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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9193  Bachelor of Science Honours 
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand 
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  Life 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:
This qualification provides learners with an advanced training in a science discipline and serves as the basic qualification for entry into professional practice or managerial positions in the field of science and technology that are relevant to the chosen discipline. It may also lay the basis for further learning and specialisation within the chosen discipline. Learners qualify in a specialist field within broad disciplines such as Biological, Earth, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Science Education. The provision of self-reflexive, scientifically trained professionals for South Africa builds our national, intellectual and economic infrastructure. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners who fall outside of the regular admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification or experiential- or work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Learners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need ofneed further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary qualifications before admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Accounting Sciences, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying learner:
    5.1.1 Generates, explores and considers options and makes decisions about ways of seeing systems and situations, and considers different ways of applying and integrating scientific knowledge to solve theoretical, applied or real life problems, specifically through research and the production of a research project.
    5.1.2 Demonstrates an advanced understanding of key aspects of specified scientific systems and situations.
    5.1.3 Demonstrates an advanced understanding of specified bodies of content and their inter-connectedness in chosen discipline(s).
    5.1.4 Demonstrates an advanced understanding of the boundaries, inter-connections, value and knowledge creation systems of the chosen discipline/s within the sciences.
    5.1.5 Reflects on possible implications for self and system of different ways of seeing and intervening in systems and situations.
    5.1.6 Demonstrates an ability to reflect with self and others, critical of own and other peoples' thoughts and actions, and capable of self-organisation and working in groups in the face of continual challenge from the environment.
    5.1.7 Demonstrates consciousness of, and engagement with, own learning and learning strategies, and awareness of the nature of knowledge and how new knowledge can be acquired.
    5.1.8 Demonstrates an ability to reflect on the importance of scientific paradigms and methods in understanding scientific concepts and their changing nature.
    5.1.9 Demonstrates an ability to conduct her/himself as independent learner and practitioner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner should demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and make decisions about:
  • Ways of seeing systems and situations, and to consider different ways of applying and integrating scientific knowledge to solve theoretical, applied or real life problems.
  • Methods for integrating information to solve complex problems.
  • Appropriate methods to carry out investigations to solve problems.
  • Appropriate use of advanced quantitative techniques in the chosen discipline.
  • Selecting an appropriate method for communicating a set of data.
  • The most appropriate personal learning strategies and organisation of work.
  • Awareness of quality control, scientific standards and ethical norms as they pertain to the application of their chosen discipline in scientific investigations and the work place.
  • Awareness of the career path and professional responsibilities that accompany their chosen discipline.

    The learner should demonstrate an understanding of:
  • The use of critical thinking and logic in analysing situations.
  • Information storage and retrieval systems.
  • Effective communication and competent application of the relevant techniques including numerical and computer skills.
  • Modes of communicating, interpreting and translating data.
  • How to design, execute and present scientific investigations such as through a small scale scientific report/research project.
  • The appropriate use of quantitative techniques to analyse and check for the plausibility of data.
  • Advanced techniques in the discipline.

    The learner should demonstrate an ability to reflect on and critically evaluate:
  • The use of advanced investigative techniques and their strengths and weaknesses.
  • The appropriateness of own interventions including strengths and weaknesses and possible future improvement.
  • The relative merits of issues raised by science and technology and the relevance of science to everyday life and global issues.
  • Scientific paradigms and methods in understanding scientific concepts and their changing nature.
  • Successes, strengths and weaknesses and possible improvement of personal learning strategies.
  • The practice and application of knowledge and understanding they have acquired of their chosen discipline in the workplace.
  • Their self-organization, team work and group co-ordination activities in their chosen discipline.
  • Their responsibility towards the environment, as well as the work place and the people within it.
  • Conceptual and research publications in the chosen discipline.
  • Own and other peoples' participation in a culturally and racially diverse learning situations and society.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment of these criteria will be achieved by a variety of strategies, including written examinations, group and individual projects and assignments, field trips and practical examinations. Learners are required to demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and make decisions in their field of choice, as well as to understand, reflect and critically evaluate the fundamental issues related to their field as it pertains to the work place or professional environment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Postgradute Diploma in Science, NQF Level 8

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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 2006; 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 Witwatersrand 


    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.