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:

Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110943	Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma	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
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-08-19	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 Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry is to equip qualifying learners with advanced in-depth Chemistry knowledge, understanding and practical skills that will enable them to be versatile, innovative with analytical problem solving skills. Qualifying learners are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for postgraduate studies in the field of Chemistry. Qualifying learners will be competent in a broad field that will equip them with the necessary supervisory, managerial and analytical skills and knowledge.

Upon completing the qualification, the learners will be able to:

Integrate fields of Chemistry to develop solutions to research questions. With the qualification structure, the learners will be able.

Develop and test a hypothesis.

Acquire scientific presentation and academic writing skills.

Give advanced interpretation to data generated from research and to a research problem in Chemistry.

Rationale:
Discussions with chemical manufacturing and consumer industries highlighted the need for highly skilled and suitable qualified chemists and therefore a need to introduce a qualification that will produce qualifying learners that specifically fit this specialised area. This qualification has been structured to meet that need through the development of higher-level competence associated with this qualification at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8. The qualification provides possibilities for horizontal and vertical articulation. It also provides access to further study for students who have completed a relevant NQF Level 7 qualification.

The qualification will allow flexibility in the career path of chemical scientist, both vertically and horizontally, through personal growth and job advancement within and across the chemical industry. Therefore, the qualification provides learners with operational skills, including supervision, monitoring and leadership placing them at the heart of technology education in Africa and abroad. After completing this qualification, the learner will have high-level knowledge and skills within the discipline of Chemistry.

The qualifying learner will have the ability to apply a range of specialised techniques within the Chemistry context. The learner will be able to apply critical and innovative thinking at a higher level as well as problem solving skills in Chemistry. The learner will be introduced to research, develop research skills for application in Chemistry and enterprise development. An advisory board consisting of industry members was consulted in development of the programme.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The qualification may be granted, according to policies governing higher education, to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal qualifications provided they can demonstrate competence in the outcomes of the qualification as required by the fundamental, core and elective areas stipulated in the qualification and exit level outcomes.

An RPL process may also be used:

To grant learners with credits in which they have developed the necessary competency because of workplace and work-integrated learning.

To gain access to the qualification.

Learners submitting themselves for RPL should be thoroughly briefed prior to assessment, and may be required to submit a portfolio or evidence in the prescribed format to be accessed for formal recognition.

If the RPL is awarded, an exemption form is completed and the candidate may continue with full registration.

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

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7, 360 Credits.
Or

A relevant Advanced Diploma, NQF Level 7, 360 Credits.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:

Advanced Analytical Chemistry, 20 Credits.

Applied Inorganic Chemistry, 20 Credits.

Research Project in Chemistry, 20 Credits.

Advanced Organic Chemistry, 20 Credits.

Applied Physical Chemistry, 20 Credits.

Research Project in Chemistry, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate investigative skills combined with advanced discipline specific knowledge of chemistry to make critical decisions in the laboratory and industry.
2. Plan and conduct a discipline focused research project under supervision and report the findings professionally in an oral and visual scientific format.
3. Apply higher order critical, innovative thinking and problem solving skills in the field of Chemistry.
4. Critically evaluate and apply a range of specialised methods and techniques within the Chemistry context.
5. Develop advanced research skills for application in Chemistry and enterprise development.
6. Collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate data at an advanced level.
7. Apply and evaluate the ethical implications of research in the chemistry environment.
8. Evaluate relevant advanced theoretical aspects of Chemistry covered in this curriculum.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Integrate investigative skills with discipline specific knowledge of chemistry (e.g. advanced spectroscopic methods, application of nanomaterials and catalysis, synthetic chemistry pericyclic reactions, chemistry of natural products, applied physical chemistry processes) and apply. it to make critical decisions and find solutions in the laboratory and industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Identify, plan, manage and conduct a discipline focused (selected field of chemistry) research project under supervision and reporting the findings professionally in an oral and visual scientific format.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply discipline specific processes, skills, techniques for analysis (e.g. statistical and thermal data, atomic absorption, plasma emission, atomic x-ray and mass, supercritical fluid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, etc.), analytical statistic methods and instruments at a level of higher order critical, innovative thinking, interpretation, evaluating and problem solving within the field of Chemistry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Critically evaluate, interpret, select, compare, differentiate and apply a range of specialised methods, models, techniques, processes and underpinning principles and rules to analyse and make predictions (e.g. reaction outcomes, expected compound signals, splitting patterns, magnetic fields and radiation, integration of NMR spectra, molecular formula and structure, etc.), as well as performing calculations (rate constant, activation energy, turn over frequency, etc.) within the Chemistry context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Develop scientific research, reflective, creative and innovative skills for application within the Chemistry field and enterprise development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate data at an appropriate level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Professionally apply, evaluate and consider the ethical implications of conducting research and experimental laboratory work in the chemistry study field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Evaluate relevant theoretical aspects of Chemistry covered in this curriculum by integrating and applying the specific knowledge within the research project.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment will be done to the standard that is stated in terms of the specified outcomes and the accompanying assessment criteria laid down. The learner will be considered competent or not competent on the basis of their assessment against the standard set. The organisation of the qualification will inform decisions on when summative assessments can take place, e.g. a qualification will be organised around one outcome or a set of outcomes, depending on what is appropriate in terms of ensuring learners' success. Summative assessments will be administered when a learner has gone through such a set of outcomes and is ready to be assessed. The lecturer will make sure that the learner understands from the outset what their roles and responsibilities are in terms of their assessments. Also, learners will be made to understand the process of assessment and why it is done in a particular way. They will also know what they can expect from the assessor and what the assessor expects from them.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Postgraduate Diploma in Chemistry has been compared with the following international qualifications.

South Australia, Flinders University: Bachelor of Science (Honours (Hons)) in Chemistry:
Modules are offered according to the designations "upper division" and some "graduate courses". The upper division modules are described as 'advanced' knowledge and skills which is equivalent to National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.

The minimum entry requirements for this qualification is the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or equivalent, which is similar to the proposed qualification. The qualification provides the practical experience that prepares the learner for workplace. Project-based learning involves learning, research or live industry projects that enable the student to develop knowledge and skills in a hands-on way for the duration of this qualification is one year. The purpose of the course is broadly stipulated to include all the courses and is to provide learners with a broad-based foundation in chemistry discipline and allied areas. This foundation is extended with extensive subject knowledge in the discipline.

United Kingdom, University of Bath: Bachelor of Science (HONS) in Chemistry:
Modules referred to here are offered according to the designations "upper division" and some "graduate courses". The upper division modules are described as 'advanced' knowledge and skills which is equivalent to NQF Level 7.

For entry in this qualification, the learner, should demonstrate his/her enthusiasm for studying their chosen Degree. This include relevant reading, voluntary or work experience, areas of interest from their current studies or other relevant extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. When describing their experiences, they must reflect on what they have learnt from them, how they have influenced their development or how they are relevant to their future studies.

The offer for this qualification depend on the amount of science and mathematics have studied before they join it. Learners need a strong performance in Chemistry and at least one other core science or mathematics subject as part of their entry qualifications. If you they have studied three or more core science or mathematics subjects the grades required may be lower, as detailed in the relevant entry requirements section. If the learner has taken A levels, the University might be unable to consider an A level in their own language (unless it is English or Welsh). The University does not accept A levels in General Studies. If a student is taking a General Certificate of Education (GCE) A level in a science subject, he/she will need to pass any separate science practical endorsement.

The difference between the two qualifications is that at Bath University, the contact time is based on typical choice of optional units that the students have to choose from. The optional courses include Inorganic Chemistry in biological systems, chemistry beyond the molecules, chemistry beyond molecule, and sustainable chemistry in context, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the modern world and Organic fictional materials and devices. All these are not done for this qualification.

These qualifications are comparable in that they strive to provide learners with the foundation that will underpin ongoing professional development, preparation for further study in a science or non-science related discipline or for a career in a science related field or in other areas where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry, Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Science in Chemistry, Level 9.

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.	Vaal University of Technology