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: 

Master of Veterinary Medicine in Pig Herd Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15606  Master of Veterinary Medicine in Pig Herd Health 
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  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0335/25  2024-06-30  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 
This is a professional Degree and equips the learner with a broad, scientific background in the theoretical and practical aspects of the chosen field of specialisation. Learners will have well-developed skills and competence to promote the health and production efficiency of production animal populations and is essentially about the efficient production of food producing animals. The primary goals are to:
  • Improve and maintain animal health, reproduction, growth and production at the most efficient level that will provide maximum economic returns to the farmer.
  • Maintain a balance between animal health and production.
  • Ensure the well-being of animal populations (freedom from malnutrition, provision of comfortable housing, behavioural freedom, freedom from pain, stress, fear, injuries and disease)
  • Ensure holistic sustainable resource management (protection of biota, maintenance of biodiversity and sustainability of biotic populations).
  • The provision of safe, sound and wholesome animal products to the consumer. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Animal and Poultry Science, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Obtain in-depth knowledge and insight in the field of porcine herd health and production.
    2. Application of knowledge, insight, skills and competencies in integrated on-farm problem-solving situations.
    3. Initiate a research project (need not be original) and write and submit a protocol for approval.
    4. Perform and manage the research proposal after approval and transfer knowledge. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    One:
  • Appropriate and wide sources of Literature are located.
  • Information is gathered independently from supervision.
  • Information is organised, analysed and choices are made and justified as to the relevance.
  • Information is evaluated and innovative recommendations concerning pig herd health and production qualifications are put forward.

    Two:
  • Recognising health and production problems from history, herd and laboratory reports, clinical information and farm observations.
  • Observations made are consistently and accurately recorded.
  • Information is gathered independently from supervision.
  • Information is organised, analysed and choices are made and justified as to the relevance.
  • Information is evaluated with cost effective recommendations and actions formulated.
  • Apply the methodology of routine monitoring health and performance qualifications as a follow-up action.

    Three:
  • The research proposal is relevant and sufficiently understood.
  • Justification for the proposal is given (literature review, problem or hypothesis, benefits arising from the experiment and objectives).
  • The materials and methods is clearly described and understood (model system, experimental design, experimental procedures, observations, analytical procedures and data analysis).

    Four:
  • Observations made are consistently and accurately recorded.
  • The research process is successfully managed and carried out under supervision.
  • Publishing of research results in an accredited journal.
  • Completion of a dissertation according to scientific norms.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Portfolios.
  • Simulations.
  • Work-place assessments.
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examinations.

    Other:
  • Portfolio:
    > Literature surveys.
    > Seminars and literature reviews.
    > On farm case studies.
    > Protocol on a research project.
    A learner must submit a dissertation which deals with the particular field of study prior to the examination in the theoretical section of the chosen field of study.
    A dissertation is completed and evaluated by an external examiner.
    A draft article based on the dissertation, prepared for publication in an acknowledged journal must be submitted with the dissertation, in default of which the qualification will not be conferred.

    Formative assessment:
  • Learners give feedback to supervisors on seminars or literature reviews, on farm case studies, other case studies and present on farm discussions and seminars or literature reviews in their study field.
  • The progress of a learner is monitored by a guidance committee allocated to the learner by the postgraduate curriculum committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

    Summative assessment:
    Portfolio work has been completed and assessed.
    Written and oral examinations at the end of the study. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Veterinary Medicine in Small Animal Medicine, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Veterinary Medicine in Poultry Diseases, NQF Level 9.

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

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    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.
     
    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.