SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Arts in Geography

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110508	Master of Arts in Geography
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 07 - Human and Social Studies		General Social Science
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

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.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualified learners with the ability to:

a. Develop intellectual and practical skills of the advanced learner into a highly trained Geographer;

b. Acquire, analyse, and interpret specialised physical geographical data and prepare and finalise a research dissertation and a scientific publication based on the research undertaken;

c. It also equips the learner for further advanced study towards a higher in Geography.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to:

150 credits on level 7 in Geography

Recognition of prior learning:

A learner who claim to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the student is found to be competent the student may gain access, advanced placement or recognition of degree status will be granted on condition of continuing education.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The learners should be able to:

1. Identify specific complex environmental changes, critical evaluations of trends and problem solving of negative trends, in the identified dissertation theme. Suggest solutions to above.

2. Take lead of a multidisciplinary team or environmental issues.

3. Make specific recommendations on the improvement of incorrect utilisation, over-utilisation, and unplanned development thereof, and take responsibility for implementing these.

4. Take initiative and independently gather, analyse and organise data, as well as critically evaluating results in the study of the environment. Present it in the format of a completed research dissertation and related scientific article.

5. Have the ability to communicate research by oral and written presentation and scientifically present results

6. Apply field and develop analytical tools (maps, GIS, air photo`s, soil augers, etc.) used in the investigation of the environment by mankind.

7. Explain the degree of variation in the link of variables from the human and physical environments in this applicable field.

8. Extract specific ideas and integrate with own research results. Formulation of an independent point of view.

9. The ability to use and manage the biosphere as a responsible citizen and to invoke the same responsibility amongst the general community.

10. Prove and convince stakeholders and to contribute a research example of the importance of the environment for man`s existence on earth and the role it plays to create an acceptable living environment within a constantly changing world.

11. The ability to dentify and apply for career opportunities in a focused environmental field.

12. Apply new individual knowledge and technologies and consult these applications in the environment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Can the learner identify specific complex environmental changes, critical evaluations of trends and problem solving of negative trends, in the identified dissertation theme. Suggest solutions to above.

2. Can the learner take lead of a multidisciplinary team or environmental issues.

3. Can the learner make specific recommendations on the improvement of incorrect utilisation, over-utilisation, and unplanned development thereof, and take responsibility for implementing these.

4. Can the learner take initiative and independently gather, analyse and organise data, as well as critically evaluating results in the study of the environment. Present it in the format of the completed research dissertation and related scientific article.

5. Can the learner exhibit the ability to communicate research by oral and written presentation and scientifically present results

6. Can the learner apply field and develop analytical tools (maps, GIS, air photo`s, soil augers, etc.) used in the investigation of the environment by mankind.

7. Can the learner explain the degree of variation in the link of variables from the human and physical environments in this applicable field.

8. Can the learner extract specific ideas and integrate with own research results. Formulation of an independent point of view.

9. Can the learner use and manage the biosphere as a responsible citizen and to invoke the same responsibility amongst the general community.

10. Can the learner prove and convince stakeholders and to contribute a research example of the importance of the environment for man`s existence on earth and the role it plays to create an acceptable living environment within a constantly changing world.

11. Can the learner identify and apply for career opportunities in a focused environmental field.

12. Can the learner apply new individual knowledge and technologies and consult these applications in the environment.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

The progress that learners are making in their particular research project, is continuously assessed vial formal seminar presentations. They may also be assigned to do independent seminars on specific scientific topics related to their research topic. Seminars have to be presented to facilitators as well as co-learners during a combined session.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of a research dissertation on the approved topic within the field of specialisation in Physical Geography / Earth Science. The dissertation should clearly demonstrate knowledge of and insight into the field of study and the ability to independently conduct scientific research. A publishable scientific article, based on the research results, must be included in the final draught of the dissertation upon submission thereof for examination. This does not place a publication obligation on either the learner or the study leader. The article may be a summary of the study or part thereof.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Access to qualification on a lower level:

Articulation with other qualifications on a lower level than this qualification, enabling learners to gain access to this qualification will be handled according to the current regulations of the university.

Access to qualifications on the same level:

A panel will decide on articulation with other qualifications on the same level as this qualification, thereby enabling learners to exit this qualification at some stage and then continuing their studies in another "similar" qualification.

Access to qualification on a higher level:

A panel will decide on articulation with other qualifications on a higher level than this qualification, thereby enabling learners to gain access to those qualifications, when they have completed this one.

MODERATION OPTIONS

External moderators will be appointed by the department.

At least one external examiner will be appointed per dissertation from peer departments in other universities, or suitably qualified persons from private industry.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Formal assessment will be done by assessors with a level 8 in a relevant field in Geography.

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.

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