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:

Bachelor of Science: Agriculture: Environmental Microbiology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
20887	Bachelor of Science: Agriculture: Environmental Microbiology
ORIGINATOR
University of Natal
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Primary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	514	Level 7	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7	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		2015-06-30

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
81140	Bachelor of Science: Agriculture: Environmental Microbiology	Level 7	NQF Level 08	514	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Both the agricultural and many non-agriculturally aligned industries, which largely underpin the South African economy, require applied scientists with high levels of knowledge and skills to help meet the country's spiralling demands for food and other commodities from scarce resources. Also vital is a sustainable improved quality of life for all South Africans. To achieve these ends, not only must scientific techniques be improved and developed but also strategies to ensure protection of our soil and water resources must be devised and implemented. In support of these ideals, the purpose of this qualification is to provide a professional training in environmental microbiology.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

1. Sufficient exposure to general Science and Biology.
2. An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.
3. Adequate literacy skills in English.

These can be demonstrated in the following ways:

Matriculation exemption with at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Mathematics and at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.

Alternative access programs such as the Science Foundation Program (SFP)

Recognition of prior-learning procedures for access to this programme.

4. Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7 or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard (a minimum of 60%).
5. Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural college or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.
6. The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate Matriculation exemption.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. The student is able to communicate effectively with other scientists, in a variety of modes, in the discourse of microbiological matters.
2. The student demonstrates responsible and effective time-management, meeting personal objectives and prescribed deadlines.
3. The student is able to interact sympathetically, and with increasing self-confidence, as a member of a team or group in a variety of discussion and problem-solving situations.
4. The student is able to collect, store, analyse, synthesise, present and critically evaluate data using a variety of appropriate methods and instruments.
5. The student exhibits a sound knowledge and understanding of a range of discipline-specific theories, and comprehends, microbe-microbe, microbe-plant, microbe animal and microbe-environment interactions and their significance in man-made systems and natural environments.
6. The student comprehends that a multi-disciplinary approach is necessary to study the interactions described above and is able to apply this knowledge to the benefit of mankind.
7. The student can participate as an effective and accountable microbiologist, able to use science and technology responsibly, and is sensitive to issues such as sustainable resource management, cultural traditions, rural development and large-scale industrial requirements.
8. The student is a competent user of computers for word processing. BSc (Agric) and B Sc (Honours).
9. The student is able to manage complex data and information effectively and is able to interpret multifaceted interactions confidently.
10. The student is able to face and manage complex problems encountered in microbiological systems, through identification and definition of the problems, and use of critical analysis, appropriate methodology and theory to formulate creative- and responsible problem-solving strategies.
11. The student uses a holistic approach to reflect on the processes of learning and problem solving, challenging assumptions and redefining hypotheses if necessary.
12. The student exhibits many of the characteristics of a life-long learner, possessing a critical sense of curiosity, being self-motivated, and capable of employing appropriate learning strategies. The student shows an entrepreneurial awareness of career opportunities available to a microbiological scientist.
13. The student's computer expertise includes the use of computer technology in visual presentation, storage and analysis of data, information gathering, graphics and modelling of microbiological systems.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Learners will demonstrate their ability and proficiency in each of the learning outcomes. These are tested via individual and group projects.
2. Master and Doctoral Programmes are assessed via these presentations.
3. All assessments are second examined with external examination at the 300 and 400 levels.

Integrated assessment
The university of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. 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 capstone modules are specifically designed to assess the learners integration of knowledge and skills learnt through the programme and to demonstrate the learners competence in each of the learning outcomes listed above.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Learners may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the programme.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under Assessor Criteria will suffice. At least 50% of the examination of every module is subject to second examination. In the case of level 300 and 400 modules these are external to and independent of the University. For exit level modules at least 66% of the assessment is externally examined.

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), staffs 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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