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 Biotechnology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96683  Master of Science in Biotechnology 
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  Life 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
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 
Purpose:
The primary purposes of the programme is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, or prepare graduates for advanced and specialised professional employment. A Master's Degree must have a significant research component.

The qualification may be earned by completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a thesis or dissertation.

Qualifying learners must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgement using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills.

Rationale:
The rationale for the qualification is the development of highly advanced knowledge and skills and applied competence in the area of Biotechnology and to the benefit of learners; and to provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, as well as the pursuit of gainful economic activity and the ability to make rewarding contributions to society.

The second rationale of the qualification is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of experts in the area of Biotechnology in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge - based scholarly activity is widened. This includes the development of new knowledge frameworks for the expansion of the field of Biotechnology in general. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the institution's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition, in the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. Furthermore, an application can be made in terms of rule A.2, the competency rule via Senate.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Biotechnology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, Level 9:
  • Full Thesis, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge or practices, including an advance understanding and scholarship of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories related to the area of Biotechnology.
    2. Acquire expertise in the techniques, procedures, instrumentation and its applications in the chosen area of Biotechnology.
    3. Take account of, and act in accordance with prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and practices and to seek guidance on ethical and professional issues as prescribed within the area of Biotechnology.
    4. Analyse and critically evaluate literature relevant to the area of investigation.
    5. Select an appropriate research approach and topic, conduct research under supervision using a prescribed research method and submit a thesis for assessment.
    6. Collect data using a variety of analytical techniques and information technologies relevant to the area of Biotechnology.
    7. Take full responsibility for managing their own work, especially in the write up of the thesis.
    8. Take full responsibility for decisions taken in the execution of their studies, taking into account the needs and demands placed on key equipment and facilities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Identify a specific/focused research problem,
  • Conduct and complete comprehensive, systematic research,
  • Critically evaluate the originally and validity of source material on the basis of historical validation techniques of internal and external criticism,
  • Select relevant information to solve the research problem in historical context,
  • Submit a well written logical and systematic thesis/ Mini thesis including exposition and findings.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learners' knowledge in the area of research will be continuously evaluated and guided by the supervisor commencing with the submission of a proposal for a Master's research by the end of their first year. This will be further evaluated by a committee of the Faculty before submission to Senate Higher Degrees Committee. Learners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out where possible by international external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master's Degree by dissertation will be comparable to those Master's Degrees through dissertation offered by international institutions. The MSc Degree in Biotechnology is comparable to those similar Masters Degrees offered by international institutions via full thesis such as:
    The University of Copenhagen, Harvard University (Extension) as well as RMIT University (Australia) offers a full research Masters as well as a coursework and research project programme.

    The current qualification does not have any compulsory modules (coursework) as some of the international qualifications but all have a thesis/dissertation component. The international qualifications are comparable in terms of scope of content, duration and the requirement of a research dissertation/thesis in order to complete the qualification. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Science in Biotechnology, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    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 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.