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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Doctor of Philosophy: Geography 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73902  Doctor of Philosophy: Geography 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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
16202  Doctor of Philosophy: Geography  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:
  • The ability to develop the intellectual and practical skills of the advanced learner into a very highly trained Geographer.
  • The ability to acquire, analyse and interpret specialised physical geographical data and prepare and finalise a research thesis and scientific publications based on the research undertaken.
  • It requires of the learner to make an original contribution to the pool of scientific knowledge in this particular field of specialisation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to acquired knowledge, understanding and insight of:
  • The historical development of Physical Geography
  • Thorough understanding of the functioning of the physical geographical world
  • Thorough knowledge of Physical Geography research procedures, interactions and occurrences
  • The different analytical techniques, models and theories that are fundamental to further his/her research career in Physical Geography and closely related subjects

    The entrance requirement is 65% for Geography at NQF level 8a

    Recognition of prior learning:

    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the student is found to be competent, the student may gain
  • access
  • advanced placement
  • or recognition of degree status will be granted on condition of continuing education 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learners should be able to:

    1. Identify and solve complex environmental problems, identify critical evaluations of trends and problem solving of specific negative trends in the identified dissertation theme.

    2. Take lead as an expert of a multidisciplinary team on environmental issues.

    3. Make expertly judged specific recommendations on the improvement of incorrect utilization, over-utilisation, and unplanned development thereof, and take responsibility for implementing these as team leader.

    4. Take initiative and leadership and independently gather, analyse and organise data, as well as critically evaluating results in the study of the environment. Present it in the format of a completed research dissertation and related scientific articles.

    5. Have the ability to communicate research by oral and written presentation and scientifically present results, also in journal published form.

    6. Apply existing and develop new field and analytical tools used in the investigation of responsible utilisation of the environment by mankind

    7. Expertly explain the degree of variation in the link of variables from the human and physical environments in this applicable field.

    8. Extract specific advanced ideas and integrate with own advanced research results. Formulation and defending of an independent point of view.

    9. The ability to expertly use and manage the biosphere as a responsible citizen and to invoke, as a highly trained member of society, the same responsibility amongst the general community.

    10. Prove and convince stakeholders, and contribute a thoroughly researched example of the importance of the environment for man`s existence on earth and the role it plays to create an acceptable living environment within a constantly changing world.

    11. The ability to identify and apply for career opportunities in a focused environmental field.

    12. The ability to apply new and individual knowledge and technologies and to expertly consult on these applications in the environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Can the learner identify and solve complex environmental problems, identify critical evaluations of trends and problem solving of specific negative trends, in the identified dissertation theme.

    2. Can the learner take lead as an expert of a multidisciplinary team on environmental issues.

    3. Can the learner make expertly judged specific recommendations on the improvement of incorrect utilization, over-utilisation and unplanned development thereof, and take responsibility for implementing these as team leader.

    4. Can the learner take initiative and leadership and independently gather, analyze and organize data as well as critically evaluating results in the study of the environment. Present it in the format of a completed research dissertation and related scientific articles.

    5. Can the learner communicate research by oral and written presentation and scientifically present results also in journal published form.


    6. Can the learner apply existing and develop new field and analytical tools used in the investigation of responsible utilization of the environment by mankind.

    7. Can the learner expertly explain the degree of variation in the link of variables from the human and physical environments in this applicable field.


    8. Can the learner extract specific advanced ideas and integrate with own advanced research results. Formulation and defending of an independent point of view.


    9. Can the learner expertly use and manage the biosphere as a responsible citizen and invoke, as a highly trained member of society, the same responsibility amongst the general community.

    10. Can the learner prove to and convince stakeholders, and contribute a thoroughly researched example of the importance of the environment for man`s existence on earth and the role it plays to create an acceptable living environment within a constantly changing world.

    11. Can the learner identify and apply for career opportunities in a focused environmental field.

    12. Can the learner apply new and individual knowledge and technologies and consult expertly on these applications in the environment.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    The progress that learners are making in their particular research project is continuously assessed via formal seminar presentations. They may also be assigned to do independent seminars on specific scientific topics related to their research topic. Seminars have to be presented to facilitators as well as co-learners during a combined session.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of a research thesis on the approved topic within the field of specialisation in Physical Geography/Earth Science. The thesis should clearly demonstrate knowledge of and insight into the field of study and the ability to independently conduct scientific research of an original nature, thereby expanding on the pool of existing scientific knowledge in this field of science. A publishable scientific article, based on the research results, must be included in the final draught of the thesis upon submission thereof for examination. This does not place a publication obligation on either the learner or the study leader. The article may be a summary of the study or part thereof. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Access to qualifications on a lower level:

    Articulation with other qualifications on a lower level than this qualification, enabling learners to gain access to this qualification, will be handled according to the current regulations in the Yearbook of the Faculty and University.
  • Access to qualifications on the same level:

    A panel will decide on articulation with other qualifications on the same level as this one, thereby enabling learners to exit this qualification at some stage and then continuing their studies in another "similar" qualification.

    -Access to qualifications on a higher level:

    None 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    External moderators will be appointed by the department

    At least two external examiners will be appointed per dissertation from peer departments in other universities, or suitably qualified persons from private industry. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • An applicable and recognized postgraduate degree at a similar level than that of the learner, as well as proven, peer-evaluated scientific publications.
  • A minimum of four years experience as a facilitator in the particular field if science.
  • Previous exposure to postgraduate assessment, or with supervised assessment. 
    		•

    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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.