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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Biochemistry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
19265  Bachelor of Science Honours in Biochemistry 
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
Honours Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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 purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with:

a) Knowledge of Biochemistry at the Honours level
b) Basic skills required in governmental and industrial laboratories as well as more advanced skills that will enable them to enter into the field of Biochemical research
c) The ability to identify and solve problems that require critical and creative thinking
d) The ability to present scientific results verbally and in writing
e) The opportunity to proceed into further post-graduate programmes
f) Opportunities to take on lucrative positions in government institutions or private industries and do creative work to the benefit of themselves and the general community. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of pror learning:

B SC qualification with Biochemistry as major and a 60% final mark in the third year 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Statement of exit level outcomes:

Qualifiers will have

a) A more advanced knowledge of theoretical Biochemistry as will be assessed by four three-hour written examination papers;

b) More advanced laboratory skills that will enable them to enter the field of biochemical research, whish will be assessed by continuous evaluation of laboratory work as well as a short research project;

c) The ability to interpret, evaluate and manipulate basic scientific information and results, which will be assessed in the form of at least two written and orally presented seminars;

d) The ability to identify and solve scientific problems that require critical and creative thinking;

e) Opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, efficient economic activity and positive contributions to society; 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Formative assessment

Theoretical knowledge
Practical knowledge and skills
Problem-solving abilities

Summative assessment

Assignments
Project(s)
Examination
Seminars 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Possible vertical articulation with B SC Honours in Microbiology or Chemistry
Vertical articulation with the M SC degree in Biochemistry or Microbiology 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
Relevant peers as Second Examiner and/or External Examiners. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Internal and external examiners with a M SC or higher qualification in Biochemistry and at least five years of assessment experience at the B SC Honours level. 

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.