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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
74127  Master of Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  Life Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  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 
This qualification includes the various specialisations in Science. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

To provide graduates with a deep and comprehensive theoretical and applied knowledge of a field or specialised area of Science. To equip them with the ability to evaluate critically the literature of the field, challenge orthodox theory, redefine existing knowledge, handle contradictions and make defendable value judgements. To instil mastery of relevant research techniques, including independent analyses and evaluation of data and situations, using appropriate methodology, extrapolate implications to new situations, use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues, and transform abstract data and concepts for a given purpose. These graduates will be good communicators in spoken and written English, to both expert and non-expert audiences.
The programme is intended to provide the country with graduates who have a specialised theoretical knowledge and well-developed research and practical skills in a scientific field and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Completion of the exit level outcomes for a level 7 qualification in an appropriate field of study, at a standard acceptable to the Faculty.

Recognition of prior learning:

In cases where relevant experience or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a candidate may be admitted by permission of Senate. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification is offered with a number of specialisations as listed below:
  • General
  • Water Resource Management 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. have in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of a particular scientific field or area, including exposure to the frontiers of knowledge;
    2. understand and be able to apply and challenge advanced concepts in their science discipline;
    3. apply well-developed research skills confidently and independently;
    4. be able to evaluate own research and that of others critically, handle contradictions, extrapolate data or other information to new situations, and make value judgements;
    5. be able to consider a range of problems, options and solutions, and implement decisions based on sound academic foundations, including appropriate methodology;
    6. be able to access information from a wide range of sources, synthesise and evaluate it;
    7. be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral presentations, and to engage in dialogue with a learned or professional group;
    8. have responsible and effective personal organisation skills;
    9. have enhanced personal development through self-directed and self-motivated study; and
    10. be culturally sensitive and have well-developed and ethical professional attitudes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners will be required to demonstrate their ability and proficiency in learning outcomes 1-9 by means of a comprehensive dissertation, which may be supplemented by an oral presentation of their research findings, and by reports to the supervisor(s). The dissertation is examined by an internal and an external assessor (see section 10 below). General demeanour. etiquette and professional behaviour are good indicators for the evaluation ofoutcome 10.
    Students will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and respectful awareness of others with whom they interact.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment takes place through the dissertation, in which the learner is expected to show competency in all outcomes listed in section 5. above, and specifically to present integrated research findings that are interpreted and linked to the existing literature across the entire area of the investigation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Programme permits candidates with suitably high levels of achievement to proceed to Doctoral studies in the Faculty of Science of this and other universities, and technikons, both in South Africa and overseas. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under 10. above suffice. External Examiners are often chosen from outside South Africa (see section 10. above). 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are
    appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification are externally examined. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Master of Science in Engineering in Agricultural Engineering
  • Master of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering
  • Master of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering
  • Master of Science in Engineering in Electrical Engineering
  • Master of Science in Engineering in Electronic Engineering
  • Master of Science in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
  • Master of Science in Mathematics
  • Master of Science in Water Resource Management 
    		•

    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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.