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: |
Bachelor of Science Honours in Biological Sciences |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
111315 | Bachelor of Science Honours in Biological Sciences | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Sol Plaatje University | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
- | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
Honours Degree | 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 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Reregistered | EXCO 0821/24 | 2019-08-23 | 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 the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Biological Sciences is to develop well-rounded biologists/conservation scientists through bridging the gap between undergraduate training and post-graduate research. There will be a strong focus on building relevant research skills, and strengthening of the learners' subject knowledge and understanding within the botanical and zoological disciplines. The qualification is designed to equip learners with skills for applying intellectual training to problem solving. This aims to challenge, stimulate, enthuse, and encourage learners to work independently, and be creative and critical thinkers in their respective chosen career pathways. Rationale: In this qualification, learners will opt for one of four streams, namely: Biological Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences or Computer Sciences. This qualification will provide the means by which learners who have chosen the BSc Biological stream may progress into post-graduate studies in the Biological Sciences. In addition, it will offer biological and nature conservation under-graduate learners the option of continuing with their post-graduate studies within their chosen field. There is a shortage of biodiversity and conservation skills in the industry. The Plan has been endorsed by all provincial departments and other key-stakeholders. It makes provision for strong bioregional planning processes within a sustainability framework. The country has the small percentage of skilled and this Honours qualification will make major contributions to increasing this figure at least within the scientific sector. Learners will have come from undergraduate science qualifications that covered disciplines such as Biology, Botany, Zoology, Ecology, and Environmental Science. Qualifying learners can be placed as junior conservation ecologists within the public (e.g. National Parks Board, provincial conservation agencies, national Departments e.g. Environmental Affairs, zoological gardens, herbaria, and natural science museums) or private sectors (e.g. ecological consultancies, private game reserves, and NGOs e.g. Endangered Wildlife Trust). It will also allow them to be employed as junior lecturers at tertiary institutions. Within the qualification, learners will spend most of their time conducting an independent research project wherein they will attain research and other enabling skills (biostatistics and GIS) as part of their development in becoming grounded conservation/environmental scientists and independent researchers. The qualification will equip learners (learners) with a set of skills that will enable them to look for suitable employment (including internships) or consider moving to the next Postgraduate level (i.e. Masters) where those skills can be further developed within a purely research environment. Knowledge gained by the learner/learner will benefit society through making a contribution towards a sustainable environment and environmental conservation initiatives. In terms of the learner/learner contribution to the economy, if employed, they will be earning an income and able to support themselves and their family providing additional stimulus to the local economic sector. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The RPL policy of the institution recognises the role of prior learning in the higher education sector and its use in different contexts. As such, it is applied in three ways: Bearing the institutional policy in mind, actual entry into the qualification or achievement of the qualification will be made on a case-by-case basis, overseen by the respective managerial structures at the institution. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
Specialisation 1: Botany: Compulsory Modules, 80 Credits: Elective Modules, 40 Credits: (Choose any two modules). Specialisation 2: Zoology: Compulsory Modules, 80 Credits: Elective Modules, 40 Credits: (Choose any two modules): |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Demonstrate the application of knowledge in biological sciences to human and global affairs.
2. Critically assess the developing nature of knowledge and identify and evaluate alternative hypotheses and viewpoints. 3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and respond to a variety of information sources including textual, numerical, verbal and graphical. 4. Produce a scientifically sound research project on a relevant topic within the botanical or zoological disciplines. 5. Assess and apply problem-solving strategies to everyday leadership and management challenges. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Integrated Assessment: The Assessment Policy at the institution ensures that assessment forms part of the teaching learning process and structured to encourage blended learning and high levels of intellectual performance learners, improvement of teaching practices and grading of learner performance. From this, there are a number of on-going formative assessments to monitor and evaluate learners' progress. Such assessments assist lecturers to enhance and improve their teaching and facilitation. Formative assessments provide important information that will serve as a basis and foundation for more formal summative assessments. These assessments will then provide data that will assist instructors/lecturers in motivating learners to become actively involved in their own teaching and learning. The outcomes and results of these assessments provide a tool for monitoring learner learning and also a means to provide feedback to individual learners. The outcomes are used by lecturers to enhance or improve the curriculum and teaching methods. In order to evaluate the impact of the modules/courses being offered, lecturers make observations of learner understanding and performance using continuous assessment. The following components will constitute the continuous assessment: The final mark per module will comprise the continuous assessment and the final exam. The research project will be submitted for assessment at the end of the year on a date determined by the Departmental board. The learner will be expected to attend an oral examination. The final grade of the research project will comprise the oral presentation and the project mark. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
Countries such as Australia, Canada, United States of America, Kenya and United Kingdom offer the Honours in Biological Sciences or related qualifications. These are comparable with the Biological Sciences Honours qualification at the institution.
|
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification allows for possibilities of both horizontal and vertical articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
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. |