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:

Doctor of Philosophy: Computer Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
21353	Doctor of Philosophy: Computer 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
Doctoral Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Level 8 and above	Level N/A:Pre-2009 was L8+	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2022-12-31

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

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree. The main purpose of the PhD programme is to train scientists to a level where they are capable of planning and undertaking original research projects, and of working at the highest level in any scientific undertaking. The qualified person will be able to contribute in their own right to scientific discourse, and to train others to the same level of skills and achievement. The programme is primarily an academic one, in that industry does not required a PhD level qualification for most scientist posts, but would be a necessary qualification for anyone desiring to pursue a career in industrial research at a high level. It is regarded as the entry-level qualification to an academic and research career in science at most Universities.

The second purpose of this qualification is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates 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.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The programme requires that the entrant will already have a MSc or an equivalent standard qualification at the same or other University or equivalent institution, OR a recognised Honours level degree plus at least one year's registration for an MSc, OR a BSc or equivalent qualification plus two years MSc registration. In exceptional cases work training may be recognised by Senate as being sufficient. Senate may also permit registration of persons admitted to a BSc not less than three years previously, or of persons admitted to a four-year Bachelors not less than two years previously.

The skills will be those required as outcomes for a MSc in a given discipline, and will include elements of numeracy, literacy and computer literacy. Content will be dictated by the requirements of a given PhD programme.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING:
Both work and field experience will be recognised, particularly in the light of publications in the field of study.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

(A) CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES (GENERIC TO ALL TEACHING AND LEARNING)

1. The qualifier will be able to do as required of a PhD graduate under SAQA critical cross-field outcomes a-h, to a level appropriate to the extra training.

STATEMENT OF WHAT LEARNERS SHOULD KNOW AND BE ABLE TO DO ON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAMME.

a) Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decision using critical and creative thinking has been made

b) Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community

c) Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively

d) Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluating information

e) Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion

f) Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards others

g) Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

h) Demonstrate an awareness of the importance to:

(1) Reflect on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively
(2) Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
(3) Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
(4) Explore education and career opportunities; and
(5) Develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

(B) GENERAL OUTCOMES (CONTEXTUALLY DEMONSTRATED GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND VALUES OF THE PROGRAMME)

(C) SPECIFIC OUTCOMES, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES, CONTEXTUALLY DEMONSTRATED)

The qualifiers should:

i) Be capable of planning and executing research work;
ii) Be competent to report on such work;
iii) Exhibit a level of understanding of scientific literature appropriate to practice of the chosen discipline;
iv) Be able to make an original contribution to knowledge.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment criteria will include all criteria used for MSc outcomes, but will also be aimed at determining whether:
i) The qualifiers are capable of understanding and reviewing the appropriate literature;
ii) There is evidence of an adequate degree of scientific skills;
iii) The qualifiers are capable of formulating a scientific report on practical or academic work;
iv) The thesis constitutes a substantial and original contribution to knowledge in the chosen subject.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
A formal assessment of the competence of the PhD student is carried out at the end of the project, in the process of examination of the dissertation.

The dissertation will usually consist of a detailed report on, and analysis of the results of, a research project performed under the guidance of a suitable supervisor or supervisors. The assessment will be aimed at determining that the student has achieved the requisite level of knowledge required at this level, as well as the ability to use and apply specific methodological skills obtained in the programme, to formulate and carry out a research project, to report on it, to critically review current literature in the subject area, and to write material that is publishable in the scientific media. The thesis must constitute a substantial contribution to knowledge in the chosen subject; thus, the research needs to be original, and publishable, and the thesis will require evidence of independent thought. The thesis is also required to embody only the original work of the candidate.

Other assessment methods prior to submission of a dissertation will normally include some form of review of a written research project proposal as well as possible review by supervisor(s) of oral presentations, journal club and other activities aimed at professionally training a scientist in a particular discipline.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Not applicable.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of PhD theses.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Cape Town will be used in a manner which is consistent with 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; 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