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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
20684  Doctor of Philosophy 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
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 purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with:

a) an opportunity to show that they can do independent research
b) laboratory skills that comply with the research requirements of research institutions across the board in the same and related disciplines
c) an advanced ability to identify and solve problems that require critical and creative thinking
d) the ability to identify problems that merit scientific research and to apply Science in general and Biochemistry in particular to those problems
e) the ability to write a cohesive report on a research project and to defend/present it verbally
f) the opportunity to write articles for quality scientific journals
g) 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 prior learning:

M S c in Biochemistry or related field of study. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Qualifiers will have

a) shown an ability to do independent research in Biochemistry
b) developed the ability to write a cohesive report on the results of an advanced research project
c) further developed skills in presenting research results orally
d) had a prescribed number of publications accepted by NATED-rated journals
e) developed an advanced ability to identify and solve problems that require critical and creative thinking
f) opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, efficient economic activity and positive contributions to society. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Assessment of points (a) to (e) will be by means of a written presentation of the results of an approved research project (thesis) and its oral presentation.

Formative assessment

Knowledge of research field
Literature survey
Draft reports
Assessment of thesis

Summative assessment

Examination of thesis
Oral presentation of thesis
At least one publication in a NATED-rated journal 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Vertical articulation with post-doctoral qualifications. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
Internal study leader
Co-supervisor if necessary
External examiners as stipulated in point 10. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
An internal and two external examiners with PhD qualifications in Biochemistry or a related field and proven records of assessment at level 8 and research experience. 

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.