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: Quantitative Health Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
14654	Master of Science: Quantitative Health Science
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Promotive Health and Developmental Services
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	160	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

The first purpose of the course is to provide students who have a basis of mathematical statistics to with the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, and competence in the field of epidemiology, or quantitative health and health care evaluation, monitoring, analysis, research, and quality control.

The second purpose is to provide competent staff to the health sector, to conduct original, evaluative, quantitative health research for decision support.

The third purpose is to create a body of expertise on which the field of biostatistics can grow in South Africa to the level of advanced academic and applied competence.

Overall, the M Sc with specialisation in Quantitative Health Science intends optimising health and reducing inequity by promoting quantitative research and evaluation in medical and health care practice, and by evaluating risks posed by agents, host, and environmental factors of any nature.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate
First degree
Honours degree: B-degree in statistics

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

M Sc (Epidemiology)

Learning outcomes:
1. Solid understanding of epidemiology and biostatistics.
2. Identify health problems that can be addressed with quantitative methods
3. Prepare, conduct, analyse health research with assistance
4. Write and critique research papers

NB
At this stage, there is no "early" exit level. However, the prescribed course work warrants the establishment of a Diploma in Epidemiology for those who exit before completing the research project.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
1. Can be part of a team of researchers
2. Able to critically evaluate evidence resulting from health research.
3. Can communicate results of research
4. Will be able to outline and engage in continuous professional development

This will be addressed next year.

NB
All modules passed can be credited to M P H and Ph D

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Applies rigorous epidemiologic reasoning when approaching health problems.
2. Initiates and performs quality descriptive research on his/her own, and quality analytical research with assistance from more advanced epidemiologists and biostatisticians.
3. Communicates research results effectively.
4. Understands the limitations of quantitative evidence, and advocates for health changes within the limitations of this.

Integrated assessment:
Simulations
Written examinations
Oral examinations
Other:
Dissertation on research project and concomitantly, a publishable paper (in an appropriate, peer reviewed journal) on the findings or methodology or both of the research project undertaken

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Related qualifications:
Master of Public Health (MPH)
M Sc (Clinical Epidemiology)
M Sc (Community Health)
Ph D (Epidemiology, Public Health)

Ph D (Epidemiology, Public Health) serves as an entry point to the related qualification

Master of Public Health (MPH) provides credits for the related qualification
M Sc (Clinical Epidemiology) provides credits for the related qualification
M Sc (Community Health) provides credits for the related qualification

MODERATION OPTIONS

Use of at least 2 internal examiners per dissertation
External examiners: for each dissertation
All modular course work is regularly assessed by local and international experts/bodies (see separate submission for the Master of Public Health degree)
Epidemiologists working in public or private, non-academic, sectors are asked to review all examination papers and dissertations.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
Ph D in Epidemiology or Biostatistics
M Sc in Epidemiology or Biostatistics with substantial practical experience
M Med (Community Health), M P H with concentration in epidemiology
M or D degree in statistics, with at least 5 years of experience in health statistics

Career experience required:
At least 5 years of independent epidemiologic/biostatistics practice and research
At least 5 published epidemiologic/biostatistics research articles as one of the main contributors

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