SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Philosophy: Exercise Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7237	Master of Philosophy: Exercise 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 02 - Culture and Arts		Sport
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 0695/12	2012-07-01	2014-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2015-12-31		2018-12-31

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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
96482	Master of Science in Exercise Science	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	180	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The (first) purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with graduate level knowledge about the integrated field of Exercise Science, which draws from Human Physiology, Biochemistry, and Nutrition. This knowledge will provide qualifiers with opportunities and applied competence to either undertake further research in Exercise Science, or to enter the field of health care in the area of consulting services to athletes on nutrition or exercise programmes.

The (second) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in the growing field of Exercise Science, which serves both the professional and amateur athletic communities within South Africa. Sport and exercise are an important social medium for community upliftment.

The (third ) purpose of the qualification is to improve South Africa`s research expertise base in the internationally growing field of basic research into Exercise Science, by providing a stepping stone for students who wish to continue with a PhD in this cross disciplinary field.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.
A Baccalaureus degree approves by Senate

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Generic/ Critical Cross Field Outcome

The MPhil in Exercise Science graduate will be able to demonstrate competence in a range of cross-disciplinary fields, such as planning and execution of scientific research, problem-solving in the research, problem solving in the laboratory and field, data analysis and interpretation, integration of different fields of physiology and biochemistry, effective use of relevant laboratory equipment, and interaction with athletes.

General outcomes:

The MPhil in Exercise Science graduate will have

1. an excellent grasp of the principles of physiology relevant to the field of exercise science;
2. an demonstrated ability to plan and execute a research project with a large degree of independence;
3. familiarity with and ability to interpret the literature appropriate to the topics of the assigned seminars and the project;
4. the ability to apply scientific knowledge to planning of further research;
5. an understanding of the appropriate use of tools such as statistical analyses and laboratory techniques in the field of exercise science;
6. the ability to speak in public, and to prepare and present a scientific conference presentation in both oral and poster form;
7. the ability to write a scientific paper of publication quality;
8. the ability to interact with human subjects in both consulting and research capacities.

Specific Outcomes:

The MPhil in Exercise Science graduate will have a working knowledge of the following physiological and biochemical fields as they relate to exercise;

1. central and peripheral nervous system, particularly with respect to motor control and neuromuscular interactions;
2. muscle structure, function and adaptation;
3. the control of cardiovascular function during exercise, and the adaptability of the cardiovascular system;
4. influence of exercise on the immune system;
5. methods of testing of exercise parameters, athletic performance and fitness;
6. metabolic biochemistry, with the emphasis on metabolic fuel utilisation during exercise and its relevance to recommendations for athletes` exercise programmes;
7. the physiology of acceptable and unacceptable "doping" procedures in sport,
8. basic nutritional physiology and nutrition intervention;
9. applied nutritional physiology with respect to carbohydrates, proteins and fats and exercise, and the influence of nutritional supplements such as vitamins and amino acids on performance;
10. biokinetics, motor skills and learning, sports psychology, and the scientific basis of coaching;
11. environmental physiology with the emphasis on heat tolerance, fluid and electrolyte balance;
12. adaptation to altitude and to depth (diving);
13. exercise and bone density;
14. haematology and exercise.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The course is divided into 5 full-time sessions, of 1-3 weeks each, spread over the 2 years of the degree. There are 4 written tests, 2 at the end of each year. These examine the theoretical material presented during lecture sessions. In addition, students write 5 essays on selected topics, which also test their theoretical knowledge.

Research skills are assessed by means of
1. 3 case studies, each with a single athlete
2. a literature review on the topic of the research project
3. the execution and write-up of the research project itself

General outcomes are assessed by:

1. written tests, written essays, seminar presentation;
2. supervisor`s mark for performance in research arena and project execution;
3. mark for both project write up and literature review;
4. mark for project and case-study write-up
5. supervisor`s mark for performance in research arena and project execution;
6. seminar presentations;
7. project write-up;
8. execution of projects and case studies necessitate this

Specific outcomes

1-14 are assessed by means of written tests on material presented during the full-time lecture sessions.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s)

PhD in Natural Sciences

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.

Examiners for this course are drawn from outside the Department that offers it (i.e.: the Department of Human and Animal Physiology), from, for example, the Department of Medical Physiology at Tygerberg. These examiners are consulted at the end of each two-year period over which the course runs, and are asked to moderate the project marks and the final exam marks.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner that fits into the quality assurance system of the University.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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