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:

Master of Science in Zoology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101188	Master of Science in Zoology
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu 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
Master's Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	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 replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
87510	Master of Science	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	240	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The programme forms part of the university's Programme and Qualification Mix. It meets the national requirements as it is offered at Level 9 and is worth 180 Credits. It serves as a research platform for students who have a keen interest in issues affecting their immediate community and for those who desire to work in a research or higher academic environment. These may include Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Medicine, Education, Sociology, Water Quality and the Environment. Graduates may therefore work for Department of Education, Department of Environmental Affairs, Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (SANBI and ARC), Department of Water Affairs, Department of Science and Technology (CSIR), private consultancies, Medical Research Council, municipalities and/or universities.

A Master of Science (MSc) in Zoology is designed to develop the ability to communicate effectively in writing and to present clear and well-illustrated talks as both are crucial to a professional scientist (Zoologist). Students will also learn to make efficient use of the scientific literature related to their research topics and become experts in their chosen areas of specialization. The programme provides guidance and mentoring of the students towards their chosen career path. The rigorous research work offered during the programme provides the students with adequate experiential knowledge and the skills needed for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) study or workplace environment.

Rationale:
A fast track programme for academically able students who aspire to do a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Zoology/Biology/Science by thesis only. Those who do not wish to study further may take the Degree to provide a stronger qualification that enhances their prospects of a career in Zoology.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Entry Requirements

Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours or equivalent qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9.

Modules:

Conference/Congress Participation (ZOO5103) 20 Credits.

Dissertation (ZOO5102) 120 Credits.

Approved Proposal (ZOO5101) 40 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Understand the title of the dissertation and translate it into a rigorous research plan.
2. Undertake research work that contributes to the broad understanding of the field or discipline in which the research work is undertaken.
3. Communicate scientific concepts, ideas or findings clearly to a scientific audience through oral presentations or writing research papers.
4. Write fluent scientific reports using an acceptable format, proper use of language, clear presentation and organization of results and findings, clear understanding of the scope, limitations and findings of the research work undertaken as well as understanding of the conclusions that may be inferred from the work in advancing science.
5. Respond satisfactorily to questions, comments, criticism about his/her research work.
6. Participate constructively in a conference/congress in the midst of his/her peers.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:
The Degree is based on an approved dissertation.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

On completion of the Degree, students will not only have improved their knowledge of and skills in zoology, but they will also be confident that they will fit in easily with research groups elsewhere and be employable anywhere around the world. Zoology is the branch of natural science that deals with animal biology and is concerned with every level of biological organization from the gene to the ecosystem and with the structure, evolution, physiology, behaviour, genetics, development and distribution of animals in all taxonomic groups. At Walter Sisulu University, it includes six focus areas: (1) General Zoology, (2) Cell and Developmental Biology, (3) Ecology, Freshwater Biology, (4) Conservation/Terrestrial Biology, (5) Physiology and Animal Behaviour and (6) Marine Biology.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows for vertical articulation.

Vertically with:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Zoology or equivalent qualification.

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.	Walter Sisulu University