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

Master of Science in Aquatic Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
74023  Master of Science in Aquatic Health 
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
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Earth and Space Sciences 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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
16210  Master of Science: Aquatic Health  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  240  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 research by mastering the required experimental and technological skills and necessary fieldwork competencies
  • reach the required level of intellectual and theoretical knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of aquatic health and of critical reasoning, formulation, analysis and evaluation of a specific problem in the field of aquatic health.
  • demonstrate reflexive competencies such as innovation, decision-making, strategic thinking and organisational skills required for this level. 
    		•

    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 experiential 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:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learner should be able to:
    1. Demonstrate his/her ability to identify an applied aquatic health problem, formulate a working hypothesis and design and conduct an experimental program; 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 dissertation and publishable manuscripts.
    2. Demonstrate his ability to work together in groups when collecting, identifying and analysing environmental samples, data or issues and to reflect on the effectiveness of group activities.
    3. The learner should be able to take responsibility of continuous learning in terms of planning, managing and execution of the research project, written reports, and presents oral presentation 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 dissertation, written research reports and oral presentations.
    6. Use scientific and technological knowledge and skills effectively and critically in analysing aquatic health problems.
    7. Identify and resolve problems in a specific eco-region and reflect on the socio-economic impact that this eco-region has on the many interrelated systems on 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 environmental problems.
    9. Participate in and take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of the aquatic 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 field of Aquatic Health.
    12. Explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of Zoology. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner can:
    1. Collect, identify and generate experimental data effectively and correctly interpret them in terms of current subject information, make appropriate inferences and suitable recommendations on a specific aquatic health problem and critically assess the problem and present the above in the form of a dissertation and a publishable manuscript.
    2. Effectively work in groups when collecting, identifying and analysing environmental samples, data or issues and reflect on the effectiveness of group activity.
    3. Responsibly plan, manage and execute a research project of a limited extent, written report, and oral presentation of results.
    4. Correctly and effectively identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project and generate and correctly 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 aquatic health 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 managing information regarding environmental problems.
    9. Effectively participate in and take responsibility for the monitoring and maintenance of the aquatic environment locally and nationally.
    10. Demonstrate sensitivity towards the conservation of the natural environment and be mindful of the anthropogenic, cultural and aesthetic influences on the environment.
    11. Explore possible educational and career opportunities in the field of aquatic health.
    12. Explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of zoology.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Research progress is assessed at regular intervals by the oral presentation of two seminars on the research topic, including hypothesis and proposed methods of investigation and results and discussion. Learners are regularly engaged in formal discussions with supervisors 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 dissertation on a selected topic in the field of aquatic health. The dissertation should clearly demonstrate ability to conduct research of an original nature and which constitute a contribution to the knowledge of and insight into the field of study. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Environmental Science Ecology and Resource Management, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Aquatic Health, 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.