SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Science: Botany

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
3453	Master of Science: Botany
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University
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		Environmental Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	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
74025	Master of Science in Botany	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	180	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualified scientists who can identify, evaluate and address problems associated with the biological and/or earth sciences in South African and international context at the highest levels. Through the acquisition of appropriate competence and research ability they will be able to enter a range of professional and entrepreneurial opportunities. These could include positions as senior research officers or educators with a range of possible employers in industry or tertiary institutions or allow them to establish enterprises of their own in a variety of plant-related areas of endeavour as entrepreneurs or top-level advisors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability in:

Practical laboratory skills by performing laboratory procedures correctly, with due consideration of the safety of the working environment and colleagues

Professional skills in the generation, evaluation and integration of information during the study

Application of the acquired skills by field or experimental work, the results of which are presented and evaluated nationally and internationally

Literacy, information retrieval and terminology in the presentation of seminars and reports

Insight, understanding and reasoning as well as the solving of problems, analysis, development and synthesis of new concepts in the presented seminars and reports

Communication by means of written and oral presentations

Decision taking, self-directedness, organisational skill and discipline in the performance and successful completion of the various aspects of the study

The ability to work independently, at a high level of demand, for a sustained period of time with little or no supervision

The ability to work with others in a team, as many of the investigations and projects will have been done in co-operation with other individuals

Environmental and social awareness in the assessment of the impact of the performed projects on the working environment and co-workers

All these competencies can be demonstrated, observed and evaluated by evaluators who are equally skilled in the particular field

Their ability to generate information by correct and appropriate use of technology and research methodology

Their ability to plan and execute a research programme at high academic level of expertise

Their ability to formulate hypothesis, to generate facts in pursuit of that hypothesis, to evaluate these facts and to present them in either verbal or written form, with due regard to clarity, correctness of technical terminology and language usage

The ability to function in a laboratory with due regard to correctness of technique used and safety of co-workers and the working environment

The ability to work harmoniously with co-workers in the same working environment

The ability to identify a research area, plan a detailed and multidisciplinary investigation and, if required, modify the proposal to accommodate any difficulties encountered

The ability to communicate results and findings in a clear, scientifically correct manner, either verbally or in the form of written submissions

The ability to work without being driven

The ability to function in the philosophy of the botanical discipline and associated disciplines by the generation of new insights and interpretations

The highest levels of probity and professionalism as shown by accuracy of results and honesty in evaluation, interpretation and presentation

144 credits on level 7 (an Honours degree) in Botany or related discipline, from an accepted accredited university.

Intending learners who are in possession of an Honours degree in Botany or its equivalent, from an accredited university, may apply to the department for acceptance to the study. There is no provision made for entry to the study programme in mid-stream.

Learners who apply on the basis of non-formal prior learning will be evaluated according to the procedures formulated by the university for such purpose.

The department reserves the right to accept an applicant it deems suitable even if the applicant's previous experience or qualification is not obviously within the general concept of Botany.

Recognition of prior learning:

A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the student is found to be competent, the student may gain

access

advanced placement

or recognition of degree status will be granted on condition of continued study.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The learners should be able to:

1. Identify a problem, formulate an appropriate hypothesis, generate experimental data, and make correct interpretations and appropriate deductions.

2. Work harmoniously with co-workers in the same working environment, to work in groups with others in the solution of problems and the carrying out of projects.

3. Work independently in the mastery of subject contents, the performance of practical projects and the compilation of reports.

4. Plan and execute a research programme and relate the findings to the existing body of knowledge in the field.

5. Find, evaluate and integrate technical literature, use appropriate and correct technical language and terminology in reports.

6. Perform the practice of science and technology effectively and responsibly without endangering the environment or the well being of co-workers.

7. Plan an investigation with due regard to the impact of the problem and its solution on the ecological and social environment and modify the proposal if required.

8. Use different techniques to assimilate data, by either reading, discussion, reporting and presentation of projects and seminars

9. Participate responsibly in activities that impinge on societal quality of life.

10. Investigate further possibilities of training and employment.

11. Investigate further possibilities of training and employment.

12. Investigate and evaluate entrepreneurial possibilities in the appropriate field and also the relevance of the chosen field in society

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The learner can:

1. Display thorough knowledge of the field of enquiry.
Formulate an appropriate hypothesis.
Plan and carry out an appropriate experimental program
Analyse results obtained correctly.

2. Display an ability to co-operate with fellow students
Display an ability to contribute meaningfully to group efforts to work on a problem
Display an ability and readiness to accept a responsible part in a group effort

3. Display a mastery of subject material by independent study
Display the ability to work on a project of high complexity successfully
Prove the ability to write a project or progress report of high standard independently

4. Present a suitable project proposal on a topic
Be able to motivate the reasoning behind the proposal satisfactorily
Be able to perform the actions required to complete the collection of information
Be able to relate the information obtained to that which is known.

5. Display a knowledge of current information retrieval systems and processes.
Demonstrate a mastery of the use of technical and professional language and terminology.

6. Demonstrate awareness and recognition of the need for careful and correct laboratory techniques
Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate technology correctly, safely and responsibly.

7. Present a project proposal in which all the appropriate and aspects relating to the broad social and environmental considerations, are addressed
Be able to suggest possible changes in the proposal should certain aspects not turn out as expected.

8. Show awareness of the need for different ways of learning and assimilation of knowledge by electronic retrieval systems, libraries, correspondence and personal contacts at meetings.
Show awareness of the need for continued study so as to remain constantly up to date.

9. Demonstrate awareness of the effects of pollution and industrialisation on the environment.
Demonstrate awareness of the need for responsible management of environmental and biological resources and diversity.

10. Demonstrate an awareness of where the chosen field of study impinges on society and where further studies may be done. This includes medicinal, industrial, recreational and aesthetic considerations

11. Demonstrate the ability to relate the field of study to society and thus know where those skills are likely to be required.

12. Demonstrate the knowledge of what the chosen field of study involves and how it can be used for entrepreneurial activity
Show understanding of how the field of study impinges on society.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Assessment of the short dissertation as well as the taught courses will be mainly by formal and informal seminars on aspects of the study.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done. The courses taught in the study will be evaluated by final examination in each course. Summative assessment of the dissertation submitted will be by highly qualified evaluators. All evaluators will be highly qualified and appointed by the university.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Access to qualifications on a lower level:

Learners who have attained this qualification may proceed to other qualifications at lower level, such as Bachelor's, Bachelor's Honours degrees or diplomas in other faculties or institutions. The institution or faculty to which the relocation is made will decide on the acceptance of this qualification

Access to qualifications on the same level:

Learners who wish to switch MSc degree or similar programme at this or another institution, may do so. Credit for modules completed successfully will be granted subject to their acceptance in the new qualification.

Learners who wish to continue their studies in another faculty or at another institution, may do so. The faculty or institution to which the relocation is made will decide on acceptance of credit for all work done at this university. Under normal circumstances this university will not give credit for research done at another tertiary institution.

Under normal circumstances there is no articulation between institutions during the course of study. However, learners who wish to switch to another qualification or subject at this institution may do so. Credit for any research completed successfully will be granted subject to its acceptance in the new qualification or subject.

Access to qualifications on a higher level:

Having obtained this qualification, the following possibilities for access to other qualifications do exist:

any other degree or programme at this or another institution

a postgraduate higher diploma at this or another institution

any other degree or programme at this or another institution

MODERATION OPTIONS

External moderation will be by the use of external assessors

Normally one external examiner will be appointed to assess the dissertation and one for each of the taught courses. They will be drawn from other tertiary institutions or research institutions of appropriate standing. If a dissertation warrants it, more examiners may be appointed.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

o at least a Doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline
o at least five years' experience in the appropriate discipline, at tertiary institution level or a level of equivalent status outside the tertiary establishment
o had at least five years' exposure to assessment practices at tertiary or equivalent level

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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