SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Science Honours: Genetics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
16226	Bachelor of Science Honours: Genetics
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Preventive Health
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
81110	Bachelor of Science Honours in Genetics	Level 7	NQF Level 08	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The qualification in Genetics is designed to equip students with analytical reasoning, communication and computer literacy skills necessary to enter the ever expanding arena of Genetics research and Genetics business. Students are encouraged to develop a holistic approach to the identification and strategic solution of real-life problems, recognising the interdisciplinary nature of most of the challenges facing Genetics. As applied scientists, students find employment as specialists in government departments, education, private consultancies, large-scale plant and animal production and improvement operations, biotechnological companies, research operations and their own business.

Whilst the students will practice as professional Geneticists, a strong emphasis is also placed on the development of metacognitive and entrepreneurial skills in the qualification to produce graduates that are life-long learners equipped to meet the research and development needs in a changing research, industrial and economical environment.

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 7 or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard (a minimum of 60%).

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

Communicate effectively with peers in variety of modes on Genetics and Applied Genetics;

Demonstrate responsible and effective time-management and organisation of projects and research meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines;

Manage data and information through their collection, storage, analysis, synthesis, presentation and critical evaluation using a variety of valid and reliable methods and instruments;

Exhibit a detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of discipline-specific theories and is able to identify ad define specific genetic problems, use critical analysis and appropriate methodology and theory to devise a number of responsible and creative problem-solving strategies;

Be able to reflect on the processes of learning and problem-solving, challenging assumptions made, testing for contingency in reasoning and redefining hypothesis;

Work independently and as a member of a team;

Demonstrate technical competence in the laboratory and or demonstrate competence in the use of various software packages and World Wide Web based techniques to generate and analyse genetic data.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment for applied competence is used increasingly in individual modules, form exit levels 5b to 7b which culminates in 3 integrated modules for BSc Honours (MCBS720, MCBS709, GENE702) in which applied competence is assessed in the following way:

Article discussions: This involves the selection of primary research publications, the critical evaluation, discussion and debate of the content with peers and lectures.

Article discussions: The student`s competence in being able to understand and criticize the content of a recent research publication will be assessed through an oral presentation by the student in which the primary reason for the research is identified, the content briefly addressed, an understanding of the research strategy disclosed and the research results critically discussed and debated.

Seminar in the discipline, but is not related to the research project: This involves an extended literature investigation into a specific topic of genetics, writing and doing an oral presentation. A student will participate in critical evaluation of all research presented by fellow research students in the School.

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.

All students in their fourth year have to do a project an seminars. The project is an integrated assessment of the student`s problem-solving abilities in a real world situation while the seminar is a review of literature covering theory and applications of techniques and interpretation of findings. These two assessment methods ensuer that students have simultaneously attain the assessment criteria.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

NQF level 5 and 6 modules in Genetics constitute pre- and co-requisites for several modules in qualification in General Science, Animal Science, Dietetics, Plan Sciences and transferability is therefore good. Modules in this qualification complement those at other institutions and transfer of credit is therefore certain.

Prior learning recognised:
Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the programme.

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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