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.
Sub-communities within this community
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Department of Chemistry [212]
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Department of Physics [112]
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School of Pharmacy [86]
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The use of whole blood cell cultures as a model for assessing the effects of Septilin on the immune system
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)In the past three decades there has been a huge increase in the use of herbal medicine globally. The active principles of these herbal medicines are mostly unknown with supportive evidence for safety and efficacy very rare. ... -
An investigation of water quality regulation by the Karsriviervlei, Bredasdorp
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Studies have shown that ecosystem services that are provided by wetlands are beneficial to the improvement of water quality regulation. Some of these ecosystem services may include sequestration of sediment, toxicants and ... -
An analysis of sustainability of communally-managed rural water supply systems in Zimbabwe
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Sustainability of rural water supply systems is a major development challenge in most developing countries including Zimbabwe. This thesis aimed to analyse the sustainability of communally managed rural water supply systems ... -
Preparation, characterisation and evaluation of Artemisia afra phytosomes with modified release properties
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Dissolution studies on various dosage forms (powder, tablets, teabags and alginate beads) of the Artemisia afra freeze dried aqueous extract (FDAE) all exhibit a rapid release profile. Generally, such a release profile may ... -
Green Synthesis and characterization of gold Nanoparticles using Green Alga Ulva Lactuca and evaluation of their Catalytric Role
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)Nanoparticles synthesized using typical chemical procedures have associated environmental risks because of the use of hazardous chemicals. With the ever-increasing potential application for nanomaterials, there is a growing ... -
The palaeo environment and depositional facies of the drift section of Block 3A/4A in the Orange Basin, West Coast Offshore South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)The Orange Basin is underexplored and has shown proven hydrocarbon reserves with the potential for further discoveries. This study is aimed at describing the depositional facies and palaeoenvironment of the drift section ... -
Phytochemical and biological studies on some South African plants used in traditional medicine for skin hyperpigmentation.
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)The regulation of the Western beauty care products is currently inadequate and a huge concern to consumers throughout the world, as most of the products manufactured by personal care industry are made of synthetic additives, ... -
Carbon-carbon coupling reactions catalysed by palladium nanoparticles supported on the green alga Ulva armoricana
(University of Western Cape, 2018)The synthesis of nanomaterials, especially metallic nanoparticles, has attracted an enormous amount of interest over the past decade. They exhibit unique properties that allow the multiple applications in a variety of ... -
Proximate determinants of fertility and contraceptive use among currently married women in Ethiopia
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Fertility is one of the elements in population dynamics that has significant contribution towards changing population size and structure over time. In Ethiopia, fertility dropped only slightly between 2000 and 2005, from ... -
The evaluation of the cardioprotective effects of Olea containing liposomes
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)High levels of free oxygen radicals, induced by many biological or environmental factors, result in damage and dysfunction of the mitochondria which causes cardiovascular and other diseases. Cardiotherapies employing antioxidants ... -
Phylogenetic assessment and historical biogeography of the Psammophis leightoni complex
Stable and accurate taxonomy remains a primary component of conservation. By overlooking taxonomic disorder, conservation management strategies may ineffectively distribute resources. The Psammophis leightoni species complex ... -
Graphenised Lithium Iron Phosphate and Lithium Manganese Silicate Hybrid Cathode Systems for Lithium-Ion Batteries
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)This research was based on the development and characterization of graphenised lithium iron phosphate-lithium manganese silicate (LiFePO4-Li2MnSiO4) hybrid cathode materials for use in Li-ion batteries. Although previous ... -
The assessment of Namibian water resources for endocrine disruptors
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)Namibia is the driest sub-Saharan country in Africa and it is characterised by low and variable rainfall. As a result, potable water in this mostly semi-arid country is considered an extremely valuable resource. Given ... -
Identification of novel miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer using an in silico approach
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Cancer is known as uncontrollable cell growth which results in the formation of tumours in the areas that are affected by the cancer. There are two types of tumours: benign and malignant. This study focus is on prostate ... -
Factors associated with teenage pregnancies and childbearing among girls currently attending high school in South Africa.
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Teenage pregnancy and childbearing in South Africa are very common and persistent issues. Despite the different types of birth control methods that the government of South Africa has provided to the public, teenage pregnancy ... -
Hydrogeophysical characterisation of shallow coastal aquifers in the Western Cape, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Coastal aquifers present a key groundwater resource for freshwater supply in many coastal zones of Africa, and its availability is largely driven by the physical hydrogeological properties. An understanding of the aquifer ... -
An Investigation of Benthic Epifauna to Support Classification and Mapping of Outer Shelf Ecosystems in KwaZulu-Natal
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Ecosystem classification and mapping are foundational steps for effective ecosystem-based marine spatial planning, marine ecosystem assessment and integrated ocean management. The aims of this study were to interrogate and ... -
Simulating the neutral hydrogen distribution during cosmic reionization
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)We improve on the physical treatment of ionising source and sink populations in the large scale semi-numerical simulations by implementing new physically motivated parametrizations taken from high-resolution radiative ... -
Using geostatistical-hydrogeological approach to develop groundwater monitoring system in South Western Karoo, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Groundwater in the South Western Karoo plays a vital role in the overall water supply in the region. However, this resource is vulnerable to impacts from anthropogenic and natural activities. Mitigating the impacts on ... -
The role of the glutathione system in regulating the levels of ROS neutralisation in the endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier
(University of the Western Cape, 2017)Brain endothelial cell types are frequently used as in vitro models to study the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Oxidative stress (OS) has been reported numerous times to cause BBB dysfunction which is crucial to the initiation ...
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