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: 

Bachelor of Science Honours: Dietetics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
2491  Bachelor of Science Honours: Dietetics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  136  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
72851  Bachelor of Science Honours: Dietetics  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  136  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the Dietetics qualification is to enable students to communicate and apply the science of nutrition to enhance the health and quality of life of individuals and groups in health and disease. The dietitian seeks to influence food related behaviours. In addition to the three main areas of dietetics, namely therapeutic dietetics, community nutrition and food service management, skills in communication, management and research are developed.
Dietitians are employed both in the public and private sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
An adequate exposure to physical science or biology.
An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.
Adequate literacy skills in English.
These can be demonstrated in a number of ways:
  • Matriculation exemption with at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Mathematics and at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.
  • Alternative access programmes such as the Science Foundation Programme (SFF').
    Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7 or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard.
    The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption.

    Recognised previous learning:

    Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Resolve problems encountered during research and literature surveys.
    Work with others in a group
    Completes tasks satisfactorily and timeously
    Adjust to new situations
    Synthesis of research literature
    Basic evaluation of research
    Use information to prepare recommendations
    Select and use appropriate methodology for research
    Write a research protocol proposal
    Report on research findings in the appropriate manner (written and oral)
    Effective interpersonal skills
    Reflect on the human, ethical and moral implications of using science and technology in a way which promotes conservation of the environment
    Conduct research in an ethical manner
    Apply an appropriate holistic approach to nutrition related issues
    Carry out research in a creative manner
    Able to apply knowledge appropriately
    Understanding of the principles of research
    Acts in a professional and ethical manner
    Reflects on work being conducted in a professional manner
    Understanding of research methods and approaches
    Able to conduct and write up a research project
    Able to apply concepts from research in Nutrition, Dietetics and other relevant disciplines in the development of professional practice
    Able to advance the practice of Dietetics through research 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners will:
    Demonstrate the ability to use their knowledge to solve problems and display responsible decision making using critical and creative thinking
    Work effectively with others in a team or group as well as with people from organizations and communities
    Organize and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively
    Collect, analyse, organize, critically evaluate and synthesize information
    Communicate effectively
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility for the environment and the health of others
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as related systems in a problem solving context and not in isolation
    Develop the ability to learn more effectively, to be responsible citizens, to show cultural sensitivity, to use education and career opportunities to their best advantage and to be entrepreneurial
    To behave in a professional manner

    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification. In respect of the BSc in Dietetics Honours, seminars, oral presentations, written examinations, dissertations will be used as methods of estabilshing integrated assessment and methods designed to capture learner capability/applied competence at certain exit points. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Learners may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the programme. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under assessors criteria will suffice. The B Sc Dietetics and the Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics together constitute a professional qualification which entitle students to register as dietitians in South Africa. Therefore the Dietetics qualifications have been designed to ensure that all the necessary professional competencies determined by the Professional Board for Dietitians are included. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification are externally examined. 

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

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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 


    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.