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 Commerce Honours: Operations Research: Logistics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73612  Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Operations Research: Logistics 
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
Honours 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  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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
96964  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Operations Research  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
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 advanced 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 masters 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 (RPL):

The normal procedures of the University of Stellenbosch for admission to postgraduate study apply. The Department of Logistics considers all the applications and makes recommendations regarding the adequacy of students' previous programmes and other learning experiences for this programme. The department may recommend direct admission or admission on condition of additional work to be completed before or during the programme, or that the student is not admitted. The Faculty board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences considers the recommendations and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee of Senate where the final decision is taken. Where applicable and justified, the option of admission on Senate discretion is considered and granted. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
To deliver students who have demonstrated the following:
  • The ability to read and interpret (especially quantitative) management-related literature, implying the ability for independent learning from source material.
  • An understanding of the use of scientific methodology in the acquisition of quantitative data, information and knowledge.
  • The ability to analyse, organise and critically evaluate relevant information.
  • The ability to identify and solve diverse and complex problems in a critical and creative way by applying appropriate Operations Research methodology.
  • The ability to work effectively with others as a member of a team.
  • The ability to organise and manage personal activities in the work place responsibly and effectively.
  • The ability to communicate effectively, using graphical, statistical, mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
  • An ability to use quantitative-based science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the interests of others.
  • An understanding of the world as a set of related systems, by recognising important common characteristics of problems in diverse contexts.
  • The understanding of and ability to apply a range of advanced quantitative techniques, procedures and experimental approaches required for this programme.
  • The ability to apply the knowledge of and practical skills in quantitative management methodology to address theoretical and practical problems in diverse areas of business.
  • The ability to learn appropriate lessons from these experiences in order to solve problems in an optimal way.
  • An appreciation of the advantages of precision and economy of thought and logical expression as hallmarks of Operations Research.
  • Modelling complex systems skillfully and with understanding.
  • Indicating the prevalance and the importance of variation/change in phenomena, and showing expertise in different techniques for analysing variation/change.

    An honours graduate in Operations Research will be able to independently, or as leader of a team, (1) analyse, plan, implement and monitor business operations and projects within a firm and in a product's supply chain on strategic, tactical and operational levels, and found decisions quantitatively, (2) organise complex operations that entail the allocation and distribution of scarce resources, and (3) be equipped to proceed with Masters studies. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • The assessment used for this programme ensures that its purpose is achieved.
  • A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as computer assignments, quantitative problem sets, written and oral presentations, tests and examinations, are used.
  • The required 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.
  • The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF Level 7.

    10. Integrated assessment:

    The nature of Operations 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 honours 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 also expected of students to complete at least one large project of practical or theoretical nature, either individually or in small teams, and to present both written and oral reports on the work. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The university already offers Operations Research as an undergraduate major subject. A sufficient number of Operations Research oriented elective modules on NQF level 7 are already offered within the Departments of Logistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics.

    The institutional infrastructure is sufficient, with an adequate library, computing facilities, resources and equipment available.

    This programme aspires to the highest standards in satisfying identifiable market needs. It is appropriate for South African circumstances. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontally:
  • All Bachelor of Commerce Honours programmes in Quantitative Sciences.

    Vertically:
  • Will serve as entrance programme for MComm in Operations Research, which might commence in 2004. 
    		•

    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. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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


    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.