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 Science in Microbiology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
19155	Master of Science in Microbiology
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Physical Sciences
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
Registered-data under construction		EXCO 0324/24	2024-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

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.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The first purpose of the qualification is to equip qualifiers with high knowledge, appropriate techniques, better understanding as well as ability to use scientific information and procedures in research project for personal intellectual, social as well as economic development.

The second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with skilled researchers in the field of natural science and microbiology in particular able to take on high positions both in public and private institutions in order to enhance the economic and scholarly activities.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

A BSc (Honours) qualification with Microbiology as a major or an equivalent qualification is required for enrolment in this programme.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Exit level outcomes:

(1) The qualifier undertakes a research project including appropriate laboratory work to collect data.

(2) He/She analyses the data/results, produce and submit a dissertation within the prescribed period (with a minimum of one year).

(3) He/She prepares his research findings for publication in a recognized scientific journal.

During the course of the research project, the candidate will receive guidance through consultations and discussions with the supervisor (s).

This will provide means for an ongoing evaluation of the progress made by the candidate to ensure that he/she meets the above outcomes. Through the whole exercise the qualifier will develop the following critical outcomes:
(i) ability to write a research proposal;
(ii) ability to conduct original scientific research in natural science and microbiology, particularly;
(iii) ability to communicate his/her research findings through various means including poster, publication in scientific journals, and oral presentation;
(iv) research management skills; and
(v) ability to solve problems which require critical thinking in general.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:

A continuous evaluation through regular contact and follow up is done by the supervisor. The qualifier may be asked from time to time to give talks on his field of research as well as on his research progress. The final evaluation is based solely on the dissertation. This is evaluated by one internal plus two external examiners.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

MSc degrees including MSc in Botany, Entomology, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography and Statistics are some of the related qualifications.

MODERATION OPTIONS

At least two external examiners, with appropriate university qualifications confirmed academic with research experience in the research field/topic would evaluate the dissertation (including the scientific methodology used, the results obtained and their interpretation as well as the form).

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

An assessor should have preferably a doctoral (such as Ph. D) qualification, extended teaching as well as research experience supported by an appropriate scientific publication record in the specialised field under which falls the research topic.

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 Fort Hare