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: Environmental and Engineering Geology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
15061	Master of Science: Environmental and Engineering Geology
ORIGINATOR
University of Natal
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	128	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 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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
72925	Master of Science: Environmental and Engineering Geology	Level 8 and above	Level N/A:Pre-2009 was L8+	128	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To produce leaders in the field of environmental management. Graduates are equipped to make a contribution to a wide range of environmental issues and to provide leadership in integrating the concepts of environmental sustainability into the broader South African society and economy. The curriculum provides opportunities for the advancement of inter-disciplinary thinking through its core modules. Based on a sound understanding of the functioning of natural and social systems, integrative and problem-solving activities focus on adding value to the undergraduate and Honours training. In addition to providing integration and breadth, the programme aims, through its specialist modules, to develop specialist, in-depth knowledge that builds on the disciplinary foundation of the former degree. The programme is underpinned by the theory of sustainable development and fosters the development of graduates who have an advanced theoretical understanding of complex problems and who are able to contribute to their solution through independent and critical analysis.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

This can be demonstrated by the possession of a relevant Honours degree from any NQF accredited programme or international equivalent (4-year degree) in the fields of Geography, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, any Natural Science (e.g. Biology, Geology, Chemistry etc.).

Recognition of prior learning:

Other combinations of qualifications and prior experience will be with permission from Senate.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Have an advanced understanding of selected specialist fields of engineering and environmental geology, including exposure to the latest ideas in the subjects, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of the integrative nature of problems;
2. Be capable of sophisticated and independent analysis and interpretation of new data and situations and complex problems using a wide range of techniques and modelling methods;
3. Be able to engage in dialogue with relevant learned and professional groups;
4. Be able to use well-developed research skills, including computer and language;
5. Be able to demonstrate leadership;
6. Develop and exercise responsibility, practical laboratory and/or field based technical skills applicable to vocational careers;
7. Be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral presentations; and
8. Undertake and execute the scientific method through analysing and critically evaluating data and results by undertaking independent research.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Learners will be required to:
(1) Pass the required number of coursework modules of in-depth study in Environmental and Engineering Geology. The assessment criteria used will be the accuracy and lucidity in answers to examination questions and clear evidence that theoretical concepts have been understood and their practical implications have been recognised.
(2) Submit a research dissertation that is assessed as satisfactory by an internal and an external examiner. The assessment criteria will be understanding of basic principles, accuracy of factual data and of reasoning, the ability to manipulate the available data to providing a suitable solution to the problem being investigated, appropriate reference to sources of information and clarity of presentation.

To demonstrate competence in outcomes 1-8, a student must be able to write logical and coherent essays, assignments and research projects, contribute to class discussions, satisfactorily answer examination questions and undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff.

To show competence in outcome 7, a student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of the English language and the structural organisation of the presentations.

The compulsory research dissertation integrates all the specific outcomes, which contribute to the achievement of the exit-level outcomes of the programme.

Integrated Assessment:

The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serves to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in this qualification. In the present case the Research Project is designed to act as "capstone", capturing a learner's competence in integrating theory, technique and research methodology to solve particular problems (of the purpose and outcomes statements above).

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This Programme permits candidates with suitably high levels of achievement to proceed to Postgraduate programmes in the Science faculty of this University and largely also in faculties of Science at other universities. Access to the Programme is via a strong BSc degree from this University or from certain other universities. Suitable alternative prior learning is also recognised as a basis for access.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under 10. above suffice. All modules are administered and moderated by experienced academic staff (many of whom have acted as external examiners for other universities). The final award of the BSc Honours degree is made after moderation by appropriate experienced examiners external to this university.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and diplomacy expertise and subject to the approval of faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification are externally examined.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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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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