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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 in Agriculture |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 7341 | Master of Science in Agriculture | |||
| 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 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 | |
| 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.
The (first) purpose of the qualification is to equip students with a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of phenomena pertinent to their chosen field of agricultural science. The(second) purpose is to ensure mastery of the chosen field via high level analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges The(third) purpose is to enable students to carry out advanced and independent research through rigorous training in research methods and to introduce them to the world of scholarly communication, amongst others by assisting them to start publishing on their own. The (fourth) purpose is to prepare students who aspire to move to the highest level of academic work for doctoral study and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics and attitude in a specific field of agricultural sciences to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society The (fifth) purpose is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of highly trained graduates of agricultural sciences to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity; The (sixth) purpose is to stimulate and prepare learners for further advanced study by the provision of required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as agricultural researchers on the highest academic levels and The (seventh) purpose is to provide South Africa with agricultural scientists who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of agricultural sciences and of their responsibilities to provide food and fibre in an economically viable sustainable and environmentally friendly way. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| HonsBScAgric or equivalent.
Candidates must obtain an average of 60% in the final year of the HonsBScAgric, or equivalent for the MScAgric (post honours) or for the BScAgric, or equivalent, for the MScAgric (post bachelor) |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| N |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| Critical cross field outcomes:
The MscAgric graduate will have: a) Comprehensive knowledge of the chosen field of study. b) Mastery of advanced theory and its application to a specialised field. c) Familiarity with the literature and state of research on the subject. d) An understanding of the constructed and provisional nature of knowledge. e) Well-developed research skills. General outcomes: The MscAgric graduate will be able to: a) Perform independent analysis of new data and problems using a wide range of appropriate methods and techniques. b) Critically evaluate relevant literature. c) Extrapolate implications beyond given data. d) Use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues. e) Transform abstract data and concepts for a given purpose. f) Review evidence supporting conclusions critically. g) Identify and define complex problems. h) Apply solutions knowledge and skills for their solution i) Manipulate abstract systems models. j) Use well-developed research skills confidently. k) Challenge orthodox theory and generate new information using established methods. l) Interact and engage in debate with a learning or professional group. m) Produce detailed and coherent reports. The MscAgric graduate will demonstrate: a) Mastery of theoretical subject matter within a comprehensive knowledge of a field of study. b) Mastery of advanced theory and methodology and its application to a specialised field. c) Capacity of independent study via the completion of a thesis or research project. d) Understanding an application of appropriate academic and professional values. e) The ability to take calculated risks. f) Self-reflexivity and adaptability. Specific outcomes: Specific outcomes which the MscAgric graduate will demonstrate is the successful completion of an advanced study in a specialised field (crop or animal production), crop or animal breeding, crop protection, soil and water management, animal nutrition, animal products, oenology, wine biotechnology or agricultural economic and management techniques) via the completion of a thesis or assignment which meet the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.
a) A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as field and laboratory assignments, written and oral examinations is used. b) The required range of modalities is used integrative to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved. c) The assessment of samples generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned way to ensure reliability. d) The criterion used to assess outcomes is largely whether the information and conceptual content of work the student submits for evaluation or assessment is accurate and valid to demonstrate the indicated performances adequately. e) The candidate must demonstrate integration of learning by successfully completing an advanced research report, suitable for critical review and scientific publication, in the form of a thesis or other document. f) The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8a. Associated assessment criteria: The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. Integrated assessment: The candidate must demonstrate integration of learning by successfully completing an advanced research project and present it in the form of a thesis. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| PhD (Agric)
The HonsBScAgric can serve as an early exit point from the MScAgric |
| 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 departments contributing to this programme.
The academic staff member responsible for a prescribed module or assignment is appointed as first examiner. Second examiners are appointed for all modules and assignments. Second examiners serve as moderators for all modules and assignments. The thesis is examined by a minimum of three examiners, of which at least one must be an external examiner. |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which conforms to be 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; 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. |