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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117678  Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-09-16  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 scholars and researchers that are highly skilled in bioinformatics and computational biology. It will include the ability to independently pose questions, plan a research approach and work plan, execute the work plan, and arrive at novel insights or generate new knowledge in the field of bioinformatics and computational biology.

Qualifying learners will have significant knowledge and a deep understanding of methods and techniques that are applied to bioinformatics problems. Qualifying learners will also be able to:
  • Develop new approaches;
  • Analyse biological data in innovative ways;
  • Analyse new types of biological data sets;
  • Generate knowledge from such analyses that contribute to the understanding of fundamental aspects of the chemistry of living systems;
  • Contribute to the advancement of health; and
  • Contribute to and expand the field of bioinformatics.

    The qualification is composed of a dissertation containing original results on a topic in Bioinformatics. The topic will be chosen under the supervision of qualified academics and will be novel research that contributes to the advancement of the field of Bioinformatics.

    The qualifying learner will:
  • Possess expertise and advanced knowledge at the cutting edge of the research field, and will be able to propose new research questions and answer them by research and use the results to generate new knowledge in the specialist field;
  • Participate in academic discussions regarding research methods and approaches to generate knowledge;
  • Develop new methods and approaches to generate knowledge in the specialist field and to use knowledge to address questions and solve problems in the field;
  • Identify shortcomings in data and address such shortcomings in an iterative process;
  • Undertake research independently and at an internationally competitive level, and to communicate the results of original and innovative research at a similar level by both peer-reviewed publication as well as by seminar and conference presentation, and communicate the science effectively to both specialist and lay audiences;
  • Familiarise himself/herself with the theoretical basis of complex systems, and will be able to manage and change systems;
  • Intellectually independent and will be able to manage his or her research independently;
  • Consider ethical issues in scientific research and the application of outcomes to the broader society, and contribute to the development of new ethical frameworks;
  • Work independently and take ownership and responsibility for his or her project and management of the project.

    Rationale:
    The Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology is inter-disciplinary, reflecting the inter-disciplinary nature of Bioinformatics.

    It will allow learners from various undergraduate backgrounds, such as computer science, statistics, mathematics, biochemistry and genetics, to enter the Bioinformatics field. At present, learners have to master aspects related to computer science or biochemistry or genetics, without integration across these disciplines. The interest in the computational-assisted analysis or extensive biological datasets, including analysis of whole-genome sequences, proteomes and transcriptomes, and identification of correlations and networks within and between such data sets, requires advanced knowledge of several fields, and the integration and application of knowledge between fields. For instance, the formulation of an essential biological question in the context of a specific data set may require skill in mathematics and statistics to develop a method to study the posed question. In implementing the developed method into a Bioinformatics tool that can be used to analyse the dataset, and to derive an answer to the question, a learner must have a skill in computer science. This high degree of multi-disciplinarily justifies the need for the proposed qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Due to the specialised nature of this qualification and the fairly small number of learners admitted for this qualification, recent theoretical experience in the form of a research MSc Degree in this or a similar field is required. The Regulation for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) applies, according to which RPL will be applied to the intake of new learners on a Master's qualification; not to the intake of new PhD learners in this particular qualification..

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at NQF Level 9.
    Or
    A Master's Degree in a related field at NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Research-based/Structured Master's Degree in a related field at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • The qualification consists of a thesis totalling 360 Credits, at NQF Level 10.
  • Dissertation: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of the field, discipline or practice, and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives, and create new knowledge or practice.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge literacy and an ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in an area of study.
    3. Develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts.
    4. Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems.
    5. Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and to advance processes of ethical decision- making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate.
    6. Make independent judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.
    7. Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards, is considered to be new or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice; and an ability to develop a communication strategy to disseminate and defend research, to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the full resources of academic and professional or occupational discourse.
    8. Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical underpinnings in the management of complex systems to achieve systemic change; and an ability to independently design, sustain and manage change within a system or systems (context and systems).
    9. Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in a discipline, field or practice (management of learning).
    10. Operate independently and take full responsibility for his/her work, and where appropriate to lead. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner.
  • Apply the steps required for descriptive, explanatory and evaluative research;
  • Prepare a comprehensive research proposal including, among other things, a reasoned argument to justify the proposed research, a systematic reasoned theoretical argument with a theoretical model; as a result, a substantive research hypothesis and a description and evaluation of the research design;
  • Carry out original research that is assessed to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of new knowledge of and insight into the relevant field of study;
  • Evaluate the scientific meaning of research results and place this in context within existing knowledge in the field of study;
  • Work with others as part of a team, group, organisation or community;
  • Analyse, organise and critically evaluate information;
  • Communicate orally, verbally and in writing using visual, mathematical and/or language skills to persuade;
  • Write up a dissertation based on research;
  • Present research findings and defend dissertation during an oral examination.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Procedure for evaluating dissertations.
    The evaluation of the dissertation is done in two stages: the initial assessment of the learner's study by each examiner individually, followed by an oral examination.
  • Initial evaluation:
    The dissertation is first evaluated individually by approved examiners. For this purpose, the learner must submit to his/her promoter/co-promoter a loosely bound copy of the dissertation for each of the examiners.
  • Oral examination:
    An oral examination is required for a doctorate (but, subject to the approval of the Senate, exemption from this examination may be granted based on adequate justification). In the case of advanced doctoral degrees - were already published scientific work(s) of a high standard is required that makes a significant and outstanding contribution to the enrichment of knowledge in the particular field - an oral examination is not required.

    If an oral examination is held, it may deal with the dissertation and with an area related to the dissertation agreed upon in advance. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Many top universities worldwide offer Doctoral qualifications in Bioinformatics to train learners in the skills needed to distil knowledge from large Biological datasets.

    United States of America (USA):
    The Harvard University offers a PhD in Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics, Johns Hopkins, a PhD in Computational Biology, Stanford a PhD in Biomedical Informatics. Admission requirements to Doctoral qualifications in the USA typically require a Bachelor's qualification in biology, computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemical- or mechanical engineering, or bioinformatics.

    United Kingdom (UK):
    The Cambridge University offers a Welcome Trust PhD Programme in Mathematical Genomics and Medicine, and Kings College London offers a PhD in Bioinformatics. The UK universities typically require an Honours or Masters qualifications with a good background in the intended area of study which is similar to this qualification.

    The qualifying learners produced by these institutions typically continue to postdoctoral and tenure track faculty positions at top-ranked universities or enter the government or industry in bioinformatics related positions.

    The South African qualification will require a similar training background and prior qualifications, and will produce learners on par with international universities who can successfully compete with positions and opportunities in South Africa or internationally. Furthermore all PhD qualifications mentioned require independent research in the field of Bioinformatics and/or Computational Biology and the submission of a full thesis or by article format, followed by an oral examination by a panel of examiners. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy Biochemistry, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Genetics, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, NQF Level 10.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Not applicable. 
    		•

    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. Stellenbosch University 


    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.