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:

Bachelor of Technology: Biotechnology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
72372	Bachelor of Technology: Biotechnology
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
B Tech	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	480	Level 7	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 10105/14	2015-07-01	2017-10-26
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2018-10-26		2022-12-26

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 replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
1723	Bachelor of Technology: Biotechnology	Level 7	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7	480	Complete

This qualification is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
101555	Advanced Diploma in Biotechnology	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	120	Complete
101898	Postgraduate Diploma in Biotechnology	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Persons achieving this qualification will be competent to adopt a critical and innovative approach to contribute to the field of biotechnology and to pursue careers as senior technical managers and/or entrepreneurs in biotechnology industries and to contribute to the establishment of biotechnology based business. A graduate may apply to the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions for registration as Candidate Natural Scientist, and together with three years of experience in the field is eligible to apply for registration as Professional Natural Scientist.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

A 360-credit first degree in Biotechnology or a 360-credit equivalent qualification at NQF level 6.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of relevant theoretical aspects in at least four of the fields of biotechnology.

2. Plan and conduct a research project under supervision, and report the findings in scientific format.

3. Demonstrate management skills to foster entrepreneurial endeavours.

1.1 Apply knowledge for production and optimisation of various industrially valuable biotechnological processes.15 credits (elective, NQF level 7)
1.2 Demonstrate understanding of the impact of environmental pollutants and recommend ways of remediating them and protecting the environment.15 credits (elective, NQF level 7)
1.3 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the techniques and applications in medical biotechnology.15 credits (elective, NQF level 7)

1.4 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of techniques and applications and economics involved in plant biotechnology.15 credits (elective, NQF level 7)

1.5 Demonstrate knowledge of microbial metabolism and apply this knowledge to optimise various biotechnological processes.15 credits (elective, NQF level 7)

1.6 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of techniques and applications of recombinant DNA technology.15 credits (elective, NQF level 7)

2.1 Plan and write a research proposal.10 credits (core, fundamental, NQF level 7)

2.2 Conduct and complete experimental work under supervision.5 credits (core, NQF level 7)

2.3 Critically analyse and interpret results.5 credits (core, NQF level 7)

2.4 Write research report in scientific format.20 credits (core, NQF level 7)

2.5 Present the report orally and visually.5 credits (core, fundamental, NQF level 7)

3.1 Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of biotechnology to investigate the feasibility of establishing a possible own business.4 credits (core, fundamental, NQF level 6)

3.2 Write a business plan including a budget.6 credits (core, fundamental, NQF level 6)

1.3 Critically evaluate and implement new methodologies and trends in technology.3 credits (core, NQF level 7)

3.4 Demonstrate knowledge of labour legislation.2 credits (fundamental, core, NQF level 5)

Critical:
1. Critical and creative thinking to identify and solve problems by evaluating, optimising, applying new technology, manipulating variables and concepts to improve biotechnological methods and processes.
2. Working with others, especially with supervisors is embedded in the outcomes of research project planning, conducting and reporting.
3. Organisation, management of time, and responsibility are addressed by the need to allocate priorities to meet deadlines throughout the qualification.
4. Collecting generating, analysing and interpreting and evaluating information are continually emphasised throughout the qualification.
5. Communicating effectively is achieved by reporting research orally, visually and in written format using information technology skills to produce the reports.
6. Using science and technology effectively and critically is the overt purpose of the qualification.
7. Contributing to economic and social development by allowing learners access to promotion posts in senior managerial positions in various biotechnology industries, or to become entrepreneurs of their own businesses, thereby increasing job opportunity creation for the broad community of the country.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1.1. Production processes, applications, and economics of various bioprocesses used in industrial biotechnology are explained, illustrated and evaluated (eg. Immobilisation technology, enzyme technology, amino acid production, single cell protein and yeast production, alcohols production, antibiotics production, etc.).

1.2. Concepts and applications of environmental biotechnology are explained, analysed, applied, and evaluated. Concepts may include environmental protection, waste disposal, wastewater treatment, biodegradation and xenobiotic compounds, bioleaching, biosorption, bioremediation of soil and oil spills, etc.

1.3. Techniques for isolation, selection, and maintenance of different types of animal cell culture and their applications are explained and evaluated.

* Molecular diagnostic techniques and their applications are explained and critically examined.

1.4. Techniques for isolation, selection, and maintenance of plant cells and tissues are described, compared, and appraised.

* Agricultural and industrial applications of plant biotechnology are explained, debated and discussed.

1.5. Microbial metabolic pathways and their control systems are detailed and illustrated.

* Techniques for optimising biotechnological processes with respect to analysing and manipulating biochemical parameters are recommended and defended.
1.6. Molecular techniques and their applications are explained, analysed, and assessed.

* Concepts and techniques of genetic engineering are explained, illustrated, and applied.

* Ethics and safety involved in genetic engineering is discussed and debated.

2.1. The research problem is clearly identified, defined, and detailed in the research proposal.

* Relevant literature is accessed, cited, logically composed, and correctly listed.

* Appropriate techniques and methods are selected.

2.2. Appropriate procedures are followed for selecting, sourcing, and ordering of required equipment and materials.
* Experiments are performed and controlled responsibly and ethically.

2.3. Appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques are correctly applied to analyse and synthesise data.

* Inferences, interpretations and conclusions are valid and logical.

2.4. The report complies with acceptable scientific format.

* Information sources are used correctly and appropriately.

* Language and numeracy skills are applied to clearly communicate the research problem, its investigation, the outcome, and the significance of the contribution in relation to existing knowledge in the field.

2.5. Visual aids are prepared and used to clearly communicate findings.

* Oral presentation is audible and comprehensible by an appropriate audience.

3.1. A biotechnology based business idea is presented to an appropriate target population sample for a feasibility study.

* The results of the feasibility study reflect the worth of the idea.

3.2. The motivation for establishing a business is clearly communicated.

* Planning of the business is detailed.

* The budget reflects valid estimation of income, capital expenses, personnel expenses, running expenses, etc.

3.3. New methods and trends are identified, devised, and evaluated and predicted.

3.4. Relevant labour legislation is stated, and its application illustrated.

Integrated assessment:

Formative assessment:
Written tests
Oral presentations
Research proposals
Research reports

Summative assessment:
Written examinations
Research reports
Oral and visual presentations
Business plans

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Vertical articulation to the M.Tech.: Biotechnology or to a M.Tech or M.Sc. in a related discipline.

MODERATION OPTIONS

SERTEC (currently)
ETQA under SACNASP in process of being legislated.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

SERTEC (currently).
ETQA under South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) in process of being legislated.

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:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.	Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)