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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Medical Science Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116276  Bachelor of Medical Science Honours 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification is aimed at introducing learners to an academic or research career in a range of related streams in the biomedical sciences and medical physics, pharmacology and radiobiology.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Medical Science Honours degree provides the opportunity for further intensive study in a field of specialisation, such as Applied Anatomy, Bioinformatics, Biological Anthropology, Cell Biology, Human Genetics, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Medical Biochemistry, and Physiology. Pharmacology, Exercise Science and Radiobiology; and training in concepts and research methods to equip the learner with the skills necessary either for employment in a related field or for further study at Masters and Doctoral level in a related subject area. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject of a Bachelor's Degree may apply.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Medical Science, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
  • The research project, 30 Credits.
  • Coursework, 90 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate proficiency in specific contextual research methodologies and technology towards application in a problem-based setting.
    2. Acquire science competence with specialist knowledge of selected research areas, computer literacy appropriate to university-level studies, research competence, which includes the ability to define a problem, to formulate a hypothesis; to describe ways to test the hypothesis; to design an experiment that will lead to meaningful results; and to conduct experiments, with reasonable technical competence in a range of techniques appropriate to the disciplines.
    3. Recognise the importance of laboratory safety issues and will have the ability to work independently and produce meaningful results.
    4. Interpret results at honours level study and to discuss and integrate data with general scientific literature, as well as be able to present research results to scientific audiences at honours degree level, both orally and in a written dissertation.
    5. Understand and be able to apply ethics of animal use in research, if this applies to the discipline concerned, and will understand laws of copyright protection.
    6. Take responsibility within your limits of competence.
    7. Demonstrate ability to work as a team and to show sensitivity to colleagues and tolerance in the workplace. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
    1. Critically evaluate scientific literature on specialist topics.
    2. Communicate acquired specialist knowledge and insight both orally and in written form.
    3. Critically evaluate scientific literature on specialist topics.
    4. Access and utilise electronic information in the discipline concerned.
    5. Design and conduct research utilising the methods of discipline.
    6. Apply the theory and research methods of the discipline to the development of research questions.
    7. Produce practical, theoretical and research communications that draw on a range of information bases.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment is designed to collect evidence from the learner to demonstrate that the purpose(s) of the qualification as a whole has been achieved and that the exit level outcomes have been attained. It is often used to assess, at the exit point from a qualification, the integration and application of knowledge, skills (and values/attitudes) learnt from across all the component courses in a qualification. Inevitably, integrated assessment demands a variety of assessment methods such as portfolios, simulations, workplace assessment, written examinations, oral examinations. The combination of these methods provides evidence that the learner has achieved the applied competence at the exit point of a qualification that the qualification claims as its purpose. An integrated assessment of the competence of the learner occurs continually through the course of the Honours qualification. Each module is examinable and the final assessment will be aimed at determining whether the learner has achieved the requisite level of knowledge required at this level, as well as the ability to critically review current literature in selected fields, to apply skills to practical problems towards carrying out a research project, to report on such a project and to present a comprehensive overview of a research project in the form of a written paper and as a platform presentation. Assessment methods will include formal examination, review of essays and oral presentations or other written assignments where appropriate, and a review of a mini-dissertation on the laboratory research module. Integrated assessment will take into account elements of scientific literacy, numeric and computer literacy relevant to the study area. Module examination of a two-hour examination. Two literature reviews (essays) on current topics relevant to the module. Submission of a mini dissertation, e.g. covering the laboratory project, written as a scientific paper, a week before the final examination. An oral examination that will involve questions on the theoretical and practical aspects of the Honours qualification; conducted by three examiners, one of whom is external to the university. The overall pass mark is 50%.

    Research that involves human participants or animal use for research or teaching must undergo ethics review, according to faculty-specific guidelines. Review generally entails prior approval of a research proposal by a Research Ethics or Animal Ethics Committee. In cases where prior approval is not appropriate, the research proposal should be subjected to appropriate deliberative procedures, according to faculty-specific guidelines. Research papers or dissertations that involve human participants or animal use may not be submitted for examination if they have not undergone any ethics review process.

    The University has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. The academic staff of the University will be used in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Bachelor of Medical Science Honours is comparable to qualifications offered at Adelaide, Auckland, and Otago universities. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Physiology, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Medical Science, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medical Science in Critical Care, 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.
     
    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.