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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101966  Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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:
Upon completion of this qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Independently conduct a research using advanced research methodologies and techniques in the area of research.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the pertinent "themes" in their chosen field/s.
  • Report their research findings in a coherent and scholarly manner.

    Rationale:
    The rationale for offering Doctoral Degrees in the Faculty of Science is based on the purpose for which the university will utilise this doctoral qualification in fulfilling its mission and vision, and in having the desired impact on society. The need for a vibrant doctoral training qualification in the Faculty of Natural Sciences is expressed in the socio-economic needs and challenges of the communities served by the University, which are clearly reflected in the mission and vision of the university. The communities served by the university are currently facing challenges in the environment, poverty, health care, service delivery, underdevelopment, food security, skills, notably scarce skills that are rooted in Natural Sciences, human and intellectual capital, the development of business enterprise and the creation of jobs.

    While some of the challenges may be addressed to some degree through lower level Bachelors of Science Honours and Masters of Science, there is a need for doctoral research studentships to provide greater rigour and depth. It is envisaged that the Doctorate Degree in Natural Sciences will respond to this need.

    The rationale of the qualification is predicated on conduction of research that is primarily informed by community engagement activities and partnerships with communities, developmental agencies and with government departments and agencies. Through training students at Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Natural Sciences will be to respond to the developmental needs of communities served by the Faculty of Natural Sciences such as laboratories for chemical analysis, certification and validation, etc. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL will not be applicable. Candidates for the qualification will be expected to have obtained a Master's Degree or similar qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Master's Degree (or similar qualification), Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a compulsory module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.
  • Dissertation, Level 10. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit-Level Outcomes:
  • Independently conduct a research using advanced research methodologies and techniques in the area of research.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the pertinent "themes" in their chosen field/s.
  • Report their research findings in a coherent and scholarly manner. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding in its field.
  • Recognise and meet international standards.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the literature relevant to the subject and the field/s to which the subject belongs, and the ability to exercise critical and analytical judgment of that literature.
  • Ensure the format is satisfactory in its methodology, in the quality and coherence of its written expression, and in its scholarly presentation.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • A doctoral student is required to present at least three seminars: one on the research proposal, one on any other related topic and a third one on completion of the project/dissertation or thesis.
  • The research project report will be written up into a thesis which is be assessed rigorously by an internal examiner and three external examiners approved by the university Senate, at least two of whom must pass the student. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is conceived as a generic Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification in Natural Sciences. It has been designed to uniquely suit the staffing configuration of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and to allow for interdisciplinary research projects as much as possible. The qualification is predicated upon the realisation that while much of the university education system is entrenched along traditional disciplinary lines, a great deal of academic research, industrial activity, and job opportunities require a broader educational background. Furthermore, allowance for interdisciplinary research in the qualification will allow for PhD projects that are in perfect harmony with the vision of the University in that they are designed to respond to local, regional, national needs.

    The value of interdisciplinary research is increasingly getting recognition. At its fifth Annual Meeting held from 25-27 May 2016 in New Delhi, India, the Global Research Council acknowledged in its Statement of Principles on Interdisciplinary that "While disciplinary excellence is essential, there is growing recognition of the value of fostering interdisciplinary within a system of world-class knowledge networks that transcend disciplinary and geographical boundaries".
    The allowance for interdisciplinary in the PhD programme is also consistent with the spirit of the NRF-supported Institutional Capacity Development (ICD) initiative which identifies as one of its objectives the promotion of inter-institutional and inter-disciplinary research collaboration.

    In respect of international comparability, there are PhD qualifications in other universities outside South Africa that are interdisciplinary and are similar to this qualification. For example, three such qualifications are identified below.
  • The University of Züricha offers PhD qualification Systems Biology Highly interdisciplinary PhD qualification of systems biological researchers. Students are drawn from various disciplines and departments including Computer Science and Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, and Engineering.
  • The University of California, Berkeley Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programs Berkeley offers doctoral students the opportunity to create an interdisciplinary major of their own design.
  • The Michigan State University Interdisciplinary PhD qualification between Biochemistry/Biology and the Physical/Mathematical/Computational Sciences Interdisciplinary research project with a primary advisor in the student's major department and a secondary advisor in the second department. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities:

    Horizontal articulation:
  • A similar or related Doctorate Degree, Level 10. 
    		•

    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. Walter Sisulu 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.