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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Research 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99699  Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Research 
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
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
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 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying learners with a range of technical and scientific skills in Operations Research to pursue a career in Industry and Commerce.

Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Engage in critical and creative thinking and have a comprehensive and systematic knowledge base with a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, theories and research methods of Operations Research.
  • Apply appropriate operations research modelling skills and techniques to complex and real world problems and operate effectively in complex but ill-defined contexts.
  • Reflect on learning from individual experience and academic disciplines in relation to scientific, technological and economic realities, locally and globally.
  • Show efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills and effectively present and communicate academic work.
  • Manage learning tasks autonomously, professionally and ethically and display a high level of intellectual independence.

    Rationale:
    Operational Research (OR) is the use of advanced analytical techniques to improve decision making. Every customer always expects high-quality products and/or services, hence every organisation whether public or private, needs to provide them as effectively and efficiently as possible.

    OR deals with decisions involved in planning the efficient allocation of scarce resources such as material, skilled workers, machines, money and time in order to achieve stated goals and objectives under conditions of uncertainty and over a specific time span. Therefore efficient allocation of resources is vital and may involve establishing policies, designing processes or relocating assets.

    OR professionals strive to construct models that accurately represent and forecast relationships, they may use statistical analysis. The qualification aims to develop individuals who will be able to collect, synthesise and work with information and use information systems as a source of data and a means of implementing solutions. Learners will acquire skills to find an efficient allocation of resources which may employ optimisation techniques to deal with huge numbers of inter-related matters and constraints to develop solutions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Applicants who wish to be considered for RPL must apply in in accordance with the principles laid down in the institution's RPL Policy.

    RPL may be used to grant admission to the qualification to learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for entry. It may also be used to grant advanced standing to learners through the granting of module exemptions.

    Entry Requirements:
  • A relevant Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.
  • A relevant Advanced Diploma, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises 5 compulsory and one elective module at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 96 Credits:
  • Research Support Tools, 12 Credits.
  • Stochastic Modelling, 24 Credits.
  • Introduction to Heuristics, 24 Credits.
  • Forecasting, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Modelling 1, 24 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 8, 24 Credits (choose one):
  • Discrete Optimisation.
  • Financial Modelling 2. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Engage in critical and creative thinking and show a comprehensive and systematic knowledge base, having a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, theories and research methods of Operations Research.
  • Apply appropriate operations research modelling skills and techniques to complex and real world problems and operate effectively in complex but ill-defined contexts.
  • Reflect on learning from individual experience and academic disciplines in relation to scientific, technological and economic realities, locally and globally.
  • Show efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills and the ability to effectively present and communicate academic work.
  • Manage learning tasks professionally, ethically and independently showing a high level of intellectual independence. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to assess competence against the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Apply technical writing skills to present technical reports correctly and accurately.
  • Utilise the theory and techniques of forecasting models to identify the most suited forecasting model to predict a certain outcome in a data set and solve real world problems.
  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the introductory theories of stochastic modelling and its applications in Markov chains, counting processes, queues and reliability theory in order to acquire background knowledge necessary for constructing models and designing and analysing algorithms in the fields of Operations Research and Financial Modelling.
  • Demonstrate understanding of concepts and intrinsic limitations of meta-heuristical methods for optimisation problems.
  • Demonstrate understanding of statistical concepts and the ability to apply the experimental methodology of static and dynamic simulation.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of and the ability to apply Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithms.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of and the ability to apply genetic algorithms.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of meta-heuristics inspired by phenomena in other fields, for example swarming (biology) and simulated annealing (physics) including hybrids thereof.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the derivative investment environment with regard to the characteristics of derivatives, the modelling and pricing of derivatives and the use of futures and options in managing profits and reducing risks.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the mathematical modelling of portfolio risk and financial price processes.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles underlying the design of optimisation algorithms in order to construct mathematical programming models and solve them by using appropriate algorithms.
  • Demonstrate understanding and technical ability in combinatorial optimisation and its applications in constructing models and in designing and analysing algorithms in the field of Operations Research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment is done by means of activities in study guides, self-assessment questions in study guides and self-assessment assignments as well as written assignments that have to be submitted for assessment. Summative assessment is conducted by means of a three-hour examination per module. Learners are compelled to submit at least two assignments for each module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Auckland in Australia offers a 120 Credit Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Research which is designed for learners wishing to do advanced study in operations research to prepare for work in industry. This qualification contains similar modules to those of the Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Research.

    The University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom (UK) offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Operational Research. The qualification assists to play an effective role in providing model-based support to managers helping them to make better decisions at an operational/technical level. Learners develop an academic understanding of advanced analytical methods that are used to provide structured and analytical approaches to decision-making. Learners also develop practical skills in using operational research models to support decision makers.

    Conclusion:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Research compares well with other qualifications cited above in terms of duration, learning content and outcomes and purpose. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers only specific horizontal articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by the University of South Africa; They are:
    Specific horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Financial Modelling, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Level 8.

    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management, Level 8 (ID 19960).
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Management, Level 8 (ID 19962).

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Operations Research, Level 9 (ID 21375).
  • Master of Business Science in Statistics and Operations Research, Level 9 (ID 21523). 
    		•

    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.