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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Nutrition 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112835  Master of Science in Nutrition 
ORIGINATOR
North West 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 
The qualification aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the field of nutrition. Successful completion of the qualification equips the learner with specialist knowledge to apply the principles of human nutritional sciences, including factors influencing food patterns, nutritional status and epidemiology. The qualification requires the learner to use scientific information to develop policies and qualifications, public health strategies, dietary recommendations and guidelines as well as government and international reports. Achievement of this qualification is through either the research master's qualification by dissertation; or structured by coursework and) dissertation.

Rationale:
Qualifying learners expand the leadership in South Africa in the field of nutrition, for innovative, knowledge-based economical scholastic and social activity. Due to the legacy of acute inequity in health science in the country, this qualification aims to address these inequities. The qualification enables its learners to be members of the leaders in their field, having mastered specialist disciplines, in the field of nutrition-related problems in the country. The nutritional researcher must identify research areas on scientific literature, public health needs and develop hypotheses. The researcher must design protocols to test hypotheses, execute research with appropriate methods, analyse and interpret results. The researcher then communicates results to fellow scientists, practitioners, and the target population through proper channels. The qualifying learner shows applicable competencies to continue with doctoral studies on NQF level 10. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Through the acceptance of prior learning (RPL) policy, the institution may grant a learner who does not meet the minimum admission requirements admission to the qualification.
In cases where the learner chooses the coursework variant, the granting of advanced standing may be by exempting the learner from the recognised modules required for the completion of the qualification. RPL takes only informal or non-formal learning into consideration through RPL. The institution must document the process of equivalence-setting between such learning and formal modules and records its outcome on the official learner record. Where a learner was granted exemption for one or more modules as a consequence of RPL, completion of the relevant qualification results from obtaining the remaining HEMIS credits.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A relevant Bachelor Honours qualification, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A relevant postgraduate diploma at NQF Level 8 in the field of Nutrition.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science in Dietetics or Nutrition, NQF 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,96 Credits:
  • Dissertation: Nutrition, 96 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 96 Credits (Choose/Select three):
  • Evidence-based data interpretation, 32 Credits.
  • Nutritional Epidemiology, 32 Credits.
  • Public Health Nutrition, 32 Credits.
  • Molecular Nutrition, 32 Credits.
  • Sports Nutrition, 32 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify a relevant research problem within the field of Nutrition.
    2. Plan and execute a suitable quantitative and qualitative research topic scientifically and ethically. Using appropriate research methods, techniques and procedures; to interpret the research findings in a scientifically responsible way.
    3. Compose a research report on it in the form of a dissertation or article format.
    4. Use critical knowledge and understanding of the ethical and legal considerations applicable to research and the consequences of interventions on individual, group and community level. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria 1:
  • Integrate and apply expert knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area within the field of nutrition and across specialised or applied areas.
  • Make an original contribution to the knowledge society in food.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 2:
  • Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of nutrition.
  • Conduct the research ethically by applying the suitable method.
  • Formulate research findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 3:
  • Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
  • Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information and issues in a specific area of nutrition.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 4:
  • Produce an acceptable dissertation/mini-dissertation or other forms of research.
  • Successfully defend the dissertation/mini-dissertation.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Master's Degree by coursework and dissertation: Calculation of the final mark: 50% is from modules 50%; and 50% from research. The coursework makes use of continuous formative assessment aimed at determining the student's progress towards attaining outcomes, and is followed by a summative assessment in the format of a 3 and more hour written examination. While current literature is reviewed, the supervisor assesses continuously and while the research happens the dissertation is being written. Examination of the dissertation is finally done by at least two examiners.

    Master's Degree by dissertation: Students submit a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation or other forms of research. In the dissertation the student must provide proof that he / she is confident with the research methodology and that is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the prescribed outcomes for a master's degree at the institution. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Alberta in Canada offers both a course-based Master of Agriculture, for professionals with work experience who wish to return for upgrading and specialisation, and human nutrition is an option. The institution also offers the thesis-based MSc for learners wishing to specialise and develop skills in research and scientific communication. For both qualifications, learners must complete a Seminar course (that covers specialised topics of current interest to the qualifying learner learners), Ethics and Professional development modules. The course-based Master of Agriculture further requires the completion of a project, while the thesis-based MSc include the writing and defence of a research thesis. Learners may choose human nutrition as specialisation under the MSc. Completion of the MSc may provide entry to a PhD.

    The IMF Business School, in collaboration with the University of Nebrija, Spain offers the Master in Dietetics, Nutrition and Food Safety. This one-year postgraduate qualification consists of coursework and a thesis. The purpose of the post-graduate studies is at professionals who wish to either specialise in the food sector or redirect their careers towards dietetics and nutrition counselling. Both the University of Alberta and IMF Business Schools master's qualifications are comparable to the MSc (Nutrition) as they are similar in level, purpose, structure and scope. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Master of Science , NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition, 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.