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: Biochemistry

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
16221	Bachelor of Science Honours: Biochemistry
ORIGINATOR
University of Natal
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		Life Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	128	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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
81093	Bachelor of Science Honours in Biochemistry	Level 7	NQF Level 08	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To produce graduates who will emerge with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the principle concepts of the field of Biochemistry. To equip these graduates with good communication (written and oral), time management and technical skills as required in a wide variety of work places as indicated by extensive market research. To produce post-graduates with the required insight and research skills commensurate with Hons exit levels to that they can undertake higher level research to meet South Africa's needs in Science, Education and Technology (SET).

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Sufficient exposure general Science and Biology.

An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.

Adequate literacy skills in English. These can be demonstrated in a number of ways.
o Matriculation exemption with at least 40% Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard grade for Mathematics AND at least 40 % at Higher Grade or at least 60 % at standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.
o Alternative access programmes such as the Science Foundation Programme

Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7b or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard.

The SFP provides access to students who do net have a formal or adequate matric exemption.

Recognised prior learning:

Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Demonstrate deeper understanding and thinking on topical areas of Biochemistry.

Demonstrate ability to critically evaluate scientific publications and identify areas that need further research and use appropriate methodology to accomplish this (Ref. SAQA CO4).

Work independently and within a team to solve problems or complete tasks within negotiated time-frames (Ref. SAQA CO 2 & 3).

Demonstrate technical competence in the laboratory (Ref. SAQA CO 1 & 6).

Demonstrate advanced communication (written and oral) skills and the use of computer technology to present, store and analyse data and information (Ref. SAQA CO 5).

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Concepts and theories of more advanced areas in Biochemistry - additional information and insights gleaned from the latest literature and group discussions.

Read sufficiently deeply and critically into an assigned topic to present in written and oral from the background information and critique of the research approach used by the authors.

Execute a research project of 6 months duration competently and communicate the data gathered and interpreted appropriately.

Research ethics.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

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 serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.

Research project of 6 months' duration provides capstone assessment in that it comprises research proposal, literature search, laboratory work, processing and evaluation of data and communication of findings. The project topic is based on the student's backgrounds and interests and draws together the knowledge and understanding of the field of Biochemistry and how that can be applied to problem solving. Remainder of assessment comprises written seminars and their oral presentation and written examinations.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

NQF level 6 modules in Biochemistry constitute pre- and co-requisites for several modules in qualifications in General Science, Animal Science, Dietetics, Plant Sciences and transferability is therefore good. Modules in this qualification complement those at other institutions and transfer of credit is therefore certain. Points at which students can enter the qualification:

Recognised prior learning:
Students form Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the qualification.
Learners from other Programmes and Institutions may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under assessors criteria will suffice.

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 disciplinary 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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