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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Agriculture 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96576  Master of Science in Agriculture 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
The Master of Science (Agriculture) programme in Animal Science have been designed to ensure that students acquired analytical, reasoning, communication and computer literacy skills at advanced level. Real life problems encountered in the commercial, small-scale emerging livestock farmers and public sector are used to develop research skills.

Research work and course work will be done in the following areas:
1. Animal Breeding: Learners will research and learn to develop genetic improvement programmes for farm animals based on scientific principles.

2. Animal Physiology and Animal Health: Learners will research and course-work covering an evaluation of reproductive performance to understand how desired performance can be achieved. Also, learners will research and learn on the complexities of maintaining the health and welfare of animals.

3. Animal Nutrition: Learners will do research and course work, learning about economic feeding of animals according to their needs. Optimisation of feeding strategies for farm animals requires integration of biological and economic actors, these being associated with the animal, feed and the environment.

4. Animal Production Systems & Management: Learners will do research and course work in the field of production systems and management. Course work will cover a holistic approach towards beef, fat lamb, goats, pigs and poultry and be able to identify and solve production problems associated with these systems.

5. On qualifying learners will be imbued with an enhanced level of social awareness and responsibility and understanding of their role in society as agricultural scientists.

The strong academic content of the training means that the learners can embark on Doctorate. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry requirements:
  • 4-year Bachelor Degree in the related field, or an honours degree in the related field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. A proper appreciation of the role of Agriculture in human affairs.
    2. Demonstrate a level of professionalism in research and teaching.
    3. Clear understanding of the principles of Animal production and science relating to the breeding, physiology, health, nutrition, production systems and management. Learner will have an enhanced appreciation of the interrelationships among these factors and how their manipulation influences affect animal production and products.
    4. Applying basic economic principles in Animal production.
    5. Planning, executing, analysing and reporting laboratory and field experiments in solving problems of livestock producers.

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    Cross-field outcomes incorporate those specified in the learning outcomes in the various approved research programme and modules, as they relate to the learner's possible future employment.

    1. Understanding of the multi-faceted roles of agriculture in society in its various linkages with other spheres of human affairs in order to properly situate the learner's role in the light of other qualifications.
    2. Ability to participate meaningfully using skills, mainly scientific acquired in discussions and decision making in respect of agricultural matters.
    3. Ability to function independently with minimal supervision and to effectively supervise subordinates particularly in agricultural matters.
    4. A well developed sense of ethical and social responsibility.
    5. Usefulness to the society through invasiveness, entrepreneurship all reflecting an ability for self-motivation and self-improvement in respect of further training and development.
    6. Ability to participate and initiate policy pertaining to the area of specialisation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    A variety of continuous and cumulative assessment methods which include field and laboratory experiments, take-home assignments, projects, group and individual work, written and oral examinations which will be utilised to evaluate whether learning outcomes have been attained. Learners will have to display problem-solving skills and prove their grasp and understanding of principles and applications of the discipline. A thesis document will also have to be submitted for both internal and external examination.

    Integrated assessment incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the Degree is achieved:
    1. Portfolios.
    2. Work-place assessments.
    3. Written examinations.
    4. Oral examination. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    Master of Science (Agriculture) or Equivalent.

    This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s):
  • Master of Science (Agriculture) or Equivalent. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 Venda 


    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.