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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111077  Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
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:
The purpose of this qualification is to enable the learner to produce a Doctoral Research thesis which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing under supervision in the discipline of Operations Research.

Rationale:
The qualification caters for doctoral level studies to enhance rational bases for decision making through understanding and structuring complex situations by making use of information technology, advanced analytical methods and numerical techniques. The purpose of this qualification is to enable the student to produce a doctoral research thesis, which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing under supervision in the various specialisations within Management Studies. The doctorate provides training for an academic career. It requires a candidate to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that the candidate is required to demonstrate high level research capability and to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a specialisation in Management Studies. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication. The degree may be earned through pure discipline-based or multi-disciplinary research or applied research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Admission may be granted through RPL to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.
All admissions through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the University of South Africa (Unisa) RPL Policy.

This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning.
The Unisa RPL office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.
All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment described in the notes to assessors.

Entry Requirements:
Minimum Entry requirements:
A Master's Degree, Level 9 in the field of Operations Research/Quantitative Management or a related field. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research consists of two compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules:
  • Research Proposal, 0 Credits.
  • Research Project and Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate high level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a discipline or field in Operations Research.
    2. Supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned.
    3. Write the thesis in a language that complies with the University of South Africa (Unisa) Language Policy as well as the accepted standards for presentation of research and knowledge in the chosen discipline. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A coherent and critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies appropriate to research in a selected discipline within Operations Research.
  • A research project that addresses a complex, possibly ill-defined problem in a selected discipline within Operations Research is identified, conceptualised, designed, planned and implemented.
  • Peer review of the research is undertaken and the research is approved of.
  • Publication of the thesis is merited.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A coherent and critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies appropriate to research in a selected discipline within Operations Research is displayed.
  • The research of others is evaluated.
  • A research project is undertaken and research report (thesis) is compiled drawing systematically on the theory, research methods and literature of a selected discipline within Operations Research.

    Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Language proficiency in the discipline is displayed.
  • The referencing style prescribed by the discipline is complied with.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All assessments are conducted in line with the principles of assessment as defined in the University of South Africa (UNISA) Assessment Policy.

    Submitted proposals are assessed and approved by the supervisor and Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee to be ratified by the College Research and Higher Degrees Committee.

    When a learner's thesis is nearing completion, he/she informs the Registrar of his/her intention to submit if for examination at least two months before the anticipated date. After consultation with the co-supervisor (where applicable), the supervisor gives the learner permission to submit.

    Assessment will include input from three external examiners, and all must be recognised experts in their fields and must not be attached to or affiliated with UNISA. At least one of the external examiners should be from a county other than South Africa. All examiners are recommended by the Department Chairperson and/or Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee and their names are forwarded for appointment by the College Management Committee.

    The completed report of the panel of examiners is regarded as the examiners' final recommendation. The result of the doctoral thesis is based on a judicious appraisal of the examiners' reports.

    After the result of the learner's thesis has been approved, the non-examining chairperson makes the examiners' report available to the Chairperson of the Department, the supervisor, the co-supervisor, the learner and the other examiners if requested.

    In addition, learners must demonstrate the ability to engage in the field of Operations Research in an integrative way, dealing with Information Science challenges strategically and effectively. It is recommended for this ability to be demonstrated by the publication of at least one article based on the research, in a scientific peer reviewed journal. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification compares well with qualifications offered at international Universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Operations Research, the PhD in Operations Research at Stanford University and the PhD in Operations Research at Georgia Technical Institute. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with others at Level 10 within the subfield.
    The Doctor of Philosophy is the final step on the academic ladder. No further upward articulation is possible although learners may choose to pursue their studies at any level of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to suit their personal and professional needs. 

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.