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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96806  Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
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 qualified learners will be competent scientific researchers who can function independently in developing and applying knowledge and skills to make an original contribution to the global knowledge or technology in the particular field chosen for study. A learner with one year of experience in the field will be eligible to apply to the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions for registration as a Professional Natural Scientist.

Rationale:
Biotechnology is a sector with a clear capacity for transforming production and, therefore, the economy in areas such as human and animal health and the pharmaceutical industry, food production, industrial sectors, such as chemistry and energy, and is a key factor in environmental management. Biotechnologists are skilled to respond to issues of food and water contamination, bioremediation, the manufacture of environmentally friendly bio-products, food safety and quality control - issues that significantly affect society and the economy. Thus, Biotechnology contributes to the food and beverage industry, agricultural industry, water industry, pharmaceutical industry and chemical industry to name a few. In keeping with the advent of green biotechnology, in particular the biofuels industry, this qualification will provide the applied knowledge to meet the needs of this new wave of biotechnology.

The qualification further provides a platform for enabling career path development and lifelong learning in biotechnology research and development, as well as industry management and entrepreneurship. The graduates may find research and development career opportunities in parastatal research institutions such as CSIR, MRC, ARC, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and other academic institutions. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be used for access into the Doctoral qualification. The assessment of an applicant's previous formal learning, informal learning and experience to determine the extent to which this meets the required learning outcomes, competency outcomes, or standards for entry or access into a Doctoral level study programme will be applied. The relevance, depth and extent of an applicant's prior learning will be evaluated by a panel of peers and educators. The department's RPL process will be aligned to the Institution's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

RPL is used for access into this qualification and the qualification cannot be awarded through RPL alone.


Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Applied Science in Biotechnology or related fields, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits:
  • Research Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Critically analyse and synthesise information within a specialised area of research.
    2. Plan, design and implement original independent research of significance in line with standards set by the national and international research community.
    3. Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret the findings.
    4. Retrieve information, access resources, interpret and record findings in a thesis that is written in scientific format that contributes to the development of knowledge in the field of biotechnology. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 1:
  • Synthesise that adheres to academic and scientific standards.
  • Conduct comparative analyses of research findings in relation to current/relevant reported literature.
  • Interpret data reflects inquiry, critical thinking and creativity.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 2:
  • Undertake research with comprehensiveness, reasoning and depth defined and details in a research proposal.
  • Reason and argue to demonstrate application of inter-relatedness and multi-disciplinarity.
  • Apply appropriate research methods and ethical considerations to ensure validity of the research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 3:
  • Present research findings that comply with criteria supported by the research community.
  • Use appropriate biotechnology and interdisciplinary scientific techniques and methods in presenting information and statistical data analysis.
  • Align the design of the research product with standards set by the research community.
  • Academically defend research analyses and make recommendations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 4:
  • Analyse and apply literature and information sources appropriately
  • Generate original knowledge and understanding to make a contribution to the field of study
  • Engage in critical reflection, synthesis and evaluation through scientific writing aligned to standards set by the research community
  • Record relevant sources according to an appropriate referencing method and plagiarism avoided.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessments will combine a number of different elements and will require students to bring together different sets of outcomes of learning into a demonstration of applied competence. Integrated assessment will be primarily formative as this is a full research qualification.

    Formative assessment:
  • Oral presentations
  • Research proposal
  • Written progress reports

    The learner may choose one of two options for assessment:
  • Through a thesis, in which the student is expected to present integrated research findings, interpreted and linked to the existing literature but with a level of novelty, across the entire area of investigation.
    OR
  • Learners may submit a thesis containing three or more published original peer-reviewed articles (in SAPSE/ISI approved journals) based on the research project.

    Both these routes of assessment will be conducted in accordance with institution's assessment policies, procedures and rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Similar degrees internationally include:
  • Columbia University (USA) - Doctorate Degree in Biotechnology
  • Technical University of Denmark (DTU)- Doctorate Degree in Biotechnology
  • Newcastle University (UK) - PhD in Biotechnology
  • Tianjin University of Science and Technology (China) - PhD in Biotechnology and Engineering

    Best practices from the above qualifications are reflected in the qualification purpose and design, which is a multidisciplinary model that facilitates skills to work synergistically within diverse fields of inquiry to make significant contributions to knowledge in increasingly complex applied sciences and related fields.

    In terms of contextualizing the Doctoral degree in Biotechnology with other offerings from the African continent, the degree was also compared with:
  • Pan African University (Kenya) - PhD degree in Biotechnology (3-year qualification)
  • Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Nigeria) - PhD - Biotechnology (3-year qualification) 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Science, Level 10
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science, Level 10
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Food and Nutrition, 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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.