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: 

Master of Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9213  Master of Science 
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
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Life 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  EXCO 0733/25  2024-06-30  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification provides the learners with the competencies and scientific skills that allow them to enter Different research fields within science-based or science-supported careers, thus benefitting the specific scientific sector within the field of study, the economy that depends on that specific scientific discipline and society more at large.

Different areas of research have different job and career opportunities i.e. a graduate with a Master of Science (Environmental Sciences) will gain the skills that are necessary for a career in environmental science while a graduate with a Master of Science (Mathematics) has access to number of computational and applied field that relies on critical mathematical and computational skills.

The qualification may be completed through Master of Science (by dissertation) - i.e. by research dissertation only, or Master of Science (by coursework and research report). Independently of the research field of the Master of Science, all Master of Science learners are expected to formulate research questions, design a research project, collect and analyse data, and write a research thesis.

Rationale:
The rationale of this qualification is for learners to master the scientific methods of research in the field/discipline of their Master of Science qualification. Learners with such qualification should be capable of specialised practice within a science-based or science-supported career and are also provided the foundations they would need to enter a Doctoral Studies. Learners qualify in a specialist field within broad disciplines such as Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences.

Many employers in South Africa require a Masters as the minimum qualification for working in a particular field. Thus, the qualification embodies aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a senior scientist in a work environment. The qualification also equips learners with the tools necessary for them to be professional academic practitioners in their particular disciplines.

Also, most South African Institutions insist on a Master's level qualification or evidence of attainment of this standard as the minimum entry standard for Doctor of Philosophy training. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Rationale:
The rationale of this qualification is for learners to master the scientific methods of research in the field/discipline of their Master of Science qualification. Learners with such qualification should be capable of specialised practice within a science-based or science-supported career and are also provided the foundations they would need to enter a PhD programme. Learners qualify in a specialist field within broad disciplines such as Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences.

Many employers in South Africa require a Masters as the minimum qualification for working in a particular field. Thus, the qualification embodies aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a senior scientist in a work environment. The qualification also equips learners with the tools necessary for them to be professional academic practitioners in their particular disciplines.

Also, most South African Institutions insist on a Master's level qualification or evidence of attainment of this standard as the minimum entry standard for Doctor of Philosophy training. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Full Research, NQF level 9, 180-credits.

    Select one Reasearch Focus from the following:
  • Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Astrophysics
  • Chemistry
  • Computational and Applied Mathematics

    Or
    Compulsory: NQF level 9, 90 Credits: Research thesis.

    and 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Generate, explore and consider options and possibilities for scope, content and methodology of research leading to a dissertation.
    2. Identify the most appropriate scope, content and methodology of research commensurate with one or several of interest, research imperatives, resources and supervision available.
    3. Assess a particular scope, content and methodology of research that has been chosen and what has been considered in doing so.
    4. Undertake the research and produce the dissertation, while continuously monitoring and adapting own performance as required or recommended by supervision and/or peers.
    5. Evaluate own learning during the research and identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.
    6. Reflect on the ethics of their research and what they have learnt about themselves as a learner and as a researcher.
    7. Interpret boundaries, inter-connections, value and knowledge creation systems of the chosen discipline/s within the sciences and critically evaluate these.
    8. Analyse specified bodies of content and their inter-connectedness in chosen discipline/s. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The Assessment Criteria may be applied across any one or more of the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated way.
  • Demonstrate advanced discipline-related knowledge, skills, and allow learners to reflect on their own learning.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the nature and purpose of the investigations;
  • Show sufficient acquaintance with the relevant literature;
  • Master the necessary techniques, including, where applicable, keeping accurate experimental scientific records of experiments, analysing data statistically and qualitatively, and assessing the reliability of experimental results with an aim in mind.
  • Acquire a thorough understanding of appropriate scientific methods for the system under consideration;
  • Critically reflect on and evaluate the use of, and explore alternatives to, scientific methodologies, techniques, and literature in the chosen field or discipline
  • Reflect on the appropriateness of decisions made in designing and executing the research leading to the dissertation, and on adjustments to research design that might have been made from time to time
  • Assess the significance of the findings and justify dissertation-design decisions;
  • Write in a literary style and present a dissertation acceptable in the sciences
  • Critically reflecting on supervisor(s) and peer feedback during the research.
  • Incorporate sufficient critical comment to ensure academic rigour without invalidating the declaration that the dissertation constitutes her work.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    MSc (by dissertation)
    A person who is admitted as a candidate for the degree must present a dissertation on a subject approved by the Senate. After registration, a learner is required to produce a project proposal, and only after approval of the research report can they start to work on the project.

    The qualification is usually awarded solely on the dissertation, which must show acquaintance with the methods of research but need not involve original or publishable research.
    MSc (by coursework and research report)

    Both the marks awarded for the coursework and those awarded for the Research Report contribute to the final mark for thequalification.

    The coursework marks come from integrated assessments achieved by a variety of formative and summative strategies, including written examinations, individual projects and assignments, seminar presentations, and field trips where relevant. All these assessments are discipline and module-specific, but are all designed to test the learner's knowledge, skills, and to allow learners to reflect on their own learning.

    To promote, monitor, and measure learner learning throughout a course.
    A single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Health Sciences, NQF Level 9
  • Master of Science in cognate field, NQF Level 9

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy, NQF Level 10

    Diagonal Articulation
    There are no diagonal articulation options available on the OQSF on levels 7 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal University requirements govern how and by whom moderation is performed. For example, external examiners are appointed. Such moderation seeks, inter alia, to ensure that, where appropriate, our graduates will be able to comply with professional and statutory requirements. Further, whether an academic entity has a professional orientation or not, the University ensures that its activities are moderated by internal and external review quinquennially. The moderating body for qualifications of the University is the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education, currently represented by the Interim Higher Education Quality Committee. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Internal University quality requirements govern how and by whom assessment may be performed to ensure that assessors have the competence required to assess a qualification of this nature. Once the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education is constituted and ready to pronounce on issues of quality, the University will respond to the HEQC guidance on the registration of assessors. In the interim, the academic staff of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, are regarded as registered assessors since SAQA has registered the institution as a public higher education provider. 

    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.