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: Grassland Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
81114	Bachelor of Science Honours: Grassland Science
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	514	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
20641	Bachelor of Science Honours: Grassland Science	Level 7	NQF Level 08	514	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The agricultural industry, which underpins all aspects of the South African economy, requires applied scientists with well developed levels of knowledge and skills in order to ensure the population's spiralling demand for food from scarce resources is met. A major component of agricultural production is the livestock industry, whose success lies in the efficient management, utilization and conservation of indigenous and planted vegetation. The School of Applied environmental Sciences offers a professional programme in Grassland Management Sciences. The qualifications offered are Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Master of Science (Agriculture), Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.

As applied scientists, students majoring in Grassland Management Sciences find employment as specialists in government, agribusiness, education, private consultancies, large-scale farming operations, rural extension projects, conservation organizations, research operations, and in their own businesses. The diverse array of potential outcomes demands that graduates acquire problem-solving skills grounded in a sound knowledge of the discipline. Students need a holistic approach to the identification and strategic solution of real-life problems, recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of most of the challenges facing grassland management. The program in Grassland Management Sciences is therefore designed to equip students with the analytical, reasoning, communication and computer literacy shills necessary to enter this diverse career.

The management of vegetation resources takes place in an ever-changing socio-economic context, and ever-increasing knowledge base. This requires that graduates are developed as life-long learners with metacognitive and entrepreneurial skills, thereby equipping them to meet the research and development needs of a changing industry within a developing economy.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

1. An adequate exposure to physical science or biology
2. An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics
3. Adequate literacy skills

These can be demonstrated in a number of ways:

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.

Alternative access programs such as the Science Foundation Program (SFP).

4. As above
5. Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.
6. The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Exit level outcome: B SC (Agric) or B SC (Honours) (Level 7)

1. A graduate is able to communicate effectively with peers, in a variety of modes, in the discourse of Grassland Science and Management.
2. A graduate demonstrates responsible and effective time management and organisation of projects and research, meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines.
3. A graduate is able to function co-operatively in a team in a problem-solving context.
4. A graduate is able to manage effectively data and information, through their collection, storage, analysis, synthesis, presentation and critical evaluation using a variety of valid and reliable methods and instruments.
5. A graduate exhibits a detailed knowledge and understanding of discipline-specific concepts and theories pertaining to plant-animal interaction, inter-relatedness of the abiotic environment and supported biota, and systems of approaches to vegetation/livestock management.
6. A graduate is able to face and manage problems in vegetation/livestock systems, through identification and definition of the problem, and use of critical analysis, appropriate methods and knowledge in order to devise appropriate problem-solving strategies for commercial, communal or conservation systems.
7. A graduate uses meta cognitive shills to reflect on the processes of learning and problem solving, challenging assumptions made, for consistency testing for consistency in reasoning and redefining hypotheses.
8. A graduate can participate as an effective and accountable Grassland Scientist, able to use science and technology responsibly, ethically and sensitively for sustainable development.
9. A student is a competent user of computer technology as a tool in visual presentations, storage and analysis of data and information, written and graphic work.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment for applied competence is used increasingly in individual modules from Exit levels 5b to 7b, culminating in integrated assessment modules prior to qualification.

(1) Seminar: Grassland Science 791 Grassland Science Seminar (8c). The first of these capstone modules involves an investigation into a specific aspect of Grassland Science based on a thorough literature search. Assessment criteria: The student meets deadlines set in identifying collating and synthesizing available published literature in a narrow field of specialisation, for which the state of knowledge is described and key gaps in knowledge are identified. The product is communicated to peers in written and oral format, including definition of the topic, justification and contextualisation of the literature review conducted.

(2) Research project: Grassland Science 793 Grassland Science Research Project (64c). The second capstone module involves research into a specific aspect of Grassland Science. Assessment criteria: Assessment for applied competence is used increasingly in individual modules from Exit levels 5b to 7b, culminating in integrated assessment modules prior to qualification. The student meets deadlines set in collecting, synthesizing and critically evaluating new information and research data in a narrow field of specialization. Findings are communicated to peers in written and oral format, including definition of the problem, justification and contextualisation of the research conducted and defence of conclusions reached. The student's research protocol is accepted by a supervisor. Competent use of computer technology is shown in all aspects of information and data management and presentations. Reflection on the learning strategies, personal organization, knowledge and methodology used in this project is critical and self-evaluating. The student participates actively in meetings with professional Grassland Scientists and gains practical experience of a range of career opportunities in the applied sciences.

(3) Capstone: Grassland Science 753. Topics in Range and Pasture Sciences. Assessment criteria: the student meets deadlines set and shows competent use of computer technology in completing a number of group projects. The student develops specialist knowledge about four facets of the discipline, chosen in conjunction with an academic. For each facet, various problems have to be solved or issues addressed as a group or individual, that involves information management and syntheses, discussion with peers, the supervisor and professionals and formal presentation of products in written and oral form. The student is made aware of the range of career opportunities available.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Learners may shift into the qualification 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 program.

MODERATION OPTIONS

At least 50% of the examination of every module is subject to second examination. In the case of level 300 and 700 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), staffs 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