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 Science: Natural Sciences: Computer Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
23412	Master of Science: Natural Sciences: Computer Science
ORIGINATOR
University of North West
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	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 2663/05	2006-07-01	2009-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30		2013-06-30

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 purpose of the MSc qualification is to provide South Africa, Southern Africa and Africa with a significant number of graduates with specialized knowledge, research skills, and applied competence in a specific field of natural sciences that provide career and employment opportunities for personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

To be admitted to this programme, a student should normally have a BSc (Hons) degree in the field of specialization or equivalent qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Exit Level Outcomes:

1. Competence in collecting, analysing and evaluating critically existing knowledge in a specialised field in natural sciences and present it logically.
2. Competence in formulating a research problem that will create new knowledge.
3. Competence in conducting research to solve a scientific problem and report research results obtained effectively to relevant stakeholders.

Specified outcomes:

1.1 Competence in synthesizing the extracted relevant information and applying these in appropriate given situation to assess identified scientific problems.
1.2 Competence in critically analysing and evaluating existing information.

2.1 Competence in using systematic approach in problem solving
2.2 Competence in identifying areas where further knowledge is required.

3.1 Competence in utilizing available instruments/techniques to logically organize information for interpretation of results.
3.2 Competence in reporting research results obtained.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1.1.1 Ability to synthesise the information in assessing identified scientific problems.
1.1.2 Ability to present synthesised information logically.

1.2.1 Ability to analyse existing information critically.
1.2.2 Ability to present critical analysis of existing information systematically.

2.1.1 Ability to conceptualise a scientific research problem.
2.1.2 Ability to formulate procedures in solving scientific problems.

2.2.1 Ability to conduct literature search to identify researchable areas.
2.2.2 Ability to apply knowledge of relevant literature in a given situation.

3.1.1 Ability to organise information systematically.
3.1.2 Ability to interpret results and recognise their significance.

3.2.1 Ability to present critical results in a thesis.
3.2.2 Ability to communicate effectively research results orally and as publications.

Integrated assessment:

If qualification is by research this is not applicable as assessment mode will be by thesis. If course work is also involved, it will be assessed by semester tests and examinations by internal and external examiners.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

A person with MSc qualification will be able to pursue a PhD degree in any specialized scientific field.

MODERATION OPTIONS

All modules are taught and moderated by experienced academic staff. The final award of the MSc degree will be made after appropriate assessment by both internal and external examiners.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

This will be in accordance with the criteria set by the Higher Education Quality Committee of South Africa. The external assessors will be from well-established Universities in South Africa.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006.

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.

NONE