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 Philosophy: Physics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
21377	Master of Philosophy: Physics
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
Master's Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Physical Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	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 main purpose of the programme is to develop skills in the methods of research, as part of a vocational training for professional scientists. Many employers in South Africa require a MSc as the minimum qualification for working in a particular field. Thus, the programme will embody aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a senior scientist in a work environment. The purpose is also to equip graduates with the tools necessary for them to be professional academic practitioners in their particular disciplines, again, most South African Universities insist on an MSc level qualification, or evidence of attainment of this standard, as the minimum entry standard for PhD training. Accordingly, the programme 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 necessary for scientific research.

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 prior to acquiring specific postgraduate teaching qualifications.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The programme requires that the entrant will already have a BSc Hons or an equivalent standard qualification in a particular discipline at the same or other University or equivalent institution. If the degree or qualification is in another discipline to the one for which the applicant wishes to register for Masters, then dispensation will have to be sought from Senate. In certain cases work training may be recognised by Senate as being sufficient.

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

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Suitable publications in the field of study, and appropriate work and/or field experience.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

EXIT-LEVEL OUTCOMES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, VALUES) INCLUDING CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES

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

1. The qualifier will be able to do as required of a MSc /MPhil 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)

The qualifier will demonstrate a satisfactory level of:

1. General knowledge in science;
2. Knowledge of ethics of scientific research and practice;
3. Ability to think critically and creatively;
4. Ability to work as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary environments showing leadership and performing critical functions;
5. Effective communication skills, both oral and in writing, with scientific and lay audiences;
6. Computer skills suitable for general communication and data analysis;
7. Understanding of the role of the sciences in society with regard to economic development and environmental sustainability;

Appreciation of the fundamentals of lifelong learning.

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

The dissertation should demonstrate:

1. The successful completion of a programme of training in the methods of research;
2. A thorough understanding of the scientific principles underlying the project;
3. A thorough acquaintance with the appropriate scientific literature;

The qualifiers should:

1. Be capable of planning and executing research work in a specific field;
2. Be competent to report in detail on such work;
3. Exhibit a level of understanding of scientific literature appropriate to practice of the chosen discipline at a professional level;
4. Be able to write reports for publication in the scientific literature.
5. Show a capability for independent research.
6. Be able to communicate in writing and verbally to lay and scientific audiences.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

(b) Assessment criteria of these outcomes:

The qualifier will be able to:

1. Show evidence of general and specific knowledge acquired during the programme;
2. Exhibit an understanding of scientific principles and ethics;
3. Exhibit a capacity for original thought;
4. Communicate their learning both orally and in writing;
5. Exhibit evidence of computer skills;

(c) The qualifier will be able to:

1. Demonstrate successful training in research methods appropriate to the project;
2. Demonstrate in writing an understanding of scientific principles and ethics;
3. Demonstrate an appropriate acquaintance with the literature
4. Demonstrate capacity for original thought?

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
A formal assessment of the competence of the Masters by dissertation 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 also possibly to write material that is publishable in the scientific media. The research need not be original, nor necessarily publishable, and will not be as rigorous or require as much independent thought, as for a PhD.

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.

Integrated assessment will take into account elements of scientific literacy, numeracy and computer literacy in as much as these are appropriate to the study area.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Title(s) of related qualification(s):
PhD

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s):
PhD

MODERATION OPTIONS

The Faculty of Science of the University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of MSc 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.

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