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: 

Master of Science: Systematics and Conservation Evaluation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
14381  Master of Science: Systematics and Conservation Evaluation 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Life Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  200  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 
To broaden graduate student knowledge in Systematics and Conservation Evaluation by:
1. Training students to a professional scientific level that are qualified to provide internationally recognised expertise in Systematic Biology and Conservation Evaluation in Zoology, Entomology and Botany
2. Preparing graduate for research-orientated career in Natural History Museums, Herbaria, Universities and other centres of Biodiversity Science.
3. Providing the basis for Ph D research in Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Matriculation certificate

First degree
BSc Zoology
BSc Entomology
BSc Botany

Honours degree
BSc (Hons) Zoology
BSc (Hons) Entomology
BSc (Hons) Botany 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Learning outcomes:
A M Sc (Systematics & Conservation Evaluation) graduate is able to:
Knowledge
To acquire graduate level knowledge as well as research techniques, communication and methodology, in addition to the development of a research ethic in Systematics and Conservation Evaluation for Biodiversity Science-related applications in Zoology, Entomology and Botany

Skills
The graduates will have the ability to:
Plan and execute research projects.
Apply the acquired knowledge to the resolution of systematic, nature conservation and environmental management problems.
Undertake identification, classifications and taxonomic revisions in Zoology, Entomology and Botany
Apply various museum techniques
Apply various analytical techniques in Systematic Biology and Conservation Evaluation
Conduct field work in Zoology, Entomology and Botany
Interpret data generated by both laboratory and field techniques.
Publish and orally present research results in Systematic Biology and Conservation Evaluation.
Critically interpret and evaluate published research results
Plan and execute Ph D - level research in Systematic Biology and Conservation Evaluation

Values
The graduates will have acquired the ability to conduct scientific research and the communication of its research outputs. The graduates would also have developed a scientifically ethical approach from planning to the publication of research results. Consequently, the graduates will be conversant and ultimately appreciate their environmental and social responsibilities associated with critical issues relating to biological diversity world-wide, in general and Africa, in particular. This will allow a continued sensitisation of critical issues to the wider population. This will also enable the graduates to formulate appropriate approaches that further the fundamental understanding Africa's unique natural history heritage and its sustainable utilisation for the benefit of both present and future generations.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made
Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community
Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively
Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information
Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes or oral and or written persuasion
Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others
Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively
  • exploring education and career opportunities
  • developing entrepreneurial opportunities 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment:
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    Written project report (dissertation)
    Written scripts or seminars on projects/topics 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    Ph D Zoology
    Ph D Entomology
    Ph D Botany

    Ph D Zoology serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    Ph D Entomology serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    Ph D Botany serves as an entry point to the related qualification 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Summative assessment: External additional examiner
    Student access to all final test/examination answer books
    Project assessment (external evaluation of dissertation) 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualification required:
    Ph D Zoology
    Ph D Entomology
    Ph D Botany

    Career experience required:
    Outstanding research experience

    Other criteria:
    Postgraduate educational experience 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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 Pretoria 


    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.