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: Optometry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3675  Doctor of Philosophy: Optometry 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
73912  Doctor of Philosophy in Optometry  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to:
  • Perform independent, original and creative scientific research.
  • Contribute significant knowledge to and insight into optometry as well as the specific discipline of research.
  • Display skills in related research methodologies and in proper formulation through a doctoral dissertation.
  • Reflect upon decision-making, self-directedness and contributions to optometric science. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learning accessing this qualification should demonstrate ability to:
  • Understand the relevant literature of typical level 8 (NQF) qualifications and transmit the acquired knowledge.
  • Apply theory in the laboratory, scientific field and everyday life.
  • Perform scientific research of quality corresponding to level 8 (NQF).

    240 credits on level 8 in the field of optometry, vision science and/or other fields appropriate to the proposed research.
    The competencies above must be satisfied.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experimental learning will be assessed. If the learner is found to be competent the learner may gain access to the programme but, where necessary, additional studies, for example, in fields including Statistics, may be required. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve significant research problems through critical and creative reasoning.

    2. Work independently and/or, where necessary, in a team with peers, advisors and lecturers.

    3. Persevere and execute a research project at the appropriate scientific level.

    4. Show self-motivated ability to collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information.

    5. Communicate, in writing and verbally, with advisor/s, fellow learners and health care providers.

    6. Apply science and technology in the context of research, the environment and public health.

    7. Visualise one's research project in the broader context of society and the environment at large.

    8. Acquire learning abilities in the research context including the ability to assess scientific literature critically.

    9. Conceptualise the research project within the context of the community, local, national and global.

    10. Recognise and be sensitive to cultural differences in various communities and population groups.

    11. Identify and explore employment opportunities in research and other environments.

    12. Recognise and create opportunities including employment and other opportunities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner can:

    1. Identify and solve research problems, through critical and creative reasoning, that contributes substantially to the science of Optometry.

    2. Work independently and/or where necessary, in a team with peers, advisors and lecturers.

    3. Preserve and execute a research project at the appropriate level that contributes substantially to the science of optometry.

    4. Show self-motivated ability to collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information that contributes substantially to the science of optometry.

    5. Communicate, in writing and verbally, with advisor/s, fellow learners and health care providers.

    6. Apply science and technology in the context of research, the environment and public health.

    7. Visualise the research project in the broader context of society and the environment at large.

    8. Acquire learning abilities in the research context including the ability to assess scientific literature critically.

    9. Conceptualise the research project within the context of the community, local, national and global communities.

    10. Recognise and be sensitive to cultural differences in various communities and population groups.

    11. Identify and explore employment opportunities in research and other environments.

    12. Recognise and create opportunities that contribute substantially to the development of optometry.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    Learners will be assessed continually through discussions with the advisor/s and through attendance at and presentation of seminars.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    The dissertation, seminars and related publications produced will be assessed. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Access to qualifications on a lower level:

    Learners wanting 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 where applicable. They will retain full credit for modules that have been passed.
  • Access to qualifications on the same level:

    The following possibilities for continuation of studies within other higher education programmes exist:
    *Other doctoral degree programmes at any other higher education institution.
  • Access to qualifications on a higher level:

    None. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The dissertation should be assessed by at least two external examiners with at least one examiner being an overseas authority. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors of the doctoral qualification should have a D.Phil, Ph.D or equivalent degree and recent peer-reviewed publications to their credit. Assessors should have been themselves guided learners through doctoral degrees. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006. 

    NOTES 
    Old qualification. 

    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.