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 in Physical Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96663  Master of Science in Physical Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Physical Sciences 
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
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 purposes of the qualification are:
  • To provide qualifiers with specialised knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a natural science discipline that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
  • To provide South Africa with significant numbers of Postgraduates in a number of natural sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened. 
    		•

    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:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in a natural science discipline, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in a natural science discipline, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learning components: 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Display specialised scholastic and advanced research skills in a natural science discipline and perform a full range of advanced procedures in complex, variable and highly specialised contexts.
    2. Possess specialised knowledge of a major natural science discipline, capable of information processing at the level of analysis, transformation and evaluation of abstract data and concepts, and capable of formulation of appropriate responses to resolve contextually abstract science problems.
    3. Communicate effectively, in both oral and written modes, with peers and the broader community using the appropriate structure, style and graphic support.
    4. Assume responsibility for planning, resourcing and managing processes within broad parameters and functions and assume complete accountability for determining, achieving and evaluating personal and/or group output. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. A research project is designed.
    2.The research carried out using recognised research methods from a relevant discipline.
    3. Research findings are reported in accepted academic formats.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Internal Supervision and guidance in terms of the research project.

    Assessment may consist of any of the research report (thesis). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical Articulation:
    Doctor of Science in Physical Science, Level 10. 

    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 the Western Cape 


    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.