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

Doctor of Technology: Informatics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
74309  Doctor of Technology: Informatics 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
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  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  240  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" 		 EXCO 0416/23  2012-07-01  2014-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2015-12-31   2024-12-31  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
96997  Doctor of Philosophy in Informatics  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with advanced research and professional skills in the principles, theories, research methods and findings of Informatics. The successful learner will have specialist knowledge of the theory and methodology of Informatics and will have developed an in-depth understanding of current debates in this field. This should culminate in an original contribution to the field of Informatics, where the learner prepare and finalise a research thesis and a scientific publication on the research undertaken. Competencies such as research skills, theoretical and intellectual knowledge, critical reasoning, problem solving, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and communication must be developed.

Rationale:

Informatics is a multi-disciplinary field covering the impact of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in many contexts: civil society, government, business, industry. Its special attribute is the application of technology content.

Studies at this level undertake multi-disciplinary research. A generic Informatics qualification at this level is regarded as essential in facilitating the multi-disciplinary nature of higher-level research, accommodating students from a variety of backgrounds in such research. The national need for research into the impact of the application of Informatics is a special example of this multi-disciplinary. Research at Doctor of Technology level is largely multi-disciplinary.

Many types of problems addressed at Doctor of Technology level could comprise aspects of organizational and civil society behaviour, education and e-government, as well as empowerment of SMMEs. This mirrors the global movement towards application of Information Communication and Technology in non-organisational contexts, such as civil society.

The availability of a generic Informatics doctorate will enable students to continue their studies in their preferred (and emerging) fields, with their studies being a representative mix of various programs offered at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The generic Informatics doctorate will open opportunities for students to conduct research that requires a multi-disciplinary approach and will broaden access to this qualification level, addressing national needs.

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to:
  • Specialize in a specific area of Informatics.
  • Do original research work.
  • Expand the borders of Informatics as a discipline.
  • Expand theoretical knowledge on the subject Informatics.
  • Obtain competences and skills that can be used in future decision making and strategic thinking on the corporate level. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    To enrol for this qualification, potential learners must demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Specialised subject knowledge in a relevant discipline related to Informatics.
  • Advanced knowledge of research methodology.
  • Advanced research skills.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    In general candidates would have to be in possession of a cognate master's degree but the possibility exists that recognition could be given to candidates who have demonstrated advanced research skills in the field.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Any applicable Master's Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • NQF Level 8 and above.
  • Total credits: 240 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learner should be able to:

    1. Perform advanced study of Informatics that will lead to an original contribution to the field; competently apply methods, techniques and methodological approaches from the Informatics in such a way that an original contribution to the field is made; suggest workable and appropriate responses to these through creative and critical thinking.

    2. Have the ability to do comprehensive independent research, and/or teamwork where required.

    3. Make original use of advanced concepts, categories, definitions, knowledge and theories in the Informatics field.

    4. Collect, analyse, organise, interpret and evaluate scientific information in addition to using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies for the study of Informatics. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate the ability to independently pursue and complete an extensive and comprehensive research programme.
  • Apply methods, techniques and methodological approaches from the Informatics in such a way that an original contribution to the field is made.
  • Demonstrate the ability to do in depth original research.
  • Identify and address research problems in the Informatics field and suggest workable and appropriate responses to these through creative and critical thinking.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate the ability to do comprehensive independent research and work in a teamwork where required.
  • Work effectively with other scientists and role players in a team aimed at exploring, analysing and interpreting attained knowledge.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Use advanced concepts, categories, definitions, knowledge and theories in the Informatics field.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Possess the ability to collect, analyse, organise, interpret and evaluate scientific information in addition to using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies for the study of Informatics.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
  • Learners undertake a research project on an advanced and relevant research problem that leads to a thesis. Progress is continuously assessed via regular meetings with a supervisor. Candidates and supervisors are expected to enter into a contract that describes mutual responsibilities.
  • Submitting the manuscript for one research article.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    The learner must demonstrate:
  • Discipline-related skills aimed at problem identification and solving.
  • The application of scientific methodology-both theoretically and practically.
  • The ability to acquire, analyse and interpret scientific data.
  • Presenting scientific findings.
  • Contribute to the development of new knowledge. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Doctor of Technology Informatics degree is equivalent to doctorates offered at other universities internationally for the following reasons:
  • Candidates require a minimum of a masters degree to apply. Although some overseas universities do accept candidates without a masters these candidates are subjected to a compulsory set of core course to undertake prior to commencing with the research project.
  • All applications are screened by academics with a minimum of a doctoral qualification both at faculty level and by a university-wide higher degrees committee.
  • It is a research only degree.
  • Candidates are subject to a series of research workshops.
  • Candidates submit a research thesis for examination.
  • The thesis is examined using internationally accepted criteria. This includes an independent examination by at least 3 external examiners of good standing in the relevant scientific community, with the option of a Viva Voce.

    The Cape Peninsula University of Technology Doctor of Technology Informatics recognises the multi-disciplinarily of Informatics research in the post-2000 era. It is therefore different to doctorates in Informatics offered at other universities in that it more inclusively caters for a number of CESMS as compared to others where the research domain is more restrictive, e.g:
  • Informatics in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science and Computer Science (University of Edinburgh).
  • Human Computer Interaction Design and Health Informatics (City University, London).
  • Bioinformatics, Chemical Informatics, Social and Organizational Informatics, Logical and Mathematical Foundations of Informatics and Music Informatics (Indiana University School of Informatics).

    The table below gives a more detailed report of this:

    University; Country; Field; Content; Similarities; Differences; Administration:
  • University of Salford; United Kingdom; The development of technical innovations, particularly in the robotics and virtual reality fields; SSP (1.5yrs) plus Thesis 3-5 years FT; Research thesis submission; Structured Study Program is different; N/A.
  • University of Victoria; Canada; Health Informatics; N/A; N/A; Candidates may investigate a research problem that combines Health with another discipline e.g. Public administration; N/A.
  • Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; United States of America; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics; Computer Science and Related Courses; SSP, Qualifying exam before start of research; Degree by research only; No qualifying exam.
  • University of South Wales, Sydney; Australia; Health Informatics; Research only; Degree by research only; N/A.
  • Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation, University of Edinburgh, Scotland; United Kingdom; Artificial Intelligence, Adaptive and Neural Computation, Communication and Collaborative Systems, Computing System Architecture, Foundations of Computer Science; Only seminars if necessary, Research only; N/A; N/A.
  • University of Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana; United States of America; Bioinformatics, Chemical Informatics, Complex Systems, Networks, Modeling and Simulation,
    Cybersecurity, Discovery and Application of Information, Health Informatics, Human-Computer Interaction Design, Logical and Mathematical Foundations of Informatics, Music Informatics, Social and Organizational Informatics; Core courses and seminars; N/A; Exanimation through research thesis only.
  • Stanford-South Africa Biomedical Informatics: A collaboration between University of Western Cape, University of Cape Town, The National Institute of Communicable Diseases, and Stanford University; United States of Amarica/Republic of South Africa; Biomedical Sciences; Short courses, seminars and research; Students required to participate in seminars, and conduct research.
  • University of Manchester, Manchester: United Kingdom; Data and Decision Engineering, Information Systems, Interactive System Design; Short courses, seminars and research; Same as above; N/A.
  • University of Szeged, Szeged; Hungary; Theoretical Computer Science, Operations Research, Combinatorial Optimization, Applications of Computer Science; Full course program, or research; Research project required; No option given for full course program.
  • Middle East Technical University, Ankara; Turkey; Medical Informatics; Core courses and seminars, and research; Research project required; No core course required.
  • University of Lugano, Lugano; Switzerland; Software-Intensive Systems, Software Engineering, Distributed Systems Networks; Core courses and research; Research project required; No core course required.
  • The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Hayama, Kanagawa; Japan; Mathematics, Architecture, Software, Media and Intelligent Systems, Social Information; Core courses and research; Research project required; No core course required. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Access to qualifications on a lower level:
  • Not Applicable.

    Access to qualifications on the same level:
  • Not Applicable.

    Access to qualifications on a higher level:
  • Not Applicable. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation options:
  • Three external examiners are appointed by formal invitation.
  • External examiners must formally accept the appointment as an external examiner.
  • The external examiners are appointed either from other relevant academic departments at other universities or relevant industry, preferably from abroad.

    An external examiner has to complete a formal assessment report that will be submitted to the Faculty of Business Informatics:
  • The Faculty of Business Informatics coordinates the written reports received from the external examiners.
  • Reports are considered by the Higher Degrees Committee, which makes recommendation to the Senate

    Criteria for the registration of assessors: an external examiner:
  • Must at least have a doctorate in Informatics or related field.
  • Must have had experience in the Informatics environment with extensive academic experience in research.
  • Must have had exposure to assessment in a tertiary academic environment, preferably in academic research or industry. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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. Cape Peninsula University of Technology 


    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.