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:

Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
115317	Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Physical Sciences
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 qualification aims to train independent researchers in the development and application of appropriate Bio-statistical methods to solve diverse problems in medical research and public health. The learners of the Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics will be able to apply Bio-statistical methods to address critical and emerging public health and clinical research issues in South Africa and beyond through the use of:

Appropriate epidemiological research designs.

Advanced statistical analysis methods for health and other related areas of study.

Data structures and measurement methods for health and other disease-related research.

Biological, behavioural and social theory applied to the understanding and prevention of contemporary threats to health and well-being in public and private sectors.

In-depth knowledge in the area of specialisation of Biostatistics.

Understand and be capable of using advanced statistical analysis methods appropriate for the study design in the area of Biostatistics.

Manage data collection and quality control in research data, including the development of questionnaires.

Understand and demonstrate specific risk factors and disease processes in a specialised area of Biostatistics.

Review literature and conceptualise theoretical models of diseases and causations and develop hypotheses building upon prior research.

Conduct independent research, including design, data collection, analysis, and translation into applied and theoretical constructs.

Demonstrate in writing and oral presentation knowledge of Bio-statistical concepts and methods.

The main purpose of the qualification is to produce Biostatisticians who are well-grounded in quantitative and analytical techniques, design and conduct of public and medical studies, demographic methods, and the management of large data sets that can to solve problems in private, public and other health-related institutions. The learner will be able to:

Use advanced statistical analysis methods appropriate for clinical study design.

Design and analyse a Clinical Trial.

Manage data collection and quality control in research data, including the development of a questionnaire.

Conduct independent research, including design, data collection, analysis, and translation into applied and theoretical constructs.

Mentor other Biostatisticians.

Explain in writing and oral presentations research study design and results of the research findings and to defend the results and its implications.

Publish research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Rationale:
The qualification meets specific needs in the area of Biostatistics because the qualification aims to educate persons to be independent researchers and Biostatistics professionals in academia, research institutes such as South African Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), South African Field Epidemiology/Biostatistician Training Program (SAFETP), National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), government or industry and Medical Research Council. While learners sometimes seek additional training after graduation through postdoctoral fellowships, a learner of the qualification is prepared to be a faculty member of a learner program in a university or a position in a public health organisation, multidisciplinary setting, government or industry.

The primary goal of the qualification is to train and prepare learners who are interested in professional careers as independent researchers, scientists, Biostatisticians, Bio-informaticians and in academia. Career opportunities exist in academic institutions, local, and national health agencies, and in pharmaceutical companies. The qualification resides in life sciences, i.e. Public Health and medical statistics pathway. The qualification will enable the learners to:

Gain specialist knowledge in the area of Biostatistics.

Achieve the advantage in a competitive job market, work in higher education and health institutions in an economy that is becoming increasingly knowledge-based.

Develop transferable skills: problem-solving, critical reasoning, do research in government and private institutions and also do private consultancy.

Make a positive impact on society, economy, and the environment, through research.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Yes: The UFH and Faculty of Science and Agriculture RPL policy shall apply.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a:

Master of Science in Biostatistics, NQF Level 9.
Or

Master of Science in Mathematics, NQF, Level 9.
Or

Master of Science in Applied Statistics, NQF Level 9.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits:

Thesis, 360 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Identify, conceptualise, design and implement research in medical, pharmaceutical and public health fields.
2. Independently undertake a study and evaluation of the literature and current research in Biostatistics, medical statistics, the design of clinical trials and in public health.
3. Create new knowledge in medical research, public health and the design of clinical trials.
4. Show a critical understanding of Biostatistical concepts and design and analysis of studies in the medical, pharmaceutical and public health fields.
5. Carry out independent research in medical, pharmaceutical and public health fields.
6. Effectively present and communicate the results of research and opinion to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Formulate and prepare a research topic of relevance to the qualification to be approved by the Department/Faculty.

Prepare and present a research proposal, including an extensive literature review on the approved topic.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Present a research proposal to the satisfaction of the Department under the guidance of the supervisors and promoters.

Undertake field research based on the approved topic and write a thesis which will be sent to external examiners for assessment to the satisfaction of the Committee.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Publish two peer-reviewed paper demonstrating new knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Produce a dissertation using these concepts have been applied.

Publish peer-reviewed papers and present at conferences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Conduct research to the fulfilment of the requirements of a PhD dissertation under the supervision of a competent person.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Defend the thesis through oral presentation after submission and examination.

Publish the research findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Integrated Assessment:
Since the assessment is by thesis only, the integrated assessment will be as follows:
A formal assessment of the competence of the PhD learner will be carried out at the end of the project by examination of a thesis by three external examiners, two of which must come from outside South Africa.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification is comparable with Doctor in Biostatistics in many European and USA Universities such as University of Columbia (USA), University of California, Berkeley(USA), Erasmus University, Rotterdam (Netherlands), University of Free state (RSA).

Whereas most of the European and American Universities do a year or two of coursework before embarking on a PhD, most of these modules are covered in the two years MSc qualifications.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, NQF 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.	University of Fort Hare