First-year level courses in Botany
There are two first-year semester-long courses in Botany. CEL 101 is held in the first semester and BOT 102 in the second semester. Credit for each course may be obtained separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a year-long course BOT 1, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum (40%) in each component. Supplementary examinations may be awarded in either course, provided that a candidate achieves at least 40%. Practical reports, essays and class tests collectively comprise the class mark, which forms part of the final mark. Adequate performance for CEL 101 (at least 40%) is required before a student may register for BOT 102. Each course is comprised of modules of two to four weeks, with 5 lectures and 1 practical per week.
CEL 101: Cell Biology
First-year, first-semester course (NQF level 5, 15 credits) jointly taught by the Departments of Botany and Zoology & Entomology. See details for CEL 101 in the entry for the Department of Zoology & Entomology.
BOT 102: Plant Evolution and Ecology
First-year, second-semester course (NQF level 5, 15 credits)
Entrance requirements: 40% for CEL 101
Course description: This course examines the mechanisms of evolution through natural selection and the resultant plant diversity. Whole plant function and adaptations are then used to introduce plant ecology, which deals with the characteristics and processes found at different levels of organisation from the individual to ecosystems. Ecological concepts are illustrated with their applications in conservation and environmental management.
DP requirements: Attend all practicals, lectures, tests. Hand in all assignments. 40% for the class record.
Assessment: Class record 40%, Examination 60%
Supplementary exam: 40 - 49%
Sub-minimum for November: Students with a course mark of 40% or higher may aggregate BOT 102 with CEL 101 to obtain credit for Botany 1. A student with a final course mark of 50% or more but who fails to achieve the examination subminimum will not obtain credit for BOT102 but will be eligible to write the supplementary examination.
SECOND-YEAR LEVEL COURSES IN BOTANY
There are two semester-long second-year courses in Botany. BOT 201 is normally held in the first semester and BOT 202 in the second semester. Credit for each course may be obtained separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a year-long course BOT 2, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum of 40% in each semester. Supplementary examinations are offered for both courses. When the intention is to major in Botany, Botany (CEL 101, BOT 102), Zoology (ZOO 102) and Chemistry (CHE 1) is required before a student may register for BOT 201 or BOT 202. Permission may be granted to repeat CHE 1 or ZOO 102 concurrently with BOT 2 or BOT 3. Adequate performance (at least 40%) in the first semester is required before a student may register for the second semester. These courses each comprise several modules and weekly practicals. Students registered for BOT 201 will also be required to assemble a plant collection, and students will participate in field trips in BOT 201 and BOT 202.
BOT 201: Plant diversity and reproduction
Second-year, first-semester course (NQF level 6, 20 credits)
Entrance requirements: BOT 1, BOT102 or an aggregated credit with ZOO1 Co-requisites: CHE 1, ZOO 102
Course description: The course begins with a module on the diversity of Angiosperms focusing on the diversity of plant structures and life forms of the spectacularly diverse South African flora. This module also introduces the basic principles of modern taxonomy and systematics. The second half of the course deals with plant reproduction and introduces some of the many modes of reproduction in Angiosperms before focusing on the interaction between plants and their pollinators. Practicals and field trips train students in key skills important for botanists, ecologists and environmental scientists, such as collecting and identifying plants, using the herbarium, and collecting and analysing ecological data.
DP requirements: Attend all practicals, lectures, tests and field trips. Hand in all assignments and plant collection. 40% for the class record.
Assessment: Class record 50%, Examination 50% (exam sub-minimum: 40%)
Supplementary exam: 40 - 49%
Sub-minimum for June: 40% for aggregation with BOT 202, provided the exam subminimum of 40% has been met. A student with a final course mark of 50% or more but who fails to achieve the examination subminimum will not obtain credit for BOT102 but will be eligible to write the supplementary examination. . BOT 202: Plant function
Second-year, second-semester course (NQF level 6, 20 credits)
Entrance requirements: 40% for BOT 201
Co-requisites: CHE 1, ZOO 102
Course description: The course starts with a module on carbon and nitrogen metabolism in plants, which examines pathways of energy production and utilisation and the regulation of metabolism. This is followed by a module on disturbance-driven ecosystems, which covers aspects of trophic ecology, plant-herbivore interactions, plant adaptations to fire and herbivory, and rangeland-ecology. The final module deals with invasion biology, which explores the nature, extent, impact and management of biological invasions. A joint ecology field trip with other life science departments introduces hypothesis testing, research design, data collection and analysis.
DP requirements: Attend all practicals, lectures, tests and field trips. Hand in all assignments. 40% for the class record.
Assessment: Class record 50%, Examination 50% (exam sub-minimum: 40%)
Supplementary exam: 40 - 49%
Sub-minimum for November: 40% for aggregation with BOT 201, provided the exam subminimum of 40% has been met. If a student has a final course mark of 50% or more but fails to achieve the examination subminimum, they will not obtain credit for BOT 202 but will be eligible to write the supplementary examination.
THIRD-YEAR LEVEL COURSES IN BOTANY
There are two independent semester-long third- year courses in Botany. BOT 301 is normally held in the first semester and BOT 302 in the second semester. Credit for each course may be obtained separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a year- long course BOT 3, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum in each semester. Supplementary examinations will be offered for both courses. Students are also required to undertake a year-long mini-research project, culminating in a written project and research seminar.
BOT 301: Plants in a changing world
Third-year, first-semester course (NQF level 7, 30 credits)
Entrance requirements: BOT 2
Course description: The course begins with an intensive two-week session on project development to enable students to commence their research projects with a firm foundation of research planning, project design and data analyses. A module on functional ecology in a changing world covers plant life histories, functional traits and the responses of vegetation to global change. A module on climate change and ecophysiology includes aspects of plant physiology in response to the environment where these plants grow, in particular the physiological consequences of stress. Both modules are linked to climate change issues and highlight how an understanding of southern African ecological systems has contributed to these fields globally.
DP requirements: Attend all practicals, lectures, tests and field trips. Hand in all assignments including project components. 40% for the class record.
Assessment: Class record 30%, Project 20%,
Examination 50% (exam sub-minimum: 40%)
Supplementary exam: 40 - 49%
Sub-minimum for November: 40% for aggregation with BOT 302, provided the exam subminimum of 40% has been met. If a student has a final course mark of 50% or more but fails to achieve the examination subminimum, they will not obtain credit for BOT 301 but will be eligible to write the supplementary examination.
BOT 302: Ecology and Evolution
Third-year, second-semester course (NQF level 7, 30 credits)
Entrance requirements: 40% BOT 301
Course description: This course comprises three modules. A module on applied community ecology examines plant-soil-environment interactions, with specific focus on how competition shapes plant communities. A module on plant speciation covers various topics along the speciation continuum. The module starts with divergent selection and local adaptation that initiates speciation, and ends with reinforcement and the evolution of reproductive isolation that completes speciation. The course concludes with a module focusing on the idea of relentless evolution working constantly on every generation in a population.
DP requirements: Attend all practicals, lectures, tests and field trips. Hand in all assignments including project components. 40% for the class record.
Assessment: Class record 30%, Project 20%,
Examination 50% (exam sub-minimum: 40%)
Supplementary exam: 40 - 49%
Sub-minimum for November: 40% for aggregation with BOT 301, provided the exam subminimum of 40% has been met. If a student has a final course mark of 50% or more but fails to achieve the examination subminimum, they will not obtain credit for BOT 302 but will be eligible to write the supplementary examination.
Last Modified: Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:55:55 SAST