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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Animal Production 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111501  Master of Science in Animal Production 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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 the qualification is to produce agronomists, who are able to practice in the crop production and related industries, and contribute meaningfully to the knowledge of animal production ensuring an increase in food security locally, nationally and internationally. The qualification serves to equip learners with the requisite advanced knowledge, competencies and skills in animal production to make scholarly advances in the field in terms of practice and policy. The qualifying learner will have the competency to do independent scientific research, analysis and interpretation of scientific information, as well as to communicate, promote and advance agriculture, and specifically crop production, in both the private and public sectors. These competencies are crucial for agricultural development.

Rationale:
The world's population of humans is expected to double by 2050. This will result in an increased demand for food. In order to ensure that the country meets the demand for food production, especially for animal production and crop production, sustainable animal production practices will be required with an understanding of their impact on the environment. This requires the expertise of scientists that are able to work with various stakeholders in the sector to improve the production and quality of food sources. Thus animal production agricultural scientists will be in demand to improve the production of crops, in order to enhance the amount of food as well as crop products such as oils, cotton and environmental sustainability. As depicted in the National Development Plan 2030, development in the agricultural sector, being one of the primary activities in the rural areas, has the potential to increase jobs of many within the rural communities, and by so doing, uplifting communities. In addition, public investment in new agricultural technologies and the development of resilient and environmentally sustainable strategies and support services for small-scale and rural farmers ensures the protection of rural livelihoods and the concurrent expansion of commercial agriculture, so South Africa remains a net exporter of agricultural produce. Graduate of this qualification will thus be equipped to enter into various sectors of the animal production industry as research scientists, consultants and advisors in both the private and public domains. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Based on the national transformation goals to redress past inequities in training and education Recognition of Prior Learning will be considered for access to those applicants without the required formal recognised qualification or specialisation; in this way we ensure that access to higher education is promoted. This will be applied as per Institution Policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and be subject to a comprehensive portfolio of evidence being received which undergoes an approved assessment process, using relevant trained RPL practitioners. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual candidates against the admission requirements on a case by case basis, with detailed records maintained.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Animal Production, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

    Compulsory modules at Level 9, totalling 128 Credits.
  • Advanced Growth Physiology, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Applied Animal Breeding and Genetics, 16 Credits.
  • Mini-Dissertation (Animal Production), 96 Credits.

    Elective modules at Level 9, totalling 64 Credits (Choose any 4)
  • Digestion and Metabolism in Ruminants, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Population Genetics, 16 Credits.
  • Statistics Applied to Animal Production, 16 Credits.
  • Digestion and Metabolism in Non Ruminants, 16 Credits.
  • Animal Behaviour and Welfare, 16 Credits.
  • Reproduction and Lactation Physiology, 16 Credits.
  • Biotechnology in Animal Production, 16 Credits.
  • Applied Statistics in Animal Production, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The learner will have specialised knowledge of agricultural production theories and practices.
    2. The learner will be able to research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight in various animal production topics at hand.
    3. The learner will be able to knowledgeably make decisions on ethical values and practices within the animal production field of specialisation.
    4. The learner will be able to communicate effectively regarding topics with the animal production field of specialisation.
    5. The learner will be able to make an informed decision on the types of methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within their field of specialisation within animal production disciplinary area.
    6. The learner will be able to compose a structured, well-articulated scientific dissertation, showing analytical thinking through the synthesis of information from relevant sources, applying them to real problems and posing acceptable conclusions and suggestions.
    7. Reflect disciplinary expertise in the correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication within a particular discipline of animal production.
    8. Critical appraise the relationship among concepts and principles of the specialised disciplines.
    9. Apply knowledge to propose solutions to complex practical problems (both concrete and abstract). 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria 1:
  • Access relevant and various information primary and secondary sources related to the core discipline.
  • Identify the central theme(s) of the essay.
  • Extract and explain the competing arguments.
  • Reflect in explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of a context and how that affects the particular work being undertaken.
  • Demonstrate through the provision of relevant information pertaining to the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the context for addressing specific problems in an agricultural context.
  • Clearly identify relevant role players and resources that will contribute to resolution of specific problems.
  • Identify critical factors and knowledge gaps that impact on practical problems to be investigated from the perspective of the discipline.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 2:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical implications of various kinds of research and be able to act accordingly.
  • Obtain all ethical clearances (where required), permits and agreements the Institution and from any other entity that is necessary before research is carried out.
  • Consider all aspects of a problem so that the resolution has the least negative impact on society and the environment.
  • Take responsibility for all decisions made and defend their action within the norms of the law, society and the environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 3:
  • Demonstrate reasoning skills and the ability to express own opinions clearly and coherently; justify a position and present it logically, systematically using properly substantiated arguments.
  • Communicate by showing an awareness of audience, and by using different modes of communication (oral and written) and discipline-specific conventions, and utilise different techniques and strategies for communicating results.
  • Communicate clearly using scholarly discourse and discipline-specific conventions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 4:
  • Apply standard procedures within the specific agricultural discipline, such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive or inductive reasoning.
  • Collect and record appropriate data truthfully and in the appropriate format.
  • Analyse and interpret results appropriately, reaching valid conclusions.
  • Argue persuasively about such analyses, interpretations and conclusions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 5:
  • Structure the dissertation by showing understanding of the question and indicating the direction of the answer through laying out the subsections of the dissertation and their linkages with the overall theme.
  • Clearly state the context in which its basic concepts and assumptions of the research topic are to be evaluated.
  • Debate the subject matter by developing logically coherent arguments as well as citing and discussing illustrative examples.
  • Raise conclusions that are consistent with the arguments in the dissertation and suggest possible outcomes of alternative initiatives at addressing the subject matter.
  • Present the dissertation according to appropriate and / or recommended structure, word processing and referencing protocols.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated throughout this qualification.
    Continuous formative feedback is provided to students on their progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes, particularly in their project proposal and through interactions such as seminar presentations, discussions and supervision.
    Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the exit level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement includes integrated assessment which assesses the students' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Evaluation of learner performance to demonstrate applied competence; and criterion-referenced assessment, which is clearly explained to and understood by the learners and that can be applied in the Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia.
    Institution: University of Queensland
    Qualification Title: Master of Animal Science
    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:

    The qualification includes three majors, one being animal production. The purpose of the qualification is to provide students with leadership, research and problem solving skills to meet the global challenges associated with feeding the world, and maintaining the environment in situations of increasing community expectations of animal welfare, biosecurity concerns, and competition for limited resources. The qualification is aimed at graduates and professionals seeking to expand their career prospects into a wide range of government, commercial, community based or research roles in the broad field of agriculture and environment. The qualification consists of a Graduate Research Project which comprises one third of the credit weighting, and includes modules such as Animals in Society, Animal Reproductive Science, Animal Nutrition and Technology, Concepts in Animal Science, Agricultural Research Methodologies, Leadership in Rural Industries and Communities, Global Challenges in Agriculture, Advanced Pasture Management, Animal Science & Production, Animal Nutrition and Nutrigenomics, Animal Breeding Technology and others.

    Conclusion:
    This University of Queensland qualification compares favourably with the Institution qualification in terms of purpose, aims, content and the research project, although the University of Queensland qualification does offer the student a wider choice of topics.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Nottingham.
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Animal production.
    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:

    This qualification includes fields of study such as animal production, animal development, epigenetics, neuroscience and bioethics. In the animal production course students concentrate on major livestock species by studying the biological basis of feed efficiency and sustainability in dairy and non-ruminant systems, nutritional strategies for enhancing animal health, growth and development of calves and heifers, rumen function, nutritional value of dietary raw materials, environmental impact and methane emissions, and dietary effects on product quality (for example, milk and meat composition). The research focus of the animal production group includes all aspects of the efficiency with which animals utilise genetic and dietary resources. It also addresses issues of sustainable intensification with potential consequences for fertility, health and welfare of animals. Product quality now assumes great importance and the influence of diet on meat, milk and egg quality forms an integral part of this research theme. The Masters qualification requires 180 credits (core modules 10 credits; optional modules 110 credits; research project and dissertation 60 credits). The qualifications align in purpose, context as well as admission and articulation to a doctorate study.

    Country: Netherlands.
    Institution: Wageningen University and Research
    Qualification Title: Masters in Animal Science.

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:

    The aim of the qualification is to deliver skilled professional animal scientists who are well equipped to tackle problems related to sustainable livestock development as well as to the management of livestock and companion animals. The animal-human interaction plays an important role in this study qualification. Themes like animal nutrition, animal health, animal welfare, levels of management, genetic diversity and socio-economic factors are all widely discussed. The qualification includes a major research component, and students may also opt to do a second minor research component or opt to take an internship component. This latter part differs from the Institution qualification, which does not include an internship option.

    Conclusion:
    Both qualifications present options to students based on their career path and aspirations within the Animal production arena, although the choices provided in the Wageningen qualification are more varied than those of the Institution qualification are. On completion of both qualifications, graduates are able to articulate to a Doctoral qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Institutional Agriculture in Animal Production, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor Philosophy in Animal Production Management, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    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.