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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Science: Zoology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3469  Master of Science: Zoology 
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
74037  Master of Science in Zoology  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to:
  • Carry out independent research by mastering the required experimental and technological skills and necessary fieldwork competencies.
  • Reach the required level of intellectual and theoretical knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of Zoology and of critical reasoning, formulation, analysis and evaluation of a specific problem in one of the fields of Zoology.
  • Demonstrate reflexive competencies such as innovation, decision-making, strategic thinking and organisational skills required for this level. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to:
  • Possess the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge, understanding and insight to identify a zoological problem to formulate a working hypothesis and design and conduct an experimental programme.
  • Explore and reflect on a variety of strategies, including critical and analytical thinking, in order to evaluate and consolidate relevant research literature and to generate, analyse and evaluate experimental data.
  • Organise and conduct surveys, collect, identify and analyse zoological samples, data or issues and use terminology correctly, analysing data statistically and present research findings in the form of a research report.

    A learner shall only be allowed to register for the Master's Degree in Zoology if he/she has obtained an Honours degree in a zoological field.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experimental 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 continuing education. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learner should be able to:

    1. Demonstrate his/her ability to identify an applied zoological problem, formulate a working hypothesis and design and conduct an experimental programme; generate, identify and collect experimental data, interpret them in terms of current subject information; make inferences and recommendations on a specific zoological problem and critically assess the problem and present all the above in the form of a dissertation and publishable manuscripts.

    2. Demonstrate his ability to work together in groups when collecting, identifying and analysing zoological samples, data or issues and to reflect on the effectiveness of group activities.

    3. The learner should be able to take responsibility of continuous learning in terms of planning, managing and execution of the research project, written reports and presents oral presentations of results.

    4. Identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project and generate, analyse and evaluate obtained experimental data.

    5. Use terminology correctly and informatively and analyse visual and mathematical data statistically and present results in the form of a dissertation, written research reports and oral presentations.

    6. Use scientific and technological knowledge and skills effectively and critically in analysing zoological problems.

    7. Identify and resolve problems in a specific eco-region and reflect on the socio-economic impact that this specific eco-region has on the many interrelated systems in our biosphere.

    8. Explore and reflect on a variety of strategies, including critical and analytical thinking, in order to learn more effectively and to manage information regarding zoological problems.

    9. Participate in and take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of the zoological environment locally and nationally.

    10. Show sensitivity towards the conservation of the natural environment and be mindful of the anthropogenic, cultural and aesthetic influence on the environment.

    11. Explore possible educational and career opportunities in the field of Zoology.

    12. Explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of Zoology. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner can:

    1. Collect, identify and generate experimental data effectively and correctly, interpret them in terms of current subject information, make appropriate inferences and suitable recommendations on a specific zoological problem and critically assess the problem and present the above in the form of a dissertation and a publishable manuscript

    2. Effectively work in groups when collecting, identifying and analysing zoological samples, data or issues and reflect on the effectiveness of group activity

    3. Responsibly plan, manage and execute a research project of a limited extent, written reports and oral presentations of results

    4. Correctly and effectively identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project and generate and correctly analyse and evaluate acquired experimental data

    5. Use subject terminology correctly and informatively and correctly analyse visual and mathematical data statistically

    6. Effectively and critically use scientific and technological knowledge and skills in analysing zoological problems

    7. Effectively identify and resolve problems in a specific eco-region and reflect on the socio-economic impact on this eco-region by local and national communities

    8. Effectively explore and reflect on a variety of strategies, including critical and analytical thinking in order to learn more effectively and managing information regarding zoological problems

    9. Effectively participate in and take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of the zoological environment locally and nationally

    10. Demonstrate sensitivity towards the conservation of the natural environment and be mindful of the anthropogenic, cultural and aesthetic influences on the environment

    11. Explore possible educational and career opportunities in the field of Zoology

    12. Explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of Zoology.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Research progress is assessed at regular intervals by the oral presentation of two seminars on the research topic, including hypothesis and proposed methods of investigation and results and discussion. Learners are regularly engaged in formal discussions with supervisors during field trips and experimentation in the laboratory in order to discuss research problems and to demonstrate progress with the research project.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of a research dissertation on a selected topic in the field of Zoology. The dissertation should clearly demonstrate ability to conduct research of an original nature and that constitute a contribution to the knowledge of, and insight into the field of study. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Access to qualifications on a lower level:
    Learners who are not in possession of a B.Sc. Hons (Zoology) but a B.Sc. Hons in a related field such as environmental sciences may gain access to an M.Sc. in Zoology after consultation with the departmental head or promoters.
  • Access to qualifications on the same level:
    Learners who want to switch to another qualification or to another field of research at this institution, may do so after consultation with their supervisors or the departmental head. Articulation possibilities between this institution and another institution can be created after careful deliberation with the supervisors and corresponding departments at that institution.
  • Access to qualifications on a higher level:
    Qualified learners may basically continue with any other higher education program, pending approval and recognition of certain credits by the institution offering the latter programme. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • At least one external examiner, usually recommended by the supervisor must be approved by the head of department and the faculty board.
  • At least one external examiner (from another higher education institution or from a relevant field in labour or industry) of national stature is used for the external examination of the dissertation. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Assessors should have at least a Ph.D. in Zoology or related fields.
  • Assessors from higher education institutions or from relevant fields in labour or industry should be active in the field of Zoology.
  • Assessors should have experience in assessing this type of qualification and should be knowledgeable concerning prescribe guidelines for assessing a Master's dissertation. 
    		•

    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.
     
    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 


    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.