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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Biology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
100880  Bachelor of Science Honours in Biology 
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
Honours Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Life Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this honours qualification is to provide a student who has already attained a first degree in the field of Biology with further expertise in this particular field, so that he/she will find opportunities for continuing personal intellectual development, value-added economic activity and awarding contributions to the community.

The qualification is also aimed at stimulating and preparing learners for further academic study and research by the provision of the required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as researchers on a high academic level.

Accordingly, the qualification must embody aspects of academic training such as understanding of the scientific literature as well as furtherance of the requirements of research in the field of Biology.

Rationale:
It is widely accepted that South Africa suffers a shortage of well-trained, critically thinking natural scientists, who are capable of independent, high quality research. This qualification is aimed at providing South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in the natural sciences who have the necessary research skills and tools to undertake advanced research in the field of Biology under the guidance of an expert. These scientists will ensure the broadening of the local leadership base for innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity.

The second rationale of this qualification is to provide learners with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in the field of Geography to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

The qualification will also equip learners with the tools necessary for them to enter a path to be professional academic scientists in the field of Biology. Most professional scientific bodies in South Africa take a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours or equivalent as the minimum qualification for registration as a scientist. Thus, the programme will embody aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a professional natural scientist in the work environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
An applicant who cannot provide formal proof of compliance with the prescribed admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Biology, but with prior learning and relevant work experience may be admitted to the Honours Degree study after the procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning in terms of the institution's RPL policy has been completed successfully. Such recognition is within the sole discretion of the University and within the context of faculty requirements. This qualification requires that the entrant will already have a BSc or an equivalent standard qualification in the field of Biology at the institution or equivalent institution.

The institution subscribes to the principles underlying outcomes-based, source-based and lifelong learning. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. The institution endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme at honours level.

RPL does not only imply assessment to determine the level of skills and knowledge comparable to Level 7 the candidate already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the candidate has to master additionally prior to being accepted for the honours qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules, programmes and qualifications.

The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the programme as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement is:
  • Bachelor of Science with Biology passed at Level 7 with at least 60%. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Postgraduate Honours Project, 32 Credits.
  • Higher Plant Taxonomy and Systematics, 24 Credits.
  • Further High Plant Taxonomy and Systematics, 24 Credits.
  • Conservation of Natural Resources, 24 Credits.
  • Further Conservation of Natural Resources, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate integrated and advanced knowledge of and engagement in Biology and understand the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to this field of study as well as be able to apply this knowledge to research in the forefront of Biology.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in Biology and as an individual and/or in teams evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production and integration.
    3. Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to this field of study.
    4. Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in specialised contexts in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
    5. Produce and communicate information by effectively presenting and communicating academic and professional or occupational ideas and texts to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, meaningful interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to Biology.
    6. Demonstrate an understanding the role of the natural sciences in society, appreciate the fundamentals of lifelong learning and understand both the professional and ethical basis of scientific enquiry. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Demonstrate a systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
  • Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
  • Demonstrate critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
  • Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
  • Demonstrate effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative or Continuous assessment serves as a monitoring instrument to enable students to determine their progress in the learning process and to enable lecturers to determine the effectiveness of their teaching. This will also enable lecturers to make timeous adjustments to ensure that the teaching and learning process is more effective.

    Formative Assessment:
    Class tests, homework, written assignments, report writing, practicals, class discussions, semester tests.

    Summative Assessment:
    serves to determine whether the students have achieved the different module and Exit Level Outcomes.

    Summative Assessment:
    Written exam papers and oral presentations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The level descriptors for Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) Level 7 were used to design the qualification standard. These Level Descriptors are internationally benchmarked criteria based upon published work of the National Quality Assurance bodies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. Thus, the generic Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualification compares favourably with other similar BSc qualifications, nationally and internationally with regard to outcomes and assessment criteria, programme design, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for Vertical and Horizontal Articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree.
  • An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Biology. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.