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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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Science: Agriculture

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
78125	Bachelor of Science: Agriculture
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
National First Degree	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Primary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	512	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2029-06-30

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

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is:

To provide graduates with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in a number of fields of agricultural sciences to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

To provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates in various fields of agricultural sciences in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity.

To stimulate and prepare learners for postgraduate study by provision of the required knowledge skills and insight to develop as agricultural researchers at a high academic level.

To provide South Africa with agricultural scientists who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of agricultural sciences and of their responsibilities to provide food and fibre in an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Access to the Qualification:

Applicants to the qualification should have:

An adequate exposure to physical science or biology.

An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.

Adequate literacy skills in English.

Continuation in or access into, qualifications at NQF Level 7 or above presupposes of the exit level requirements at NQF Level 6 at the required standard.

These can be demonstrated in a number of ways:

Matriculation exemption with at least 40 % at Higher Grade or at least 60 % at Standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.

Alternative access programme such as the University's Science Foundation Programme (SFP).

Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted provided they meet the criteria above.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

Students should complete a minimum of 512 credits for the whole qualification and a minimum of 128 credits at each year of study.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the qualification, the graduate should:

Be able to identify and solve agricultural science problems in an area of specialisation, demonstrating critical and creative thinking.

Have developed some entrepreneurial abilities.

Have acquired computer literacy and information retrieval skills, which will enhance his/her management skills.

Be able to collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate agricultural science information and data.

Be able to communicate effectively with peers in a variety of modes in the discourse of agricultural science in a specific area of specialisation.

Demonstrate a deep insight into a specialised area of agricultural science.

Demonstrate an understanding of agricultural science as an interrelated system and that, in a problem-solving context, components do not exist in isolation.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:

Assessment criteria are demonstrated fulfilment of the desired outcomes (above) met through successful completion of all the components of the qualification, including practical work at a farm and a fourth year supervised research project. This is assessed through a range of methods including tests, assignments and formal examinations, in written and oral form, research project and seminars.

Integrated Assessment:

The integrated assessment is carried out in the supervised research project, seminars and the practical work on a farm. Internal and external examination is according to University requirements.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Learners may shift into the qualification at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that NQF Level. Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the qualification.

Graduates from the qualification may continue into Masters of Science: Agriculture.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University has a system in place where assessment of all exits level assessment is externally moderated by appropriately qualified members of other universities or equivalent research institutions.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Internal and external assessors for the qualification will be selected on the basis of their recognised expertise in the modules being offered. The University assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff 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 policy is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification, are externally examined.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012; 2015.

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 KwaZulu-Natal