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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: |
| Master of Science |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 7223 | Master of Science | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Stellenbosch University | ||||
| 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 | Physical 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 | |
| Registered-data under construction | EXCO 0324/24 | 2024-07-01 | 2027-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2028-06-30 | 2031-06-30 | |||
Registered-data under construction The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered. |
| 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. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| This qualification includes the various specialisations in Science. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.
To equip the student with a sound, in depth, theoretical knowledge in the area of the chosen field of study and to train students to acquire such knowledge from primary publications and original source material. To ensure that students have a mastery of the subject so that they have the ability to manage complexity to put forward a defendable viewpoint and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges. To acquire a rigorous training in research techniques and methodology at a high level and to be able to communicate their findings in a scholarly and scientifically coherent manner. To train students who aspire to the highest level of academic work and to promote an approach based on sound academic integrity and professional ethics. To contribute to the national pool of scientists who have sufficient technical competence and critical intellectual ability to ensure the future of science based economic activity and scientific endeavour. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.
BSc, BTech Bsc Hons, BTech Hons to complete MSc in minimum of 1 year |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| N |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| Cross field outcomes:
a) to be self-educators who can teach themselves from original source material. b) To be able to solve problems in a way that displays creativity and responsibility. c) To demonstrate sensitivity to people, animals and environmental issues. d) To be able to organise and manage their activities responsibly and effectively. e) To use visual, oral and written skills to communicate effectively (including the use of computer technology). General outcomes: f) Have a comprehensive, in-depth, theoretical knowledge in the field of study. g) Mastery of the theory and its application to the field of study. h) Possess well-developed research skills. i) To critically evaluate literature and evidence, to cope with contradictions and make defendable judgements. j) To understand the value and limitations of scientific observations, data and knowledge. k) Have competence in the application of a number of techniques to conduct a scientific investigation in such a way that results obtained are able to be interpreted in a scientifically sound manner. l) To have a appreciation of the importance of the scientific knowledge base to research and to be able to place the subject and the results of a research investigation in the context of previously acquired knowledge. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8a.
a) a variety of assignments, exercises, seminars, written tasks, written and oral examinations (as appropriate) are used to demonstrate a,b,f,g,h,i,j and l. b) activities such as assignments, essays, reports and discussions are monitored to assess (c) and lack of sensitivity corrected or debated. c) compliance with deadlines without sacrificing quality of work is used to show competence in (d)/ d) the presentation of seminars and projects/research reports supported by the use of appropriate computer technology for graph drawing, calculations etc, are used to demonstrate skills described in e). e) all MSc students are required to produce a project/research report(s) that must demonstrate competence in generic outcomes and especially outcomes (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (l), including the ability to carry out scientific research work (eg to use proper controls and statistics where appropriate), not to over- or under interpret results, to be objective and to report findings with integrity. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s):
PhD in the Natural Sciences (in some cases also within other Faculties e.g. Engineering and Medicine). DSc - But a PhD is the uasual entry point Other articulation possibilities: A variety of multidisciplinary MPhil programmes |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.
Additional information: MSc degrees by thesis are examined by at least one internal and one external examiner. |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which fits into the quality assurance system of the University.
Additional information: MSc degrees by thesis are examined by at least one internal and one external examiner. Examiners, selected on the grounds of specialist competence are proposed by the Department concerned, recommended by the Board of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and formally approved by the University Senate. |
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
| As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. |
| NOTES |
| This qualification includes the following specialisations:
|
| 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. | Stellenbosch University |
| 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. |