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:

Master of Science: Biological Systematics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
19958	Master of Science: Biological Systematics
ORIGINATOR
University of Natal
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Environmental Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	128	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	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
72923	Master of Science: Biological Systematics	Level 8 and above	Level N/A:Pre-2009 was L8+	128	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Using an interdisciplinary approach, to produce graduates with a high level of expertise and knowledge in all aspects of biological systematics and able to function effectively in research and technical areas where systematics is of prime concern (particularly those involving biodiversity and its conservation) and applied areas of biology where knowledge of phylogeny and systematic relationships is essential. The programme is primarily intended for students with little prior knowledge of systematics from their undergraduate or Honours studies.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Possession of a BScHons or four-year bachelor's degree (512 credits) in an appropriate biological field, acceptable to the Board of the Faculty.

In special circumstances, a person who has had relevant work experience, deemed to be equivalent to an Honours or four-year degree, may be admitted into the programme via University Rule R33.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

SAQA critical outcomes contained in parentheses:

1. An understanding of and ability to apply relevant methods and skills in the field of biological systematics, recognising their impact on the environment and on associated people (1, 6 );

2. An ability to reason logically and debate critically with colleagues in evaluating current theoretical and pragmatic perspectives on systematic biology as elucidating the complexities of nature, using written and oral communication (2, 4, 5, 7);

3. An ability to apply a range of research methods to articulate and resolve problems in systematic biology effectively, particularly in a southern African context (1, 3, 8).

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Course-work components, assessed using a range of methods including tests, assignments and formal examinations, in written and oral form.

2. Mini-dissertation which reports on a supervised research project demonstrating familiarity with appropriate research methods.

Integrated Assessment:

The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each wualification. 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.

The criteria and methods more fully set out under 'Assessment Criteria' above serve collectively to fulfil this requirement; course-work and the mini-dissertation must both be passed and are equally weighted. Internal and external examination is according to University and Faculty requirements.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The programme articulates with a variety of BScHonours programmes in biological disciplines, both intra- and inter-institutional. Articulation is also possible with other appropriate diploma or degree programmes in combination with relevant experience. Successful completion of the programme permits registration for a PhD.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under 10. above 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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