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: Environmental Microbiology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81107  Bachelor of Science Honours: Environmental 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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Environmental 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
20688  Bachelor of Science Honours: Environmental Microbiology  Level 7  NQF Level 08  128  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Both the agricultural and many non-agriculturally aligned industries, which largely underpin the South African economy, require applied scientists with high levels of knowledge and skills to help meet the country's spiraling demands for food and other commodities from scarce resources. Also vital is a sustainable improved quality of life for all South Africans. To achieve these, often conflicting ands not only must improved scientific techniques be developed but strategies to ensure protection of our soil and water resources must be devised and implemented. In support of these ideals, the programme offers a professional qualification in environmental microbiology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • An adequate exposure to physical science or biology.
  • An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.
  • Adequate literacy skills in English.
  • Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7 or above pre-supposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard.
  • These can be demonstrated in a number of ways:
    o Matriculation exemption with at least 40% at 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 (SFP).
  • The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption.

    Recognise 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? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • The student is able to communicate effectively with other scientists, in a variety of modes, in the discourse of microbiological matters.
  • The student demonstrates responsible and effective time-management, meeting personal objectives and prescribed deadlines.
  • The student is able to interact sympathetically, and with increasing self-confidence, as a member of a team or group in a variety of discussion and problem-solving situations.
  • The student is able to collect, store, analyse, synthesise, present and critically evaluate data using a variety of appropriate methods and instruments.
  • The student exhibits a sound knowledge and understanding of e range of discipline-specific theories, and comprehends, microbe-microbe, microbe-plant, microbe animal, and microbe-environment interactions and their significance in men-made systems and natural environments.
  • The student comprehends that e multidisciplinary approach is necessary to study the interactions described in Outcome 5 and is able to apply this knowledge to the benefit of mankind.
  • The student can participate as an effective and accountable microbiologist, able to use science and technology responsibly, and is sensitive to issues such as sustainable resource management, cultural traditions, rural development and large-scale industrial requirements.
  • The student is a competent user of computers for word processing.

    B Sc (Agric) and B Sc (Honours)

    In addition to the above the student is able to:
  • The student is able to manage complex data and information effectively and is able to interpret multifaceted interactions confidently.
  • The student is able to face and manage complex problems encountered in microbiological systems, through identification and definition of the problems, and use of critical analysis, appropriate methodology and theory to formulate creative-end responsible problem-solving strategies.
  • The student uses a holistic approach to reflect on the processes of learning and problem-solving, challenging assumptions and redefining hypotheses if necessary.
  • The student exhibits many of the characteristics of a life-long learner, possessing a critical sense of curiosity, being self-motivated, and capable of employing appropriate learning strategies. The student shows an entrepreneurial awareness of career opportunities available to a microbiological scientist.
  • The student's computer expertise includes the use of computer technology in visual presentation, storage and analysis of data, information gathering, graphics and modeling of microbiological systems 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Learners will demonstrate their ability and proficiency in each of the learning outcomes. These are tested via individual and group projects in three capstone modules in the programme in one at the 300 level at the 700 level.
  • Master and Doctoral Programmes are assessed via these presentation.
  • All assessments are second examined with external examination at the 300 and 400 levels.

    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.

    The capstone modules are specifically designed to assess the learner's integration of knowledge and skills learnt throughout the programme and to demonstrate competence in the critical learning outcomes. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Learners may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the programme. 

    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. At least 50% of the examination of every module is subject to second examination. In the case of level 300 end 400 modules these are external to and independent of the University. For exit level modules at least 66% of the assessment is externally examined. 

    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 


    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.