Faculty of Natural Science
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The Faculty of Natural Sciences is developing a reputation as an important centre of research in South Africa. It equips graduates with solid academic and research skills and gives them the ability to succeed in the market place.
For assistance with writing your thesis you can find help here.
Additional resources are available from the Division For Postgraduate Studies (DPGS).
Research publications are accessible in the Research Repository.
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Remote sensing and multispectral imaging of hydrological responses to land use/land cover and climate variability in contrasting agro-ecological systems in Mountainous catchment, Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Water is a fundamental resource and key in the provision of energy, food and health. However, water resources are currently under severe pressure as a consequence of climate change and variability, population growth and ... -
Determining crop coefficients for irrigated fruit tree crops using readily available data sources
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The climate variability and climate change-induced events experienced worldwide have caused a significant decrease in the rainfall volume. South Africa is considered to be one of the driest countries in the world, as it ... -
Indium nanoparticulate-modified polyanilino-co-4-aminobenzoic acid amperometric sensor for the detection of lapatinib, a breast cancer drug.
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Lapatinib is a highly prescribed drug used in combination with other drugs to treat breast cancer. Due to drug toxicity-related side effects experienced by some patients, there is need to determine appropriate dosage for ... -
Gold nanoparticulate modified thioglycolic acid (tga) phenotype nanobiosensor for tuberculosis drugs
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Tuberculosis (TB) carries on being a major global health issue and it is responsible for 1.5 million disease-related mortality in 2020, according to the World Health organisation (WHO). One of the major causes of death ... -
Photovoltaics of novel samarium and terbium doped caesium gallium iodobromide hollow-nanocrystals perovskite
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Perovskite solar cells have recently piqued the scientific community's interest due to their outstanding performance, which has seen them achieve up to 25% power conversion efficiency (PCE) after just 7 to 8 years of ... -
Microwave synthesized ruthenium antimony oxide-graphene nanocomposite materials for asymmetric supercapacitors
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)With the rapid rise in energy demand and ever-escalating environmental hazards, the need for transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources is of paramount importance, requiring better and efficient energy storage ... -
Geological and hydrgeological characteristics of acid mine drainage from an abandoned coal mine: A case study of Shandi coal mine in Niangziguan spring catchment, Shanxi
(University of Western Cape, 2022)As Shanxi Province is rich in coal resources, the output of raw coal approximately accounts for one quarter of China's production. It is one of the most important energy and heavy chemical bases and plays a significant ... -
Hydrothermal conversion of agricultural and food waste
(University of Western Cape, 2022)The global dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels to meet energy needs cannot be sustained for a long time and it is already evident in the escalation of fuel prices over the past decade. This research was performed ... -
Investigating novel aspects of the blood-brain barrier using high resolution electron microscopy
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a restrictive interface located between the blood circulation and the central nervous system (CNS), regulating the homeostatic environment of the neuronal milieu, by controlling the ... -
Using faecal DNA to investigate the diet of the snakes, Psammophis crucifer and Psammophylax rhombeatus
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Knowledge of the feeding ecology of an organism helps us to better understand predator-prey relationships and aspects of species biology, ecology and life-history traits. Understanding the feeding ecologies of snakes is ... -
Spatial characterization of vegetation diversity with satellite remote sensing in the khakea-bray transboundary aquifer
(University of Western Cape, 2022)There have been increasing calls to monitor Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) more effectively, since they are biodiversity hotspots that provide several ecosystem services. The accurate monitoring of GDEs is an ... -
Polydopamine coated platinum catalysts to improve fuel cells durability
(University of Western Cape, 2022)Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are in the forefront of energy production and have drawn a great deal of attention in both fundamental and application in recent years. It is a promising energy system used ... -
Systematics of subtribe Anthosperminae and the generic affinities of Anthospermum and Nenax (Rubiaceae: Anthospermeae)
(University of Western Cape, 2021)The last taxonomic treatment of the subtribe Anthosperminae was in 1986 by Puff., nevertheless, few attempts have been made to resolve the phylogeny and the inter- and infrageneric relationships within the subtribe. The ... -
Heteroscleromorph demosponge taxonomy and diversity of the Amathole region (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
(University of Western Cape, 2022)Sponges are functionally important and ubiquitous components of the global marine benthos. South Africa accounts for roughly 4% of the global marine sponge diversity, comprising 374 described species and seven varieties/forms, ... -
Influence of a selected endophyte consortium on salinity responses in Medicago sativa
(University of Western Cape, 2022)Salinity is one of the major limiting factors to crop production, which consequently contributes to the risk of reduced food security. Among other factors, food security depends on availability of sufficient and nutritious ... -
A biogeographic, phylogenetic and taxonomic evaluation of South African orthopteran species (Orthoptera: Pneumoridae)
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)The order Orthoptera contains a wide diversity of species and is the most speciose of the polyneopteran insect lineages. In South Africa, the orthopteran fauna is abundant and diverse, with approximately 88% of all Southern ... -
Anomaly Detection With Machine Learning In Astronomical Images
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)Observations that push the boundaries have historically fuelled scientific breakthroughs, and these observations frequently involve phenomena that were previously unseen and unidentified. Data sets have increased in size ... -
DNA metabarcoding for the identification of species within vegetarian food samples
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)Aims DNA metabarcoding has recently emerged as a valuable supplementary tool to ensure food authenticity within the global food market. However, it is widely known that highly processed food samples are one of DNA ... -
GIS and remote sensing-based integrated modelling of climate and land use change impacts on groundwater quality: Cape Flats Aquifer, South Africa
(University of Western Cape, 2021)The need to ensure groundwater security is vital, particularly in urban areas. Assessing the impact of land use and climate variables on groundwater quality can help improve sustainable management. The vulnerability mapping ... -
Current practices of urinary tract infection management: An observational study at primary healthcare level
(University of Western Cape, 2021)Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a global healthcare burden complicating the treatment of various infections. The infectious diseases burden is heavy in primary care. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common outpatient ...
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