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
3063	Master of Science
ORIGINATOR
University of Durban Westville
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		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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To produce scientists who:

1) Have a postgraduate qualification at Masters level in their chosen field of science

2) Are competent in their chosen field form employment, job creation, further advanced research and/or development work.

3) Have the ability to plan and implement an original research project that may lead to the discovery of new knowledge.

4) Are equipped with advanced specialist knowledge, skills and values in their chosen field of science

5) Where applicable enable professional registration

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Candidates can enter the Masters programme if they have:

1) A level 6 Honours (B.Sc) degree in the Mathematical Sciences, Physical Science, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Medical Sciences, Computational Science, Psychology or equivalent from a recognised tertiary institution, where a final mark of 60% has been obtained and in which the student has a core component in her or his chosen Masters field; exceptions only with the special permission of Senate, or

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
A recognised prior learning assessment with either empirical science or Psychology as a major focus. This can be in the form of a diploma, B.Tech. degree in the appropriate field of study, or

Prior experiential/ work or research-based learning in the student's chosen field of Science.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

At the end of this degree, students will have

1) An exceptional understanding (background, concepts, processes, skills and theory) of their chosen scientific field

2) An advanced and intimate understanding of the principles, laws and philosophy on which the practice of empirical science is based

3) An understanding of the need for safety in the laboratory and on the manufacturing floor

4) An understanding of the nature and purpose of the scientific pursuit of truth, and how this can lead to the upliftment and enriching of societies and to economic development.

5) An in depth understanding of scientific research (nature and purpose, relevant literature, research methodology, interpretation and thesis writing) and the capacity to publish their findings

At the end of this degree students will be able to:

1) Observe, collect, comprehend, analyse, organise, critically evaluate and interpret scientific data, and present or communicate findings comprehensively and effectively to higher authorities in a professional manner

2) Be familiar with and be able to use a range of advanced scientific equipment, techniques and methods suitable for studying the universe that surrounds us; they should be able to do this with minimal supervision

3) Produce responses to problem solving that are responsible to and show due concern for the environment and for the health and safety of others. This is done by recognizing that, problem-solving does not exist in isolation.

4) Use mathematics to express their ideas mathematically

5) Apply quantitative and, if necessary, qualitative methodologies in problem solving.

6) Organise and manage themselves and their activities in a mature, responsible and effective manner

7) Undertake problem solving in the natural, physical, biological, computational, mathematical and medical sciences and in engineering, and identify and solve problems of a complex scientific nature

Graduate should demonstrate the ability to provide leadership, act as role models and mentors for younger postgraduate students, and have the knowledge, skills and values needed to carry on to Ph.D. studies either locally or overseas.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated assessment

Assessment criteria that will be used to determine learner achievement of the stated exit-level outcomes

Thesis based on Research Project carries 100% of marks. However, students may be called on to defend their theses orally. The thesis undergoes rigorous examination by leading national or international experts in the relevant research field. Knowledge, skills, values, performance and competence will be gauged from examination of the thesis and via supervisor and, where applicable, co-supervisor reports.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

1) Internal vertical articulation. Students are able to move vertically within their chosen discipline form M.Sc to Ph.D. They may also do undergraduate modules, however, credits for these modules will not count towards this degree but may be used towards a second undergraduate degree

2) Internal horizontal articulation depends on previously obtained prerequisites. Movement is possible between: I disciplines within the School of Life and Environmental Science; 2 School within the Faculty of Science and Engineering and 3 faculties within the university (interfaculty)

3) External articulation with other universities is also possible

Interfaculty and inter-institutional articulation is facilitated by the possibility of co-supervision of research projects in this degree. However, it is not possible to enter into or exit form this qualification mid-stream.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderation is carried out by Senate approved external examiners selected form other national or international universities and from industry and professional research organizations.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The Masters thesis is examined by at least two examiners (excluding the supervisors) at least one of whom must be external to the university. Where necessary, internal and external assessors, will be registered with the relevant ETQA bodies.

Assessors with M.Sc., Ph.D. or D.Sc. qualifications from:

1) Other universities or tertiary institutions of high national and international standing will examine the thesis. External examiners (who are senior scientists with sound reputations and a solid didactic profile) are identified by the project supervisor and the Dean (and ratified by Senex)

2) Science related industries or organizations

Supervisor Reports:
Academic staff of the University of Durban- Westville with Ph.D or D.Sc. qualifications will supervise or co-supervise projects registered with the faculty of Science and Engineering and will give written reports on the thesis and student's conduct

Examination panel:
Comprising the Dean of the Faculty, the supervisor (and co-supervisor if applicable) and two senior academics familiar with the subject matter. This panel, in the light of all examiner's and supervisor's reports, makes a final recommendation regarding the awarding of the degree.

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.

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