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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: |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 110604 | Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) | ||||
| 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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation | Primary Agriculture | ||
| 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 | |
| Reregistered | EXCO 0821/24 | 2019-09-11 | 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 |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is academic broadening and deepening of the scope of knowledge and skills in terms of the Fruit and Vegetable Crops, Agronomy, Crop Protection, Soil and Irrigation Science, and Post-Harvest Technology. It is therefore suitable for continuing specialisation by reiterating the deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the field of Crop Sciences. Qualifying learners will be able to innovatively contribute to the production of high quality foods and post-harvest handling of produce to ensure food security for all South Africans; and to engage in research to solve complex problems in crop sciences. In addition, they will be able to demonstrate their ability to identify and analyse the problem, formulate, undertake and solve using appropriate methods and techniques in the chosen field of specialisation. The course design comprises theory and practical applications, with a focus on improving current crop production systems for increased productivity and qualities within South African and International arenas. The qualification will articulate to Master of Agricultural Sciences. Rationale: The qualification is designed to prepare learners for work in complex and sophisticated areas in crop production, soil and irrigation, and post-harvest technology, since they would have gained in-depth knowledge as required by the industry. Qualifying learners are expected to work as specialised technicians, managers and senior extension officers in both private and public sectors. Qualifying learners will be able to progress to the Master of Agricultural Sciences at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9. Based on current trends in the tertiary education sector, the dominant group of learners in the Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences is expected to consist of mostly young people without much formal work experience, who have proceeded directly from Advanced Diploma in Crop Sciences or equivalent and who seek to attain a Level 8 qualification to improve their employability. A minority group is expected to comprise people who are working and who seek to advance their knowledge and skills in a particular discipline of agriculture for which there exist career opportunities. Qualifying learners are expected to work as specialised technicians, managers and senior extension officers in both private and public sectors. The Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences at NQF Level 8 follows on the Advanced Diploma in Crop Sciences (NQF Level 7), and qualifying learners will be able to progress to the Master of Agricultural Sciences at NQF Level 9. Since the Postgraduate Diploma is discipline-specific, the choice of discipline the learners make will have to be aligned with that selected in the Advanced Diploma in Crop Sciences. The qualification will consist of five (5) modules, three of them compulsory (Research Methodology and Ethics, Postgraduate Research Project, Biometry) and two (2) electives (Post-Harvest Technology, Agronomy, Crop Protection, Soil and Irrigation Science, Fruit and Vegetable Crops). The Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences will prepare qualifying learners for work in complex and sophisticated areas in crop production, soil and irrigation, and post-harvest technology, since they would have gained in-depth knowledge as required by the industry. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Prior-learning and/or experience relevant to the field of Agriculture will be evaluated and considered for access to this qualification. The specific relevant documentation will be requested from these applicants, and these cases will be handled on an individual basis. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
Compulsory Modules: 48 Credits: Elective Modules, 72 Credits (Choose two): |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to Crop Sciences; and the ability to apply such knowledge.
2. Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in Crop Sciences and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques to unfamiliar problems in Crop Sciences. 4. Use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to Crop Sciences. 5. Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems in Crop Sciences. 6. Critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in Crop Sciences in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues. 7. Present and communicate academic, professional or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to Crop Sciences. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| The Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.
Integrated Assessment: Formative Assessment will thus mainly involve integrated types of assessment, used to inform learners about their progress on a continuous basis throughout the semester. Self and peer assessment (with the aid of relevant analytical assessment tools) will contribute to formative assessment. Marks collected from this evidence may be recorded for promotional purposes or may be used for the sole purpose of learner and lecturer reflection, growth and development. Formative Assessment will be used to support the learner developmentally and to provide feedback to all involved in the learning process of how teaching and learning can be improved. Throughout the qualification, Formative Assessment strategies will be used to ensure that exit level and critical cross-field outcomes are achieved, which include (but not limited to): Summative Assessment will involve assessment opportunities that take place at the end of a learning experience. Information will be gathered about a learner's level of competence upon completion of a unit, module or qualification. Results may be expressed in marks and in terms of the level of competence achieved, with regard to level descriptors, specific outcomes and assessment standards. This type of assessment is used for promotional purposes and does take the form of (including, but not limited to): |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences is comparable to international tertiary institutions. The majority of these international qualifications are aimed at the preparation of a learner to work as a specialist in the field of Agriculture. The Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences is offered at an NQF Level 8, according to the HEQSF Framework to continue professional development through imprinting deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology, in the field of Agriculture. Some of the institutions (nationally and internationally) surveyed, accept Diplomas to certain qualification similar to the Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences. Therefore it should be possible for learners to study at and articulate with other institutions globally. This qualification has been compared with the following international qualifications:
At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Nigeria a Higher National Diploma in Agriculture OR 3 year Degree in Agriculture is offered. This qualification is similar to the Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences. A Honours Degree in Crop Science is offered at Bindura University of Science Education in Zimbabwe. For admission to the qualification a learner must have a Five Ordinary Level subject including English Language and Mathematics passed with a grade C or better. Although it is a 4 year qualification, it compares favourably with the Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences as learners in their final year are learning the following modules: Weed Management and Control, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Irrigation and Water Management, Plant Protection, Agronomy, Post-Harvest, and Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition. A Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences is offered at the University of Melbourne in Australia. For admission to the qualification a learner must have an Undergraduate qualification in any discipline or a minimum of six years documented relevant professional work experience. Although their qualification is an interdisciplinary qualification, a high range of crop production modules such as Agricultural crop, food and fibre production are taught which compare favourably to the proposed Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Sciences. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| 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. | Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) |
| 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. |