SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Science in Forestry

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7613	Master of Science in Forestry
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University
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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Primary Agriculture
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

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Forestry. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The (first) purpose of the qualification is to equip students with a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of phenomena pertinent to their chosen field of forestry sciences*.

The second purpose is to ensure mastery of the chosen field via high level analysis of new information the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.

The (third ) purpose is enable students to carry out advanced and independent research through rigorous training in research methods and to introduce them to the world of scholarly communication amongst others by assisting them to start publishing on their own.

The (fourth) purpose is to prepare students who aspire to move to the highest level of academic work for doctoral study and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics and attitude in a specific field of forestry sciences* to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

The fifth purpose is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of highly trained graduates of forestry sciences to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity.

The (sixth) purpose is to stimulate and prepare learners for further advanced study through provision of the required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as forestry researchers on the highest academic levels, and

The(seventh) purpose is to provide South Africa with forestry scientists who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of forestry sciences and of their responsibilities to provide timber , fibre and wood products in an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

*Forest Science< Nature Conservation, Wood Science, Community Forestry.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Candidates must obtain an average of 60% in the final year of the HonsBScFor, or equivalent, for the MScFor (post honours) or for the BScFor, or equivalent, for the MScFor (post bachelor).

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Generic/Critical Cross field Outcomes:

The MScFor graduate will have:

a) Comprehensive knowledge of the chosen field of study.
b) Mastery of advanced theory and its application to a specialised field.
c) Familiarity with the literature and state of research on the subject.
d) An understanding of the constructed and provisional nature of knowledge.
e) Well-developed research skills

General Outcomes:

The MScFor graduate will be able to:

a) Perform independent analysis of new data and problems using a wide range of appropriate methods and techniques.
b) Critically evaluate relevant literature.
c) Extrapolate implications beyond given data.
d) Use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues.
e) Transform abstract data and concepts for a given purpose.
f) Review evidence-supporting conclusions critically.
g) Identify and define complex problems.
h) Apply appropriate knowledge and skills for their solution.
i) Manipulate abstract systems models.
j) Use well-developed research skills confidently.
k) Challenge orthodox theory and suggest new approaches.
l) Interact and engage in daebate with a learning or professional group.
m) Produce detailed and coherent reports.

The MScFor graduate will demonstrate:

a) Mastery of theoretical subject matter within a comprehensive knowledge of a field of study.
b) Mastery of advanced theory and methodology and its application to a specialised field.
c) Capacity for independent study via the completion of a thesis or research project.
d) Understanding and application of appropriate academic and professional values.
e) The ability to take calculated risks.
f) Self-reflexivity and adaptability.

Specific outcomes:

Graduates will be equipped with the theoretical, practical and intellectual skills needed to understand and make decisions about the growing and optimal utilisation of timber, and associated natural resources, and the integration of this into the prevailing socio-economic framework as demonstrated by the successful completion of an advanced study in a specialised field (forest science, nature conservation, wood science or community forestry) via the completion of a thesis which meets the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

a) A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as field and laboratory assignments, written and oral examinations is used.
b) The required range of modalities is sued integrative to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.

c) The assessment of samples generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned way to ensure reliability.

d) The criterion used to assess outcomes is largely whether the information and conceptual content of work the student submits for evaluation or assessment is accurate and valid to demonstrate the indicated performances adequately.

e) The candidate must demonstrate integration of learning by successfully completing an advanced research report, suitable for critical review and scientific publication, in the form of a thesis or other document.

The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8a.

The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

Integrated assessment:

The candidate must demonstrate integration of learning by successfully completing an advanced research project and present it in the form of a thesis.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The HonsBScFor can serve as an early exit point from the MScFor and provides credits for the PhD(For)

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the departments contributing to this programme.

The academic staff member responsible for a prescribed module or assignment is appointed as first examiner.

Second examiners are appointed for all modules and assignments.

Second examiners serve as moderators for all modules and assignments.

The thesis is examined by a minimum of three examiners, of which at least one must be an external examiner.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which fits conforms to the quality assurance system of the University.

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 Forest and Natural Resources Science

Master of Science in Wood and Wood Products Science

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.	Stellenbosch University