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:

Doctor of Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
2959	Doctor 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
Doctoral Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 10	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
72897	Doctor of Science	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 10	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To produce graduates who have a sound research training in various specialisations in terms of their contribution to the scientific endeavour of their discipline.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Completion of the exit level outcomes for a level 8 qualification in an appropriate field, or a PhD of several year's standing.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The achievement of this qualification means that the learner:
Has acquired a thorough understanding of the scientific method and its purpose;
Has a capacity for clear, independent and critical thought;
Is capable of understanding the significance of research findings and of critically evaluating them;
Is able to communicate research findings effectively in both oral and written forms;
Is able to work co-operatively in a team in a problem-solving context;
Has mastered the methods and techniques of research appropriate to the subject of investigation, and has the ability to apply them effectively;
Has a good knowledge and understanding of the subject of investigation;
Is capable of evaluating the relevant literature and of assessing his/her own research findings in relation to this literature;
Is able to develop independently a research investigation and carry this out at the cutting edge of the research endeavour.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Learners will demonstrate their ability and proficiency in each of the nine learning outcomes. These are tested by means of a comprehensive dissertation which may be supplemented by an oral presentation of the research findings, and reports by the supervisors.

All components are second-examined by external examiners in the dissertation area.

Candidates must have demonstrated a long history of sustained excellence in the field of study.

Integrated Assessment:

Adjudication takes place via a comprehensive peer review by a panel of experts in the field of work submitted by the candidate for assessment.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Only candidates who sustain high levels of achievement are permitted to enter into the Doctor of science. There are no horizontal articulation possibilities.

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 chosen from outside South Africa.

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 that 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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