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:

Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
86207	Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics
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
Doctoral Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Physical Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 10	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

Bioinformatics is an inter-disciplinary field and is ideally suited to a broad range of science learners, including biologists, computer scientists and mathematicians. The Bioinformatics research Doctor of Philosophy will provide training that is suitable for learners that have gained experience through a Master's degree training in Bioinformatics, or a related discipline. It will provide them with valuable training to enable them to pursue a career in genomics of pathogens, gene expression biology, or the rapidly growing bio-technology arena in South Africa or worldwide and industry.

The Bioinformatics research Doctor of Philosophy will provide learners with an insight into biology as an information science. Learners will develop an understanding of and the ability to research in leading edge technologies in the "new biology" including Genomics and Bioinformatics. Learners will have the ability to compete globally in the biological sciences by focusing on the most recent developments and international trends, as well as providing considerable intellectual stimulation and appreciation of an increasingly important scientific discipline.

This research qualification will provide learners with the necessary basis to participate in meaningful research in the areas of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Currently there is still a deficit of research training in Bioinformatics in South Africa. Although other institutions are beginning to develop programmes, none have as deep and broad a base of expertise as at this institution.

Rationale:
This institution is considered as a centre of international significance in Genomics and Bioinformatics due to its connection with SANBI. SANBI specialises in Genomics, especially in transcripttomics and pathogen bioinformatics and has been involved in Bioinformatics training both in this institution and at other institutions for the past 5 years, as well as establishment of the National Bioinformatics network ad hoc training programme. The current application will provide the opportunity to turn that expertise and training into nationally recognised qualifications.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

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

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Master of Science in Bioinformatics, NQF Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Thesis, 360 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an excellent foundation in Bioinformatics and a detailed knowledge of a specialist bioinformatics or genomics area. The learners will be able to work independently in a Bioinformatics environment in a commercial or academic setting. Learners will have a firm basis in biological science as well as the training required to manage information and carry out research on a computer. More than one peer reviewed publication is normally to be expected.
2. Excellent literature skills and ability to perform critical reading of scientific research papers. Learners will regularly be required to present oral and written reviews of relevant topics in Bioinformatics.
3. Develop the capacity to undertake a research project and to present the results of their own research clearly both orally and in written form.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:

The learners' knowledge of Bioinformatics will be assessed by SANBI faculty members based upon assessment criteria which have been developed by the SA National Bioinformatics Network and also the International Society for Computational Biology guidelines. Learners will present a formal proposal for Doctor of Philosophy research by the end of their first year. This will be assessed by a committee of at least three professors, one of which must be external. Learners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out by SANBI faculty members and external examiners.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This institution is conscious of the need to be a place of quality in learning in a context which is increasingly international. It is clear that if the institution intends to consolidate its position as a national institution of quality it must play to its strengths. SANBI is the national centre for Bioinformatics and is recognised as the most important institution in this field in South Africa. Its reputation abroad has enhanced the reputation of the institution considerably in recent years and it is this reputation which provides the opportunity for this institution to participate in the S* Alliance. Up to now Bioinformatics has been a developing discipline with few formal qualifications. This situation has been changing rapidly in recent years and many institutions have started formal courses in Bioinformatics. The need for formal Bioinformatics education in South Africa is clear and a number of other institutions in South Africa have expressed the need for formal education in this area. The current qualification allows this institution to capitalise on the hard work and progress of SANBI over the past 7 years and to maintain its position as the primary provider of Bioinformatics and Genomics technology, education and training to South African scientists.

The relevance of Genomics and Bioinformatics for South is clear. South Africa is a nation with pressing health problems. Genomics and Bioinformatics can be used to extract benefit for South Africans to assist the response to the challenges the country is facing from disease.

The international perspective afforded by this qualification is crucial, particularly in the fields of Genomics and Bioinformatics. These fields are rapidly changing and dominated by the Internet and information sharing. It is impossible to make a meaningful contribution in isolation and both learning and research benefit enormously from adapting to the international framework.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows for horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation

Cognate Doctor, Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

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.

NOTES

N/A

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