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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Science: Agriculture: Livestock Science and Agricultural Extension

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
24381	Bachelor of Science: Agriculture: Livestock Science and Agricultural Extension
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
National First Degree	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Primary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	540	Level 6	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2029-06-30

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

This qualification comprises dual majors in the Agricultural Sciences. It represents an integration of Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension.

The primary objective of the qualification is to enable and empower graduates to acquire the appropriate knowledge, specific skills, and applied competence in general and specific areas of Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful activity and rewarding contributions to society.

The secondary objective of the qualification is to provide the agricultural industry in Southern Africa with significant numbers of graduates with high levels of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension necessary for the identification and strategic solution of real-life problems facing the industry particularly in the small scale agricultural sector.

The qualification will equip learners with for life-long education and the acquisition of skills by actively promoting a range of appropriate development activities. It will endeavour to imbue in them an enthusiasm and a love for learning and research and promote independent and critical inquiry and investigation. In an increasingly competitive and demanding work environment, innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence will be encouraged and supported at all levels of study.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

1. Adequate knowledge and skills in Mathematics.

2. Adequate literacy in English.
The above would be reflected in the Swedish rating and other achievements required to gain entrance into the programme as reflected in the UFH regulations (relating to admissions) in force at the time.

3. Students who have successfully completed a diploma at an Agricultural College, Technikon, or other institution, may be admitted to the programme, and may be credited for certain modules, provided they meet certain criteria. Where doubt exists as to previous qualifications/credits, control bodies such as Matriculation Boards and SAQA may need to be consulted.

4. Continuation in, or access into, this or other programmes at a particular level or above, presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at the next lower level at the standard required. UFH regulations (relating to admissions) in force at the time need to be consulted.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

After completion of the programme, qualifying learners will have the professional skills to:

1. Communicate effectively with peers in a variety of modes, in the discourse of agriculture and related sciences, but particularly Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension.
Participation in class discussions; writing and presenting of seminars; preparation of assignments; participation in oral presentations.

2. Demonstrate responsible and effective time-management in the organization, preparation and implementation of academic and research programmes, achieving personal objectives and negotiated deadlines in Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension.
Submission of reports and assignments timeously in an acceptable format according to clear guidelines.

3. Interact with self-confidence, as members of a team or group, in a variety of
discussion and problem-solving situations in practical farming and environmental situations.
Participation and interaction in a responsible and intelligent manner in class discussions and outdoor situations.

4. Manage research data and information effectively.
Through effective collection, storage, analysis, interpretation, synthesis and presentation of research data, using practical reliable and appropriate analytical methodology.

5. Apply detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline of specialization, and demonstrate that they understand the interactions between plants/animals and the environment, and the multidisciplinary nature of problems in agriculture and the biological sciences.
Through critical reading and interpretation of scientific literature; participation in group discussions with lecturers, subject specialists and peers.

6. Identify and define problems encountered in agricultural and biological systems
and use appropriate methodology to devise creative problem-solving strategies that lead to appropriate management interventions.
Investigation/discussion of case studies, completion and submission of a written report on a project of appropriate scope.

7. Participate effectively and with accountability in the use of acquired knowledge to manage natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Demonstration of these concepts in their work through practical examples in the field.

8. Exhibit many of the characteristics of a life-long learner such as possession of a
questioning and critical sense of curiosity, self-motivation, reflection and capability of employing a range of meta-cognitive skills and learning strategies within the field of applied livestock and pasture management and related sciences.

9. Use computer technology competently as a tool in visual presentations, storage
and analysis of data and information, written and graphic work in the context of Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension.
Development and demonstration of computer literacy by the learner through the preparation and presentation of assignments, reports and seminars.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. (Development, Delivery & Assessment Strategy)

Through integrated assessment the learner will be required to demonstrate applied competence using a range of formative and summative assessment methods including assignments, seminars, practical reports, tests and exams.

The structure of the learning programmes for each qualification is very similar to what prevails at present and what is offered with the existing staff structure and facilities in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

It is, however, critical that vacancies occasioned by staff resignations since 1998 should be filled without delay so as not to further compromise the lecturing capacity to deliver on existing programmes. In the new programmes a few new modules have been introduced where deficiencies were identified. Otherwise, relatively minor changes in terms of content and/or credits have been made to some of the existing modules. The introduction of more advanced science modules is an important innovation allowing for interdisciplinary and interfaculty interaction and integration.

Duplication of subject matter in foundation courses has been reduced significantly by having a common first year. Likewise, it has been possible to have a common second year for most options. The advantage of this is that students do not have to decide on which option to follow until after they have been at university for at least one year, with ample opportunities to explore the different possibilities for further study.

The change in teaching paradigm, to one based on OBE, will be introduced gradually as the system evolves and staff and students become familiar with it. Methods of assessment in particular will have to reflect these changes, with less emphasis on summative assessment and more on innovative formative assessment. As quality assurance/management becomes better entrenched, so will the need for this to be reflected in the learning programmes, methods of delivery and in the assessment methods so that the emphasis shifts from content to desirable learning outcomes.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

N/A

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Learners may shift into the programme at any level provided that they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. Students from agricultural colleges and Technikons with completed qualifications may carry certain credits into the programme, with each case being treated on merit, in consultation with SAQA or other national bodies. Horizontal and vertical articulation into other programs in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and possibly into some programmes in the Faculty of Science and Technology, may be possible. Articulation with programmes at other universities will also be possible, as in the past.

Linkages with other institutions of higher learning in South Africa and further a field already exist and have benefited our staff and students and our faculty as a whole. Our ties and exchanges with the Agricultural University of Norway are a case in point, as also the linkages with Fort Cox Agricultural College, The Kruger National Park, the Universities of Natal, Orange Free State, Pretoria, Cape Town, Edinburgh and Queensland and the Macauley Land Use Research Institute in Scotlland. Close co-operation with local institutions include the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs of the Eastern Cape via the Dohne and Grootfontein Research Institutes.

MODERATION OPTIONS

There will be second examiners (internal and external) for all courses. External moderators/examiners are chosen from sister academic institutions or from recognized research institutions and are qualified in the appropriate area of study. They must be approved by Senate.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

All assessors are experts in their disciplines and the modules they teach/assess. Academic staff have at least a Master's degree (if not, it is a stated aim of the University's staff development policy that they should acquire such a qualification). They must be approved by Senate.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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