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 in Chemical Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112329  Master of Science in Chemical Pathology 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 Master of Science in Chemical Pathology will enable learners to teach/train other health professionals at a lower level, including laboratory technicians who are currently in charge of laboratory services in rural areas.

Learners will also be able to apply educational knowledge, skills, principles, and methods to support research and service in the medical environment, having the necessary knowledge, skills, professional thinking, behaviour and attitudes to pursue their profession as scientists and educators in the field of Chemical Pathology.

Upon successful completion of the qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Display knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of Chemical Pathology.
  • Have a sound understanding of instrumentation and principles of laboratory techniques.
  • Design and execute a research project in the medical sciences.
  • Be able to teach Chemical Pathology to other health professions and undergraduate learners.

    Rationale:
    The qualification focuses on training learners in the field of Chemical Pathology to alleviate the shortage of pathologists and to develop the potential for research in the field, particularly in the disadvantaged areas. The qualification will contribute to increasing the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure the future development of Chemical Pathology and to make provision for the country's need for a skilled workforce and to ensure that the country stays competitive in an era of growing global competition. The qualification will boost the standard of primary health care delivery at local levels which has always been a major pillar of the National/Provincial government integrated rural development strategy. This will lead to the development of the research capacity in the field. It will also contribute to improving the services for the people in the rural areas who do not have easy access to tertiary or even secondary health services. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Clinical Biochemistry, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical Pathology, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Biochemistry, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
  • Advanced Lab Management and Quality Control. 40 Credits
  • Research Project: 140 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Complete Advanced Lab Management and Quality Control modules successfully.
    2. Complete a Mini Dissertation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment includes the regular assignments and seminars conducted as continuous assessment throughout the module which contributes towards 60% of the final mark with the following weighting:
  • 20% from seminars and topic reviews.
  • 20% from Lab work and teaching participation.
  • 20% from test follow up and write-ups.

    The summative assessment also includes an external end-of-module written examination for the Advanced Lab Management and Quality Control Module.

    The computation of final marks consists of 60% continuous assessment and 40% from the written examination.

    The integrated assessment of the Research component includes the formative component obtained from the seminar presentations of a research proposal (40%), seminar presentation of research outputs (40%) as well as regular Journal Clubs (20%).

    Application of practical Chemical Pathology knowledge and related research skills will be assessed by the presentation of a mini-dissertation after completing the research project. The research proposal should be approved by the University Human Research and Ethics Committee. Upon completion, the project will be assessed by one internal and two external examiners with the relevant expertise. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Comparable with requirements and training in the United Kingdom that offers a Master Science Clinical Biochemistry at the Manchester University). In Australia, the Master of Philosophy in Clinical Biochemistry is offered at University of Newcastle and in the United States of America and India (TAMIL NADU and DELHI-NCR). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical articulation.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy: Chemical Pathology, NQF 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.
     
    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.