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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117909  Master of Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of Mpumalanga 
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  Life 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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-11-20  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 qualification will include disciplines such as Agriculture, Natural science and Conservation.
The purpose of the Master of Science is to provide qualifying learners with a deep understanding of the natural and environmental sciences and the ability to undertake original and independent research that will provide some of the answers to the challenges that face humanity. The fundamental purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with an opportunity to undertake independent and original primary research under supervision and contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. Whilst undertaking the research project, learners will gain the first-hand experience of all aspects of the research process. On completion of the qualification, learners will be able to undertake further independent research and contribute to the generation of new knowledge.

Qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Conduct research.
  • Engage critically with current research in a field of specialisation.
  • Critically evaluate and select appropriate processes to use in research.
  • Select, apply and modify research methods including experimental design, data collection, data analysis and statistics to address a particular research question.
  • Conceptualise a research question, design and undertake a research project to address the problem.
  • Draw appropriate conclusions and propose interventions at a policy or management level.
  • Identify any ethical considerations associated with research in a field of specialisation and propose solutions.
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically.
  • Manage, collate, critically evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources as relevant to a field of specialisation.
  • Communicate effectively and efficiently.
  • Work independently and take full responsibility for allocated resources.

    Rationale:
    The qualification will include disciplines such as agriculture, natural science and conservation. It is becoming increasingly important to address the competing demands for land, being demands from people for land for settlement, for agriculture, for conservation and mining. This pressure on the available land is further exacerbated by climate change. The decisions and choices that must be made must be evidence-based and the evidence will come from original research.

    The qualification is designed to contribute to the provision of qualified learners with a deep understanding of the natural and environmental sciences and the ability to undertake original and independent research that will provide some of the answers to the challenges that face humanity.

    It is expected that qualified learners will work for governmental and non-governmental organisations as research scientists or continue to doctoral studies with employment possibly in academia. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution's policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be followed. RPL is central to the notion of life-long learning and provides alternative access, admission or progress to this qualification and plays a role in redress of past inequities. RPL is the process through which informal learning is measured, evaluated and translated into perceived formal equivalents for recognition across different contexts.

    RPL is available for access to the Master of Science. However, RPL for credits is not applicable since all 180 credits are allocated to the research thesis.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Bachelor of Science Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A 4-year qualification at NQF Level 8 in Sciences, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in an appropriate field, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Module, Level 9:
  • Research project and Thesis, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Undertake independent research and report on this to reflect independent thinking, originality, critical analysis, ability to defend findings and advanced insight into the chosen field of research.
    2. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and an ability to engage critically with current research in a field of specialisation.
    3. Understand the nature, strengths and limitations of science.
    4. Use appropriate research methods to address the research question, justify clearly and apply correctly.
    5. Conduct original independent research.
    6. Make recommendations in the thesis, consider any possible negative outcomes, and propose mitigation.
    7. Ability to expose ethical concerns, or the lack thereof, and where ethical issues exist, clearly indicate how they have been dealt with.
    8. Demonstrate an understanding of the need to use science responsibly.
    9. Manage, collate, critically evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources as relevant to a field of specialisation.
    10. Communicate effectively and efficiently with audiences using appropriate language, academic discourse and technology.
    11. Demonstrate responsible and effective personal organisation skills, and work independently. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Report the outcome of original research completed under supervision and include the following steps:
    > The project question and scope are identified and justified.
    > The literature review draws from multiple sources and materials are carefully evaluated.
    > A range of methods, including statistical methods, are considered and the appropriate ones are chosen.
    > Ethical issues are identified and approval sought if necessary.
    > Data are collected, collated and analysed.
    > Data are interpreted and discussed in the context of the available information gathered in the literature review.
    > Recommendations are formulated.
    > The thesis is prepared according to the prescribed format, is written in appropriate academic language, and includes no plagiarism.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment will occur through the on-going learner/supervisor relationship and the assessment of submitted work including the project proposal, literature review, research journal, final seminar and drafts of the thesis.

    All 180 Credits for the MSc by the thesis are allocated to the research thesis and effectively integrates the assessment of all Exit Level Outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The following international qualifications are extremely similar to the qualification at the South African institution (i.e. the qualification is by supervised, independent research thesis only. No coursework is offered):
    La Trobe University, Australia offers the Master of Science in Ecology, Environment and Evolution by Research. The qualification is by supervised and offered through independent research thesis only. No coursework is offered. The institution was selected for comparison because is ranked 251 on the World University Rankings and is an internationally respected university in the field of ecology.

    The University of Auckland, New Zealand offers the Master of Science in Biosecurity and Conservation. The qualification is by supervised and offered through independent research thesis only. No coursework is offered. The institution was selected because is ranked 179 on the world university rankings and is an internationally respected institution in the field of research.

    The University of Glasgow, United Kingdom offers the Life Science MSc by Research. The qualification is by supervised and offered through independent research thesis only. No coursework is offered. The institution is selected for comparison because is ranked 99 on the World University Rankings.

    Trent University, Canada offers the Master of Science in Environmental and Life Sciences. The institution is selected for comparison because it has a very similar department to the South African's institution. 

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

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

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Science, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Agriculture, 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.