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 Philosophy: Applied Sciences

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
3065	Doctor of Philosophy: Applied Sciences
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
Doctoral Degree	Field 07 - Human and Social Studies		General Social Science
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	896	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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To produce scientists who:

Have a doctoral qualification in their chosen field of science.

Are equipped with advanced specialist knowledge, skills and values, who are competent for employment, job creation and further advanced research and development work

Have the ability to plan and implement an original research project that leads to the discovery of new knowledge that is recognised internationally and which contributes towards improving the quality of South Africans

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Candidates can enter the programme if they have:

* A M.Sc. degree in Computational Science, Mathematical from a recognised tertiary institution, in which the student has a core component in her/his chosen doctoral field. Exceptions only with the special permission of senate; or

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
A recognised prior learning assessment which is equivalent to an M.Sc. and which has empirical science as its focus; or
Prior experiential work-based or research-based learning in the student's chosen field of science

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

At the end of this degree, doctoral students will have (content and theory)

* An advanced understanding in their chosen field of science, and an in-depth appreciation of the philosophy behind science, the uncertain nature of reality and the fact that empirical science progresses through the falsification of hypotheses

* 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.

* An in depth understanding of scientific research (nature and interpretation and thesis writing) and the capacity to publish their findings

At the end of this degree doctoral students will be able to (skills):

* Observe, collect, comprehend, analyse, organise, critically evaluate and interpret scientific data, and present or communicate findings comprehensively and effectively to others in a professional manner

* Be familiar with and able to use a range of advanced scientific equipment, techniques and methods suitable for their chosen field; they should be able to do this without supervision.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated assessment

In this research degree, students must define the field of science in which they wish to work, identify a suitable problem or focus of research, survey and relevant literature, formulate a hypothesis and select appropriate methods and materials to test this premise. Depending on the field of research, may undertake field and laboratory work, and learn to use the equipment and techniques they have selected. During the degree, they must develop an understanding of the difficulties and problems associated with research in the empirical or qualitative sciences, and learn how to overcome these. Students have to come to grips with the uncertain and relative nature of the reality they are trying to measure/study, and integrate the philosophy behind this into their theses. Results are presented in the form of a written thesis (which may also consist of published papers) and which represent the student's capacity to undertake ethical, problem solving research that contributes something new to humanity. They must show that they have the capacity to integrate information (both empirical and theoretical) and analytically demonstrate their understanding of their subject. Research investigations must be independent, advanced and original. Explanation of results must be framed against the diversity of literature available. Finally students must be able to communicate their findings to their peers and to the international community. Such a research project not only covers aspects relating to knowledge, philosophy, skills and ethics but also integrates them in one process.

The thesis undergoes rigorous examination. Where these are appropriate to the student's chosen field of study, candidates must prove that they have met the learning and critical outcomes detailed.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Internal vertical articulation: 1) Doctoral students are able to move vertically within the discipline form Ph.D to D.Sc.; and 2) post doctoral studies if these are available.
Internal horizontal articulation depends on previously obtained prerequisites. Movement is possible between: 1) disciplines within the School of Life and Environmental Science; 2) school within the Faculty of Science and Engineering; 3) faculties within the university; and 4) post doctoral studies if these are available
External articulation: with other universities (D.Sc. or post doctoral studies).
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 from this qualification mid-stream.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Moderation is carried out by external examiners selected from other national or international universities and from industry and professional research organizations. Changes suggested by moderators are incorporated after deliberation.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The doctoral thesis is examined by at least two examiners (excluding the promoters) who must be external to the university; one of whom should preferably be from abroad. Promoter and co-promoter must submit written reports, and an examination panel acts as arbitrator. The appointment of assessors is recommended by the Faculty Board and approved by Senate. Where necessary, internal and external assessors will be registered with the relevant ETQA body.
External assessors with Ph.D or D.Sc. qualifications from:
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 promoter or a panel of internal assessors with due consideration being given by an independent programme coordinator and the Dean of the Faculty. The choice of assessors must be recommended by the Faculty Board and them ratified by Senex.
Science related industries and organizations (i.e. stakeholder sectors)

Promoters Reports
Academic staff of the University of Durban Westville with PhD or D.Sc. qualifications will promote or co-promote projects registered with 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 promoter (and co-promoter if applicable) and two senior academics (preferably from other departments/disciplines) familiar with the subject matter. This panel, in light of all examiners and promoter's reports, make 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.

NONE