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: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Microbiology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
87070  Bachelor of Science Honours in Microbiology 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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 
As indicated in the overall degree statement, with the focus on those skills and knowledge required in the discipline of Microbiology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entrance requirements

As indicated in the general form. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Subject specific outcomes

Graduates of the programme will:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the Microbiology with particular reference to the areas of bacteriology, virology, microbial-ecology, molecular biology and environmental, industrial and health related microbiology and advanced knowledge, insight in the areas of cell biology, recombinant DNA technology, the theory of microbiological technology and general principles of microbial genetics including nucleic acid replication, transcription, translation, mutation, DNS repair, regulation of gene expression, conjugation and transduction.

2. Use advanced practical skills in the areas of cell biology, recombinant DNA technology and microbiological technology; and practical skills in modern techniques, including radio isotope technology, cell culture techniques, microscopy and protein separation, in order to isolate nucleic acids and perform standard in vitro manipulations associated with DNA cloning such as gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, restriction enzyme digestion, legation and bacterial cell transformations, and be familiar with the theory of current methods in genetic manipulation.

3. Develop skills to investigate phenomena related to Microbiology and demonstrate an understanding of the changing and contested nature of knowledge in science, and in particular basic skills needed in conducting original research to completion.

4. Work effectively in a team to investigate and report on Microbiological phenomena.

5. Be able to effectively handle the literature in specialised fields of Microbiology, effectively communicate scientific information verbally and in writing and be conversant on general current topics in the field of Microbiology.

6. Demonstrate effective and responsible use of safety, health and environmental issues while practising both in the laboratory and the field, and in particular advanced general laboratory skills in microbiological environments.

7. Use knowledge from the physical, chemical and biological disciplines to solve problems across a variety of contexts.

Graduates of the programme will be aware of:

8. Different thinking and learning strategies to solve problems using learning independence and resource management.

9. Participating in the community as responsible scientists.

10. Demonstrating social and environmental awareness in dealing and reporting on Microbiological issues.

11. The career opportunities available in the many fields which make up the discipline of Microbiology and their application in the community.

12. Entrepreneurial opportunities through exposure to examples in the community, of the application of Microbiological knowledge. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated Assessment

Assessment Practice: Formative Outcome(s) Module(s)
  • Practical 1,4,5,6 BM410, BM460
  • Report 1,4 BM410
  • Essay 1,5 BM420, BM430, BM440
  • Seminar 1,5,6,7 BM450, BM460
  • Treatise 1,5,6,7 BM460


    Assessment Practice: Summative Outcome(s) Module(s)
  • Examination 1,5 All 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    As indicated on the general form. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    As indicated on the general form, with

    Moderating body
  • SA Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    MSc in Microbiology. 

    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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.