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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Geology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117652  Master of Science in Geology 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Earth and Space Sciences 
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
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 purpose of the qualification is to provide an opportunity for learners to prove that they have a depth of understanding in the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills specific to the geological sciences, through supervised research.

Rationale:
The Master of Science in Geology is a research-based qualification that aims to provide learners with competences, skills and knowledge within the geology subject area, with an individually chosen specialisation centred on an independent research project. There is a dire need to increase the skill levels of qualified learners in Geology to support and improve the economy of the region and country. Qualified learners of the qualification should be able to be innovative and have problem-solving abilities. These learners would be able to think and act independently yet be part of a larger team to help solve some of the economic and socio-economic problems.

Learners graduating from the qualification will be more highly trained and skilled in geological techniques and procedures and be adequately prepared for working in the industry. The qualified learner would be employable in the industrial sector and the agricultural industry. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The learner who does not meet the direct admission requirements is required to demonstrate to the Institution that they have a qualification or experiential-or work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of this qualification. These learners qualify for admission and the recognition of prior accredited and prior experiential learning. The learner who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but require further academic development, may be necessary to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes before admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

Assessment of the learner application will involve the following steps:
  • The learner must submit a portfolio containing evidence as indicated by the Department.
  • The internal assessor will assess the learner's portfolio and the outcome of the RPL process, including written reports by the assessor and a recommendation, will be submitted to the HOD.

    The Faculty communicate the final decision and outcome regarding the RPL status to the learner.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology, NQF Level 08.
    or
  • A four-year Degree in the core discipline in which learners wish to prove their Master's capabilities, NQF Level 08. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 09 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, Level 09:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct relevant research in the Geology discipline.
    2. Write a research report in the form of a formal dissertation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Provide a suitable motivation for the need for the research;
  • Plan, design and develop a proper research strategy with a reasonable chance of success;
  • Create and write-up of a defensible research proposal;
  • Conduct a well-formulated research experiment under laboratory settings (wet lab work);
  • Collect, collate and assess experimental data;
  • Implement the research plan;
  • Properly and adequately interpret data;
  • Defend the data/results/conclusions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Produce a type-written dissertation of the project undertaken (results, interpretations of the data, discussions of the findings).

    Integrated Assessment:
    The Department applies integrated assessment throughout the research project to ensure that assessment happens to evaluate applied and reflective competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Master of Science in Geology qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, the degree of complexity and notional learning hours.

    Country: Australia.
    Institution: University of Melbourne.
    Name of Qualification: Master of Science (Earth Sciences).

    Comparison:
    This qualification is similar to the two-year full-time Master of Science (Earth Sciences) offered at the University of Melbourne. The fields of specialisation are similar. Both qualifications provide learners with the skills and conceptual frameworks needed to understand the solid Earth to the fluid Earth and the processes that operate at the interface of these regions. Both qualifications also offer learners with broad advanced education in Atmospheric Science or Geology and strong professional skills in critical thinking and problem-solving; research planning, literature reviews and ethical considerations; scientific communication, both written and oral; and time management. 

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

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

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Science in Geology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Science, 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.