SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Commerce in Operations Research

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
100917	Master of Commerce in Operations Research
ORIGINATOR
North West University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Generic Management
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying students with advanced and integrated specialist knowledge and practical understanding of Operations Research; to develop students as effective researchers with critical research skills to generate new knowledge in the chosen field of study; and to identify, investigate and answer relevant research questions in order to contribute towards the development of knowledge and understanding of Operations Research. Successful completion of this qualification also provides candidates with the possibility of further study at Doctoral level.

Rationale:
The first rationale of the qualification is to provide graduates with advanced knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of Operations Research that provides opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, and prepares the graduate for employment and the ability to make rewarding contributions to society.

The second rationale of the qualification is to provide South Africa with experts in the field of Operations Research in order to ensure that the national and international leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based scholarly activity is widened. This includes the requirement of high level theoretical engagement, intellectual independence and research.

Successful graduates will be capable of undertaking all aspects of research, both individually and as part of a team, and may be able to continue with further postgraduate studies. Graduates who complete this qualification will be employable nationally/internationally in different organisations, as teachers, lecturers at universities and other higher education institutions, as researchers, etc. and ready to commence with Doctor of Philosophy studies.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The North-West University accepts the principle underlying outcomes oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role. The University also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching qualifications at this or another institution, or informally(obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specifically chosen teaching-learning qualification of the University.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's Degree is:

A Bachelor of Commerce Honours or similar qualification to the Honours Degree in Operations Research.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises a compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 90 Credits:

Mini-Dissertation, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the research methodology in the field of Operations Research, plan and perform investigations and experiments by utilizing scientific modeling techniques, analyze, interpret and derive information from data and apply appropriate scientific methods to evaluate the results.
2. Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the field of Operations Research to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices in combination with advanced scholarship or research in this specific field of Operations Research.
3. Identify, evaluate and creatively and innovatively address, under supervision, certain convergent and divergent problems in Operations Research.
4. Understand the consequences of solutions or insights generated within the context of Operations Research, be able to make autonomous ethical decisions which affect knowledge production or complex organizational or professional issues, and make critical contributions to the development of ethical standards.
5. Communicate and defend ideas and results that are the products of their search in the field of Operations Research and use a range of advanced and specialised skills to communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
6. Operate independently and take full responsibility for his/her own as well as others.
7. Work, and, where appropriate, to account for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:
Continuous formative assessment (in the form of assignments and oral presentations) is aimed at determining the student's progress towards attaining the stipulated outcomes and is sometimes followed by a summative assessment in the form of a written or oral examination. The student's ability to use and apply specific methodological skills is furthermore evaluated in his/her critical review of current literature in the subject area and the formulation and execution of a research project. The student is to report on it and generate an integrated dissertation of research findings. The supervisor assesses continuously while the dissertation is being written. Examination of the dissertation is finally done by at least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialization. A supervisor may not be appointed as an examiner.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification is on par with Warwick and Birmingham Universities among others with similar international qualifications. It is in line with the educational objectives of South African Qualifications Authority's prescribed Level 9.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows vertical articulation:
Vertically Articulation:

A Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Operations Research at Level 10.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	North West University