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 Applied Sciences in Biotechnology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96930  Master of Applied Sciences in Biotechnology 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal 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
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
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:
Learners achieving this qualification will be able to conduct scientific research under minimal guidance in a chosen field, and to contribute to knowledge production in that area of expertise. The learner will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of that specific area, and should be able to apply the correct research methods and techniques to the research problem being investigated. Independent research is carried out and reported in a dissertation.

Rationale:
Learners who complete this qualification will have identified a research problem and reported on the outcome of their investigation in a dissertation. Learners will contribute to biotechnology research through their understanding and application of existing knowledge. Learners who have completed the qualification may be registered as Professional Scientists after two years of experience. The qualification also allows vertical articulation into doctoral qualifications at NQF 10. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
An internal panel will determine whether the prospective learner has the required prior learning. The outcome of this panel is reported to the Registrar and the learner is allowed to register. A learner may appeal a negative outcome by approaching the Faculty. This outcome must then be ratified by Senate.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Relevant Postgraduate Diploma or Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Full Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the field/area of investigation.
    2. Apply research methods and techniques appropriately and correctly. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The listed and cited literature of the literature survey and the exposition of the research reflects familiarity with relevant and recent trends in technologies, techniques, models and theories in the chosen field.
  • Plan, design and perform a specific research project.
  • Report the findings in scientific format.
  • Critically analyse and interpret data.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Models, principles, theories, techniques and methodologies in the chosen field are analysed, explained, and juxtaposed correctly in oral presentations and the written record of research.
  • The research problem is clearly identified, defined, and detailed in the research proposal.
  • Appropriate techniques and methods are selected.
  • Experimental research is responsibly and ethically conducted.
  • The appropriate mathematical and statistical methods are applied correctly to qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Logical interpretation of data reflects clear understanding of the relationship between facts in the study and the ability to evaluate contradictory information.
  • The inferences, interpretations and conclusions from measurements and analyses are valid.
  • Information sources are used correctly and appropriately.
  • Information technology skills are applied effectively in production of the dissertation.
  • Language and numeracy skills are applied effectively and correctly in clearly communicating the research problem, its investigation, the outcome, and the recommendations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learner will be assessed formatively and summatively. The project proposal (formative assessment) must be approved by the Higher Degrees Committee at this institution. Formative assessments include oral presentations of the proposal and written progress reports. The final dissertation and presentation make up the summative assessment. A panel of three experts (with a maximum of one internal assessor) will assess the final dissertation. The supervisor/co-supervisors are not involved in the assessment of the final dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally. A number of institutions offer a qualification consisting of coursework and research, for example, the Master of Science (Biotechnology) offered by other institutions while others offer a pure research qualification. This qualification is pure research. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical articulation.
    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology, NQF Level. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    SERTEC (currently)
    ETQA under SACNASP in process of being legislated. 

    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. Vaal 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.