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 Agriculture in Soil Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7007	Master of Science in Agriculture in Soil Science
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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Primary Agriculture
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

The first purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifiers with specialized knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of Soil Science, that provide for continued personal intellectual growth by means of supervised research, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

The second purpose of this higher qualification is to provide Southern Africa with a Soil Science specialist, who will have a clear understanding of the interaction between the soil and its environment, based on the sound knowledge and understanding of mathematics, chemistry and physics.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate

First degree

Other: BSc or BSc(Agric) and/or BSc(Agric)(Hons) or BSc(Agric)(Hons) in Soil Science or equivalent degree

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes:

Learners will have advanced knowledge of the basic principles and practices of
the various fields of Soil Science. Learners will have the ability to do research under leadership of a member of staff, and have the specialized skills required to identify problems and develop solutions in the field of Soil Science.

Critical cross-field outcomes:

Identifying and solving problems using critical and creative thinking

Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.

Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.

Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the problem-solving context do not exist in isolation.

Exploring education and career opportunities.

Developing entrepreneurial opportunities

Communicating effectively, using visual mathematical and language skill in the modes of oral and written persuasion.

Demonstrating an understanding of the economic world in context as a dynamic interactive world that does not exist in isolation.

Demonstrating effective and responsible decision-making?
Stimulating and developing thinking patterns involving creativity

Interpreting information received via the media?
Remaining receptive and responsive to current trends and developments

Using technology effectively and responsibly.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated assessment criteria:
Assessment will include written, oral and practical examinations and dissertation, moderated by internal and external assessors. Seminars, assignments, practicals, excursions and projects, with subsequent reporting, will be assessed.

Integrated assessment:

Portfolios
Simulations
Work-place assessments
Written examinations
Oral examinations

Other:
Compiling a research proposal and completion of the project

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification:
PhD Soil Science

Other articulation possibilities:
An MSc(Agric) Soil Science programme gives access to a variety of Master's and doctorate programmes in related fields

MODERATION OPTIONS

External evaluation of these at master and doctoral levels (national and international)

Peer review of publications (national and international)

Frequent departmental evaluation by peers (national and international)

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
In line with the requirements set by the University of Pretoria a degree, which is one degree higher than that for which the candidate is enrolled.

Career experience required:
Research, consulting, extension, management and teaching experience in Soil Science.

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