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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Genetics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81110  Bachelor of Science Honours in Genetics 
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  Preventive Health 
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 
The qualification in Genetics is designed to equip learners with analytical reasoning, communication and computer literacy skills necessary to enter the ever-expanding arena of Genetics research and Genetics business. Learners are encouraged to develop a holistic approach to the identification and strategic solution of real-life problems, recognising the interdisciplinary nature of most of the challenges facing Genetics. As applied scientists, learners find employment as specialists in government departments, education, private consultancies, large-scale plant and animal production and improvement operations, biotechnological companies, research operations and their own business.

While the learners will practice as professional Geneticists; a strong emphasis is also placed on the development of metacognitive and entrepreneurial skills in the qualification to produce learners that are life-long learners equipped to meet the research and development needs in a changing research, industrial and economic environment. 

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 Genetics, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate effectively with peers in a variety of modes on Genetics and Applied Genetics;
    2. Demonstrate responsible and effective time-management and organisation of projects and research meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines;
    3. Manage data and information through their collection, storage, analysis, synthesis, presentation and critical evaluation using a variety of valid and reliable methods and instruments;
    4. Exhibit a detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of discipline-specific theories and can identify ad define specific genetic problems, use critical analysis and appropriate methodology and theory to devise several responsible and creative problem-solving strategies;
    5. Reflect on the processes of learning and problem-solving, challenging assumptions made, testing for contingency in reasoning and redefining hypothesis;
    6. Work independently and as a member of a team;
    7. Demonstrate technical competence in the laboratory and or demonstrate competence in the use of various software packages and World Wide Web-based techniques to generate and analyse genetic data. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Select primary research publications, the critical evaluation, discussion and debate of the content with peers and lectures.
  • Understand and criticise the content of a recent research publication will be assessed through an oral presentation by the learner in which the primary reason for the research is identified, the content briefly addressed, and understanding of the research strategy disclosed and the research results critically discussed and debated.
  • Participate in critical evaluation of all research presented by fellow research learners in the School.

    Integrated assessment:
    Integrated assessment is 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.

    All learners in their fourth year have to do project seminars. The project is an integrated assessment of the learner`s problem-solving abilities in a real-world situation while the seminar is a review of the literature covering theory and applications of techniques and interpretation of findings. These two assessment methods ensure that learners have simultaneously attained the assessment criteria. 
    		•

    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 offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Animal Science, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Medical Genetics, 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.