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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Medical Microbiology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81088  Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Medical Microbiology 
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
Honours Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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 
To produce learners who are capable of integrative thinking, accessing and organising information and solving problems and are self-motivating in these activities. They will be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken forms. The subject matter is such that the qualification will inculcate awareness of health and science issues, also in relation to social affairs.

Employment opportunities for Honours learners in Medical Science are both broad and more specific. These include, among other things, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health management, government health departments, hospital and clinical laboratories, monitoring and health intervention qualification and in medical science research laboratories, particularly as postgraduate learners in higher degrees by research. The qualification, because it further develops a wide range of skills and competencies, lays the foundation for further specialisations in both medical science and clinical laboratory science research areas such as medico-legal, sports science, medical microbiology, and toxicology and chemical pathology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Medical Science, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Bio-Medical Science, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The Bachelor of Medical Science learner will:
  • Understand the principles and concepts of advanced theory and research in medical science with a specialisation in Medical Microbiology.
  • Have practical laboratory skills applicable to research, including advanced instrumentation and computer abilities.
  • Understand the scientific method with its practical application.
  • Access, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information and present this to a senior medical scientist.
  • Identify and solve specific research problems.
  • Extend and apply what they have learned to a variety of contexts, both academic and vocational.
  • Develop communicative skills in written and spoken scientific and medical English.
  • Be capable of collaborative research group work.
  • Be sensitive to and cognizant of the ethics of working with laboratory animals and human patients.
  • Develop awareness of social and health issues, and the role that medical science should play in these.
  • Enhance personal development, particularly in terms of self-directed and self-motivated study and development of professional attitudes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Submit work for marking and the seminars presented their peers, and experts in the form of academic members are correct, communicated adequately and are of the right standard.

    Write a logical and coherent research report on their project and also written assignments. They must carry out a supervised research project, as part of a larger research qualification.

    Correlate information and concepts learned in a limited number of modules. This will largely through a supervised research project, but in all Honours modules, the ability to relate information from previous modules, e.g., from undergraduate studies will be expected.

    Show competence in the outcome (7), all the learner's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of the use of scientific and medical English and the structural organisation of presentations.

    Demonstrate competence in outcome (8), a learner will have to work successfully as a member of a group in a research team. This will be augmented with visits to clinical departments, interactions with patients and with members of the rural population where research is being conducted.

    For competence in outcomes (9) - (11), the learner's general demeanour and etiquette in the class, laboratory and seminar room are good indicators. This will also include attendance at research meetings, journal clubs, advanced seminars and research talks, where they will be expected to participate and give informal reports on their progress in their projects. Learners will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and awareness of others with whom they interact.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    The institution is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in a cognate field, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Medical science in Medical Micro-Biology, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    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.