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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
94181	Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa
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		Life Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	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

Purpose:
The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification in Life Sciences is to empower learners with the necessary skills that will enable them to identify, conceptualise, design and implement research projects which address complex and challenging problems within Life Sciences. Furthermore the PhD will enable learners to either develop or propose solutions through models or theoretical amendments to current Life Sciences-related problems so as to improve economic and social well-being.

The purpose of the PhD is to develop learners to be able to:

Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area related to the Life Sciences discipline.

Demonstrate an ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge within specialisations of Life Sciences.

Demonstrate an ability to develop new methods, techniques, processes, system or technologies that address a particular research area in the Life Sciences.

Demonstrate an ability to apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflective, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems.

Demonstrate an ability to identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues and to advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate.

Demonstrate the ability to make independent judgments about management of information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas or issues within the Life Sciences.

Demonstrate an ability to produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards.

Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical underpinnings in the management of complex systems.

Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in the Life Sciences discipline.

Demonstrate an ability to operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her work and, where appropriate, to lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.

This qualification, which consists of a research proposal and a research project, aims to contribute to Life Sciences by developing researchers who can apply specialised research knowledge and skills in order to enhance an understanding of important features of animals and plants and to contribute not only to the health and well being of plants and animals but also to their interaction with the environment.

Rationale:
Specialised training within subject areas such as Life Sciences contributes towards the improvement of the health and the environment of individuals in both rural and urban areas. This is particularly important in South Africa where individuals and their natural environments are threatened by diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Malaria as well as the impacts of climate changes such as global warming and, desertification on large-scale industrial and urban development.

This situation is further exacerbated by a lack of awareness and knowledge of the potential capacity of medically active compounds in plants to improve human and animal health. Therefore there is a need to develop highly skilled life scientists to ensure the relevance of the discipline in addressing life science and health sector development. Further research is needed on novel research areas which are described as generically the "omics". Such life scientists focus on macromolecules such as Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and proteins associated with the maintenance of normal cell activity. Therefore when such areas are fully exploited, with training and research human and social well-being can be promoted.

Currently some of the above-mentioned needs are being addressed by government and non-governmental institutions such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), National Research Foundation (NRF), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), tertiary educational institutions and a variety of private organisations such as biotechnology companies. However, additional researchers are required to meet the growing needs of these organisations as the NRF has identified skills and knowledge in life sciences as requirements for human capacity development, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and technology, including indigenous knowledge systems. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Life Sciences will contribute to address these challenges by producing researchers that can use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing research projects which address complex and challenging problems within the Life Sciences. Thus this qualification will develop both their research skills and their specialist knowledge in these fields.

The qualification aims to contribute to Life Sciences by developing researchers who can apply specialised research knowledge and skills in order to enhance an understanding of the basic subject areas in the Life Sciences such as botany, zoology, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology and its allied fields such as biotechnology and medical diagnostics.

The PhD in Life Sciences will be accessible to learners who have completed Master of Science (MSc) in Life Sciences and related fields; or appropriate Research Masters Degree qualification at NQF Level 9. Graduates can be employed as senior life scientists, managers, consultants and lecturers in various fields of research, education, extension and management in public and private enterprises. These graduates will be able to apply their knowledge in practical as well as in applied life science management, research initiatives and in community services to solve health and life science problems. They will also work together with local communities, as part of national and international health and life science related initiatives.

Thus, the PhD in Life Sciences has ultimately the potential to play a role in promoting the general social well-being.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners may be admitted if they, through a Recognition of Prior Learning process, can show that they have the requisite level of knowledge and skills. Learners who are judged to have an insufficient grounding in research skills may be required to complete one or more research-related modules. The RPL process will be conducted according to the Institution's RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for admission into the Doctoral Degree in the field of Life Sciences is a Master of Science in Life Sciences Degree and related fields; or an appropriate Research Master's Degree. In addition, eligible learners must have attained a minimum pass rate of 60% and above in the Research Masters Degree of the area of specialisation.

Learners who are assessed to have an insufficient grounding in research skills may be required to complete one or more research-related modules.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences consists of 2 Compulsory Modules: 1 Fundamental Module at NQF Level 10 and 1 Core Module at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits:

Research Proposal, 24 Credits, at NQF Level 10.

Research Thesis, 336 Credits, at NQF Level 10.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstration of an understanding that the biological and material world is a complex set of related systems and that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation and is dependent upon a fundamental knowledge of the different biological sciences.
2. Demonstration of sensitivity to area related environmental and social issues as well as an approach towards applying science to the advantage of mankind.
3. Conduct a defined advanced research project to a logical conclusion and to communicate the basic scientific facts and truths efficiently.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information related to the specific field of research and use this information in his/her studies.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Expertise and critical knowledge in an area related to the Life Sciences discipline is demonstrated.

An ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge within specialisations of Life Sciences is demonstrated.

New methods, techniques, processes, system or technologies that address a particular research area in the Life Sciences are developed.

Specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflective, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems are applied.

Emerging ethical issues are identified, addressed and managed to advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate.

The ability to make independent judgments about management of information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas or issues within the Life Sciences is demonstrated.

Substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards is produced.

An understanding of theoretical underpinnings in the management of complex systems is demonstrated.

Intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in the Life Sciences discipline are demonstrated.

An ability to operate independently and take full responsibility for own work and, where appropriate, to lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems is demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment:
A completed research proposal serves as the summative assessment for the research proposal module while the completed thesis is the final assessment of the qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Oakland University located in Rochester, Michigan offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biological Science. The qualification equips learners to conduct applied research in hopes of acquiring and contributing knowledge in understanding living organisms and how they relate to the environment. Earning a PhD in biological science prepares graduates for a variety of research-based job opportunities, including postdoctoral positions with major universities.

Duke University in the United States offers a PhD in Evolutionary Biology. Through the qualification learners study the biological processes of how the Earth's animals and plants developed over geologic time. The Doctoral qualification feature advanced courses and seminars that explore essential topics such as the ecology of populations and communities, molecular ecology, evolutionary genetics and physiology. It also emphasises the evolutionary theories through which an analytical and critical thinking skills needed by researchers is developed.

Conclusion:
Life science studies encompass several areas like molecular medicine and immunology, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, epidemiology, human genetics, neuroscience, toxicology, biophysics and physical rehabilitation science. The qualification compares favourably with these in terms of the focus on developing critical and analytical thinking in Life Sciences.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The qualification provides possible articulation to other qualification from this institution or other institutions within the Sub-framework subject to meeting the requirements. The following are some of the qualifications that this qualification may possibly articulate with:

Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences in Biochemistry.

Doctor of Philosophy in Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences.

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 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 South Africa