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

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
2955	Master of Science
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
Master's Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	128	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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
74127	Master of Science	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	128	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To provide graduates with a deep and comprehensive theoretical and applied knowledge of a field or specialised area of Science. To equip them with the ability to evaluate critically the literature of the field, challenge orthodox theory, redefine existing knowledge, handle contradictions and make defendable value judgements. To instil mastery of relevant research techniques, including independent analyses and evaluation of data and situations, using appropriate methodology, extrapolate implications to new situations, use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues, and transform abstract data and concepts for a given purpose. These graduates will be good communicators in spoken and written English, to both expert and non-expert audiences.
The programme is intended to provide the country with graduates who have a specialised theoretical knowledge and well-developed research and practical skills in a scientific field and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Completion of the exit level outcomes for a level 7 qualification in an appropriate field of study, at a standard acceptable to the Faculty.

Recognition of prior learning:

In cases where relevant experience or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a candidate may be admitted by permission of Senate.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. have in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of a particular scientific field or area, including exposure to the frontiers of knowledge;
2. understand and be able to apply and challenge advanced concepts in their science discipline;
3. apply well-developed research skills confidently and independently;
4. be able to evaluate own research and that of others critically, handle contradictions, extrapolate data or other information to new situations, and make value judgements;
5. be able to consider a range of problems, options and solutions, and implement decisions based on sound academic foundations, including appropriate methodology;
6. be able to access information from a wide range of sources, synthesise and evaluate it;
7. be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral presentations, and to engage in dialogue with a learned or professional group;
8. have responsible and effective personal organisation skills;
9. have enhanced personal development through self-directed and self-motivated study; and
10. be culturally sensitive and have well-developed and ethical professional attitudes.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Learners will be required to demonstrate their ability and proficiency in learning outcomes 1-9 by means of a comprehensive dissertation, which may be supplemented by an oral presentation of their research findings, and by reports to the supervisor(s). The dissertation is examined by an internal and an external assessor (see section 10 below). General demeanour. etiquette and professional behaviour are good indicators for the evaluation ofoutcome 10.
Students will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and respectful awareness of others with whom they interact.

Integrated Assessment:

Assessment takes place through the dissertation, in which the learner is expected to show competency in all outcomes listed in section 5. above, and specifically to present integrated research findings that are interpreted and linked to the existing literature across the entire area of the investigation.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This Programme permits candidates with suitably high levels of achievement to proceed to Doctoral studies in the Faculty of Science of this and other universities, and technikons, both in South Africa and overseas.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under 10. above suffice. External Examiners are often chosen from outside South Africa (see section 10. above).

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.

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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.

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