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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94873  Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
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 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  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:
The Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology will enable learners to:
  • Have specialised knowledge within a particular geological field of interest.
  • Research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight in the topics at hand.
  • Communicate effectively regarding topics within a field of specialisation.
  • Make informed decisions on the types of methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within the field of specialisation.
  • Take responsibility for actions and decisions made.

    Thus learners from this qualification will be able to respond to developmental needs and challenges of the international, national and regional community in the field of geology.
    After completing this qualification, learners will be able to further their studies to a Master's Level qualification and also proceed to register for professional recognition with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).

    Rationale:
    South Africa has a vast amount of minerals and natural reserves. It is most important that a cadre of professional, competent and skilled geologists is trained to lead the geology sector within South Africa, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and on an international platform to locate, efficiently mine, process and remediate the sites.

    There is also an appreciation of the fact that to be competitive in the global markets, the South African mining sector has to cease importing skilled geologists from abroad to come and perform duties that can be done by the properly trained local people. The kind of training that is required must develop the skills of the professional geologists by providing them with specialised knowledge in the field at a Postgraduate Level.

    This qualification aims to provide quality and focused geological education at a Bachelor of Science Honours level with the aim of improving the personal attributes of learners. It also seeks to create an enabling environment for life-long learning, Recognition of Prior Learning, marketability and employability of learners. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    For the purpose of admission into the qualification applying admission criteria other than described above, learners could be assessed as per the RPL Policy and Procedures of the institution.
    The RPL admission route requires that learners submit a portfolio of evidence of the knowledge and skills achieved through non-academic means. The information is assessed in accordance with the receiving faculty's rules and regulations. Learners who meet the criteria are allowed to proceed towards registration.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission:
  • A relevant Bachelors' Degree with Geology as a major subject. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of 5 modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
    Modules:
  • Research Project (Geology), 40 Credits.
  • African Geology and Ore deposit Genesis, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Petrology and Petrography, 20 Credits.
  • Prospecting and Reserve Evaluation, 20 Credits.
  • Ore Mineralogy, Microscopy and Genesis, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialised knowledge within a particular geological field of interest.
    2. Research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight in the topics at hand.
    3. Communicate effectively regarding topics within a field of specialisation.
    4. Make informed decisions on the types of methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within the field of specialisation.
    5. Take responsibility for actions and decisions made. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The correct use of terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication is reflected.
  • The critical appraisal of the relationship among concepts and principles of the geological discipline is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of a context and how that affects the particular work being undertaken is reflected.
  • Various kinds of information resources, such as library, internet, and primary and secondary sources of related to geology can be accessed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Own opinions are clearly and coherently expressed.
  • A position systematically using properly substantiated arguments is logically presented and justified.
  • Capability in using different modes of communication (oral and written), discipline-specific conventions and an awareness of audience is shown.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Standard procedures within the specific discipline such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive or inductive reasoning are applied.
  • Appropriate data is collected and recorded in the appropriate format.
  • Valid conclusions are drawn and appropriately presented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Responsibility for decisions made and actions taken is accepted.
  • The ability to accept personal limitations and willingness to refer problematic issues to specialists is demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment of the Exit Level Outcomes within the qualification should be integrated to ensure a well-structured cohesive qualification. Assessments are based on formative assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to learners and summative assessments will be a final assessment mark given of the Exit Level Outcomes. Such assessments will assess the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes, as a whole of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Comparability studies were conducted on similar international qualifications to enhance quality and international standing of this qualification. It has proven to compare very well with similar qualifications offered at leading universities such as the University of Portsmouth and the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom; and Curtin University in Australia.

    The Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology offered at the University of Portsmouth in the city of Portsmouth, England. This qualification equips learners with advanced knowledge and understanding of the vital components of geoscience. In the final year the learning acquired will be customised and consolidated into an independent research work.

    The University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom offers the Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology. This qualification introduces learners to a variety of approaches in order to explain the way in which the surface of the earth is shaped. It further emphasises and explores the common ground between physical geography and earth sciences.

    In Australia, Curtin University offers the Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Geology. The qualification helps learners develop technical skills in topics like structural geology, petroleum geology, geophysics and hydrogeology. These are same topics as the ones covered in this qualification.

    Conclusion:
    The results of the comparability studies conducted reveal that this qualification is on an even keel quality-wise with some of the best geology qualifications in the world in terms of the modules and its topics, thus making this qualification comparable with the qualifications cited above. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification is designed to articulate within and across the sub-frameworks of the NQF. It articulates horizontally to:
  • Bachelor of Earth Sciences Honours in Mining and Environmental Geology at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Geology in Exploration Geochemistry at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honour in Applied Geology in Petroleum Geology at NQF Level 8.

    The qualification articulates vertically in to:
  • Mater of Philosophy in Geology at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Applied Geology at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Earth Sciences in Mining at NQF 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 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 Limpopo 


    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.