SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Science Honours in Formulation Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
115173	Bachelor of Science Honours in Formulation Science
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Honours Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Physical 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	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:

Learners who have developed a thorough understanding of the scientific principles of consumer and industrial product.

Learners to formulate and blend based on their broad scientific knowledge.

Learners with a substantial competence in applying their knowledge and skills in research methods and practices relating to new product development.

Learners with a thorough understanding of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, including corporate entrepreneurship, and who can contribute meaningfully to the economy and society through new product development.

Learners that can contribute directly to Government and Industry strategic objectives, including the transformation of leadership base for scientific product development research, as well as the education of future scientists, technologists and engineers.

Formulation Chemistry is concerned with the knowledge and practice of blending and mixing of various components (chemical molecules) in a way that they do not react, but interact to provide a final product with very specific desirable properties or functions. Examples of formulated products include personal care products such as cosmetics, personal hygiene products such as soaps, toothpastes, etc., household chemical products such as cleaning agents, polishes, waxes, etc., pharmaceutical products, food chemicals, paints and varnishes, adhesives, and industrial chemical products such as fuels and lubricants, industrial explosives, mining chemicals, water treatment chemicals and many more.

Rationale:
Government and Industry have identified the lack of high-level workforce development skills in new product development as a key strategic issue in several strategic documents. In response to this, and to provide fit-for-purpose training for learners for one of the most rewarding jobs in the scientific field, this Institution has introduced the BSc Honours in Formulation Science. The qualification accommodates BSc learners with a chemistry background who are innovative, forward-thinking and entrepreneurial and who want to apply their chemistry knowledge to the consumer product industry, and become self-employed in a country where unemployment is high. The qualification is also designed to accommodate those already working in a formulation-related industry who wish to acquire formulation skills and understand the underlying science behind it to better solve industry-related formulation problems.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners that do not meet minimum admission requirements, but with proven expertise and competency will be allowed to apply for provisional status for acceptance onto the qualification in line with the institution and RPL policies. Also, learners may apply for exemption from certain modules on the grounds of a prior qualification of study concerned. In all cases, recognition will be according to standard this institution's policies and procedures.

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

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Pharmacy, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Technology in Chemistry NQF Level 7.
Or

Advanced Diploma in Analytical Chemistry NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply and use technologies and experimental techniques for the production of formulated consumer products of various formulation forms.
2. Apply and use the principles of formulation science to develop new consumer products.
3. Use advanced experimental design methodologies to design testing protocols for product integrity, stability and efficacy.
4. Interpret the effect of regulatory constraints on new consumer product development.
5. Design and optimise formulations and blends for specific product properties or actions.
6. Apply and use principles of technological economics and marketing to evaluate commercial opportunities for new consumer products.
7. Design and execute a new product development protocol.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Conduct a practical demonstration in which, different product forms are formulated using technologies and experimental techniques.

Prepare and submit practical reports, which demonstrate learner's understanding and interpretation of results.

Prepare and submit a summative written assessment of the knowledge gained during the practicals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply and use the principles of formulation science to interpret practical results, and solve formulation stability problems through case studies, assignments and experimental work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Use fundamentals of statistics to interpret trends in experimental data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Apply regulations in various industries to different types of formulated products to ensure compliance.

Assess an assignment and a written test.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Do a product testing using mixture designs or factorial designs to optimise a formulation for particular properties.

Submit an integrated formulation project using optimising experimental methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Demonstrate understanding of basic principles of business, financial forecasting, product costing, marketing and entrepreneurship through the writing of a business plan, and the delivery of a business pitch.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Present a new product development protocol by submitting a written project proposal, consisting of a project plan, formulation of product, interpretation and refinement of experimental data, a written research report, and do an oral presentation as well as a product exhibition.

Integrated Assessment:
The assessment will incorporate continuous assessment in a modular manner. The motivation for this approach is to improve the integration of course material - i.e. knowledge and skills gained in one module can be used and applied in another module. Assessment will comprise both a formative component and a summative component. The formative component of the assessment process will include:

Written and oral assignments and tests;

Written and orally presented assignments and project reports;

Written project proposals and reports;

Computer-based assignments; and

Written practical reports.

The summative component of the assessment process will be a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates the outcomes as defined per each learning module, and such portfolios will be subject to external moderation as per existing Faculty policies.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The institution conducted a comparative study with selected international institutions.

The University of Greenwich in the UK offers a Master of Science Formulation Science.
Admission requirements: BSc honours qualification or above, or equivalent in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacy or pharmaceutical science; or substantial experience.

Qualification purpose: The MSc Formulation Science is innovative, multidisciplinary, distinctive and unique in the UK in offering a depth of knowledge in the science of formulating new products, whether these are new pharmaceuticals or consumer care products, paints, foods or fast-moving consumer goods.

Qualification outcomes: The qualification will allow learners to understand the principles of making finished products from a blend of different individual ingredients. Drawing on current examples from the pharmaceutical industry, and using the industrial experience of academic staff, learners will also apply these principles to industrially relevant problems in other areas of formulation science, such as consumer products and cosmetics.

Comparison to this qualification: The Greenwich qualification is at a Masters level while this qualification is an Honours level.

The University of West of Scotland, UK offers Master of Science in Formulation Science.
Admission requirements: An appropriate Honours qualification in Chemical Sciences or Chemical Engineering.

Qualification purpose: The qualification covers the process of identifying, developing and testing products in several relevant industrial applications from the chemical industry such as colourants, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and foods. It aims to link the basics of chemical, physical and biological sciences with the design and development of formulated products and assess how the nature and proportion of the formulated components influence product performance in the application. The qualification includes topics involving colloid science and technology, size reduction, mixing and the stabilisation of dispersions, Physico-chemical and biological characterisation of formulations, the formulation of colourants, pharmaceuticals, foods, and cosmetics and the emergence of environmentally friendly and sustainable microbial formulations.

Qualification outcomes: The qualification will allow the learners to understand the principles of making finished products from a blend of different individual ingredients. Drawing on current examples from the pharmaceutical industry, and using the industrial experience of academic staff, learners will also apply these principles to industrially relevant problems in other areas of formulation science, such as consumer products and cosmetics.

Curriculum structure: The qualification includes topics involving colloid science and technology, size reduction, mixing and the stabilisation of dispersions, Physico-chemical and biological characterisation of formulations, the formulation of colourants, pharmaceuticals, foods, and cosmetics and the emergence of environmentally friendly and sustainable microbial formulations. Learners will study the process of identifying, developing and testing products in several relevant industrial applications from the chemical industry, such as colourants, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and foods.
Topics will include:

Colloid science and technology.

Size reduction.

Mixing and the stabilisation of dispersions.

Physico-chemical and biological characterisation of formulations the formulation of colourants.

Pharmaceuticals.

Foods.

Cosmetics and the emergence of environmentally friendly and sustainable microbial formulations.

The qualification consists of eight taught modules over two trimesters and a formulation based research project undertaken in the third trimester, with delivery through a blended approach of formal lectures and workshops, laboratory work and computer exercises and assessment. The qualification retains a significant industrial focus, which is underpinned by practitioner-led delivery. Learners will work with modern, industrially relevant formulation techniques and in particular, will develop practical skills in key areas focused on the design and preparation of formulations and in their chemical, physical and biological characterisation.
Learners can add a bracketed title of 'Professional Practice' to their MSc by undertaking an additional 60 Credits of industrial placement over an extra trimester.

Assessment approach: This Formulation Science qualification uses a wide range of teaching methods. Some of which include:

Enquiry based learning,

Critical thinking,

Data analysis,

Directed learning,

Problem-solving.

The list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods:

Written examinations,

Oral presentation,

Written reports,

Coursework,

Academic posters.

A Formulation Science (Honours), Bachelor is offered at Monash University in Australia.
Qualification purpose. The Formulation Science (Honours) at Monash University is concerned with the invention, manufacture and testing of new products. Learners will explore the transformation of active drug compounds into finished products and learn about the elements of design and how to generate and evaluate new, effective, safe and stable pharmaceutical products and applications. Learners specialising in Formulation science will learn to design drug-delivery systems for all types of active molecules and understand processes that contribute to the product life cycle.

Qualification outcomes:

Demonstrate advanced skills in the methods and processes in one or more areas of pharmaceutical science.

Make valid judgements through critical thinking, and synthesise information from a range of sources to provide innovative solutions to scientific problems.

Communicate effectively in a variety of modes, to informed professional audiences and for a range of purposes.

Think globally and consider pharmaceutical issues from a variety of perspectives, and apply international standards for research practices in pharmaceutical sciences.

Demonstrate initiative and intellectual independence, and collaborate effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.

Demonstrate leadership and professional and ethical behaviour.

Curriculum structure (Modules):

Scientific inquiry.

Pharmaceutical science in context.

Drug discovery and design.

Drug development.

Microbiology and immunology.

Computational drug design.

Comparison to the qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry/Biochemistry, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Science in Chemistry, NQF Level 9.

Master of Science in Applied Chemistry, NQF Level 9.

Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry, NQF Level 9.

Master of Science in Biochemistry, NQF Level 9.

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.

1.	Nelson Mandela University