Human Biology, BHSc (Honours)

The Honours in Human Biology has a Coursework component and a Major Research Project.

The Coursework involves a full year of anatomical dissection, a seminar on the key concepts underlying research in human and comparative biology, short courses in basic statistics and scientific writing, and directed individualised readings and an annotated bibliography on a subject selected by the student.

The Major Research Project involves conducting the background literature review, formulating the specific research question and presenting the protocol, conducting data collection and analysis, presenting the results, and writing a comprehensive report.

An undergraduate degree (BA, BSc, BHSc) with a strong performance in biological courses and especially the 3rd year coursework, with a minimum of 60 for the year. Students with higher marks will be given preferential acceptance.

– Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
– Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
– Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal, view academic application status, accept an offer (once certified hardcopies have been received by SEnC), apply and check residence application status, and generate a fees estimate.
– Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Like any Honours course, Honours in Human Biology is primarily intended for students who wish to either continue their postgraduate studies with an MSc or PhD or to pursue professional degrees in the Health Sciences such as Medicine and Dentistry. The course is an excellent starting point for those purposes, and most of our graduates continue on in those areas. Forensic Anthropology, which is an applied scientific discipline, also requires continued study at the MSc. and PhD. Levels along with forensic casework experience. This may lead to careers involving work in
– Forensic anthropology and forensic human identification
– Forensic science (toxicology, forensic medicine, forensic biology etc)
– Crime scene investigation
– Human rights and humanitarian recovery missions

Possible employment opportunities may include:
– South African Police Service (SAPS)
– National Prosecuting Authority
– Medical examiners offices (forensic mortuaries)
– NGO and First Response Providers (Argentine Forensic Team, Kenyon International, United Nations, International Commissions, etc.)

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*Students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries pay the same annual tuition fees as South Africans plus an International Registration Fee (IRF). The SADC member countries are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
*Students sponsored by the Government of Rwanda will be treated as and pay the same amount as SADC students.
*Students from all other countries (Non-SADC) will pay the same amount as South African Students
*Diplomats and their dependents stationed in South Africa & International Wits employees and their dependents will pay South African tuition fees + International Registration Fee (IRF).