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: 

Master of Science in Applied Mineralogy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
6461  Master of Science in Applied Mineralogy 
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
Master's Degree  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  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 
This qualification is aimed to provide the graduate with:
  • Fundamental insights into the interaction of different disciplines in Science and Engineering.
  • Specialised theoretical knowledge and practical research skills as required in the multidisciplinary approaches common in mineral and ore-processing industries.
  • Well-founded expertise in mineralogical investigation techniques and research methodology.
  • The mindset to contribute proactively towards the utilisation of marginal mineral resources and the better utilisation of presently accessible resources, in this way contributing to the improvement of quality of life of all the inhabitants of South Africa and the World.
  • A feeling of responsibility towards the environment and its inhabitants.
  • The ability to compete successfully in an international environment.
  • A positive attitude towards scientific advancement and continued learning. 
    		•

    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 Arts Honours in Geography, NQF Level 8.
  • Relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, NQF Level 8.
  • Relevant Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    M Sc (Appl. Min.)

    Learning outcomes:
    Knowledge:
  • increased knowledge base on minerals and their utilization
  • knowledge of mineral beneficiation process
  • values of raw materials

    Skills:
  • design of investigation strategies
  • ability to carry out relevant investigations and to critically evaluate the results
  • communication of a synthesis of the findings in industry and academic research environments.

    Values:
  • an accurate awareness of the social and economic responsibility of highly trained scientists

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    The graduate will be equipped to
  • be an active and responsible member of society with an fundamental understanding of the responsibility to utilise natural resources to the benefit of the community as a whole;
  • identify and characterise problems, and to contribute to their solution with professional integrity;
  • carry out research to the highest international standards;
  • interact with specialists in many disciplines and contribute to multidisciplinary efforts to find practical solutions to problems;
  • communicate scientific results in comprehensible ways to peers and non-specialists;
  • be part or driving force for new developments in science and technology;
  • contribute to the upliftment and advancement of quality of life of all citizens of South Africa;
  • transgress the limits of "conventional" disciplines in science and technology. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Formative and summative:
    Carry out practical tasks to demonstrate ability to
  • identify problems
  • select most appropriate investigation technique and design investigation strategy
  • obtain relevant data through literature study, experimentation and observation
  • evaluation of data consistency and quality
  • apply theoretical knowledge
  • communicate the findings and their implications in writing and oral presentations to specialists and non specialists alike

    Summative:
    Write a thesis in which knowledge and all relevant skills are applied to investigate a problem and to derive at suggestions for its solution.

    Publish a paper in a peer reviewed scientific journal

    Integrated assessment:
    Simulations
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other
    Treatise 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    Ph D Geology

    Ph D Geology serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
    Generically, graduates should be able to carry on with a Ph D in Extractive Metallurgy 

    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.