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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
84466  Master of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Life Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  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 
Purpose:

The primary Purpose of the Master of Science dissertation is to provide students with specialised advanced education and training while meeting the requirements of a specific research component so that students can master the required experimental and technological skills and necessary fieldwork competencies such as innovation, decision-making, strategic thinking and organisational skills. A dissertation-based Master of Science Degree consists of a comprehensive study of a specialised area in the field of specialisation, reported on and submitted in the form of a dissertation at the end of the programme. The degree demands a high level of intellectual and theoretical knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of critical reasoning, formulation, analysis and evaluation of a specific problem in the field of study.

Rationale:
  • The Master of Science dissertation is to provide students with specialised advanced education and training while meeting the requirements of a specific research component so that students can master the required experimental and technological skills.
  • The Master's study programme comprises a research project based on an approved topic. A dissertation, which gives evidence of the research capability of the candidate, is required. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The student is assumed to have completed a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree where they would have demonstrated a knowledge base, theory and methodology of Information Technology sciences.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Experienced students are recommended to the Executive Dean and the HOD who will appoint a panel to follow the official procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Bachelor of Science Honours Degree with majors in science modules. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Minimum credits required at specific levels: 240.

    Learning components:

    Core:
  • Biodiversity and Conservation: Dissertation (BDB0118), 120 Credits, NQF Level 8.
  • Biodiversity and Conservation: Dissertation (BDB0128), 120 Credits, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes and the Associated Assessment Criteria:

    Students should be able to:
  • Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and deal with complex problems and issues drawing systematically and creatively on the theories, research methodologies, methods/techniques, literature and materials of their discipline/field of specialisation.
  • Operate autonomously and take responsibility for their own work and be accountable for the work of others when working with others in a team.
  • Manage learning tasks autonomously and professionally and continue and sustain independent learning and academic professional development.
  • Demonstrate advanced information retrieval and processing skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and independently evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative data, using appropriate Information Communication Technology (ICT).
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic and integrated specialist knowledge of the discipline/field with a coherent and critical understanding of the theories, research methodologies, epistemologies, and methods/techniques relevant to their science discipline/field of specialisation.
  • Evaluate their own and others' academic work and initiatives against a range of criteria.
  • Present and communicate the results of research by appropriate academic/professional discourse, and produce a dissertation or research report which meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing/presentation.
  • Operate in specialised science contexts and utilise ethical decision-making skills in dealing with complex ethical and professional issues and make informed judgements on such issues.
  • Critique and evaluate current research and participate in scholarly debates, addressing both theory and practice, in the science area of specialisation.
  • Develop a mastery of the application of research methodologies, methods/techniques and technologies applicable to the science area of specialisation.
  • Plan, execute and write up research, investigation or development in the science area of specialisation under some supervision. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:

    In the case of the research master's degree the dissertation is the only assessment requirement that has to be fulfilled. The final assessment mark (which carries a weight of 100%) will be the average of the marks given by the supervisor (50%) and the external assessor (50%). 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The program is compared with international curriculum through Peer review and external moderation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Students may progress to various Doctor of Philosophy studies and programmes. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Recommendation of a moderating body or bodies (internal and external):

    Recommendations for external moderations are made by the Faculty Board. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All registered assessors are from other recognised Academic Institutions. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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 Johannesburg 


    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.