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: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Zoology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81129  Bachelor of Science Honours in Zoology 
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  Mathematical 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 produce graduates with adequate knowledge and skills to meet the requirements for international academic recognition and to enable professional registration (if appropriate) in the fields of zoology. Graduates will be able to contribute positively to future vocational and/or academic needs both locally (Southern Africa) and internationally through their ability to apply scientific methods in supervised research and/or problem solving, and communicate and/or implement investigative research findings effectively in a diversity of fields within the zoological sciences, for example, as general zoologists, animal behaviourists, animal physiologists, animal systematists, environmental consultants and environmental managers. 

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.

    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? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    (SAQA critical outcomes in parentheses)
  • Proficiency in understanding of fundamental scientific principles, methods and conceptual issues relevant to the subject matter (6).
  • Practical ability to use relevant sampling and analytical techniques, equipment, instrumentation and other relevant tools (numerical, statistical, computational) to collect, analyse, interpret, and synthesize data.
  • Ability to conceptualist, critically evaluate to and communicate existing or new findings (4.5).
  • Critical thinking competence, ability to evaluate and apply scientific data and information (1).
  • Understand the inter-relatedness of cells, tissues, organs and control systems in animal functioning (behaviour, physiology and ecology), the evolutionary relationship of animals (taxonomy and systomatics), the holistic, biotic and abiotic components of operational ecosystems, and the aesthetics/use/sustainable/development of the natural environment (7).
  • Competence in critical thinking, ability to evaluate and apply scientitic data and information (1).
  • Ability to communicate effectively with the broader scientific community, and/or NGO's and private companies (both orally and in writing)(5).
  • Ability to work both co-operatively (2) and independently, thereby developing personal organizational (3), vocational and/or academic capacities, awareness of and involvement in, issues of broader societal relevance (8).
  • In addition to the above, learners will have fulfilled the exit-level outcomes of the Physical, Mathematical and Life Sciences B Sc program 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Demonstrated ability and proficiency in the learning outcomes (indicated below in parenthesis)mot through successful completion of:
  • supervised research project(s) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7);
  • formal examination of contextual knowledge and conceptual understanding at the appropriate level of module-specific subject matter (2, 5);
  • specialized modules relating to specific techniques and methods required for each stream (3); and,
  • a review assay and seminar(s)(4, 5).
  • The independent research project, review essay and seminars given at the beginning (project proposal) and end (research findings) of the research project collectively comprise about 60% of the credit total and will function as the capstone modules.

    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.

    Capstone modules mentioned in Assessor Criteria 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. At level 7 the assessment is based on:
  • Research project proposal (Oral) 10% of 64 credits
  • Research project outcome report (Written) 10% of 64 credits
  • Research project outcome report (Oral) 70% of 64 credits
  • Integrative review essay (Written) 10% of 64 credits
  • Research project proposal (Written) 100% of 8 credits 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Learners may shift into programmes at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. Articulation into Honours will accordingly be simplified where appropriate stream selection is made at level 5. Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the BSc programme. Success in the Honours programme enables progression to Masters (level 8) and subsequently PhD (level 8) programmes in the relevant areas of study. 

    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 


    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.