SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Science Honours in Biological Sciences

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
81094	Bachelor of Science Honours in Biological Sciences
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
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 provide learners with a specialised in-depth knowledge in Biology; to equip them with proficient ability in research methodology and to produce in them the ability to solve problems, exercise creative thinking, assess and organise information, and work independently and in teams. These learners should be good communicators in spoken and written English, to both expert and non-expert audiences.
The qualification is intended to provide the country with learners who have a specialised knowledge in the biological sciences and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. Inasmuch as expertise in the life and environmental sciences is becoming increasingly important in today's society, the qualification will fulfil a very important social purpose.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognise 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.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a:

Bachelor of Science in Biological Science, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Have in-depth knowledge of Biological principles and concepts, with potential specialisation in subdisciplines;

Understand and be able to apply advanced concepts in Biology;

Be able to access information from a wide range of sources, integrate, analyse and critically evaluate it;

Be able to distil a problem into its component parts;

Be able to consider a range of problems, options and solutions, and implement decisions based on sound academic foundations;

Be able to solve a problem by building up individual solutions to component parts of the problem in an integrative manner;

Be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral presentations to both academic and non-academic forums;

Develop and exercise responsibly, practical laboratory and/or field-based technical skills applicable to vocational careers;

Undertake and execute the scientific method through analysing and critically evaluating data and results by undertaking independent research;

Be capable of collaborative group work;

Be sensitive to the ethics of working with living organisms;

Have a well-developed awareness of environmental and social issues and the role biological science should play in these; and

Have had the opportunity to enhance personal development, particularly in terms of self-directed and self-motivated study and the development of professional attitudes.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Learners will be required to:

Pass the required number of core modules and elective modules of in-depth academic study in Biology. The assessment criteria used will be accuracy and lucidity in answers to examination questions and that clear evidence has been provided that theoretical concepts have been understood.

Submit an Honours research project that is assessed as satisfactory by internal and external examiners. The criteria will be: understanding of basic principles, accuracy of factual material and of reasoning, ability to relate appropriate parts of the course to the problem under discussion, sensible demonstration of other sources of information, and clarity of presentation.

To demonstrate competence in outcomes 1 -9, a learner must he able to write logical and coherent essays, assignments and research reports, contribute to class discussions, satisfactorily answer examination questions and undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff.

To show competence in outcome 7, learner's written (e.g. assignments, exam questions, project report) and oral presentations (e.g. formal seminars) must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of the English language and the structural organisation of the presentations.

Competence in outcome 10 will be demonstrated when a learner works successfully as a member of a group in assigned collaborative assignments and tasks.

It is difficult to state objective criteria for the assessment of outcome 11-13, but general demeanour and etiquette are good indicators. Learners will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and awareness of others with whom they interact.

Integrated Assessment:
The two compulsory modules within the qualifications, Research Project and Research Skills and Attitudes integrate all the specific outcome which contribute to the achievements of the exit-level outcomes of the qualifications.

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

The University 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.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This Programme permits candidates with suitably high levels of achievement to proceed to Postgraduate programmes in the Science faculty of this University and largely also in faculties of Science at other universities. Access to the Programme is via a strong BSc degree from this University or from certain other universities. Suitable alternative prior learning is also recognised as a basis for access.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under assessors criteria will suffice. All modules are administered and moderated by experienced academic staff (many of whom have acted as external examiners for other universities). The final award of the B Sc Honours degree is made after moderation by appropriate experienced examiners external to this university.

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.

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