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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Science Honours: Biomolecular Technology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
81097	Bachelor of Science Honours: Biomolecular Technology
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	128	Level 7	Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2022-12-31

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 replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
20700	Bachelor of Science Honours: Biomolecular Technology	Level 7	NQF Level 08	128	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

To produce graduates who have a basic knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts in the field of Biomolecular Technologies, including the appropriate molecular aspects of Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology.

To produce graduates with advanced laboratory-based skills required to undertake higher level research to meet South Africa's needs in Science, Education and Technology (SET).

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Sufficient exposure general Science and Biology.

An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.

Adequate literacy skills in English. These can be demonstrated in a number of ways.
o Matriculation exemption with at least 40% Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard grade for Mathematics AND at least 40 % at Higher Grade or at least 60 % at standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.
o Alternative access programmes such as the Science Foundation Programme

Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7 or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard (a minimum of 60%).

The SFP provides access to students who do net have a formal or adequate matric exemption.

Recognised prior learning:

Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Demonstrate the ability to use their understanding of the concepts and theories of Biomolecular Technologies, including the appropriate molecular aspects of Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology, as applied to a particular track, to solve problems by means of critical reasoning and based on information retrieved and/or laboratory-based data collection and processing (Ref SAQA CO 1 &4),

Transfer knowledge obtained from other programmes where appropriate (Ref SAQA CO 6 &7),

Show computer competence to process and present data and information (Ref SAQA CO 5),

Work individually and as part of a team to solve problems or complete tasks and show mastery of time-management skills (Ref SAQA CO 2 &3),

Demonstrate appropriate communication written and oral skills (Ref SAQA CO 5 &7).

Show sufficient acquaintance with science and technology to contribute productively to SET (Ref SAQA CO 6& 8),

Show an acute awareness of the concept of plagiarism and ethical considerations in scientific data collection, processing and reporting (Ref SAQA CO 8),

Demonstrate appreciation of the humane care and use of animals in learning and research (Ref SAQA CO 6),

Continuously acquire new knowledge, extending what was acquired in the programme and branching into new fields, using fundamental information retrieval skills (Ref SAQA CO 7 &8)

Demonstrate deeper thinking on the relevant topical areas in Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Toxicology and Cell Biology, and, in addition demonstrate the ability to use their understanding of the concepts and theories of Molecular Technology (Ref SAQA CO 6 & 8).

Demonstrate technical competence in the laboratory (Ref SAQA CO 6).

In addition to the above, learners will have fulfilled the exit level outcomes of the Physical, Mathematical and Life Sciences B Sc programme of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture.

Demonstrate deeper understanding and thinking on topical areas of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics and Microbiology.

Demonstrate ability to critically evaluate scientific publications and identify areas that need further research (Ref SAQA CO 1& 4),

Work independently and within a team to solve problems or complete tasks (Ref SAQA CO 2),

Demonstrate advanced technical competence in the laboratory (Ref SAQA CO 7),

Demonstrate advanced communication (written and oral) skills (Ref SAQA CO 5 &8).

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Written (longhand and computer-based word processing)tasks as well as oral presentations are used to assess:

Understanding of concepts and theories and knowledge of terminology of Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry

Ability to use this background knowledge and transfer knowledge from other disciplines to solve real life Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology problems,

Competence and application of research ethics in calculation and data processing tasks,

Language skills to communicate information retrieved from different sources (literature, laboratory exercises) in own words (avoiding plagiarism),

Competence in using laboratory equipment to gather data.

Understanding of more advanced current topics in Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology -additional information and insights gleaned from the latest literature and group discussions,

Ability to read sufficiently deeply and critically into an assigned topic to present in written and oral form the background information and critique of the research approach used by the authors,

Competence in executing a research project of 6 months duration. Appropriate communication of the data gathered and interpreted,

An appreciation of research ethics.

execute a research project of 6 months duration competently and communicate the data gathered and interpreted appropriately research ethics.

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

The University of Natal 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.

All students in their forth year have to do a project and seminars. The project is an integrated assessment of the student's problem-solving abilities in a real world situation while the seminar is a review of literature covering theory and applications of techniques and interpretation of findings.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

NQF level 6 modules in Genetics, Microbiology and Biochemistry constitute pre-and co-requisites for several modules in qualifications in General Science, Animal Science, Plant science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and transferability is therefore good.
Modules in this qualification complement those at other institutions and transfer of credit is therefore certain.

Recognised prior learning:
Points at which students can enter the qualification:
Learners from other Programmes and Institutions may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level.
Recognition and cross-listing of modules on other programmes in this programme:
As Genetics, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry are fundamental components of Biology, there is a broad band of cross-linking with all
Biology based programmes.

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.

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