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SAQA 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: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
100759  Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0339/26  2026-04-16  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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
78782  Doctor of Technology: Environmental Health  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  240  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification aims to equip learners with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the discipline informed by current scholarship and research, including critical awareness of current issues and developments in this field of study. Also, learners will conduct a research project through independent study culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation. The production and acceptance of the dissertation imply the learners have a high level of personal autonomy and accountability in planning, managing and executing a substantial research project while demonstrating the ability to apply, integrate and contextualise advanced knowledge and skills in this field of study. In executing the research project and dissertation, learners demonstrate the ability to address complex and challenging problems and show an understanding of the ethical issues and consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specialised context.

Rationale:
This qualification addresses the shortage of environmental health practitioners and scientists with knowledge and skills in the country as defined in the National Skills Development Strategy III of the Department of Labour and other national policy frameworks.

This qualification is also in keeping with the institution's vision, mission and strategic objectives to enhance and develop the quality and effectiveness of research and knowledge production and aligns to the overall aims and research niche areas of the Research, Technology and Innovation blueprint of the institution.

Also, this qualification aligns to international and national policy frameworks of Environmental Health.

The qualification responds to national needs in the field of Environmental Health with specific emphasis on Occupational Hygiene and Food Safety, Environmental Pollution and Environmental Epidemiology. These subject areas align to the goals and objectives defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) and the Africa Regional Group of Environmental Health and the South African Institute of Environmental Health. Over the years, this field of study evolves rapidly with increasing demands on the need for learners with advanced disciplinary knowledge and practice-based skills that contribute meaningfully to address complex problems associated with drinking water supply to rural communities, prevention of water, air and soil pollution, food safety and prevention of communicable diseases and environmental health and safety. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant. RPL is for the admission requirements of the qualification and credits against a part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled following an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification.

The learner may obtain access to this qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning using a portfolio of evidence of relevant work experience and scholarship. The Faculty Recognition of Prior Learning committee screens evidence and the Faculty Board approves it. An independent RPL advisor may be appointed to determine, in consultation with the relevant subject/programme specialists, if the learner presents sufficient evidence for consideration. The Portfolio of Evidence gets evaluation against the relevant SAQA level descriptors. The Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification receive consideration. Upon Faculty Board approval the application is e considered at the institutional level by the Higher Degrees Committee and approved by Senate.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Environmental Health, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, 360 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate relevant expert cognitive knowledge in the field of Environmental Health;
  • Demonstrate mature and sound judgment, accountability, reliability and intellectual independence;
  • Select and apply research tools and methods effectively and correctly in the research process;
  • Develop a philosophical framework to originally formulating appropriate responses for the investigation;
  • Apply scientific information, methods and professional ethics at levels of analysis, transformation, evaluation and synthesis of abstract data and concepts;
  • Show high levels of adaptability and flexibility to resolve contextually abstract problems and provide unique solutions;
  • Develop a philosophical framework to contribute to original knowledge in the field of study. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner:
  • Demonstrate that the listed and cited literature of the literature survey and the exposition of the research reflect familiarity with relevant and recent trends in technologies, techniques, models and theories in the chosen field;
  • Critically compare and contrast models, principles, theories, techniques and methodologies in the chosen field and sub-field;
  • Demonstrate the use of Information sources that include a range of media;
  • Create the research problem that is identified, defined and detailed in the research proposal;
  • Apply Information technology skills in information searches; data-analyses, data presentation and the production of the dissertation;
  • Generate and apply the appropriate mathematical and statistical methods to quantitative and qualitative data;
  • Create valid inferences, interpretations and conclusions from measurements and statistical analyses;
  • Investigate the research questions and produce an outcome and recommendations;
  • Demonstrate the use of literature surveys/experimentation/correlation/causal analysis is justified fully and correctly in oral presentation and the written record of research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The execution of the research project and production and acceptance of the dissertation constitute the total of a combination of formative, summative and integrated assessment methods at this level of study.

    The form of assessment in this qualification is a full research thesis.

    The learner will have in-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of the various fields of Environmental Health. The learner can do independent research and thereby extend the boundaries of Environmental Health.

    Formative assessment is continuous and includes the proposal and scientific writing to complete the thesis.

    Summative assessment takes place where three external examiners, two of whom should be international, examine the research thesis. A learner can identify, assess, research, formulate, explain, interpret, discuss and solve advanced problems within the field. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The comparability exercise includes the following institutions: African Academy of Environmental Health (an affiliation of the International Federation of Environmental Health) which includes higher education institutions in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa. The international comparability exercise includes the following higher educations: the University of Strathclyde and University of Ulster (UK) as well as Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health and Fort Valley State University Warner Robins, Georgia (USA). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Cape Peninsula University of Technology 


    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.