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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Commerce in Operations Research 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73551  Master of Commerce in Operations Research 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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 
Purpose:

To provide masters graduates with advanced core knowledge and skills about various specialised aspects of operations research in order to equip them for a career in quantitative areas of business/commercial management.

To develop competent leaders in the quantitative management fields within the primary, secondary and tertiary economic sectors, possessing advaned theoretical and applied knowledge and skills, enabling them to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction within their domain of work.

To deliver students who would like to proceed with doctoral study in operations research with a sound academic base from which to do so.

Rationale:

To provide students with advanced core knowledge and skills about various specialised aspects of operations research in order to equip them for a career in quantitative areas of business/commercial management.

To develop competent leaders in the quantitative management fields within the primary, secondary and tertiary economic sectors, possessing advaned theoretical and applied knowledge and skills, enabling them to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction within their domain of work.

To deliver students who would like to proceed with doctoral study in operations research with a sound academic base from which to do so. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning:

The University of Stellenbosch has a comprehensive policy for the recognition of prior learning (attached).

Access to the Qualification:

Honours degree in Operations Research (OR). 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
Exit Level of programme; NQF Level 8.
Duration (years); 1 year full-time.
Total Credits; 120 Credits.
  • Fundamentals; NQF Level 8.
  • Core; NQF Level 8; 60 Credits.
  • Electives; NQF Level 8; 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ability to independently, or as leader of a team, analyse, plan, implement and monitor business operations and projects within an organisation and in a product's supply chain on strategic, tactical and operational levels, and found decisions quantitatively, and to organise complex operations that entail the efficient allocation and distribution of scarce resources.

    2. Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
  • Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
    > Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
  • Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:
    > Ability to independently, or as leader of a team, analyse, plan, implement and monitor business operations and projects within an organisation and in a product's supply chain on strategic, tactical and operational levels, and found decisions quantitatively, and to organise complex operations that entail the efficient allocation and distribution of scarce resources.
  • Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively".
    > Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.
  • Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:
    > Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.
  • Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
    > Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    > Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:
    > Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.
  • Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of: Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Refer to the following Exit Level Outcome:
    > Be equipped to proceed with doctoral studies.
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities".
    > Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities.
    > Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.
    > Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as computer assignments, quantitative problem sets, written and oral presentations, tests and examinations, are used.
  • This range of methods is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.
  • The assessment of samples, generalising to a domain of application, takes place in a judicious and planned way in order to ensure reliability.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

    The ability to perform research as required on NQF Level 8(a) is demonstrated through the completion of a research assignment (for research work that contributes between 25 and 50 percent of the programme requirements) or a thesis (for research work that contributes more than 50 percent of the programme requirements).

    The assessment of assignments and theses takes the following criteria into account:
  • Adequate delimitation and conceptualising of the field and subject of research.
  • Adequate command of the relevant research method.
  • Familiarity with the relevant literature.
  • Clear and systematic presentation of the material and logical exposition of the argument.
  • Proper documentation and support of the results of the research.
  • Acceptable linguistic and stylistic presentation.
  • The contribution made by the assignment/thesis to knowledge in its field (an original contribution is not a necessity).

    Integrated Assessment:

    The nature of Operational Research is such that successful study at any particular level requires the student to draw on the knowledge and expertise gathered in previous years. In this sense the assessments that are devised for the masters degree are also integrated assessments for the entire study. Assessment takes place by way of a variety of procedures, including cross-disciplinary individual and group assignments, computer assignments, work-place assessments, written and oral presentations, tests and examinations. Over and above this, it is compulsory for students to complete a large research project of practical or theoretical nature and to present both oral and written reports (either an assignment or a thesis) on the work. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Name of programme or Qualification; University where offered.

    In North America Operational Research is also known as "Management Science" (MS). The programmes abroad usually go under the name MSc in OR, MPhil in OR, or MA in MS. (Note that in the United States MSc is known as MS and MA as AM.); Masters programmes in Operational Research are fairly common in North America, Europe and Asia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Articulation during the programme: MSc in Operational Analysis.

    Articulation on completion: PhD in Operational Analysis. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external moderation of assessment as well as 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. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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. 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.