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

Bachelor of Science Honours: Physics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3633  Bachelor of Science Honours: Physics 
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
Honours Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Physical Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  144  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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
73802  Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics  Level 7  NQF Level 08  144  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the opportunity to develop and train as qualified scientists with intellectual and practical skills to analyse interpret and apply scientific laws, principles and methods. Through the acquisition of appropriate research and practical skills the learner will discover the application of physical science and will be able to reflect upon the application of physical science in the technological environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to:
  • Use general and technical language and terminology as well as
  • Theoretical and experimental physics up to Level 6 (or equivalent) with an adequate degree of competence.

    96 credits in Physics on level 5
    48 credits in Physics on level 6
    48 credits in Mathematics on level 5
    48 credits in Mathematics on level 6

    Recognition for 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? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learners should be able to:

    1. Identify advanced problems of physical science nature, set a working hypothesis, formulate an investigative and experimental program, integrate data with existing information and make logical, sound conclusions to resolve the problem, and formulate and handle advanced theoretical models.

    2. Interact in tutorials and classes and during research assignments as a team with fellow students and staff.

    3. Successfully execute research assignments by managing his/her own activities effectively and responsibly.

    4. Master skills of collecting, analysing, organising, interpreting and critically evaluation of advanced information and experimental data.

    5. Communicate in lectures, tutorials and during research assignments, as well as writing reports on research assignments.

    6. Perform experimental work requiring working with on the edge technology while being responsible towards the environment.

    7. Be continuously exposed to the fact that the world is set of related, as physics is the basis of all science and technology.

    8. The acquisition of learning skills through exposure to high technology scientific equipment, experimental techniques, scientific literature and advanced textbooks.

    9. Contribute to the South African society in general and the physical sciences in particular.

    10. Since Physics forms the basis of the modern technological world, the learner becomes sensitive to cultural values.

    11. During experimental work the learner interacts with advanced industrial related problems and thus acquire employment-seeking skills.

    12. Realise that the vast majority of modern technology and economic activities are based on physics. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Can the learner:

    1). Identify advanced problems of a physical science nature?
    Formulate an appropriate hypothesis?
    Plan and carry out an advanced experimental program?
    Analyse results obtained correctly?
    Integrate experimental data with advanced existing information?
    Make logical, sound conclusions to resolve a problem?
    Formulate and handle advanced theoretical models?

    2). Display the ability to work in a team?
    Display a contribution to meaningful participation in the group?
    Display a readiness to accept a responsible part in a group effort?
    Contribute to the effectiveness of the group?

    3). Present an acceptable project proposal on a topic?
    Perform the experiment with skill and accuracy required?
    Relate the findings to the aim of the research assignments, and apply to the outcome independently?

    4). Collect relevant advanced information?
    Analyse and organise the advanced relevant information?
    Interpret and critically evaluate the advanced information?

    5). Communicate scientific contents effectively?
    Write clear and descriptive experimental reports on research assignments?

    6). Perform the relevant experimental work at the required level?
    Deal with on the edge technology?
    Use on the edge technology responsibly in the environment?

    7). Identify various systems in the physical world?
    Identify the relation between the various systems?
    Identify the different physical principles making up all science and technology?

    8). Use the high technology scientific equipment to accumulate scientific data?
    Make effective use of experimental techniques in order to obtain data?
    Make use of advanced textbooks available to him in the library?
    Relate his knowledge to everyday technology and science in general through reading scientific literature?

    9). Communicate his/her acquired knowledge to their communities?
    Make responsible use of his acquired knowledge in his/her community?

    10). In his/her dealings with other people show sensitivity towards their cultural values?

    11). Interact effectively with industrial related problems?
    Acquire skills that would make him employable in industry?

    12). Relate modern technology to the physics it is based on?
    Identify economic activities that are based on physics?

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Learners are continuously assessed during modules via informal and formal written testes, experimental reports on research assignments, theoretical assignments, theoretical assignments, self and peer assessment and group assignments

    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 written examination per module at the end of each module.
    Research assignments will be evaluated and accumulated practical points will be given. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Access to qualifications on a lower level:
    Any applicant with other qualifications on a lower level than this qualification, will be evaluated ad hoc by the department, subject to approval by the Dean's committee of the Faculty of Science.

    Access to qualifications on the same level:
    Learners who are (or have been) registered for this or another related qualification (or even for some of the same or related subjects) at another higher education institution, will be allowed to enter in mid-stream. Such learners will retain credit for subjects that have been passed, after recognition by the previous institution and approval by the Dean's Committee of the relevant faculty at this institution.
    ANOTHER QUALIFICATION OR DIFFERENT SUBJECTS: Learners who want to switch to another qualification or other subjects at this institution, may do so within a period of three weeks after the start of the semester. They will retain full credit for courses that have been passed.
    ANOTHER INSITUTION: If learners want to continue their studies at another higher education institution, they may switch towards the end of the first or the second semester. This institution and the new institution will accredit all courses (subjects) that have been passed.

    Access to qualifications on a higher level:
    Further Studies: Having obtained this qualification, the following possibilities for further study of higher education programmes exist:
  • a postgraduate higher diploma-programme at any university and
  • a M.Sc. degree programme at any university. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    External moderation takes place by invitation of moderators for all theoretical modules. The moderators are physical scientists of higher education institutions or related research institutions. There will be one moderator module. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Assessors for Level 7 should at least have a Master's degree (Level 8) or related experience.
  • Assessors of practical sessions should at least have a Level 8 qualification or related experience
  • Assessors should have had experience of lecturing at a higher education institution and experience and training in formative and summative assessment. Assessors with applicable experience in the physical sciences in industry can also be used. 
    		•

    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.