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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Physics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
74035  Master of Science 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
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Physical 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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the opportunity to develop and train qualified scientists with intellectual and practical skills to perform scientific research. Through the acquisition of appropriate research and practical competence the learner will be able to make an application of physical science in related research and industry. The learner will be able to reflect upon the application of the research in physical science, the research process and personal value added. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to use general and technical language and terminology theoretical and Experimental Physics up to level 7 (or equivalent) with great competence and handle instrumentation effectively.

144 credits in Physics on Level 7.

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 demonstrate:

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

    2. The ability to interact with the entire research group during the project.

    3. The ability to successfully execute a research project by managing his/her own activities effectively and responsibly.

    4. The ability to master skills of collecting, analysing, organising, interpreting and critically evaluation of complex information and experimental data in a specific field in Physics.

    5. The ability to communicate through consultations, giving seminars and writing a Dissertation as well as an article on his/her research ready for publication in a scientific journal.

    6. The ability to perform complex experimental work requiring working with on the edge technology while being responsible towards the environment.

    7. The ability to 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. The acquisition of learning skills through exposure to high technology scientific equipment, experimental techniques, complex scientific literature and textbooks.

    9. The ability to 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 complex industrial related problems and thus acquire employment-seeking skills.

    12. The ability to 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 program?
    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 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 Dissertation?
    Write concise summative articles on his/her research that is acceptable to scientific
    Journal.

    6. Perform complex 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 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. In his/her dealings with other people show sensitivity towards their 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?

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Learners are continuously assessed by presentation to and conversations with the study leader(s) and peer students. Learners have to give a presentation at a conference or a seminar on his/her 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 dissertation in the appropriate field. An article ready for publication must be submitted with the dissertation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1. Access to qualifications on a lower level:
    Any applicant with other qualifications on a lower than this qualification, will be evaluated ad hoc by the departments, subject to approval by the Dean's committee of the Faculty of Science

    2. Access to qualifications on the same level:
    ANOTHER QUALIFICATION OR FIELD OF STUDY: Learners, who want to switch to another qualification or to another field of research, may do so, after consultation with their study leader(s) and the departmental head.
    ANOTHER INSTITUTION: Learners are allowed to continue their studies at another institution. However, as soon as a learner has started his/her dissertation, the transition to another institution will only be possible after careful deliberation wit the study leader(s) and corresponding department(s) at that institution.

    3. Access to qualifications on a higher level:
    ARTICULATION WITH OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES: This qualification is on level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework and it represents a considerable credit value. Qualified learners may basically continue with another higher education programme, pending approval and recognition of certain credits by the institution offering the latter programme. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    At least one external moderator/examiner is appointed from other higher education institutes or related industrial field. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Assessors for Level 7 should at least have a Master's degree (Level 8) or related experience.
  • Assessors of practical sessions should at least have a Master's degree (Level 8) or related experience.
  • Assessors should have had experience of lecturing at a higher education institution and experience and training in formative and summative assessment. Assessors with applicable experience in the physical science in industry can also be used. 
    		•

    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.