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 Biochemistry

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
6967	Master of Science in Biochemistry
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
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

To provide qualifiers with the skills to:
1. Independently undertake original research in Biochemistry
2. Take responsibility for the scientific inputs and outputs of biochemical research projects
3. Teach and communicate in the discipline of biochemistry and the life sciences.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate
First degree: B Sc (Biochemistry)
Honours degree
Other:
Matriculation with the subjects Natural Science and Mathematics all passed in Higher Grade >50%

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes:
A M Sc (Biochemistry) graduate is able to:
1. Compare and integrate own results with that of relevant biochemical literature
2. Plan and independently undertake a biochemical research project under expert supervision
3. Participate in public awareness programs on specific and general aspects of biochemistry
4. Supervise undergraduate practical training
5. Appreciate community needs for biochemical research.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
1. Verbally and audio-visually present research to national and international scientific audiences
2. Write a research paper for publication in a scientific journal
3. Appreciate, apply and advocate laboratory safety and research ethics

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Laboratory work assessments (formative)
Dissertation (summative)
Written examination (summative)
Student assessments of guidance during undergraduate practical (formative)
Oral examination (summative)
Seminar (summative and formative)
Defending research results and conclusions at national/international conferences (formative)

Integrated assessment:
Portfolios (M Sc Dissertation)
Work-place assessments
Written examinations
Oral examinations
Other:
Writing a concept manuscript for publication in a scientific journal (summative)
Formative encouragement to participate at congresses

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Related qualifications:
Ph D (Biological Sciences)
Ph D (Chemistry)

Ph D (Biological Sciences) serves as an entry point for the related qualification
Ph D (Chemistry) serves as an entry point for the related qualification

MODERATION OPTIONS

Summative assessments: Internal second examiners as well as external examiner from University/Research institute
At least one research article as first author submitted for publication in a refereed science journal
At least one official presentation of results at a national congress

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
M Sc (Biochemical)

Career experience required:
Postgraduate teaching and research for at least 2 years

Other criteria:
Fluency in Both Afrikaans and English

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

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