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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112923  Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Health 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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 primary purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Health is to provide training for an academic career in the field of Animal Health. It requires a learner to research the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. A learner may also present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers in partial fulfilment of the research requirements. The Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Health provides learners with the opportunity to undertake independent research and advanced study under the guidance of a supervisor. In the particular subject area of Animal Health, they build on knowledge normally gained at Masters or an equivalent level. The thesis presented must constitute a substantial contribution to the national and international advancement of knowledge and understanding in the field of Animal Health through original research that meets international standards.

Rationale:
The rationale of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with highly advanced knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of Animal Health. This provision presents opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, as well as the pursuit of gainful economic activity and the ability to make rewarding contributions to society. The qualification provides Southern Africa with highly qualified animal scientists, with a clear and continuously growing understanding of specialised principles relating to the breeding, nutrition, physiology and management of domesticated and wild animals. They then contribute to the development of new knowledge frameworks for the expansion of the field of Animal Health in general. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL grants access to the qualification according to the Recognition of prior learning, credit accumulation and transfer, and assessment (CHE 2016) and the institution's RPL policy. The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences manages the RPL process.
  • The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences of the institution ensures that quality assurance processes address the specificities of the RPL process and that administrative and support systems, are in place.
  • The institution ensures that learners NQF meet Level 9 competencies.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is:
    An appropriate Master's qualification, NQF Level 9 in the discipline. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a compulsory module(s) at NQF Level -10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 10, 360 Credits:
  • Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    After completion of the Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Health, learners should be able to demonstrate the achievement of the following specific and critical cross-field outcomes:
    Specific outcomes:
  • Demonstrate a depth of knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area of Animal Health.
  • Demonstrate intellectual independence and advanced research skills through the ability to apply sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Animal Health and the competence to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within relevant local and global contexts as well as across disciplines.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specialised skills regarding the production, breeding, nutrition, physiology and management of domesticated and wild animals in different production systems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to provide innovative solutions regarding the production, breeding, nutrition, physiology and management of domesticated and wild animals, as well as the factors influencing the quality of animal products.
  • Question and create responses to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge and extend the boundaries of Animal Health knowledge.
  • Deal with complexity, lacunae and contradictions in the knowledge base of Animal Health.
  • Autonomously generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
  • Show mastery of the literature and state of research in a specific area.
  • Demonstrate research leadership within a field or across disciplines, including the ability to plan, resource, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes engaged in, within complex and unpredictable contexts.
  • Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability, concerning the ethical implications of research, the determination of socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa, and the ability to relate these issues to international contexts. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across Exit Level Outcome:
  • Generate and display specialised knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area within the field of Animal Health and across specialised or applied areas and make an original contribution to the knowledge society in the discipline they are researching on;
  • Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Animal Health;
  • Apply and develop competence to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within relevant local and global contexts as well as across disciplines in the field of Animal Health;
  • Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria;
  • Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information and issues in a specific area of the field of Animal Health;
  • Plan, resource, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes within complex and unpredictable contexts in the field of Animal Health.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Research proposal defence and feedback from the Research Committee and other feedback from the promoter (supervisor) forms part of Formative Assessment. For Summative Assessment, learners present a thesis in the form of integrated research findings, interpreted and linked to the existing literature but with a level of novelty, across the entire area of investigation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Country: England.
  • Institution: University of Nottingham.
  • Qualification Title: Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Sciences.

    This qualification is comparable to the Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in Animal Sciences offered by the above country in terms of the following:
  • Both qualifications share a similar purpose of developing the capacity to promote research on animal sciences/health. The PhD in Animal Sciences of the Nottingham University focuses mainly on the physiology of reproduction in mammals, particularly concerning improving or regulating fertility. The PhD in Animal Health, however, focuses generally on research that aims at providing innovative solutions regarding the production, breeding, nutrition, physiology and management of domesticated and wild animals, and the factors influencing the quality of animal products.
  • Both qualifications require a master's qualification as entry requirements, although different specialities are a preference for admissions. Both qualifications are comprehensive research without coursework. However, the PhD in Animal sciences has a course duration of 48 months while the PhD in Animal health has a course duration of 36 months for full-time. What is unique about the PhD in Animal health is that although it is more general in focus, it is tailored to be context relevant.
  • This qualification compares favourably with the Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Sciences offered at the University of Nottingham. However, this qualification is unique as it focuses more on the South African context.
  • Country: England.
  • Institution: Newcastle University.
  • Qualification Title: Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
  • Both qualifications share a similar purpose of developing the capacity to promote research on animal sciences/health and related research focus. The PhD in Animal Science of the Newcastle university focuses animal health and welfare, environmental impact of livestock systems, and safety and quality of livestock products, whilst the PhD in Animal Health generally focuses on research that aims at providing innovative solutions regarding the production, breeding, nutrition, physiology and management of domesticated and wild animals, as well as the factors influencing the quality of animal products.
  • Both qualifications require a master's qualification as entry requirements, although different specialities are a preference for admissions. Both qualifications offer full-time and part-time opportunities and are comprehensive research without coursework. The PhD in Animal Science and a PhD in Animal Health have a course duration of 36 months for full-time. What is unique about the PhD in Animal health is that although it is more general in focus, it is tailored to be context relevant. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science, NQF Level 10.

    Vertical Articulation:
    The doctorate is the highest qualification type awarded within the NQF framework. However, post-doctoral studies would be the next academic application for such a qualified learner. 
    		•

    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 


    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.