SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101908	Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	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 purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with further specialisation by developing current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the field of biotechnology. In addition, it will prepare learners for postgraduate study by developing their ability to formulate, undertake and resolve more complex theoretical and practice-related problems and tasks through the selection and use of appropriate methods and techniques. Qualified learners will be able to competently perform the following activities: quantitative and qualitative analysis, laboratory production processes, quality assurance, research and development, and judging processes and outcomes to determine and establish appropriate and best possible ways of approaching activities in Biotechnology industries and educational institutions.

Rationale:
The Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology is designed to develop the biotechnology industry practitioners who can independently integrate and apply advanced scientific technical/vocational principles and techniques. This qualification will provide learners with formal tuition and practical hands-on laboratory skills with up-to-date equipment that will enable them to effectively access a number of careers and employment from the onset.

This qualification also serves as a career pathway for graduates to pursue further educational qualifications. They will have broad knowledge and skills of Biotechnology Science and Technology. The emphasis is to ensure that they are prepared for a career in the Biotechnology and related industries.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts RPL as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant. The Faculty of Science manages RPL according to the institution's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the Faculty of Science policy:

Through RPL a student may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status. Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Science.

RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements:

Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF level.

Takes place where prior learning is in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification.

Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Sciences and is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Science Dean's Committee.

A qualification that does not satisfy the formal entrance requirements for this qualification, but the holder of a such a qualification, may apply for admission to this qualification through RPL, which application may be granted subject to such conditions as may be considered to be appropriate.

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

A Diploma, Level 6.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Applied Disease and Immune Response 2, 20 Credits.

Applied Microbial Biochemistry 4, 14 Credits.

Applied Plant Biotechnology 4, 22 Credits.

Applied Industrial Biotechnology, 14 Credits.

Applied Molecular Biology, 22 Credits.

Research Methodology, 14 Credits.

Operations Management and Entrepreneurship, 14 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Define the principles and terminology associated with disease and immune response and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy in general.
2. Explain Microbial Biochemistry concepts including growth and control, nutrition, and energy required by microorganisms and this should also include the roles of lipids, nitrogen, amino acids, nucleic acids as well as enzymes.
3. Apply the concepts and principles associated with Applied Plant Biotechnology, including plant structure, function, metabolism and Plant-biotechnology principles and methods.
4. Apply the concepts and procedures associated with Applied Industrial Biotechnology including cell and enzyme immobilization and the production of various Industrial products via Biotechnology processes.
5. Discuss the various Applied Molecular Biology principles and methods and perform the associated methods.
6. Apply the concepts and principles of operations and quality management and entrepreneurship to the manufacture of food and related products.
7. Apply Research Methodology in the design of a research project.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Correctly describe terminology associated with Immune response and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy in general.

Correctly apply principles of immune response.

Explain antimicrobial Chemotherapy correctly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Correctly apply Microbial Biochemistry concepts including growth and control, nutrition and energy required by microorganisms.

Describe the roles of lipids, nitrogen, amino acids, nucleic acids as well as enzymes in the growth and control, nutrition and energy required by microorganisms adequately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Correctly apply methods related to plant structure, function and metabolism.

Correctly contextualise and apply associated concepts and principles.

Accurately describe and apply special modifications in plant organogenesis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Demonstrate cell and enzyme immobilization and the value and applications thereof.

Present and correctly apply production of various industrial products via immobilization and transformation techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Apply various Applied Molecular Biology principles including DNA sequencing as well as cloning and other essential related techniques and methods.

Correctly interpret and present consequential results.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Correctly apply the concepts and principles of operations and quality management to the manufacture of food and related products.

Apply the principles of entrepreneurship.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Develop and translate a research concept into a project proposal using sound research methodology.

Present the project proposal effectively.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment of the learning outcomes of this qualification forms an integral part of the teaching and learning process. The assessment of all modules is in line with the institution's teaching and learning policy, including the assessment guidelines.

Each module of this qualification will include at least two (2) formative assessments, practical assessments where applicable, at least one assignment/project as well as a summative assessment opportunity.

A final summative evaluation for each module will be conducted at the end of the semester. These assessments will be moderated by an external expert and the quality and appropriateness of assessments will be continually verified in line with existing policies.

Formative and Summative Assessment:
Lectured components will be assessed in accordance with the institution's assessment policy. Assessment will consist of formative assessments where a discussion of the memorandum is supplied as feedback. The final summative assessment opportunity does not include any feedback to the student.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares favourably with the following qualifications:

Canada, Seneca Ontario College offers an Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology. This qualification includes Work Integrated Learning and it gives access to postgraduate studies after 3 years.

Comparison:
This Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology will be offered over a year following a 4-year Diploma course which includes a year of Work Integrated Learning. Minimum time required for access to Postgraduate studies is therefore 5 years. The Seneca Ontario College Advanced Diploma in comparison is a complete course offered over 6 semesters. It includes Work Integrated Learning, the duration of which is not clear but it seems to be 2 stunts of 3 months each. This qualification gives access to Postgraduate studies after 3 years.

In the United States of America, the University of Boston, in Massachusetts offers a Biotechnology Certificate.

Comparison:
This Biotechnology Qualification from Boston is a two-year Certificate and does not give access to Postgraduate studies.

In Australia, the University of Technology Sydney offers a Bachelor Degree of Biotechnology. This is a 3 year Degree that gives access to Postgraduate studies.

Comparison:
The Australian qualification is a there-year degree that gives access to Postgraduate studies.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers specific articulation opportunities with the following qualifications.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor's Degree, Level 7 in a related field.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Science Honours in Biotechnology, Level 8.

A cognate Postgraduate Diploma, Level 8.

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 Johannesburg