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: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Materials Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21339  Bachelor of Science Honours in Materials Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Civil Engineering Construction 
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 
Purpose:
The first purpose of the qualification is to further develop skills that were implanted with the qualifications, as part of a generic training for South African scientists: most professional scientific bodies in South Africa take a BSc Honours or equivalent as the minimum qualification for registration as a scientist. Thus, the qualification will embody aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a professional natural scientist in a work environment. The qualification will also equip learners with the tools necessary for them to enter a path to be professional academic practitioners in their particular disciplines: again, most South African Universities insist on a BSc Honours level qualification as the minimum entry standard for further postgraduate training. Accordingly, the qualification must embody aspects of academic training such as understanding of the scientific literature as well as furtherance of the requirements of literacy, numeracy and computer literacy first introduced in the qualifications.

The second purpose is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of learners in the natural sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity in these fields is widened.

The third purpose of this qualification is to provide South Africa with a cadre of educators (GEC, FEC and Tertiary level) who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress in the natural sciences prior to acquiring specific postgraduate teaching qualifications. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decision using critical and creative thinking has been made.
    2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
    3. Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.
    4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluating information.
    5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
    6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards others.
    7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    8. Demonstrate an awareness of the importance to:
  • Reflect on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
  • Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
  • Explore education and career opportunities;
  • Develop entrepreneurial opportunities. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Understanding the specific scientific literature and theory at a level appropriate to the independent practice of the discipline.
  • Show evidence of an adequate degree of practical skills appropriate to the discipline.
  • Formulate a scientific report on practical or academic work.
  • Communicate their work in writing and verbally to lay and scientific audiences.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment methods will normally include formal examination, review of essays and/or oral presentations or other written assignments or fieldwork where appropriate, and some form of review of a written research project, taking into account elements of scientific literacy, numeracy and computer literacy inasmuch as these are appropriate to the study area. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with similar international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both Horizontal and Vertical Articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Architecture Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, NQF Level 8.
  • An appropriate Bachelor of Science (Honours) qualification, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 Cape Town 


    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.