Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology

Purpose

The qualified learners will be competent scientific researchers who can function independently in developing and applying knowledge and skills to make an original contribution to the global knowledge or technology in the particular field chosen for study. A learner with one year of experience in the field will be eligible to apply to the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions for registration as a Professional Natural Scientist.

Rationale

Biotechnology is a sector with a clear capacity for transforming production and, therefore, the economy in areas such as human and animal health and the pharmaceutical industry, food production, industrial sectors, such as chemistry and energy, and is a key factor in environmental management. Biotechnologists are skilled to respond to issues of food and water contamination, bioremediation, the manufacture of environmentally friendly bio-products, food safety and quality control - issues that significantly affect society and the economy. Thus, Biotechnology contributes to the food and beverage industry, agricultural industry, water industry, pharmaceutical industry and chemical industry to name a few. In keeping with the advent of green biotechnology, in particular the biofuels industry, this qualification will provide the applied knowledge to meet the needs of this new wave of biotechnology.

The qualification further provides a platform for enabling career path development and lifelong learning in biotechnology research and development, as well as industry management and entrepreneurship. The graduates may find research and development career opportunities in parastatal research institutions such as CSIR, MRC, ARC, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and other academic institutions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be used for access into the Doctoral qualification. The assessment of an applicant's previous formal learning, informal learning and experience to determine the extent to which this meets the required learning outcomes, competency outcomes, or standards for entry or access into a Doctoral level study programme will be applied. The relevance, depth and extent of an applicant's prior learning will be evaluated by a panel of peers and educators. The department's RPL process will be aligned to the Institution's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

RPL is used for access into this qualification and the qualification cannot be awarded through RPL alone.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Applied Science in Biotechnology or related fields, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits

• Research Thesis, 360 Credits.

1. Critically analyse and synthesise information within a specialised area of research.
2. Plan, design and implement original independent research of significance in line with standards set by the national and international research community.
3. Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret the findings.
4. Retrieve information, access resources, interpret and record findings in a thesis that is written in scientific format that contributes to the development of knowledge in the field of biotechnology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 1

• Synthesise that adheres to academic and scientific standards.
• Conduct comparative analyses of research findings in relation to current/relevant reported literature.
• Interpret data reflects inquiry, critical thinking and creativity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 2

• Undertake research with comprehensiveness, reasoning and depth defined and details in a research proposal.
• Reason and argue to demonstrate application of inter-relatedness and multi-disciplinarity.
• Apply appropriate research methods and ethical considerations to ensure validity of the research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 3

• Present research findings that comply with criteria supported by the research community.
• Use appropriate biotechnology and interdisciplinary scientific techniques and methods in presenting information and statistical data analysis.
• Align the design of the research product with standards set by the research community.
• Academically defend research analyses and make recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 4

• Analyse and apply literature and information sources appropriately
• Generate original knowledge and understanding to make a contribution to the field of study
• Engage in critical reflection, synthesis and evaluation through scientific writing aligned to standards set by the research community
• Record relevant sources according to an appropriate referencing method and plagiarism avoided.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessments will combine a number of different elements and will require students to bring together different sets of outcomes of learning into a demonstration of applied competence. Integrated assessment will be primarily formative as this is a full research qualification.

Formative assessment

• Oral presentations
• Research proposal
• Written progress reports

The learner may choose one of two options for assessment

• Through a thesis, in which the student is expected to present integrated research findings, interpreted and linked to the existing literature but with a level of novelty, across the entire area of investigation.

OR

• Learners may submit a thesis containing three or more published original peer-reviewed articles (in SAPSE/ISI approved journals) based on the research project.

Both these routes of assessment will be conducted in accordance with institution's assessment policies, procedures and rules.