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: Geology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
3485	Master of Science: Geology
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		Earth and Space 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
74032	Master of Science in Geology	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 to society who can do independent research and interpret results in the geological, minerals and earth science environment. It would involve training of highly qualified scientists who can identify, evaluate and address problems associated with the geological or earth science in South Africa and international context at high level. 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 earth scientists or geologists with a range of possible employers in industry or tertiary institutions or allow them to establish enterprises of their own in a variety of earth, geological and/or mineral science areas of endeavour as entrepreneurs or advisors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Learners accessing this qualification should have demonstrated their ability to:

Evaluate projects and internationally accepted publications

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

The ability to generate information that is correct and appropriate use of technology and research methodology

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

The ability to formulate hypotheses, to generate facts in pursuit of that hypotheses, to evaluate these facts and to present them in 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 identify a research area, plan a detailed and multidisciplinary investigation and, if required, modify the proposal to accommodate any difficulties encountered.

144 credits on a level 7 (an Honours or equivalent degree) in Geology, Earth Science or a related discipline, from an accepted accredited university or other higher education institute.

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 continuing education.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The learners should be able to:

1. Identify a general problem, formulate an appropriate hypothesis, generate experimental data, 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 reading, discussion, reporting and presentation of projects and seminars.

9. Participate responsibly in activities, which impinge on social quality of life.

10. Investigate further possibilities of training and employment.

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

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The learner can/Does the learner:

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 the ability to co-operate with fellow students
Display the ability to contribute meaningfully to group efforts to work on a problem.
Display the 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 knowledge of current information retrieval systems and processes
Demonstrate a mastery of the use of technical and professional language and terminology.

6. Demonstrate an awareness and recognition of the need for careful and correct laboratory technique.
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 mineral resources and diversity.

10. Demonstrate 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 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 dissertation will be mainly by formal and informal seminars on aspects of study.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done. Summative assessment of the dissertation submitted will be by highly qualified evaluators, appointed by the university from suggestions made by the supervisor and in consultation with the head of the Department and the Dean of Science.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

1. Access to qualifications on a lower level:

Potential learners who are in possession of an Honours degree or equivalent qualification in Geology or Earth Science from an accredited university or higher education institute may apply to the Department of Geology for acceptance to the study.
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 of Geology reserves the right to accept an application it deems suitable even if the applicant`s previous experience or qualification is not obviously within the general concept of Geology or Earth Science

2. Access to qualifications on the same level:

Under normal circumstances there is no articulation between institutions during the course of study.
Learners who wish to continue their studies at another institution, may do so. The institution to which the relocation is made will decide on acceptance of credit for all work done at this university.

3. Access to qualifications on a higher level:

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

A doctoral degree at this or another institution.

Any other degree or programme at this or another institution.

MODERATION OPTIONS

*External evaluation will be by the use of external assessors.

*Normally one external examiner will be appointed to assess the dissertation, (in addition to internal examiners from RAU), drawn from other higher education institutions, research institutions or industrial/mining corporations of appropriate standing. Private consultants could also be used. If a thesis warrants it, more external examiners may be appointed.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Assessors should have at least an M.Sc. or Doctoral degree in the appropriate discipline or professional experience that would place them at similar levels.

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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