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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Geology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99200  Doctor of Philosophy in Geology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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  Earth and Space 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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 qualification is offered in a context of increasing challenges confronting the Mining industry in locating, developing and exploiting mineral resources; methods to protect the environment; and the protection of communities from geological hazards and environmental events. It is intended to produce graduates who can contribute significantly to finding solutions to such problems through research.

On achievement of the qualification the students should be experts in their field with the ability to identify the critical knowledge gaps and come up with innovative methods to address those. They should be able to write proposals, perform research independently, write a thesis and publish it in peer-reviewed journals and books.

Rationale:
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geology follows on our Master of Earth Science or related Degrees. It offers students an opportunity to further develop their research skills to a level where they can independently generate new knowledge through innovative research.

The qualification provides high level knowledge and research skills in the Mining, Geology, Water and Environmental sectors. Such skills are needed in Department of Mineral Resources and Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, mining and construction companies, the energy sector, research institutes like Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Higher Education institutions.

Typical students in this qualification have passed a Master of Earth Science or related fields Degree and have a proven capacity for research in the knowledge field of Earth Science. Research encompasses a multitude of skills such as information gathering, structuring, summarising, logical thinking, data analysis, budgeting, project management, reporting, scientific writing, evaluating evidence, interpretation and contextualisation of results as well as drawing valid conclusions. Added to this are practical skills such as word processing, data manipulation and representation, use of many different software packages. Students also learn to be goal oriented and to work independently. Geology and Earth Science graduates can work in many areas, especially Geology, Mining, Environmental Consultancy Firms or Governmental Institutions or Non-Governmental Organisations. Career opportunities are available in areas such as Exploration Geology; Mining, Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering; Financial Evaluation and Feasibility Studies with Financial and Banking Institutions; Policy Formulation, Administration and Regulation with government Matric/National Senior Certificate, Bachelor of Mining and Environmental Geology, Master of Earth Science, PhD in Geology

The qualification will equip students with skills, knowledge and competencies which will make them employable in Higher Education institutions, research institutes, government and the private sector. The competencies acquired will contribute to efficient exploration and exploitation of mineral and hydrocarbon resources and enhance the wellbeing of the society and economic growth. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The university policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is applied. The RPL policy takes into account the relevant knowledge and skills gained in practice that meets the minimum requirements of the programme.

Entry Requirements:
A relevant Master's Degree or equivalent with a mark of 60% or more for the research component. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The qualification consists of one single module, which is Mining and Environmental Geology (MEG) 7990 Research and Thesis.

The module is organised as follows:
  • Proposal development.
  • Data acquisition (laboratory, field work).
  • Data analysis, synthesis and interpretation of results.
  • Thesis write-up.

    Total credit allocation: 360. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ability to write a research proposal.
    2. Ability to conduct research.
    3. Ability to report or document research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Topic of the research project defined concisely.
  • Research problem clearly defined and significant or important enough to warrant the research.
  • Relevance of the proposed research.
  • Cited literature relevant, up-to-date and correctly interpreted. All key publications have been cited.
  • Coherence between the elements of the proposal, problem statement, aim, objectives and methodology.
  • Feasibility of the project.
  • Realistic work plan and budget.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Planning and execution of a research project.
  • Research project management.
  • Data gathering and analysis.
  • Evidence of measures to ensure scientific accountability such as objectivity, validity and reliability.
  • Dealing with contingencies.
  • Representation and interpretation of results.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Scientific writing ability.
  • Interpretation of results in the context of existing knowledge.
  • Clarity of reasoning.
  • Validity of conclusions.
  • Articles accepted for publication by scientific journals.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students are assessed on their final product, which is their thesis. The thesis is examined by the supervisor, the co-supervisor and two external examiners. Furthermore, they are assessed on their ability to defend the thesis. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is designed in accordance with the specifications for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree as published in the Government Gazette of 5 October 2007. International best practice is followed by ensuring that the students are supervised by PhD holders, that they have to defend their project proposal before a committee and the thesis is examined by two external examiners. They are also required to defend the thesis before the award of the PhD Degree. The PhD thesis design follows international practice for PhD by research. Examples of international qualifications that are comparable to Doctor of Philosophy in Geology are:
  • A PhD in Geosciences is offered at the University of Technology in Graz in Austria. The focus is on finding solutions to current problems in Geosciences. The qualification may either be a Doctoral in Engineering Sciences or Natural Sciences.
  • PhD in Earth Sciences is offered at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom. Research focuses on addressing some of the most significant challenges in the Earth Sciences, including: understanding Magmatic and Hydrothermal processes, Biosphere-Hydrosphere-Geosphere interactions, physical landscape and environmental dynamics, natural resource exploration, global change, and the long-term evolution of the Earth and its planetary systems.
  • PhD in Geosciences is offered at Princeton University in Florida in United States of America (USA). The research programs aim to characterise the present day structure and physics of the earth's interior, the tectonic and geodynamic processes responsible for generating the architecture and composition of the mantle and crust, and the interaction between the solid earth, biology, and the ocean and atmosphere systems through earth history. The areas of research interests include Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geophysics, Geochemistry, Petrology, Mineral Physics, Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Environmental Geology, Biological Oceanography, Climate, Global Warming, Paleoclimate, Paleoceanography and Paleontology. In addition the Department of Geosciences has associated programs in Environmental Policy.
  • PhD in Geological and Geophysical Sciences is offered in the State University of New Jersey in USA. The Graduate Program in Geological Sciences is designed to provide a challenging yet fostering educational atmosphere that encourages independent and critical thinking, the development of communicative and teaching skills, and the performance of creative and original research. It provides the student with a broad knowledge of the Geological or Geophysical Sciences and the necessary research and analytical skills to pursue successful careers in Academia, Research, and Industry. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Within Sub-Framework:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Students can potentially move between the qualification and Environmental Science, Hydrology, Oceanography, Geodesy, Astronomy and Applied Geotechnics.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Not applicable.

    Diagonal Articulation:
  • Not applicable.

    Between Sub-Frameworks:
  • Not applicable. 
    		•

    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 Venda 


    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.