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:

Bachelor of Science Honours: Computer Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
4503	Bachelor of Science Honours: Computer Science
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Honours Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 7	Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2022-12-31

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The first purpose of the programme is to further develop skills that were implanted with the BSc programmes, as part of a generic training for South African scientists: most professional scientific bodies in South Africa take a BSc Honours or equivalent as the minimum qualification for registration as a scientist. Thus, the programme will embody aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a professional natural scientist in a work environment. The programme will also equip learners with the tools necessary for them to enter a path to be professional academic practitioners in their particular disciplines: again, most South African Universities insist on a BSc Honours level qualification as the minimum entry standard for further postgraduate training. Accordingly, the programme must embody aspects of academic training such as understanding of the scientific literature as well as furtherance of the requirements of literacy, numeracy and computer literacy first introduced in the BSc programmes.

The second purpose is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in the natural sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity in these fields is widened.

The third purpose of this qualification is to provide South Africa with a cadre of educators (GEC, FEC and Tertiary level) who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress in the natural sciences prior to acquiring specific postgraduate teaching qualifications.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

The programme requires that the entrant will already have a BSc or an equivalent standard qualification in a particular discipline at the same or other University or equivalent institution. If the degree or qualification is in another discipline to the one for which the applicant wishes to register for Honours, then dispensation will have to be sought from Senate. In exceptional cases work training may be recognised by Senate as being sufficient.

The skills will be those required as outcomes for a BSc in a given discipline, as well as elements of numeracy, literacy and computer literacy. Content will be dictated by the requirements of the specific BSc programme taken as a prerequisite for the specific Honours programme.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Recognition of prior learning is applicable.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

(a) Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning)

The qualifier will be able to do as required of a BSc graduate under SAQA critical cross-field outcomes a-h, to a level appropriate to the extra training.

STATEMENT OF WHAT LEARNERS SHOULD KNOW AND BE ABLE TO DO ON COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAMME

a) Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decision using critical and creative thinking has been made.

b) Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.

c) Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

d) Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluating information.

e) Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.

f) Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards others.

g) Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

h) Demonstrate an awareness of the importance to:
(1) Reflect on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively
(2) Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
(3) Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
(4) Explore education and career opportunities; and
(5) Develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

(b) General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme)

The qualifier will demonstrate a satisfactory level of:

1. Knowledge of fundamental scientific principles, bodies of content and conceptual issues including areas of contested knowledge;

2. Understanding of the techniques and strategies involved in scientific enquiry and problem solving;

3. Ability to think critically and creatively;

4. Ability to work as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary environments, showing leadership and performing critical functions;

5. Effective oral and written communication skills, with scientific and lay audiences;

6. Computer skills appropriate to general communication and data analysis;

7. Understanding of the role of the natural sciences in society;

8. Appreciation of the fundamentals of lifelong learning

9. Understanding of both the professional and ethical basis of scientific enquiry

(c) Specific Outcomes, including professional outcomes, contextually demonstrated)

The qualifiers should:

i) Be capable of solving problems and/or executing research work in the specific subject area;
ii) Be competent to report in detail on such work;
iii) Exhibit a level of understanding appropriate to practice of the chosen discipline.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment criteria will include all criteria used for BSc outcomes, but will also be aimed at determining whether the qualifiers

i) Are capable of critically understanding the specific scientific literature and theory at a level appropriate to independent practice of the discipline

ii) Show evidence of an adequate degree of practical skills appropriate to the discipline

iii) Are capable of formulating a scientific report on practical or academic work.

iv) Can communicate their work in writing and verbally to lay and scientific audiences.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The assessment will be aimed at determining that the student has achieved the requisite level of knowledge required at this level, as well as the ability to use and apply skills obtained in the programme, and in most cases to formulate and carry out a research project, to report on it, and to critically review current literature in the subject area.

Assessment methods will normally include formal examination, review of essays and/or oral presentations or other written assignments or fieldwork where appropriate, and some form of review of a written research project, taking into account elements of scientific literacy, numeracy and computer literacy inasmuch as these are appropriate to the study area.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Title of related qualification:
MSc

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualifications:
MSc; MPhil
and other appropriate Masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas.

This qualification provides credits for the related qualification(s):
Components may provide credits for related postgraduate courses.

Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific (please specify)

Learners may shift into or out of the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for entry at an appropriate level to this or another programme. Similar articulation possibilities exist with other postgraduate honours programmes, if selected, within UCT or at other tertiary institutions, nationally and internationally.
Learners may proceed to Honours programmes if selected, such as BSc (Honours), BCom (Honours) in accounting, within UCT or at other tertiary institutions, nationally and internationally.
Learners may proceed to postgraduate diplomas if selected, such as Postgraduate Diploma in Education (HDE), Postgraduate diplomas in Management (Tourism and Leisure, Marketing, Human Resource Management.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Cape Town will be used in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

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.

1.	University of Cape Town