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: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
19203  Doctor of Philosophy 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
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  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 provide the qualifiers with high knowledge, thorough insight and managerial skills in natural sciences for continuous intellectual, social and economic development.

The second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with high quality scientists who are able to generate knowledge in natural science and microbiology in particular through original thinking and research for social welfare and economic development.

The third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with highly skilled scientists who would take up managerial positions in scientific and technological organisations in both the public and private sectors as well as science teaching positions in tertiary education institutions. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A Master of Science degree with Microbiology as a major field of concentration or an equivalent degree with sufficient knowledge of the subject is required for registration with the programme. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Exit level outcomes:

The candidate presents a research proposal including the following: Motivation for undertaking the particular research, research hypothesis and objectives, detailed methodology, work plan, financial implications and references. He/she shows the following outcomes:

(1) The qualifier undertakes independent research in the field of Microbiology and makes a contribution to scientific knowledge.
(2) He/She produces a thesis within the prescribed time.
(3) He/She publishes or prepares at least one draft article for publication in a recognized journal. The article or draft article shall be based on the research done for the thesis.
(4) He/She gives a public lecture/defence on his/her research findings before a competent jury composed at least of two external examiners. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated Assessment:

The qualifier is evaluated on the thesis and where necessary defence/public lecture. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
A Ph. D degree in Natural Science is the closely related qualification. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
At least two external examiners, scholars in the field under which the thesis falls, from other universities or scientific institutions should evaluate the thesis. An oral defence or public lecture before a competent jury may be organized if recommended by at least one of the examiners. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Assessors should hold at least a doctorate degree in addition to sufficient teaching as well as recognized research experience in the field of natural science and Microbiology in particular. 

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 Fort Hare 


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.