The University of Kwazulu-Natal Was Formed
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INTRODUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION he University of KwaZulu-Natal was formed Chancellor Research, Knowledge Production on 1 January 2004 as a result of a merger and Partnerships, is responsible for the man- Tbetween the former Universities of Durban- agement and nurturing of research and places Westville and Natal. The new institution brings strong emphasis on team research. The Office together the academic expertise and research also assists staff and postgraduate students capacity of two major regional universities and is at with grant applications, contracts, intellec- the forefront of higher educational transformation tual property rights and related administrative in South Africa. matters. The University is home to the region’s leading Senior academics take pride in the mentor- academics and has among its staff an impressive ship provided to graduate students, encouraging number of internationally acclaimed scientists and them to develop their skills in critical appraisal researchers, as rated by the National Research and independent thought. Foundation. The full spectrum of research is The University provides a vibrant environ- supported, from curiosity-driven to application- ment for basic, applied and medical research based and participatory action research with and offers internationally recognised postgradu- community partners. Research is conducted by, ate research degrees in all disciplines. It has and in association with, members of the academic fostered strategic initiatives in the areas of HIV/ staff, associated research units, industry, business, Aids, Conservation, Economic Development government, local communities and international and Water. institutions and agencies. Research innovation is a cornerstone of the The University has adopted a vision to be the new University and as an institution of higher “Premier University of African Scholarship”. It learning, research excellence is recognised strives to reflect the society in which it is situated, and supported as part of its essential identity. not only in terms of race, gender and class, but The University is committed to growing its in how it structures its values and priorities and existing research capacity further and leading how it responds, through its research, to social the bid to bring South African and African needs. KwaZulu-Natal provides fertile soil for scholarship to the attention of the international researchers and the University’s mission commits community. At the same time, we recognise that the institution to critical engagement with its society excellence in research and knowledge production and encourages practical research that will improve should lead to practical interventions in national people’s lives. This outcomes-driven approach has development strategies, and should be directed led to the establishment of inter-disciplinary “centres to the upliftment of poor and under-developed of excellence” devoted to particular projects and communities. often involving collaboration with institutions Postgraduate students at the University have from around the world. the opportunity to contribute towards these The University has formal and informal ties, interventions. We believe that the strategic as well as established exchange programmes, priorities outlined above respond to both national with more than 260 leading universities around and international needs and opportunities and the world. At present one-third of total student provide considerable scope for cutting-edge registrations are in postgraduate studies. The research. We look forward to bringing future Research Office, headed by the Deputy Vice- postgraduate students on board. INTRODUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION Table of Contents 2 Choice of Campuses 6 Entrance procedures 6 Fees payable 9 Services and Facilities 13 International Applicants Postgraduate qualification listings 19 College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science 23 College of Health Sciences 25 College of Humanities (including Education) 29 College of Law and Management Studies Published by Student Academic Affairs, University of KwaZulu-Natal. All information in this Prospectus was correct at the date of publication, July 2008. Design: Artworks Communications Visit the University’s website at: www.ukzn.ac.za GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION Choice of Campuses From the mountain vistas of the Drakensberg to the wild reaches of Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal is a province of contrasts. The University of KwaZulu-Natal offers prospective students the choice of five campuses, each with its own distinctive character. Edgewood (Pinetown) policy-making in education in South Africa and contribute to the international profile Formerly the Edgewood College of Edu- of the University through participation in cation before its incorporation in 2001, international conferences, teaching inter- the Edgewood campus in Pinetown is the national students, hosting international University’s primary site for teacher edu- visitors and publishing in international cation. Situated in Pinetown with easy ac- books and journals. cess to the N3 highway and approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Durban, the cam- Howard College (Durban) pus offers sophisticated and attractive fa- cilities to a growing number of Education Durban is a vibrant coastal city renowned students. Education provides initial and in- for its beaches and coastal resorts. The service teacher education and offers uni- city is also a major South African port. versity higher degrees in a wide range of The magnificent game reserves and specialisms in education as well as carry- estuaries of Maputaland, north of Dur- ing out research and consultancy. Faculty ban, are a favourite getaway for staff and staff members are actively engaged with students alike. Opened in 1931 follow- Edgewood Howard College 2 POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION ing a generous donation by Mr T B Davis, and racial equal- whose son Howard Davis was killed during ity. On its 50th an- the Battle of Somme in World War I, the niversary in 2000, Howard College campus is situated on the the Medical School Berea and offers spectacular views of the received the finest Durban harbour. The campus is situated in birthday present it a successful environmental conservancy could have wished and the lush gardens of the University for – the agreement reflect a commitment to indigenous flora of former president and fauna. The Howard College Campus and Nobel Peace currently offers a range of postgradu- Prize winner, Nelson ate qualification options in the fields of Mandela, to link his name to the school. The Science, Engineering, Law, Humanities, campus is also home to the Doris Duke Med- Development and Social Sciences (includ- ical Research Institute which was launched ing Music, Social Work, Housing, Archi- in July 2003, and which is training a genera- tecture and Nursing). tion of clinical researchers, enhancing the clinical research infrastructure in KwaZulu- Nelson R Mandela School of Natal, and fostering collaborations between Medicine (Durban) research groups working on similar projects in South Africa and other countries. Medical School has been producing quality doctors for 56 years. Founded in 1950 as a Pietermaritzburg “black faculty” in a “white institution”, for most of its history, the School has been syn- Pietermaritzburg is located in the centre of onymous with the struggle for democracy the scenic Natal Midlands, close to nu- Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine Pietermaritzburg POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE 3 GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION merous nature reserves and parks, only one vincial needs in the broad areas of Science hour’s drive from Durban and two hours’ and Agriculture, Education, Law, Human drive from the Drakensberg. The city has and Management Sciences. Unique to the a rich architectural heritage, with many Pietermaritzburg campus are the disciplines fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian of Agriculture, Theology and Fine Art. buildings. The city is the birthplace of the former University of Natal and its forerun- Westville (Durban) ner, the Natal University College, which opened its doors to 57 students in 1910. Located within an environmental conserv- Two years later, Old Main Building was ancy about 8 kilometres from the CBD of completed and the hub of the present- Durban eight Pinetown, the Westville cam- day PMB campus was established. The pus combines state of the art infrastruc- campus offers a wide range of innovative ture with beautiful natural surroundings. academic programmes, which have been The campus’s Hindu temple and an Islamic successful in responding to local and pro- place of worship reflect its rich multicul- tural history. It is also the official address of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, housing the Vice-Chancellor’s office, the offices of Executive members and University-wide administrative divisions. The campus cur- rently offers postgraduate programmes in Science, Engineering, Law, Management, and Health Sciences. Westville 4 POSTGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION International Recognition Addresses The University has a worldwide reputa- tion for academic excellence in teaching Edgewood Campus and research and all degrees awarded are internationally recognised. The University Private Bag X03, has formal links, exchange programmes Ashwood, 3605 and collaborative teaching and research Tel: (031) 260 3414 programmes with many other universities around the globe. A large number of agree- Howard