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

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73914  Doctor of Philosophy in Physics 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Physical Sciences 
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
3625  Doctor of Philosophy: Physics  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to develop and train well-qualified scientists with intellectual and practical skills to execute independent and original scientific research. Through the acquisition of appropriate research and practical competence the learner will be able to make a contribution to physical science in related fields in research and industry. The learner will be able to reflect upon the application and methodology of the research in Physical Science, the contribution to the discipline and personal and societal value added. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experimental learning will be assessed. If the learner is found to be competent, the learner may gain:
  • Access.
  • Advanced placement.
    Or
  • Recognition of Degree status will be granted on condition of continuing education.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Science in Physics, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learners should be able to:

    1. Identify complex and original problems of physical science nature, set a working hypothesis, formulate an investigative and experimental programme, integrate data with existing information and make logical, sound conclusions to resolve the problem and formulate and handle complex theoretical models.

    2. Interact with the entire research group during the project.

    3. Successfully execute an original and advance research project by managing his/her own activities effectively and responsibly.

    4. Master skills of collecting, analysing, organising, interpreting and critically evaluation of highly complex information and experimental data in a specific field in Physics.

    5. Communicate through consultations, giving seminars and writing a thesis as well as an article on his/her original research, ready for publication in a scientific journal.

    6. Perform complex and original experimental work, requiring working with on the edge technology while being responsible towards the environment.

    7. Be continuously exposed to the fact that the world is set of related systems, as Physics is the basis of all science and technology.

    8. Acquire learning skills through exposure to high technology scientific equipment, experimental techniques, advanced scientific literature and textbooks.

    9. Contribute to the South African society in general and the physical sciences in particular.

    10. Since Physics forms the basis of the modern technological world, the learner becomes sensitive to cultural values.

    11. During experimental work the learner interacts with original and complex industrial related problems and thus acquire employment-seeking skills.

    12. Realise that the vast majority of modern technology and economic activities are based on Physics. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Can the learner:

    1. Identify complex problems of a physical science nature?
    Formulate an appropriate hypothesis?
    Plan and carry out a complex experimental programme?
    Analyse results obtained correctly?
    Integrate experimental data with complex existing information, extrapolating it to their research problem?
    Make logical, sound conclusions to resolve a problem?
    Formulate and handle complex theoretical models?

    2. Display the ability to work in a team?
    Display a contribution to meaningful participation in the group?
    Display a readiness to accept a responsible part in a group effort?
    Contribute to the effectiveness of the group?

    3. Present an acceptable project proposal on a topic?
    Perform the experiment with skill and accuracy required?
    Relate the findings to the aim of the research project and apply to the outcome independently?

    4. Collect relevant complex information?
    Analyse and organise the complex relevant information?
    Interpret and critically evaluate the complex information in the specific field?

    5. Communicate scientific contents effectively?
    Convey his/her results to peers and experts in writing a complete thesis?
    Write concise summative articles on his/her original research that is acceptable to scientific journals?

    6. Perform complex and original experimental work, making use of on the edge technology?
    Deal with on the edge technology?
    Make use of on the edge technology while being responsible towards the environment?

    7. Identify various systems in the physical world?
    Identify the relation between the various systems?
    Identify the different physical principles making up all science and technology?

    8. Use the high technology scientific equipment to accumulate scientific data?
    Make effective use of experimental techniques in order to obtain data?
    Make use of advanced textbooks and scientific literature available to him in the library?
    Relate his knowledge to everyday technology and science in general through reading scientific literature?

    9. Communicate his/her acquired knowledge to their communities?
    Make responsible use of his acquired knowledge in his/her community?

    10. Show sensitivity towards other people's cultural values?

    11. Interact effectively with industrial related problems?
    Acquire skills that would make him employable in industry?

    12. Relate modern technology to the Physics it is based on?
    Identify economic activities that are based on Physics?

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    Learners are continuously assessed by the research progress presented to the promoter(s) and peer learners. Learners have to give presentations at conferences and seminars on his/her original research.

    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 written research thesis demonstrating original work and a contribution to the field of physical science. An article ready for publication must be submitted with the thesis. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows a possibility for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.