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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Plant Pathology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81146  Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Plant Pathology 
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
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Horticulture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  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   2033-06-30  

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 that at the BScAgric level have a broad background and have specialist knowledge and skills in the main discipline of Plant Pathology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Rules of access and entry requirements for the programme (learning assumed to be in place prior to entry into the programme):

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 in English
4. 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.

These can be demonstrated in a number of ways:

a) 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.
b) Alternative access programmes such as the Science Foundation Programme (SFP)

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? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The achievement of this qualification means that the learner can:

1.Understand the fundamentals of applied plant science, namely: soil/plant/atmosphere interactions and management; plant genetics, biochemistry and physiology; interactions of plants with pathogens/pests/weeds and management thereof; plant propagation; plant nutrition; crop production and utilization; and analysis and interpretation of statistical data.
2. Develop generalist to specialist knowledge of, and practical skills in, a chosen qualification or combination of qualifications available within the programme.
3. Through prescribed modules, develop effective: time management and organisational skills; interpersonal skills in order to work effectively in small to large groups; computer literacy skills (specific modules prescribed); data management, analysis and interpretation skills; information retrieval; management and critical synthesis skills; written and oral communication skills.
4. Appreciate the long tradition of the philosophy of scientific enquiry and discovery.
5. Have due regard and respect for the environment and the importance of conducting agricultural research and production in a sustainable fashion.
6. Have due regard and respect for the cultural and aesthetic values of human communities.
7. Be ethical, creative and critical scientists, managers and businessmen in agriculture.
8. Understand the basic principles involved in agricultural economics and business.
9. Be able to build on the fundamental principles and skills developed in their qualification in order to keep abreast (if not ahead) of developments in their field of expertise. Should also be able to adapt and apply the fundamental principles and skills of their qualification to other fields if necessary thereby demonstrating capacity for life-long learning. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Holistically across modules, learners will:
1. Demonstrate a satisfactory generalist to specialist understanding of the principles of the chosen qualification commensurate with the level of graduation
2. Demonstrate satisfactory generalist to specialist practical skills within the chosen qualification commensurate with the level of graduation.
3. Demonstrate satisfactory data analysis and interpretation skills commensurate with the level of graduation.
4. Demonstrate satisfactory written and oral skills commensurate with the level of graduation.
5. Demonstrate satisfactory creative problem solving skills, common sense, self-discipline, self-motivation, and intellectual curiosity commensurate with the level of graduation.

Integrated assessment:

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.

Integrated assessment criteria and methods (designed to capture learner capability/applied competence at certain exit points)

1. Each module offered within a qualification has specified assessment criteria, which will contribute holistically to producing the desired skills in graduates at the different exit points.
2. All students at fourth year have to complete a research project, which enables moderators to assess the learners' competence in many of SAQA's critical outcomes.
3. As mentioned SAQA's critical outcomes are addressed and assessed across all modules comprising a qualification.
4. In addition, as each qualification offered in this programme provides the graduate with a professional qualification there are specific skills required by the job market that are imparted and assessed in specific component modules. 

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 Assessor 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), 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 


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.