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 Medical Bioscience 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
22375  Bachelor of Science Honours in Medical Bioscience 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 
Lifestyle diseases are the biggest killers of modern man. The main causes of human mortality are respiratory disease, diarrhoea, cardiovascular disease, cancer and infectious diseases relating to reproduction. The impact of westernisation, urbanisation; and the mass media have drastically changed the lifestyles of the African people with sometimes devastating results on their health. Science has always played a prominent role in the elucidation of the underlying biological mechanisms involved in the disease.

The theme of health and lifestyle is successfully woven into the fabric of the undergraduate Medical BioScience qualification. This qualification strives to address the important role which basic science plays in the promotion and understanding of health and quality of life.

The postgraduate Medical BioScience qualification continues this theme by addressing questions, via the methodology of science, concerning the underlying biological mechanisms contributing to issues of lifestyle and health.

The purpose of the honours qualification is primarily to provide a solid theoretical foundation in the research fields currently present within the departments of Physiology, Anatomy and Medical Microbiology. Secondarily, the qualification exposes participants to a broad range of research skills (via technique modules and a hands-on research project) that would stand them in good stead for implementation during future research projects. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
Bachelor of Science in Medical BioScience, NQF Level 7. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Have a solid foundation in the theory that underpins research in the biological arena of medical science.
  • Demonstrate skills in research techniques.
  • Critique published journal articles.
  • Execute a research project under supervision.
  • Be aware of current and emerging technologies relevant to the chosen field of research expertise.
  • Be computer literate and be able to analyse data electronically.
  • Communicate effectively in both oral and written modes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Appointed supervisors conduct the assessment of the research project using events within a research project time frame (e.g. submission of a protocol, the presentation of a seminar on the reviewed literature, the submission of a mini-thesis).

    All other electives use a system of continuous assessment that consists of several assessment events throughout and at the end of the delivery of each module. Methods of evaluation would include tests, impromptu-quizzes, projects, practical assignments, oral presentations and oral tests. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Medical BioScience, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Medical BioScience, 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 the Western Cape 


    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.