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 Science Honours in Geology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97058  Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
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 graduates with a specialised knowledge in Geological Sciences through study in depth:
  • To equip them with the practical and applied knowledge of research methodology and to produce in them the ability to solve problems, both independently and in teams, relating to areas of geology of ore deposits by the use of appropriate theory, methods and techniques in the Geological Sciences.
  • These graduates should be good communicators in spoken and written English, to both expert and non-expert audiences.
  • The programme is intended to provide the country with graduates who have a specialised knowledge in the Geological Sciences and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Access to the programme is available to candidates who have previously satisfied the requirements for a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in this University or have been admitted to the status thereof and had sufficiently good exit-level (SAQA Level 6) results in Geological Sciences courses.

    In cases where relevant experience or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a candidate may be admitted by permission of Senate. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Have an in-depth, specialised knowledge relating to advanced aspects of Geology and particularly to Ore Deposits.
    2. Understand and be able to apply advanced concepts in Geology and to Ore Deposits.
    3. Be able to access information from a wide range of sources, integrate, analyse and critically evaluate it.
    4. Be able to distil a problem into its component parts.
    5. Be able to consider a range of problems, options and solutions, and implement decisions based on sound academic foundations, and to be able to access information from a wider range of sources.
    6. Be able to solve a problem by building up solutions to component parts of the problem in an integrative manner.
    7. Be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral presentations.
    8. Develop and exercise responsibly, practical laboratory and/or field-based technical skills applicable to vocational careers and to have responsible and effective personal organisation skills.
    9. Undertake and execute the scientific method through analysing and critically evaluating data and results by undertaking independent research.
    10. Be culturally sensitive and have developed sound professional attitudes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Pass the required number of modules of in-depth study in the Geological Sciences. The assessment criteria used will be accuracy and lucidity in answers to examination questions and clear evidence that theoretical concepts have been understood.
    2. Submit an Honours project that is assessed as satisfactory by internal and external examiners. The criteria will be understanding of basic principles, accuracy of factual material and of reasoning, ability to relate appropriate parts of the course to the problem under discussion, sensible reference to other sources of information and clarity of presentation.

    To demonstrate competence in outcomes 1-9, a student must be able to write logical and coherent essays, assignments and research reports, contribute to class discussions, satisfactorily answer exam questions and undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff.
  • To show competence in outcome 7, students written (e.g. assignments, exam questions, project report) and oral presentations (e.g. formal seminars) must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of English language and the structural organisation of the presentations.
  • The compulsory Research Project integrates all the specific outcomes, which contribute to the achievement of the Exit Level Outcomes of the programmes.
  • It is difficult to state objective criteria for the assessment of outcome 10, but general demeanour and etiquette are good indicators. Students will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and awareness with whom they interact.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.
  • In the present case an Honours Project is designed to act as "capstone", capturing a learner's competence in integrating theory, technique and methodology from a variety of sources to solve particular problems or develop theory (of the purpose and outcomes statement above). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Programme permits candidates with suitably high levels of achievement to proceed to Postgraduate programmes in the Science faculty of this University and largely also in faculties of Science at other universities, and other countries. Access to the Programme is via a strong Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Degree from this University or from certain other universities. Suitable alternative prior learning is also recognised as a basis for access. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) system for Higher Education (HE) is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under Assessor Criteria will suffice. All modules are administered and moderated by experienced academic staff (many of whom have acted as external examiners for other universities). The final award of the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Honours Degree is made after moderation by appropriate experienced examiners external to this university. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) establishes a registration system for assessors in the Higher Education and Training (HET) Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staffs are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification, are externally examined. 

    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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.