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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101063  Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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  Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 primary purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics is to provide graduates with the knowledge, specific skills and applied and theoretical competence in the field of Physics to provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society.

Qualifying learners will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, applied competence, ability for continued growth, and professional attitude to enable them to use their expertise as competent practicing Physicists in various sectors.

Rationale:
The qualification addresses the national, regional and international shortage of Physicists by increasing the pool of specialised Physicists. Increased scientific capacity is needed to meet the demand from the "data revolution": increasing demand for better data and evidence-based decisions as well as the increase in the available data. Physicists are needed in the industry, commerce, medicine, NGOs, government departments as well as in research and Higher Education institutions.

This qualification will provide graduates who will be able to continue their studies at higher levels, thus contributing to the academic sector and scholarly activity and knowledge creation within Physics.

This qualification will provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in Physics to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

The qualification will also provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can perform a constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
According to the institutional RPL policy, a learner may obtain access to this degree via the RPL route if he or she meets the admission requirements of the prerequisite undergraduate degree. Learners wishing to apply this route need to provide evidence that their existing knowledge together with relevant work or research experience in the field has led to learning (skills and knowledge) which is equivalent to the formal admission requirements.

The institution's RPL office will assist the applicants to do a self-assessment and compile a portfolio of evidence which will be assessed by an assessment panel consisting of subject specialists. If necessary, further assessment of eligibility for instance in the form of a more extended portfolio of evidence, panel interview or challenge examination may be requested. Depending on the evidence provided, the outcome may be direct access or conditional access to the RPL programme or to the conclusion that the candidate is not found competent yet, with recommendations on the way forward.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements for this qualification are:
  • Bachelor of Science, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Electromagnetism, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Mathematical Methods, 12 Credits.
  • Quantum Mechanics I, 12 Credits.
  • Statistical Physics, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Solid State Physics, 12 Credits.
  • Nuclear Physics, 12 Credits.
  • Physics Honours Research Methods, 36 Credits.
  • Quantum Mechanics II, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Illustrate in-depth knowledge of the relevant theory, concepts and methods and ability to learn new concepts and methods by independent study.
    2. Solve Physics problems at an advanced level using physics concepts, laws, principles and methods.
    3. Design and conduct, and physics research in real-life situations and communicate the results. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Show evidence of analytical and critical thinking, and ability to apply and analyse relevant physics theories, concepts, methods and principles.
  • Show evidence of relevant methods of scientific inquiry and skills in finding, validating and critically analysing information.
  • Critically analyse research proposals and research reports based on the correctness of scientific methodology or methods used.
  • Critically evaluate various theoretical standpoints and compare them to their views.
  • Offer evidence in a variety of ways (from a theoretical knowledge base, from an experiential base, etc.) to support their stated views.
  • Analyse the global, national and local community in terms of problems, needs and opportunities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use the physics concepts, laws, principles and methods critically and correctly.
  • Demonstrate their prior knowledge and experience as it is relevant to their discipline.
  • Connect the abstract knowledge of theory to the reality of their contexts.
  • Look beyond and across traditional disciplinary boundaries for possible solutions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Conduct research using appropriate ethical considerations, professional attitude, and research methodology.
  • Communicate the results and conclusions using appropriate language to specialist or non-specialist audiences.

    Integrated Assessment:
    In all the modules, the formative assessment consists of assessment tasks which involve calculations, interpretation of outputs from computational software, written proofs, or using software to perform analysis of data.

    Summative assessment consists of written examinations and research project reports. The ratio of assignments work to examination work for the final mark is 20/80 for all theory modules and 40/60 for the research project module. In the project module, the summative assessment consists of a research project. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) 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 qualification compares favourably with other similar qualifications, nationally and internationally with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, qualification design, degree of difficulty and notional learning time.

    The Bachelor of Science in Physics offered at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio can be regarded as a qualification that is comparable to the Bachelor of Science Honours at the South African institution. Although the qualification offering from Case Western Reserve University is a four-year degree, similarities can be drawn from its widespread module composition that exposes learners to critical topics within the field of physics. Modules that are particularly similar in both qualifications include Electricity magnetism/electromagnetism, physics, quantum mechanics and Nuclear Physics. Learners are required to take modules such as Physics as well as electricity and magnetism in their fourth year; which compares with this qualification.

    The University of Liverpool offers a Physics Bachelor of Science Honours degree that is a 3-year qualification. The qualification introduces learners to various topics at the first-year level within the field of physics. These topics include the foundation of modern Physics and Mathematics for Physicists. In the final year of this qualification, it is prescribed that learners choose modules such as quantum and atomic physics, solid-state physics and a group project. The latter modules are similar to the core modules in this qualification. South African learners are also exposed to physics Honours Research Methods.

    The Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Canterbury compares with this qualification. The qualifications are similar in that they have key topics that are critical in the field of physics embedded in their curricula. Topics such as mathematical physics, physics, advanced Mathematical Methods and statistics. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Physics, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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. University of South Africa 


    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.