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:

Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
102039	Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences
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
Higher Certificate	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 05	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 qualification aims, through a planned combination of modules, to equip students with the knowledge, skills and values to undertake studies at higher education levels, particularly in Bachelor qualifications requiring Physical Sciences Students will be able to improve their reading and writing skills in academic, business and Standard English, as well as computational, mathematical and statistical skills.

The Higher Certificate will give students knowledge of the Physical Sciences, as well as practical skills in laboratories, thereby equipping them to operate as entry-level laboratory assistants in the academic environment, government or industry sectors.

Rationale:
National and international recognition is ensured through the assessment and development of the qualification content. The Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences qualification has been developed with the purpose of offering students alternative pathways for access to Bachelor qualifications within the fields of Science, Engineering and Technology. The introduction of the Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences will allow students an opportunity for advancement through formal Higher Education via distance education.

Qualified students will be able to register for further Higher Education qualifications within South Africa and throughout the world. Qualified students will be employable in laboratories at institutions of higher learning, as well as in industry as support staff as specialists in the field.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning will take place in accordance with the institution's policy and guidelines. For this qualification, recognition takes place at the discretion of the department in instances where prior learning corresponds with the required NQF level and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. RPL can be used at intermediate levels, but the institution will assure that the Exit Level Outcomes are fulfilled.

No formal prior learning is required. Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning will be assessed as per the departmental entry examination.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirement to this qualification is either a:

Senior Certificate (SC).
Or

National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate studies and with Mathematics.
Or

National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4 with Mathematics.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules:

English Proficiency for University Studies, 12 Credits.

Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions, 12 Credits.

Fundamental Mathematics, 12 Credits.

Introductory Chemistry A, 12 Credits.

Introductory Chemistry B, 12 Credits.

Introductory Physics A, 12 Credits.

Introductory Physics B, 12 Credits.

Physical Science Practicals, 12 Credits.

Basic Statistics for Experimental Sciences, 12 Credits.

Pre-Calculus Mathematics A, 12 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Write and communicate clearly in an academic setting, particularly within the Physical Sciences.
2. Apply theory, principles and techniques in the Physics and Chemistry fields in solving routine and applied problems, and project investigations.
3. Perform mathematical and statistical calculations manually, using a calculator and appropriate software.
4. Develop a set of professional ethics and values regarding data analysis in the field of Physical Sciences.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Use Physics and Chemistry terminology and notations correctly.

Communicate clearly in the correct academic style.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply theory, principles and techniques correctly and appropriately.

Produce a report on a laboratory project according to accepted standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Demonstrate correct and accurate experimental procedures.

Use statistical measurements appropriately and critically and illustrate an understanding by means of the conclusions presented.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Exhibit a professional attitude in all tasks.

Integrated Assessment:
The institution has an Assessment Policy that spells out the principles underlying assessment and good practice in assessment.

Formative and Summative Assessment:
An effective integrated assessment strategy is used. Clearly identified components of assessment address summative assessment of the Exit Level Outcomes. Evidence will be derived from major work or multiple instances of limited scale work. Students will be assessed in the various modules via a combination of the following: summative examinations, assignments, projects and portfolios of evidence of learning growth.

Initial assessment activities will be focused on gathering evidence in terms of the outcomes expressed in the modules to ensure that assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. The aim is to declare the student competent in terms of the qualification's purpose. Where assessment across level is unmanageable, assessment will be focused around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes. It should be ensured that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies.

Assessment activities will be as close to real performance as possible and, where simulations or role-plays are used, there will be supporting evidence to show that the candidate is able to perform in a real situation.

All assessments will be conducted in line with the following well-documented principles of assessment as defined below and in the university's Assessment Policy:

Appropriate: The method of assessment is suited to the performance being assessed.

Fair: The method of assessment does not present any barriers to achievements which are not related to the evidence. In particular, the method of assessment is sensitive to language diversity.

Manageable: The methods are arranged and are cost-effective that do not unduly interfere with learning.

Integrated into work or learning: Evidence collection is integrated into the work or learning process where this is appropriate and feasible.

Valid: The assessment focuses on the requirements laid down in the standard, i.e. the assessment is fit for purpose.

Direct: The activities in the assessment mirror the conditions of actual performance as closely as possible.

Authentic: The assessor is satisfied that the work being assessed is attributable to the person being assessed.

Sufficient: The evidence collected establishes that all criteria have been met and that performance to the required standard can be repeated consistently.

Systematic: Planning and recording are sufficiently rigorous to ensure that assessment is fair.

Open: Students can contribute to the planning and accumulation of evidence. Candidates must be able understand the assessment process and the criteria that apply.

Consistent: The same assessor will make the same judgement again in similar circumstances. The judgement made is similar to the judgement that would be made by other assessors.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Within the Higher Education sector the concept of Higher Certificate in the Physical Sciences is new in South Africa. A learner having gained this qualification would be able to advance toward higher qualifications in tertiary institutions in any South African Institution of Higher learning. Moderators/external examiners during assessment and developing the course content are used to ensure national/international recognition.

The qualification is closely comparable internationally to the Certificate in Higher Education Degrees in the United Kingdom (UK), which consists of 120 credits (1 year of full time study). Another similar Degree is the Associate Degree in the United States of America (USA), Canada, Australia and elsewhere, which however is usually of 2-year duration. Both these types of Degrees share a similar approach of providing both a pathway to undergraduate Degrees with some vocational applicability.

In particular, the Higher Certificate in Physical Sciences compares well with, for instance, the following international qualifications:
" Certificates in Higher Education in Mathematical Sciences and in Natural Sciences at the Open University, UK.
" Certificate in Higher Education in Physics and Mathematics at Birkbeck, University of London, UK.
" Undergraduate certificate in Physics, American University in Washington, USA.
" Associate Degree in Science at Durham Technical Community College, USA.
" Associate of Science Degree, Okanagan College, Canada.
" Associate Degree of Science at Southern Cross University, Australia.

All these Degrees offer a theoretical and practical introduction to science subjects while developing higher education study skills, and lead to access into undergraduate Degrees in science related subjects.

The conclusion is that the qualification is comparable to several international Degrees, in terms of its purpose and the opportunities it provides upon completion.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities.

Horizontal Articulation:

Higher Certificates in Engineering.

Vertical Articulation:

An appropriate Bachelor's Degree.

Diploma in Physics and Chemistry, Life Sciences or Engineering.

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.

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