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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 in Agricultural Science |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 99030 | Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| University of South Africa | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| National First Degree(Min 480) | Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation | Primary Agriculture | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 480 | 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 | 2034-06-30 | |||
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 purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with knowledge and skills to meet challenges facing agriculture and engage them in the initiatives aimed at solving problems facing agriculture in the country. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science is designed to provide learners with knowledge in agriculture and equip them with skills needed to meet the challenges facing agriculture. This qualification aims to engage learners in sustainable practices aimed at solving problems that evolve around agriculture. Agriculture is a major area for growth. It feeds the nation and has the possibility of reducing poverty; it covers a range of important areas, such as preserving our pastures and combating erosion and food and nutrition security. Qualified learners will contribute in advancing initiatives aimed at poverty reduction and household food security in the country and offer learners an opportunity to advance their studies by producing new knowledge. They will be employable in the agriculture industry, in the farming sector, in agri-business, government departments and Non Governmental Organisations involved in the Agricultural sector. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution's RPL policy will be followed in relation to the RPL of learners into the qualification. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and award credit that is aligned to the institution's qualification to promote lifelong learning. Therefore recognition may be granted for non-formal prior experiential learning. The RPL process will be conducted according to the institution's RPL policy and may involve, among other things, the submission of portfolios with evidence of prior learning, examinations, and interviews with assessment panels. Certified copies of documents confirming the number of years, and nature of work experience will be required from the potential candidate, as well as certified copies of any qualifications obtained where applicable. Learners are required to complete 50% of a qualification at the certificating institution. Credits achieved through RPL must not exceed 50% of the total credits and must not include credits at the exit level. RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification. Evidence of prior learning must be accessed through formally recognised RPL processes to recognise achievement thereof. Learners submitting themselves for RPL assessment should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily a workplace-based qualification, evidence from other areas of learning may be introduced if pertinent to any of the Exit Level Outcomes (ELOs). RPL is used to grant admission to learners who do not met the minimum admission requirements and to grant credits towards the qualification. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: Or Or |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6, 7, and 8 totalling 480 Credits offered in three (3) optional streams, namely Agricultural Business and Management, Plant Science, and Animal Science.
Agricultural Business and Management Option, 480 Credits: NQF Level 5, 120 Credits: NQF Level 6, 120 Credits: NQF Level 7, 120 Credits: NQF Level 8, 120 Credits: Plant Science Option, 480 Credits: NQF Level 5, 96 Credits: NQF Level 6, 144 Credits: NQF Level 7, 132 Credits: NQF Level 8, 120 Credits: Animal Science Option, 480 Credits: NQF Level 5, 120 Credits: NQF Level 6, 120 Credits: NQF Level 7, 120 Credits: NQF Level 8, 120 Credits: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Use sustainable agricultural principles and practices in the agricultural environment and show an awareness of the need for social responsibility towards the environment.
2. Provide leadership in general in the management of operations in an agricultural sub-sector. 3. Solve problems affecting the agriculture sector own skills and knowledge. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Integrated Assessment: For the qualification to be awarded, a learner must have successfully achieved the exit level outcomes of the qualification. Comprehensive and integrated assessment (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments) is needed as evidence of applied competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) for the learner to be able to achieve the qualification as a whole. Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used in the form of written assignments and exams, and the supervision of a research project. Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the institution's Assessment Policy. The learner's summative assessment mark will comprise a year mark that will be gained from the specified number of compulsory assignments and a written examination in each module. Assessors will assess and give credit for evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Lecturers responsible for the module and external markers (assessors) will act as Assessor Practitioners in accordance with the institution Assessment Policy. Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the institution Assessment Policy. Learner support will be provided in accordance with institution Open Distance Learning (ODL) and Learner Support policies and guidelines. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| University of Sydney:
The University of Sydney in Australia offers a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. This qualification offers learners the opportunity to manage food production and the sustainable use of natural resources. They are also given a chance to apply their thinking skills in the lab, office and field. Learners are prepared to complete a research thesis for their Degree in order to develop their skills in critical thinking, problem solving, research and communication. Massey University: The Massey University in New Zealand offers the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Agricultural Science. This qualification assists learners to understand modern farming, and give them a sound foundation in agriculture for careers in the primary product sector. Learners are equipped with knowledge and the analytical and management skills to help them improve productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems, in New Zealand, and around the world. Conclusion: This qualification compares favourably with qualifications offered in New Zealand and in Australia. Learners are equipped with critical and analytical skills and are also introduced to research studies to enable them to identify and solve problems. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides possibilities for both horizontal and vertical specific articulation with other qualifications offered by the University of South Africa. They are:
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: The qualification offers systemic articulation possibilities with qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the student meets the minimum entry requirements. They are: Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
| NOTES |
| N/A |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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 South Africa |
| 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. |