Message from the Dean: Prof Paul Oberholster
Welcome to the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, where our motto 'No substitute for excellence', drives our academic endeavours. The faculty provides opportunities for further study, research, and scholarly community engagement in diverse disciplines spanning the natural, agricultural, and building sciences. Natural science degrees are offered in disciplines such as mathematics, zoology, actuarial science, computer science, physics, and geology – to name a few. The choice of agricultural science degrees comprises disciplines such as animal science, soil science, agricultural economics, and sustainable agriculture, while in the building sciences you can do quantity surveying, construction management, architecture, and urban and regional planning.
The faculty is divided into the following broad areas of training and research:
Our faculty is a vibrant place that attracts both national and international students as a result of its stimulating curriculum, to which scholars are flocking because of our exciting research agenda. We are an engaged faculty, whose interactions with its community is integrated with research and teaching.
Natural Sciences
Here, the frontiers of knowledge are constantly shifted through fundamental research and new technology developed in support of our efforts to stay in step with the challenges of a constantly changing world. Our expertise in the natural sciences includes plant pathology, algology, palynology, and lipid biotechnology – to name but a few. We are leaders in material, nano, and polymer science, and carry out work on photoluminescence, quantum dots synthesis, and astrophysics.
Agricultural Sciences
In terms of agriculture, we have the most specialised group servicing the farm-animal industry with expertise in breeding, nutrition, and physiological manipulation. Research on irrigation and salinity, water harvesting, and the optimisation of water use are other key focus areas, as well as research on the modelling of non-point pollution of water for irrigation.
Building Sciences
Our building science departments are leaders in the country and are consistently successful in accreditation processes (often unconditionally) by national and international professional bodies.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State is thus the place for young men and women who are serious about their education.
In our Faculty, you have the opportunity to have an impact, and with attention to quality and care, inspire the way forward in the world of science.
The Office of the Dean provides administrative assistance to the faculty and to students.