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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: 

Master of Veterinary Medicine in Laboratory Animal Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15603  Master of Veterinary Medicine in Laboratory Animal Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's 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  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0335/25  2024-06-30  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 first purpose of this qualification is to gain knowledge and experience in the field of Laboratory Animal Science to a level of competence that leads to registration as a specialist in the field with the South African Veterinary Council. As a specialist in Laboratory Animal Science, the incumbent should be able to develop practical qualifications for improved diagnostic procedures and research on the production of biological products, ecological and epidemiological research on reservoirs of infection, comparative medicine and biology, reproductive physiology and laboratory animal medicine. In particular, the establishment of diagnostic, surveillance, information and risk assessment systems to control discipline specific zoo noses. Society gains specialists capable of ensuring the delicate ethical balance in the utilisation of animals in secondary and tertiary teaching, research and testing of biological and cosmetic products by exploring the controversy which it generates in the emerging climate of animal rights. These specialists also consider the special professional role which the veterinary and the para-veterinary professions have in improving the humanity of animal experimentation and promoting productive scientific endeavour in the biomedical sciences.

The second purpose is to provide the skills, knowledge, resources and practical experience to teach Laboratory Animal Science to undergraduate students and veterinary nurses and postgraduate honours and Master's students. An attitude of lifelong learning will be fostered, ensuring continued self-development in the discipline.

The third purpose of this qualification is to contribute to the understanding of research methodology and gain practical research experience through the completion of a research project and a dissertation. The knowledge thus gained will contribute to the advancement of the scientific knowledge in the field and assist with advising on the suitability of protocol topics in the field.

The fourth purpose of this qualification is to provide a basis with which to contemplate further Doctoral studies in the discipline or any other related discipline. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The application of suitable veterinary expertise in the field of Animal Experimentation.
    2. The application of suitable veterinary expertise in the field of Laboratory Animal Technology.
    3. The application of suitable veterinary expertise in the field of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
    4. The application of suitable veterinary expertise in the field of Comparative Medicine.
    5. The application of suitable veterinary expertise in the Regulation of Animal Experiments.
    6. Insight into the National Code for the Handling and Use of Animals in Research, Education, Diagnosis and Testing of Drugs and Related Substances in the RSA. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    One:
    1. Understand and explain why modern science and technology does not enjoy full public support.
    2. Understand what major dilemma and moral conflict veterinarians face in working in this field and how is this resolved.
    3. Explain and justify the principles of humane handling of animals in our exploitation of them and elaborate on the principles of humane experimental technique.
    4. Explain what biomedical science is, elaborate on the scientific method and define an animal model.
    5. Explain and justify the principles of Laboratory Animal Science.

    Two:
    1. Expand on the purpose and design of Modern Laboratory Animal facilities to ensure the quality of research data from animals.
    2. Explain and advise on preventing the entry of parasites and pathogens into animal units
    3. Understand the main source of infection in an animal unit and expand on how this is controlled.
    4. Explain what Specific Pathogen Free animals are and how are they produced.
    5. Explain how pathogens enter in an aerosol form and to control them in an animal house.

    Three:
    1. Explain what Laboratory Animal Medicine is and expand on the essential role of veterinarians in animal experimentation in South Africa, naming their duties
    2. Name five ways in which a veterinarian can promote the welfare of laboratory animals in a research setting.

    Four:
    1. Explain what Comparative Medicine is, what contributions a veterinarian can make in this field and expand on employment opportunities in the field.
    2. Explain how observations on animal diseases lead to discoveries in human medicine.
    3. Expand on how veterinarians in comparative medicine contribute to public health.

    Five:
    1. Explain why animal experiments are strictly regulated and elaborate on what is meant by GLP.
    2. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of having legislation to control animal experimentation.
    3. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of "in house" animal ethics committee review of animal research projects.
    4. Justify why legislation would create a "better" legitimacy for animal experimentation.
    5. Explain and justify the criteria applied in the ethical review of research, teaching and safety testing protocols in which experimental animals are to be used.

    Six:
    1. Explain the scope of the definition of an experimental animal in the Code and comment whether or not this is broad enough.
    2. Explain where the line is drawn in the causation of pain to experimental animals.
    3. Justify why veterinarians should have an overriding discretion on when an animal should be killed or withdrawn from an experiment and explain the responsibility this places on the profession.
    4. Explain the ethical and scientific imperatives for moving away from using wild caught animals in laboratory experiments.
    5. Explain the regulatory purpose of record keeping of animal experiments.
    6. Expand on what expertise is required within the membership of an Animal Ethics Committee and explain the roles of the specified type of membership in protocol review.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Portfolios.
  • Work-place assessments.
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examinations.

    Other:
    Practical and clinical assessment.
    Computer assisted assessment.
    Portfolio:
  • A dissertation acceptable to peer review.
  • Journal article/s accepted to a peer reviewed scientific journal.
  • Seminars based on current research, literature or relevant topics.

    Formative Assessment:
  • Continual assessment and monitoring of the learner during studies whilst under the supervision of a registered specialist in the field and other senior personnel. Feedback is provided on an on-going basis during contact time.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Portfolio work that has been completed and assessed by assessors and moderators
  • Written and practical assessment occurs at predetermined intervals and at the end of the study period and covering theoretical knowledge, practical skills and acquired experience. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Veterinary Science, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Veterinary Medicine in Pharmacology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Veterinary Medicine in Ophthalmology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Veterinary Science, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 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 Pretoria 


    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.