Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences

Qualification stream: Biochemistry and Microbiology
Qualification code: 98053 - BAM
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 101234
APS/AS: 20
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is: 1) To produce science graduates who have the following attributes - a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and an understanding of underlying concepts and principles; the ability to access and evaluate scientific information including knowing how scientific knowledge is created; a high level of cognitive and other generic skills including problem-solving, written and spoken communication and computer literacy and competence in applying knowledge through basic research methods and practice; 2) To provide every graduate with a sufficient depth of knowledge and skills that give opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth - including postgraduate study - for gainful economic activity in a range of careers and for rewarding and constructive contributions to society. 3) To provide society with science graduates who demonstrate initiative and responsibility, who are professional and ethical in their roles within the economy and society and who are able to be intellectual leaders within their society and 4) To produce graduates in all scientific fields in order to increase, widen and transform the leadership base in South Africa, both for innovation and science-based economic and research development and for the education of future generations of scientists, technologists, engineers and other professional people.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.

  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

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