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: Medical Sciences

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
20921	Master of Science: Medical Sciences
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Curative Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	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 0695/12	2012-07-01	2015-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2016-06-30		2019-06-30

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

1. To equip students with more advanced knowledge and a deeper insight into and understanding of the chosen field of study.

2. To ensure mastery of the chosen subject or profession via high level analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.

3. To enable students to do advanced and independent research through rigorous training in research methods and to introduce them to the world of scholarly communication, by assisting them to participate actively in scientific meetings and to start publishing on their own

4. To prepare students who aspire to move to a higher level of academic research work for Doctoral study to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.

5. To contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure the future health and advancement of the chosen field or profession and to make provision for the country's needs in a skilled scientific workforce of the highest calibre.

6. To prepare students who can apply their skills to task of answering some of the questions and meeting some of the needs of the country.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree: BSc, MBChB or other degree approved by Senate.

Honours degree: An appropriate Honours BSc degree or other qualification approved by Senate for this purpose. Depending on the chosen field of study, additional work and or proof of competency may be required.

Additional requirements

The candidate should have attained a satisfactory standard in the HonsBSc course.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1). GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES

The MScMedSc graduate should be able to:

1. Identify and solve problems by critical and creative thinking, application of the scientific method and responsible decision-making

2. Co-operate and collaborate with individuals and groups, to work more efficiently and effectively.

3. Be self-critical and accept criticism from others

4. Work independently, organising and managing himself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively.

5. Manage data collection, organisation, analysis, evaluation and synthesise effectively, on a continuous basis

6. Responsibly apply their scientific and technological knowledge with respect to others and the environment.

7. View the world holistically and demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and problem solving in a systematic context

8. community (learning strategies, responsible participation in life, exploration of educational and career opportunities, development of cultural and aesthetic sensitivity, application of knowledge and skills to the benefit if the community, development of entrepreneurial opportunities)

2). GENERAL OUTCOMES

The MScMedSc graduate will have:

1. Confident and comprehensive knowledge of the chosen field of study

2. Mastery of advanced theory and its application to the specialised study topic

3. Familiarity wit the literature and state of research on the subject, most particularly recent, relevant cutting-edge work

4. An understanding of the constructed and provisional nature of knowledge

5. Well-developed research skills

6. The ability to communicate and collaborate scientifically

The MScMedSc graduate will be able to:

1. Perform independent analysis of new data and problems using a wide range of methods and techniques appropriately

2. Critically evaluate relevant literature

3. Extrapolate implications beyond given data

4. Use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues

5. Transform abstract data and concepts for a given purpose

6. Review evidence supporting conclusions critically

7. Identify and define complex problems

8. Apply appropriate knowledge and skills for their solution

9. Manipulate abstract systems models

10. Use well-developed research skills confidently

11. Challenge orthodox theory and suggest new approaches

12. Handle contradictions and make value judgements

13. Interact and engage in debate with a learning or professional group, produce detailed and coherent reports

14. Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a way appropriate to the field and the profession

3). SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

The MscMedSc graduate will

Have completed a research project in close association with a supervisor, working independently in the laboratory, demonstrating the ability to think critically and creatively and apply the scientific method, while participating fully and cooperatively in the academic activities of the department, including journal club and project presentation. The results of the project will have been written up in the form of a thesis (with the view to publication should the work be sufficient)

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1).

1. The outcomes are similar to those expected for Honours BSc students but one would expected a greater degree of knowledge and insight and more confidence in their application

2. The supervisor evaluates the student on the basis of his work as part of a research team and the completion of an independent research project

3. Satisfactory evaluation of a written dissertation and an oral examination by internal and external evaluators

2).

1. The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

2. A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as journal article presentations, research presentations, laboratory supervisor assessments, written and oral examinations are used.

3. The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved

4. From the assessment of samples generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned way in order to ensure reliability

5. The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8a.

The MscMedSc graduate will demonstrate

1. Mastery of the theoretical subject matter, with a comprehensive knowledge of the field

2. Mastery of advanced theory and its application to the specialised research topic

3. Capacity for independent study via the successful completion of a research project and written thesis (which should meet criteria for publication with expert assistance)

4. The ability to understand risk assessment and take calculated risks.

5. Self-reflexivity and adaptability

The MscMedSc graduate will

Pass with a minimum of 50% earned by way of the project leader's report and an acceptable written thesis and oral scientific presentation followed by questioning, as evaluated by a panel of internal and external examiners

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

This takes place by way of a variety of procedures, including successful completion of a research project, research supervisor assessment, a written thesis, oral presentation and defence of the research results, evaluation by internal and external examiners

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Othe articulation possibilities, either generic or specific

Horizontal articulation with other programmes in the Faculties of Medicine and Science or outside faculties

Vertical articulation into a PhD programme in a variety of biological sciences or specific subdisciplines is common at the university of Stellenbosch and students can also proceed to such PhD programmes at most universities in South Africa.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The university of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which fits into the quality assurance system of the university.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012.

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.	Stellenbosch University