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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Bioinformatics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
22393  Master of Science in Bioinformatics 
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
Master's 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  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  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 
Bio-informatics is an inter-disciplinary field and is ideally suited to a broad range of science graduates, including biologists, computer scientists and mathematicians. The qualification will provide courses that are suitable for learners from a range of scientific backgrounds and will provide them with valuable training to enable them to pursue a career in the rapidly growing bio-pharmaceutical industry or the basis upon which to proceed to further research in Bio-informatics.

The qualification will provide learners with an insight into biology as an information science. Qualifiers will develop understanding of leading edge technologies in the "new biology" including Genomics and Bio-informatics. The qualification will enhance the ability of qualified learners to be globally competitive in the biological sciences by focussing on the most recent developments and international trends, as well as providing considerable intellectual stimulation and appreciation of an increasingly important scientific discipline.

The qualification will provide qualified learners with the necessary basis to participate in meaningful research in the areas of Bio-informatics and Computational Biology. Currently there is a deficit of formal training in Bio-informatics. Qualified learners wishing to perform research in this area must undergo informal training during their postgraduate years. Because this training is on an ad-hoc basis it is often incomplete and overly specialised, resulting in graduates with a narrow and unsatisfactory knowledge of the field and causing delay and frustration at master's and PhD level.

The qualification will have a very strong on-line component. This reflects the nature of Bio-Informatics research and will result in learners who are accustomed to learning from the internet and taking the initiative in their own educational development. 

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 Science Honours in Bioinformatics, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a good foundation in Bio-informatics and detailed knowledge of a smaller number of specialist subjects. The learners will be able to work in a Bio-informatics environment in a commercial or academic setting. This will require learners to have a firm basis in biological science as well as the training required to manage information and carry out research on a computer.
    2. Keep up to date with literature and develop critical reading of scientific research papers. As part of the qualification, learners will be required to present oral and written reviews of relevant topics in Bio-informatics to the rest of the group.
    3. Develop the capacity to undertake a research project and to present the results of their research clearly, both orally and in written form. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    The leaner's knowledge of Bio-informatics will be assessed continually by SANBI faculty members, based upon assessment criteria which are being agreed by participating members of the S* Alliance. The performance will be compared with learners in other colleges that form part of the S* Alliance.

    Leaners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out by SANBI faculty members and collaborating institutions. 

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

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    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.