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

Master of Science in Geography 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
74031  Master of Science in 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
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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
16215  Master of Science: Geography  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:
  • Develop the intellectual and practical skills of the advanced learner into a highly trained Geographer.
  • Acquire, analyse, and interpret specialized physical geographical data and prepare and finalise a research dissertation and a scientific publication based on the research undertaken.
  • It also equips the learner for further advanced study towards a higher qualification in Geography. 
    		•

    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 in Geography, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learners should be able to:

    1. Identify specific complex environmental changes, critical evaluations of trends and problem solving of negative trends, in the identified dissertation theme.
    Suggest solutions to above.

    2. Take lead of a multidisciplinary team on environmental issues.

    3. Make specific recommendations on the improvement of incorrect utilization, over-utilization, and unplanned development thereof, and take responsibility for implementing these.

    4. Take initiative 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 article.

    5. Have the ability to communicate research by oral and written presentation, and scientifically present results.

    6. Apply field and develop analytical tools (maps, GIS, air photo`s, soil augers, etc) used in the investigation of responsible utilization of the environment by mankind.

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

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

    9. The ability to use and manage the biosphere as a responsible citizen and to invoke the same responsibility amongst the general community.

    10. To prove and convince stakeholders and to contribute a 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 consult these applications in the environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Can the learner identify specific complex environmental changes, critical evaluations of trends and problem solving of negative trends, in the identified dissertation theme. Suggest solutions to above.

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

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

    4. Can the learner take initiative 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 article.

    5. Can the learner communicate research by oral and written presentation and scientifically present results.

    6. Can the learner apply field and develop analytical tools (maps, GIS, air photo`s, soil augers, etc.) used in the investigation of responsible utilization of the environment by mankind.

    7. Can the learner 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 ideas and integrate with own research results.
    Formulation of an independent point of view.

    9. Can the learner use and manage the biosphere as a responsible citizen and to invoke the same responsibility amongst the general community.

    10. Can the learner convince stakeholders and contribute a 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 to consult these applications in the environment.

    Integrated Assessment:
    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 dissertation on the approved topic within the field of specialisation in Physical Geography/Earth Science. The dissertation should clearly demonstrate knowledge of and insight into the field of study and the ability to independently conduct scientific research. A publishable scientific article, based on the research results, must be included in the final draught of the dissertation 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. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Management, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Science in Geography, 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 
    This is a new submission. The curse content focuses on Geography only, not on `Geography and Environmental Management` as previously submitted. 

    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.