department

exposed about 1 341 unemployed gradu-

ates to work experience in science, engi-

neering and technology institutions. Of

these 58% were absorbed into permanent

employment in the same institutions and

others have found employment elsewhere.

The Department has allocated R80 million

to fund 1 000 science postgraduates in the

2014/15 internship programme.

Increasing gross expenditure on R&D to

1,5% of GDP.

The Department is busy investigating vari-

ous methods to increase the investment in

research and development to 1,5% of the

GDP as mandated by the manifesto of the

ANC during the general election this year.

That the ANC was the only party to make

such a commitment is a clear signal of sig-

nificance role to be played by science and

technology in the radical transformation of

South Africa.

The ICT RDI RoadmapThe roadmap is aimed at increasing public

and private investment in ICT research,

development and innovation by provid-

ing a mechanism to forecast technology

developments in targeted areas and iden-

tify critical areas for development if South

Africa’s socio-economic objectives are to

be met. The Department will require an

additional R9 billion to implement the

roadmap successfully.

Concerted efforts by the Department and

its ICT RDI implementing agency, the CSIR

Meraka Institute, have succeeded in sourc-

ing and leveraging additional funding of

about R258 million for ICT RDI activities.

This includesR15 million from the Development Bank of

South Africa Green Fund for the develop-

ment of an ICT Smart and Green Platform

aimed at demonstrating how ICT can sup-

port green economy goals for the country;

three-year funding of R61,1 million from

the Department of Science and Technology

and the Department of Rural Development

and Land Reform;

R62 million over three years from

the National Treasury’s Economic

Competitiveness Support Package for the

ICT Industry Innovation Partnership Fund;

R120 million from European Union

General Budget Support funding for an ICT

innovation programme.


DST

DECODING OF EUCALYPTUS TREE GENOME U’NLOCKS NEW POSSIBILITIES

Hope for renewable fibre, fuel and biomaterials

Decoding of Eucalyptus tree genome

unlocks new possibilities for

renewable fibre, fuel and bioma-

terials – better and more wood, fibre and

cellulose – and possibly even future jet

fuel!

A University of Pretoria (UP) researcher,

Prof. Zander Myburg, took the lead as chief

investigator in a global project to dis-

cover the genetic blueprint of Eucalyptus

grandis, a species from a genus of fast-

growing trees commonly known as “gum

trees”(“bloekoms” in Afrikaans) in South

Africa.

The successful sequencing of this genome

has been published in the prestigious,

high-impact scientific journal Nature

(advanced online publishing at 19:00

London time on 11 June 2014;, print edi-

tion 19 June 2014).

“Now that we understand which genes

determine specific characteristics in these

trees, we can breed trees that grow faster,

have higher quality wood, use water

more efficiently and will cope better with

climate change,” Prof. Myburg explains

the significance of this major scientific

milestone. “Even more, we can turn well-

managed Eucalyptus plantations into

bio-factories to produce specific kinds of

sought-after materials and chemicals.”

He added: “With this new knowledge about

the molecular basis for superior growth

and specific adaptations in plants, we can

apply the same techniques to other woody

plants that can be used as feedstock in the

bio-economy of the future.”

Gum trees are highly adaptable and

grow exceptionally fast. While native to

Australia, these trees are planted world-

wide, mainly for timber, pulp and paper

production, but increasingly also for

“chemical cellulose” – a form of pure cel-

lulose that is used in a wide variety of

industrial products from textiles to phar-

maceuticals.

The project to sequence the Eucalyptus

grandis genome involved 80 researchers

from 30 institutions across 18 countries.

It took them five years to sequence and

analyse the 640 million base-pair genome.

Combing through the more than 36 000

genes found in Eucalyptus, the research-

ers homed in on those that may be able

to boost the economic value of the trees

by influencing the production of cellulosic

raw materials that can be processed for

pulp, paper, biomaterial and bio-energy

applications.

“As one of the lead organisations, the

University of Pretoria is delighted with the

positive outcomes of the project and the

exciting new opportunities for our genom-

ic research programmes,” says Prof. Anton

Ströh, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and

Agricultural Sciences at UP.

Prominent co-leaders on the project

include Prof. Dario Grattapaglia of the

Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation

(EMBRAPA) and Catholic University of

Brasilia; Dr Gerald Tuskan of the Oak

Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and

the BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) and

US Department of Energy Joint Genome

Institute (DOE JGI); Prof. Dan Rokhsar of

the DOE JGI; and Dr Jeremy Schmutz of the

DOE JGI and the HudsonAlpha Institute for

Biotechnology.

The US Department of Energy was a major

funder via its Joint Genome Institute in

Walnut Creek, California, where most of the


DST

DNA sequencing was done.

South Africa’s Department of Science and

Technology (DST), together with forestry

companies Sappi and Mondi, supported

Prof. Myburg and his team by funding the

construction of the genome map used as

a scaffold for genome assembly, as well as

the sequencing of expressed genes used

for annotation of the genome.

“The development of new knowledge and

skills in tree genomics, and the application

of that knowledge to enhance industry

competitiveness, is directly aligned with

the DST’s vision of a bio-economy,” says

Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of the

Department of Science and Technology.

“This is a superb example of full value-

chain thinking, and thus an important

investment for the Department.”

Prof. Myburg’s research team identified

genes encoding 18 final enzymatic steps

for the production of cellulose and the

hemicellulose xylan, both carbohydrates

that are enriched in wood fibre cells and

can be used for biofuel production. “By

tracing their evolutionary lineages and

expression in woody tissues, we defined

a core set of genes for biopolymer pro-

duction that are highly expressed in the

development of xylem – the woody tis-

sue that helps channel water throughout

the plant and strengthens the tree,” he

explains.

Team members Dr Carsten Külheim and

Prof. Bill Foley at the Australian National

University (ANU) also found that, among

sequenced plants to date, Eucalyptus

showed the highest diversity of genes for

specialised metabolites such as terpenes.

These hydrocarbons serve as chemical

self-defenses against pests, and also pro-

vide the familiar aromatic essential oils

used in medicinal cough drops and in

industrial processes.

Among the family of terpene compounds

naturally produced in plants – and in par-

ticularly high abundance in Eucalyptus

trees – derivatives of sesquiterpenes that

contain 15 carbon atoms (diesel fuel typi-

cally contains 10 to 24 carbon atoms) may

be promising alternatives for petroleum-

based fuels. Researchers have already

made important breakthroughs in engi-

neering aspects of terpene biosynthesis

into microbes such as bacteria and yeasts.

“This means that in future we could use

specially selected Eucalyptus genes in

bacteria and yeasts, turning them into bio-

factories to manufacture advanced biofu-

els on a large scale,” Prof. Myburg says. “In

future, jumbo jets may take off powered by

renewable, Eucalyptus-based fuel!”

Prof. Zander Myburg




INSTITUTIONS

BIO-SCIENCE INSTITUTIONS

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWNFACULTY OF SCIENCE

BIO-CHEMISTRY

ADMISSION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTSApplicants must attain a National Senior

Certificate with at least

36 points and need to have a minimum of

Mathematics 5 &

Physical Science 5 (NSC rating)

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPEFACULTY OF SCIENCE

BIO-CHEMISTRY

ADMISSION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS3 year Bsc degree

Compulsory and Prescribed subjects:

English at level 4 (home or first additional

language)

Math at level 4

Physical Science at level 4.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICAFACULTY OF SCIENCEBIO-CHEMISTRY

ADMISSION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENT

Matriculation exemption / National Senior

Certificate with appropriate subject combi-

nations and levels of achievement.

Minimum of 3 years.

UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCHFACULTY OF SCIENCEBIO-CHEMISTRY

ADMISSION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENT

Write the National Benchmark Tests AQL

and MAT

National Senior Certificate aggregate pass.

mark of at least 70%

Mathematics 4

Physical Sciences 4

Life Sciences 4

Strong recommendation: Afrikaans and

English as school subjects

Complete the Non-academic Merit Form

and submit it along with your application

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURGFACULTY OF SCIENCEBIO-CHEMISTRYADMISSION AND SUBJECT REQUIREMENT

A minimum rating of 5 for Mathematics, if

Mathematics 1A is included in the study

programme.

A minimum rating of 4 for Mathematics if

Mathematics 1C is included in the study

programme.

A minimum rating of 5 for Physical Science

if Chemistry 1A and/or Physics 1A is

included in the study programme.

A minimum rating of 4 for Physical Science

if Chemistry 1C and/or Physics 1C is

included in the study

Programme.

UNIVERSITY OF FREE-STATE

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

BIO-CHEMISTRY

AP = 28

Language of tuition

(Eng or Afr) =

Achievement level 4

Mathematics =

Achievement level 5

Physical Sciences =

Achievement level 4.

NAME SYMBOL VALUE

Acceleration due to gravity g 9,8 m.s-²

Gravitational constant G 6,67 x 10 -11 N.m² kg -²

Charge on electron e- -1,6 x 10 -¹⁹ C

Speed of light in a vacuum c 3,0 x 10⁸ m.s -¹

Coulomb’s constant k 9,0 x 10⁹v N.m²C-²

Electron mass mₑ 9,11 x 10 -31 kg

Permitivity of free space Ԑₒ 8,85 x 10 -12 F.m -1

Planck’s constant h 6,63 x 10 -34J.s

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