Virology is a subfield of microbiology that focuses on the detection, structure, classification and evolution of viruses, as well as their methods of infection and exploitation of host cells for reproduction, their interaction with host organism physiology and immunity, the diseases they cause, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and their use in research and therapy.
Since the arrival of modern medicine, Virologists have contributed to innovations in health care, from developing vaccines for multiple diseases to sequencing DNA.
Here is a list of institutions in South Africa where you can study Virology.
Stellenbosch University
At Stellenbosch University, you can enroll for an undergraduate degree in the University's Division of Medical Virology. You would enroll for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and can then choose to major in Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry or something similar.
In the 4th year of their studies, students will get a chance to visit laboratories and perform case studies that involve all the pathology disciplines.
Students can choose to venture into Postgraduate studies once they've completed their final year BSc degree, through the Honours in Medical Virology (HonsBSc) programme.
University of Pretoria
The Department of Medical Virology at the University of Pretoria offers a teaching and training component for undergraduate and postgraduate students, along with postgraduate medical science students who are specializing in basic and medical virology.
Undergraduate programmes currently on offer include:
- Medical Technologists
- Medical Technicians
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD) courses
University of Limpopo
There is no Medical Virology course offered as a separate discipline at undergraduate level at the University of Limpopo.
However, Medical Virology is included in the curricula of numerous undergraduate degrees as a component of the Medical Microbiology course. The Medical Virology component is taught in the following Medical Microbiology courses:
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) (level I, II, III & IV)
- Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS) (level III)
- BCur (Nursing) (level II)
- BSc Diet (Bachelor of Science in Dietetics) (level II)
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Before specializing in Virology, the student would need to apply for the Medical Laboratory Science course offered at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
The four-year programme includes clinical practice in an accredited Training Laboratory for the last 18 months of the programme.
In the fourth year of studies, the student needs to select an area of specialisation in which they will practice from one of the following disciplines: Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Pathology, Cytogenetics, Cytopathology, Haematology, Histopathology, Immunohaematology, Immunology, Microbiology and Virology.
University of KwaZulu-Natal
To study Virology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, you would need to first complete a Bachelor of Science Honours, a Bachelor of Medical Science Honours or a Professional Bachelor's degree with subjects deemed appropriate by the school for Postgraduate training in Virology.
For a full list of places to study virology, head to our Where To Study Section.
