Welcome to the Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences (BES)!

We offer a wide range of highly acclaimed programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Our graduates find employment in the private sector and with the government, and there is a renewed effort by the Department to guide our graduates in creating their own businesses and becoming self-reliant. The Department makes every effort to ensure that your stay with us is as comfortable as possible. You will meet fellow students and staff from different parts of South Africa, as well as others from other countries. You will learn to live and work in unison with all these people, and it is this universality of people, cultures and knowledge that constitutes a university. I assure you that your stay with us will be an enjoyable one. We have a Science Student Society, a group of our young, friendly, and hardworking students who are ready to welcome you and work with you throughout your stay at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu.

You may be aware that our government has prioritised, amongst other disciplines, the life & environmental sciences as focus areas for development. Our department falls within this focus, and you should be proud to be part of this exceptional group of people who are passionate about scientific innovation, the cornerstone of our economy and development. By the time you leave our department and WSU, you shall be well-trained and skilled to face the challenges of the work environment. We have experienced registered growth in the number of student enrolments and the quality of graduates over the last three years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been successfully handled and contained at Walter Sisulu. We trust that 2026 will be a much more vibrant and productive year as you join us!

Prof A Niba