SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Science Honours

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
12143	Bachelor of Science Honours
ORIGINATOR
Vista 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
Honours Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Physical Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 2663/05	2006-07-01	2009-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30		2013-06-30

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

The BSc Honours qualification Science is aimed at producing scientists whom:

1. Have a in-depth understanding and mastery of the principles and concepts of science and technology in a specialised area of their choice,

2. Have the necessary skills and competencies that are required in the workplace that will enhance the likelihood of employment.

3. Have the necessary skills and competencies that are required to contribute to the development of science and technology in the community

4. Have the capacity to undertake post-graduate studies

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

BSc degree at NQF level 6.0
Have a pass mark of at least 60% in the area of specialisation at NQF level 6.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The BSc Honours graduate is able to:

1. Know and comprehend the advanced principles in the area of specialisation in science and technology

2. Apply advanced science and technology skills in the workplace

3. Conduct basic and applied research in the field of science, technology and related fields under minimal supervision

4. Effectively use scientific equipment and utilise technology

5. Apply quality control procedure on results obtained using scientific equipment and technology

6. Competently collect data, organise data, analyse scientific data, critically evaluate results and prepare draft reports under minimal supervision

7. Work effectively as part of a team and group; identify and solve problems in a positive, responsible and innovative manner using critical and creative thinking.

8. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards society and environment (man-made and natural).

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

A comprehensive range of assessment criteria will be used to determine learner accomplishment. The overall criteria will include, but will not be confined to:

1. Mastery of the principles and concepts in the area of specialisation

2. The ability to develop, prepare materials and conduct scientific and GIS laboratory exercises in the area of specialisation

3. Ability to design, plan and apply technology in the laboratory (mainly GIS) situation.

4. Interpret experimental results and prepare reports

5. Carry out literature searches in the field of specialisation with the view on presenting written and oral seminars on selected topics

6. Show mastery in the use of laboratory equipment in the area of specialisation

7. Demonstrate an awareness of safe laboratory (mainly GIS) practice

8. Demonstrate mastery and ability to identify and solve problems in the area of specialisation

9. Ability to work independently and as a team member;

10. Demonstrate ability to work in a community context, understand community needs in regards science and technology and contribute to community development in this regard.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Continuous and authentic assessment strategies will be utilised in the evaluation of learners. Learners will have multiple opportunities using any three of the following methods of assessment:

Regular tests (written and oral)

Examinations (written and oral)

Laboratory exercises (mainly in GIS) AND reports

Portfolio's

Written and oral presentations of mini projects or seminars in an individual and or group context

Field trip reports

Community development reports

Computer programmes outputs and or demonstrations

Computer based solutions to information systems (software, web, e-commerce, B2B, B2C, etc

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

There is a scope for articulation in the programmes internally and externally, as well as vertically and horizontally. Internally, the learner may move vertically by undertaking a MSc (120 credits), and horizontally by transferring credits to the MBA. Externally the programme offers the potential for articulation with similar programmes offered by other universities

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

See Assessment Strategy

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderation of the BSc Honours degree will be done in conjunction with the Senate and Council of Vista University.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Internal assessors will be academics with a master's degree (where assessor has only a honours degree, an academic with a masters degree will act as internal moderator) from the relevant department in the Faculty of Science at Vista university selected on the basis of their recognised expertise in the modules being examined. External assessors will comprise academics with a minimum of a master's degree from relevant departments in the Faculties at other universities as well as professional scientists in the relevant field on the basis of their familiarity and insight, experience, and or publications in the field

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006.

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.

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