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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medical Science in Nutrition 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116418  Master of Medical Science in Nutrition 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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 this qualification is to train nutrition researchers who will be expert, critical and reflective thinkers and problem-solvers as well as confident practitioners in research, as is necessary for further PhD studies. In the process, advanced knowledge of and insight in a selected area in nutrition sciences, as well as Biostatistics.

The purpose of this qualification is to allow professionals with Bachelor's level qualification to develop skills further to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively; develop competency in research, develop self-direction and originality in thought and solving problems as well as ability to communicate important information/findings clearly to other professionals and members of the general public in the specialisation of Nutrition.

Rationale: 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy. The RPL implies that 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 equivalent to a Bachelor's qualification may apply.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Dietetics, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Nutrition, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically appraise information from various sources, and can interpret and make judgements based on evidence and sound reasoning.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Communicate effectively using visual and language skills in the modes of oral and or written persuasion.
  • Shows numeracy skills and can apply quantitative logic to problems.
  • Demonstrate a critical awareness of the impact of nutrition sciences and related health problems on society.
  • Understand the necessity of keeping abreast of up-to-date nutrition science and nutritional health-related research and information as part of lifelong learning.
  • Demonstrate a critical awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically, taking responsibility within one's limits of competence, and exercising judgement commensurate with nutrition health-related knowledge.
  • Able to identify, assess, formulate and solve nutrition science and associated nutritional related health problems creatively and innovatively.
  • Apply appropriate research designs, methods/techniques, as well as statistical analyses in this process.
  • Show extensive competence in verbal and written communication of research results. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate adequate research problem formulation and development.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with and integration of the relevant and specialised literature that informs the research question.
  • Apply relevant theoretical approaches and key research techniques.
  • Demonstrate systematically and sustained discussion and argumentation and integration of findings.
  • Address the normative issues that might attend the study.
  • Show an appreciation of the methodological of the study.
  • Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment of the Master of Medical Science in Nutrition qualification uses supervised full dissertation research.

    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 must include 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. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the qualifications in the USA, UK and Australia in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Medical Sciences, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Science in Medical Sciences, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Food and 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.
     
    1. University of Cape Town 


    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.