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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Chemistry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
84526  Master of Philosophy in Chemistry 
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  Physical 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 this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:
  • An understanding of advanced chemical theory in the field of specialisation selected for the studies.
  • The ability to conduct fundamental or applied research in a specialised field of chemistry.
  • Competence in the application of standard experimental methods and techniques of the modern chemical research laboratory in a safe and responsible manner.
  • Competence in generating, processing, interpreting, and presenting research data orally and in written form.
  • The ability to use of the scientific literature and information retrieval systems to extract the relevant information to conduct research.
  • The ability to identify, assess, formulate, and solve chemical problems of a limited scope.
  • The ability to write concise, clear and logical scientific and technical reports.


    Rationale:
  • The Master of Philosophy 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 
    Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate:
  • An understanding of advanced chemical theory in the four main disciplines of chemistry, i.e. organic, inorganic, physical and analytical, at the level required for the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Chemistry or equivalent qualification.
  • Practical laboratory skills and competence in the use of chemical equipment and instrumentation at the level required for the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Chemistry or equivalent qualification.
  • A work ethic and the integrity to acquire and process chemical data in a professional manner and the objectivity to judge from a scientific perspective on the basis of facts only.
  • An Honours degree in Chemistry from an accepted accredited university or an appropriate equivalent qualification of similar standard.
  • Candidates must be able to use general English language and technical terminology with a high degree of competence.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the student is found to be competent the student may gain:
  • Access.
  • Advanced placement.
  • Recognition of degree status will be granted on condition of continuing education. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Minimum credits required at specific levels: 240.

    Learning components:

    Core:
  • Chemistry: Dissertation (CEM0118), 120 Credits, NQF Level 8.
  • Chemistry: Dissertation (CEM0128), 120 Credits, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

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

    Students should be able to:
  • Identify, interpret, analyse and address complex problems, using both routine and advanced skills, conceptual and/or evidence-based enquiry and theory-driven arguments.
  • Work effectively with others in a team by being answerable for their own work and the work of others.
  • Identify, evaluate and address their own professional and on-going learning needs.
  • Demonstrate efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills, using appropriate ICT.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic and critical knowledge and understanding of the principles, scope, theories and epistemologies of their respective science discipline/field.
  • Evaluate their own and others' academic work and initiatives against informed criteria.
  • Present and communicate ideas and texts, offering professional insights, interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the science context.
  • Use science and technology in complex and challenging contexts and make autonomous ethical decisions on complex professional issues in accordance with recognised professional and/or ethical standards.
  • Critique current research and advanced scholarship in the science area of specialisation and make sound theoretical judgements based on evidence.
  • Identify, select and apply a range of research methodologies and methods/techniques to research problem/s in their science area of specialisation.
  • Identify, analyse, synthesise and undertake independent evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative data, and to engage with and evaluate current research and scholarly or professional literature in their respective discipline/field. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:

    The students are assessed through tests, assignments, practicals and presentations. Those who meet minimum requirements of 40% are then eligible for examinations at the end of each semester:
  • Every module in the Honours programme has to be passed separately and individually for the Honours Degree to be awarded.
  • Re-registration for a failed module can only be done with the specific approval of the Executive Dean on recommendation of the Head of Department involved. 
    		•

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

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Students may progress to various Masters 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.