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

Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73919  Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology 
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  Environmental 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
3463  Doctor of Philosophy: Zoology  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 carry out independent and original scientific research by mastering the required experimental and technological skills and necessary fieldwork competencies required for a doctoral thesis.
  • with the appropriate level of intellectual and theoretical knowledge and insight into problems related to the fields of Zoology and of critical reasoning, formulation, analysis and evaluation of a specific problem in one of the fields of Zoology.
  • with the ability to demonstrate reflexive competencies such as innovation, decision making, strategic thinking and organisational skills. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to:
  • Possess the necessary knowledge, understanding and insight in identifying a zoological problem, formulate a working hypothesis and design and conduct an experimental programme.
  • Explore and reflect on a variety of strategies, including critical and analytical thinking, in order to evaluate and consolidate relevant research literature and to generate, analyse and evaluate new experimental data.
  • Organise and conduct surveys, collect, identify and analyse zoological samples, data or issues and use terminology correctly, analysing data statistically and present research findings in the form of a dissertation and extract manuscripts from the dissertation.
  • Do research independently as well as working together in groups when collecting, identifying and analysing zoological environmental samples, data or issues and demonstrate professionalism, accuracy and entrepreneurship when presenting research findings in oral or written form.

    A learner shall only be allowed to register for the Doctor's degree in Zoology if he/she has obtained a Master's degree in Zoology.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experimental 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. Demonstrate his/her ability to identify an applied zoological problem, formulate a working hypothesis and independently design and conduct an experimental programme; generate, identify and collect experimental data, interpret them in terms of current subject information; make inferences and recommendations on a specific zoological problem and critically assess the problem and present all the above in the form of a thesis and publishable manuscripts.

    2. Demonstrate his ability to work together in groups when collecting, identifying and analysing aquatic environmental samples, data or issues and to reflect on the effectiveness of group activities.

    3. Take responsibility of continuous learning in terms of planning, managing and execution of a research project of an original nature, written reports and presents oral presentations of results.

    4. Identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project and generate, analyse and evaluate obtained experimental data.

    5. Use terminology correctly and informatively and analyse visual and mathematical data statistically and present results in the form of a thesis, written research reports and oral presentations.

    6. Use scientific and technological knowledge and skills effectively and critically in analysing zoological problems.

    7. Identify and resolve problems in a specific eco-region and reflect on the socio-economic impact that this specific eco-region has on the many interrelated systems in our biosphere.

    8. Explore and reflect on a variety of strategies, including critical and analytical thinking, in order to learn more effectively and to manage information regarding zoological problems.

    9. Participate in and take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of the zoological environment locally and nationally.

    10. Show sensitivity towards the conservation of the natural environment and be mindful of the anthropogenic, cultural and aesthetic influence on the environment.

    11. Explore possible educational and career opportunities in the zoological environment field.

    12. Explore possible educational and career opportunities in the zoological environment field. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner can:/Does the learner:

    1. Identify an applied zoological problem, formulate a working hypothesis and independently design and conduct an experimental programme; generate, identify and collect experimental data effectively and correctly interpret them in terms of current subject information; make appropriate inferences and make suitable recommendations on a specific zoological problem and critically assess the problem and present all the above in the form of a thesis and publishable manuscripts.

    2. Work effectively together in groups when collecting, identifying and analysing zoological samples, data or issues and to reflect on the effectiveness of group activity.

    3. Responsibly plan, manage and execute a research project, written reports and oral presentations of results.

    4. Correctly and effectively identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project and generate, analyse and evaluate acquired experimental data.

    5. Use subject terminology correctly and informatively and correctly analyse visual and mathematical data statistically.

    6. Effectively and critically use scientific and technological knowledge and skills in analysing zoological problems.

    7. Effectively identify and resolve problems in a specific eco-region and reflect on the socio-economic impact of this eco-region by local and national communities.

    8. Effectively explore and reflect on a variety of strategies, including critical and analytical thinking, in order to learn more effectively and to manage information regarding zoological problems.

    9. Effectively participate in and take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of the zoological environment locally and nationally.

    10. Show sensitivity towards the conservation of the natural zoological environment and be mindful of the anthropogenic, cultural and aesthetic influence on the environment.

    11. Explore possible educational and career opportunities in the zoological field.

    12. Explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the zoological environment field.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    Research progress is assessed at regular intervals by the oral presentation of four seminars on the research topic, including hypothesis and proposed methods of investigation, literature survey, initial results and final results and discussion. Learners are regularly engaged in formal discussions with promoters during field trips and experimentation in the laboratory in order to discuss research problems and to demonstrate progress with the research project.

    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 and at least on publishable manuscript on a selected topic in the field of Zoology. The thesis should clearly demonstrate ability to independently conduct research of an original nature and which constitute a decided contribution to the knowledge of and insight into the field of study. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Access to qualifications on a lower level:

    Learners who are not in possession of a M.Sc. (Zoology) but a M.Sc. in a related field such as environmental sciences, may gain access to a Ph.D in Zoology after consultation with the departmental head or promoters
  • Access to qualifications on the same level:

    Learners who want to switch to another qualification or to another field of research at this institution, may do so after consultation with their promoters or the departmental head. Articulation possibilities between this institution and another institution can be created after careful deliberation with the promoters and corresponding departments at that institution.
  • Access to qualifications on a higher level:

    This qualification is on the highest level (level 8) of the NQF. Qualified learners may basically continue with any other higher education programme, pending approval and recognition of certain credits by the institution offering the latter programme. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • At least two external examiners usually recommended by the promoters must be approved by the head of the department, the faculty board and finally the senate.
  • At least two external examiners (from two different higher education institutions or from a relevant field in labour or industry) of national or international stature, are used for the external evaluation of the thesis. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Assessors should have at least a Ph.D. in Zoology or related fields.
  • Assessors from higher education institutions or from relevant fields in labour or industry should be active in the field of Zoology.
  • Assessors should have experience in assessing this type of qualification and should be knowledgeable concerning the prescribed guidelines for assessing a doctoral thesis. 
    		•

    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.