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:

Master of Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111676	Master of Science
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
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 provide qualifying learners with a depth of knowledge and the competencies in research to significantly advance their career prospects within the academic field and in specialised sectors of industry. The qualification equips learners with skills to conduct advance research, engage with the disciplinary area at large and to provide a knowledgeable critique on the subject area.

Rationale:
The National Development Plan (NDP) of South Africa has identified science, technology and innovation as a crucial weapon in the arsenal to free South Africans from poverty, underdevelopment and unemployment. In order to foster the plan, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) seeks to boost socio-economic development in South Africa through research and innovation. In order to advance the National Development Plan, South Africa requires a cadre of qualifying learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies to engage with science, technology and innovation in order to meet these objectives. The institutions' Master of Science qualification equips qualifying learners with the skills in research in order for them to engage with advance knowledge in the specific discipline, critique knowledge that has already been produced, and use appropriate enquiry and research methods to contribute towards the body of science to find solutions for Africa.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to access the qualification where the Undergraduate Degree obtained does not relate directly to the disciplinary area. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual candidates against the module/course outcomes on a case-by-case basis, with detailed records maintained.

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

Bachelor Honours, Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Elective Modules, 180 Credits (Choose/Select one):

Master of Science Chemistry, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Geology, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Physics, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Science, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Aquaculture, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Biochemistry, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Botany, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Microbiology, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Physiology, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Zoology, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Applied Mathematics, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Computer Science, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Mathematics, 180 Credits.
Or

Master of Science in Statistics, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Access, extract and synthesise scientific information from multimedia sources.
2. Interpret and evaluate published scientific information critically.
3. Plan and conduct a research project, including written and verbal presentations of the research proposal and research report.
4. Show appreciation for the environmental and social responsibilities associated with planning, conducting and communicating scientific research results.
5. Use a scientifically ethical approach to the collection, analysis, presentation and publication of research results.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Formulate, analyse and interpret scientific problems in terms of the underlying theory.

Discern the relevance and value of various sources accessed through appropriate means.

Provide a logical, balanced and comprehensive viewpoint on a topic at hand using information provided by a wide range of resources accessed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Use a comprehensive understanding of the scientific subject to provide a critical analysis of the topic.

Provide a reasonable opinion on a scientific topic by evaluating various sources of literature, and be able to defend the opinion in various forms of scientific engagement.

Formulate a relevant research question based on an observed gap in the literature that will advance the knowledge of science.

Make logical conclusions that can be scientifically motivated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

From the viewpoint of a relevant research question, research literature to formulate a relevant research plan to conduct enquiry to provide a reasonable answer to the question.

Evaluate various research methods available to discern the best methods to use for a particular research problem, and be able to defend the use of the methods appropriately.

Plan for and conduct relevant statistical methods in order to present data collected in an appropriate and unbiased way.

Present the research conducted in a format that is acceptable to the scientifically community in which it is to be read.

Present data, opinion and conclusions drawn in an appropriate and logical manner to various forms of audience.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Appreciate that field of specialty science is part of a broader context of systems whereby others may be affected by the interpretations of the data and results presented.

Conduct research in a manner that protects the environment and society at large.

Approach communities in which research is to be conducted in a manner acceptable and appreciated by the community using appropriate discourse and discussion to ensure understanding of the relevance and purpose of the research conducted.

Use all resources effectively, preserving and conserving samples appropriately to advance scientific exploration in the future.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Undertake to conduct all research and investigations within the ethical boundaries of the institution and the discipline at large.

Treat all samples/resources humanely and with respect, ensuring optimal use.

Accept responsibility for decisions made within the confines of the study undertaken.

Relevant referral is made and opinions are sought where protocol dictates for the expertise of professionals from other disciplines.

Integrated Assessment:
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 learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes, as a whole through the Dissertation produced on the research.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The University of Melbourne in Australia offers a Master of Philosophy (Science) Degree which is a full-research science qualification taking 2 to 4 years to complete. It aims to produce qualifying learners with high-level knowledge and research skills in your chosen area of science. Qualifying learners will also have strong professional skills in critical thinking and problem solving, research planning, literature reviews and reporting on research, scientific communication, both written and oral, and in project management. The qualification provides access to Doctoral studies as well as institutions engaging in scientific research. The admission requirement, purpose, outcomes and articulation route all align with the Master of Science qualification at the institution.

The Postgraduate's research Degrees at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland involve an extended period of intensive, independent research, resulting in a significant contribution of original knowledge to a specific field of study. One can complete either a Master of Science by research or a Master of Philosophy qualification entered into via a Bachelor Honours qualification with a particular point score. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) qualification is an exit qualification after two-years of research from a Doctoral qualification, but has similar outcomes in that the contribution towards original knowledge is relaxed. Qualifying learners are expected to produce a Thesis that is evident of high-level research. This qualification compares in terms of access, structure, outcomes and articulation to the institution Master of Science qualification.

The University of Alberta in Canada offers a thesis based Masters Qualification which expects qualifying learners to have conduct methodical, systematic, theory-based, and collaborative research with a diversity of outstanding people, in a multitude of leading facilities and stimulating environments. They expect that a thesis-based Master's Degree can provide markets with the opportunity and learned skill set to find high-level solutions for a multitude of issues. Although some courses such as an ethics course is required, the focus is on a Master's Thesis through research. The thesis is defined as a piece of work which must embody the results of original investigations and analyses and be of such quality as to merit publication, meet the standards of reputable scholarly publications, and constitute a substantial contribution to the knowledge in your field.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master in Business Leadership.

Masters Qualification related to the disciplinary area, Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy, Level 10.

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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