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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Structural Biology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86176  Bachelor of Science Honours in Structural Biology 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Physical 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 
Purpose:

Structural Biology is an inter-disciplinary field at the interface of biology and the physical sciences that seeks an understanding of the functions of biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids in terms of their molecular structures. Despite its huge impact on modern biology over the past decade, and its pivotal role in the growth of biotechnology worldwide, Structural Biology is still seriously under-represented in South Africa, due in large part to the lack of articulation between the biological and the physical sciences in South African universities, and the resultant shortage of biologists with sufficient background in the physical sciences and conversely industry.

Rationale:

Structural Biology has made a huge impact on modern biology and medicine over the past decade. It plays a pivotal role in the growth of medical, agricultural and industrial biotechnology worldwide. The programme aims to address this shortage by providing training in the theoretical aspects of Structural Biology, followed by a research project in an associated laboratory in academia or industry. Furthermore, it will enable students to learn the methods and applications of Structural Biology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Students should have a basic understanding of Mathematics and Computation and have demonstrated the ability to reason scientifically. No prior knowledge of biology is assumed.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Access to the programme can also be provided in terms of the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria as stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidate's interest in the Structural Biology Studies an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

Access to the Qualification:
  • A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification in any appropriate area with a minimum overall grade of 70%. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Bachelor of Science Honours: Structural Biology, NQF Level 7, 120 credits.

    All the modules offered as part of the course are compulsory.

    The three core experimental techniques of Structural Biology:
  • X-ray crystallography.
  • Bio-molecular NMR.
  • Three-dimensional Electron Microscopy.
  • Structural Bioinformatics and Molecular Modelling.
  • Introductory Primers.
  • Mathematical and Computations Methods.
  • Techniques of Molecular Biology.
  • Protein Expression and Purification.
  • Cell Biology.
  • Principles of Protein Structure.
  • Application of Structural Biology in current research. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The student must be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding and critical awareness of the theory and the methodologies of the fields studied in this course. The student must be able to apply this understanding to independently identify and solve new problems. Students should be able to prepare samples of proteins using biological expression systems suitable for structural analysis and be able to analyse the samples using X-ray crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electron Microscopy. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Medical Anthropology as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments, class tests and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented.

    Furthermore, the student is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage a project in this context.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The University adopted a Continuous Assessment System. Assessment consist of a number assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example, tests, essays, practical reports, project reports and oral presentations). 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification responds to the specific and local needs. There is no direct comparability with qualifications in other countries. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The programme will be moderated via a system of external peer review and evaluation. At least one internal supervisor/assessor and at least two external assessors will be appointed. The minimum qualifications for assessor will be a Doctor of Philosophy plus 3-5 years research experience in the specific focus area. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 the Western Cape 


    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.