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

Bachelor of Science Honours in Aerospace Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
5571  Bachelor of Science Honours in Aerospace Medicine 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
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 
The purpose of this course for medical doctors is to obtain registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an additional qualification. They will have wide ranging diagnostic, therapeutic and investigative skills. Registration with the Civil Aviation Authority, to become a designated aviation medical examiner, is another purpose of this qualification.

Qualified learners will have comprehensive, in depth knowledge, highly specialized technical experience and well-developed research knowledge in the field of Aerospace Medicine. An attitude of lifelong learning will be fostered, ensuring continuing self-development and development of the field.

The qualification aims to provide South Africa with consultants with special skills in the field of Aerospace Medicine in order to provide and promote health care of the highest standard and the continual development of a high level of knowledge and expertise that is comparable with internationally set standards in the field. These special skills will include clinical, medicine, occupational health, flight environmental and aircraft accident prevention aspects.

Furthermore, this qualification aims to provide clinicians and occupational health consultants with research knowledge in order to contribute to the body of knowledge for the profession as well as for the Aerospace industry.

The aerospace community will gain consultants in the field of Aerospace Medicine leading to higher efficacy of medical certification of aviation personnel and of patient care, contributing also to the prevention of disease and promotion of occupational health in the aviation industry specifically and even in the wider community generally. 

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:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Obtain and assimilate scientific knowledge and associated practical experience appropriate to the discipline, to be applied critically in the aviation personnel assessment and management and in an industrial and clinical setting.
    2. Obtain professional and technical skills required to competently assess and manage aviation personnel in their medical selection and certification and promote flight safety specifically.
    3. Maintain continued competence and show a continuous interest in new developments in the field as a lifelong learner.
    Learners will have gained:
    4. In-depth knowledge of the research method used in the research, and insight into research methods.
    5. Act professionally ethically. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate appropriate theoretical knowledge.
  • Take appropriate clinical history.
  • Perform appropriate clinical examination.
  • Perform/prescribe appropriate specialized investigations and interpret results.
  • Understand the appropriate therapeutic regimen, evaluating and adjusting elements of the plan as necessary in consultation with the care provider and the industry.
  • Assisting the aerospace industry in flight safety audits and accident prevention programmes.
  • Latest techniques and technology are assimilated into appropriate practice.
  • An acceptable protocol is compiled.
  • Takes responsibility within own limits of competence.
  • Acts within accepted norms of the profession.

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios.
    Work-place assessments.
    Written examinations.
    Oral examinations.
    Other:
    Submission of a dissertation following the completed research. This dissertation will be evaluated by the external examiner and the candidate may also be examined orally on this.

    Assessment is continuous and done on the following basis:
    Portfolio assessment:
    Seminars based on current research are presented.
    A basic research project is conducted.

    Formative assessment:
    The candidate work that has been compiled is assessed by the assessor(s) and moderator(s).

    One or more written examinations are set at predetermined intervals and especially at or close to the conclusion of the prescribed study period. One or more oral and/or practical examinations may similarly be set. These written, oral and practical examinations are set to a high standard and are conducted in a manner which ensures comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the theoretical knowledge, acquired experience and clinical/practical skills of the learner. 
    		•

    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 Science Honours in Medical Nuclear Science, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Medical Physics, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences in Complementary Medicine, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    Notes:
    1. Admission to this Honours-degree currently requires an M B Ch B-degree. Thus NQF level 7 indicated above.
    2. This Honours degree serves as an entry point to the M Sc (Aerospace Medicine) thus NQF level 8 indicated for the latter degree in the following paper.
    3. A student may be required to pass a proficiency test in English at an acceptable level as a requirement for admission to these degrees. 

    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.