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: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Operations Research 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96964  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Operations Research 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  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 
To provide students with advanced core knowledge and skills about various specialised aspects of operations research in order to equip them for a career in quantitative areas of business/commercial management.

To develop competent leaders in the quantitative management fields within the primary, secondary and tertiary economic sectors, possessing advanced theoretical and applied knowledge and skills, enabling them to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction within their domain of work.

To deliver students who would like to proceed with master's study in operations research with a sound academic base from which to do so. 

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).
  • The normal procedures of the University of Stellenbosch for admission to Postgraduate study apply.
  • The Department of Logistics considers all the applications and makes recommendations regarding the adequacy of students' previous programmes and other learning experiences for this programme.
  • The department may recommend direct admission or admission on condition of additional work to be completed before or during the programme, or that the student is not admitted.
  • The Faculty board of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences considers the recommendations and makes recommendations to the Executive Committee of Senate where the final decision is taken. Where applicable and justified, the option of admission on Senate discretion is considered and granted.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Commerce, Level 7. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Read and interpret (especially quantitative) management-related literature, implying the ability for independent learning from source material.
    2. Use scientific methodology in the acquisition of quantitative data, information and knowledge.
    3. Analyse, organise and critically evaluate relevant information.
    4. Identify and solve diverse and complex problems in a critical and creative way by applying appropriate Operations Research methodology.
    5. Work effectively with others as a member of a team.
    6. Organise and manage personal activities in the work place responsibly and effectively.
    7. Communicate effectively, using graphical, statistical, mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
    8. Use quantitative-based science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the interests of others.
    9. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems, by recognising important common characteristics of problems in diverse contexts.
    10. Understand and apply a range of advanced quantitative techniques, procedures and experimental approaches required for this programme.
    11. Apply the knowledge of and practical skills in quantitative management methodology to address theoretical and practical problems in diverse areas of business.
    12. Learn appropriate lessons from these experiences in order to solve problems in an optimal way.
    13. demonstrate an appreciation of the advantages of precision and economy of thought and logical expression as hallmarks of Operations Research.
    14. Model complex systems skilfully and with understanding.
    15. Indicate the prevalence and the importance of variation/change in phenomena, and show expertise in different techniques for analysing variation/change. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    An honours graduate in Operations Research will be able to independently, or as leader of a team:
  • Analyse, plan, implement and monitor business operations and projects within a firm and in a product's supply chain on strategic, tactical and operational levels, and found decisions quantitatively.
  • Organise complex operations that entail the allocation and distribution of scarce resources, and
  • Be equipped to proceed with Masters studies.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • The nature of Operations Research is such that successful study at any particular level requires the student to draw on the knowledge and expertise gathered in previous years.
  • In this sense the assessments that are devised for the Honours Degree are also integrated assessments for the entire study.
  • Assessment takes place by way of a variety of procedures, including cross-disciplinary individual and group assignments, computer assignments, work-place assessments, written and oral presentations, tests and examinations. Over and above this, it is also expected of students to complete at least one large project of practical or theoretical nature, either individually or in small teams, and to present both written and oral reports on the work. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in other disciplines, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Research, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce, Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in operations research, Level 9. 

  • 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. Stellenbosch University 



    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.