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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts and principles in the natural sciences 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14110  Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts and principles in the natural sciences 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Natural Sciences in FET 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Life Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 
2002-10-09  2005-10-09  SAQA 0144/02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2006-10-09   2009-10-09  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A candidate credited with this unit Standard will be able to define, explain and explore concepts and principles in natural sciences through investigative methods and by interpreting evidence. Candidates will also be able to apply concepts to explain events. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Numeracy; solve simple equations by changing subjects. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Define concepts and principles in the natural sciences. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
Examples could include the following:

Energy and Change: Energy (energy transformation and energy transfer), force, velocity, etc.
Matter and material: Kinetic theory (including rain, wind in earth and states of matter, etc.
Atoms, electrons and charge (electricity, chemistry of life, minerals and Periodic Table of elements); etc.
Earth and Beyond: Continental Drift (Plate Tectonics) processes on earth surface, (weathering, erosion, weather, and geographical regions). Processes in the solar system etc.
Life and Living: What is life? the cell, heredity and change, etc. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
At least two examples from each theme, and the basic concepts within each concept should be dealt with. No detailed understanding or technical knowledge is required at this level. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Fundamental concepts and principles in each theme are defined (Earth and Beyond, Life and Living, Energy and Change, Matter and Materials). 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Examples of the applications of concepts and principles to each field are given. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Examples of the importance of concepts and principles to each field are given. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Practically demonstrate a concept or principle. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
Demonstration as opposed to experimentation or investigation, which is covered in NS 002.

Examples included under the notes section should by no means limit the scope of concepts that can be covered. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Group work is strongly encouraged. Demonstration of concepts could include: role-play, models and model building, projects, displays encompassing the 4 themes. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. A demonstration to illustrate a concept or principle is clearly outlined. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. The demonstration is executed according to plan. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The limitations of the demonstration are expressed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Recommendations to improve on the demonstration are made. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Interpret evidence to build up the concept or principle. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Appropriate evidence related to the concept or principle is selected. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Coherently organise evidence to support concepts/principles. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Apply knowledge and skills in order to explain phenomena. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
What is the scientific knowledge behind dung enhancing plant growth or what is the knowledge behind neutralisation of acids and bases for a worker in the paper or photographic industry? (Refer to Specific outcome 1 above). 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Examples should be drawn from learners world (work, home), 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Qualitative explanations of familiar phenomena are given. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Qualitative explanations of unfamiliar phenomena are given. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Mathematical reasoning based on concepts and principles is used to solve problems where applicable. (Equations, graphs, etc.). 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Problems are solved through the application of both theoretical knowledge and practical investigation. 


UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
Skills and knowledge which underlie concepts
This unit standard should be integrate with the unit standard on investigation of scientific phenomena (NS 002). 

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
1. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
2. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities. 


Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. 

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
  ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core  48495   General Education and Training Certificate: Water Services  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2023-06-30  EWSETA 
Core  23193   GETC in Ancillary Health Care  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 
2005-02-13  Was HW SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
Fundamental  48804   National Certificate: Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2008-11-26  Was HW SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
Elective  22865   National Certificate: Chemical Operations  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 
2005-10-09  Was CHIETA until Last Date for Achievement 
Elective  20654   National Certificate: Craft Bread and Flour Confectionery Baking  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2006-04-20  Was FOODBEV until Last Date for Achievement 
Elective  20657   National Certificate: Food and Beverage Processing: Plant Baking Processing  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2009-02-18  Was FOODBEV until Last Date for Achievement 


PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
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. CONCOR PROJECTS PTY LTD 
2. FINSCH DIAMOND MINE(PTY) LTD 
3. FOSKOR (PTY) LTD 
4. GNS ENTERPRISE (PTY) LTD 
5. MATHOME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD 
6. MODIKWA MINING PERSONNEL SERVICES PTY L TD 
7. SENZEKO EXECUTIVE RISK CC 



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.