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

Bachelor of Science Honours in Meteorology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
5291  Bachelor of Science Honours in Meteorology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
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  Earth and Space Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  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 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The overall purpose of the qualification is to train and supply qualified Meteorologists to South Africa and the international community (especially for sub-Sahara African countries). To attain a world class standard the course content has been composed with the aid of qualified national (South African Weather Bureau) and international scientist. This qualification is unique in the sense that it is the only qualification in South Africa equipping a qualifier with the status of a professional Meteorologist. Learners from different academic backgrounds are allowed to enter the course. The qualification is required for commencing with the M Sc (Meteorology) qualification.

Objective 1:
The first objective is to allow learners with various academic qualifications (B Sc (Meteorology) and T4 (Meteorology); B Sc, T4, B Tech in science or an equivalent qualification) to enrol for the B Sc (Hons) (Meteorology) qualification. A number of core modules have been introduced to compensate for the occasional lack in meteorological background knowledge. It is, however, compulsory for all learners to pass the core modules.

Objective 2:
The second objective of the qualification is to equiped the qualifier with specialised and skilful knowledge in three career focused fields namely weather forecasting, climate change and variability and meteorological research. Specific core modules are prescribed for each field. The qualification will enable the qualifier to become a professional Meteorologist.

Objective 3:
The third, and probably the most important objective, is to train and supply qualified Meteorologists to South Africa and the international community (especially for the sub-Sahara African (SADC) countries). To attain a world class standard the course content has been composed with the aid of qualified national (South African Weather Bureau) and international scientist. This qualification is unique in the sense that it is the only qualification in South Africa equipping a qualifier with the status of a professional Meteorologist.

Rationale: 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. A thorough knowledge of meteorological instrumentation, observation methods, dynamics and the physical processes in the atmosphere.
    2. An understanding of mesoscale weather systems and their propagation in the tropics and extra tropics.
    3. Theoretical knowledge of marine, aviation and specialized weather forecasting.
    4. A thorough knowledge of meteorological instrumentation, observation methods and the physical processes in the atmosphere
    5. An overall knowledge of the prognosis of climate variability and the elements affecting in the climatic system..
    6. A good knowledge of fundamental statistics.
    7. Climate modelling, numerical atmospheric modelling, cloud processes, fundamental weather forecasting.
    8. A thorough knowledge of meteorological instrumentation, observation methods and the dynamics of the atmosphere.
    9. Climate modelling, numerical atmospheric modelling, cloud processes, fundamental weather forecasting, climatology.
    10. Research and communication skills: Applied research and the preparation of research reports/papers. Oral presentations.
    11. Advanced weather forecasting skills: chart analyses, interpretation of weather codes and satellite images, cloud identification, data, classification of weather types.
    12. Data manipulation and fundamental statistical skills necessary for climate analyses.
    13. Appreciate ethics in the environmental and atmospheric sciences.
    14. Teamwork and collaboration when addressing meteorological aspect affecting community life. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Summative:
  • Written tests and exams addressing the theoretical knowledge
  • Oral tests and exams addressing the theoretical knowledge
  • Written assignments addressing various meteorological topics which includes the requisition of information from the South African Weather Bureau and interpretation/presentation of meteorological information in written reports

    Formative:
  • Evaluation of the ability to perform innovative research. Research reports and evaluation on the oral presentation of research results.
  • Estimation of the ability to participate in a team and encourage teamwork when discussing controversial meteorological aspects.
  • Problem solving by means of computer programming.

    Integrated assessment:
    Simulations.
    Work-place assessments.
    Written examinations.
    Oral examinations.

    Other:
    Report writing (assignments and research presentation).
    Practical weather map interpretation.
    Computer-based analytical assessments. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Geographical Science, Level 8.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Master of Science, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 Pretoria 


    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.