Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics

The purpose of the qualification is

• To provide qualifying learners with in-depth knowledge, advanced skills and applied competence in a natural science discipline that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
• To provide South Africa with significant numbers of highly skilled person power in several natural science disciplines in order to ensure that the country attains a competitive edge in innovation and the knowledge-based economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Science in Mathematical Statistics, NQF Level 9.

1. Display expert, highly specialised scholastic and advanced research skills in the Statistics discipline and be able to perform complex and highly advanced procedures across disciplines in highly specialised and unpredictable contexts.
2. Possess in-depth knowledge in a complex and specialised area of Statistics, be capable of information processing at the level of generation, evaluation and synthesis of highly abstract information and concepts; and be capable of creating responses to abstract problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge.
3. Communicate effectively, in both oral and written modes, with peers and the broader Statistics community using the appropriate structure, style and graphic support.
4. Assume responsibility for planning, resourcing and managing and optimising all aspects of processes within complex and unpredictable contexts and assume complete accountability for determining, achieving and evaluating and applying personal and/or group output.

The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes

1. Display expert, highly specialised scholastic and advanced research skills in the Statistics discipline and complex and highly advanced procedures is performed across the Statistics context.
2. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge in the complex and specialised area of Statistics highly abstract information and concepts are processed at a level of generation, evaluation and synthesis and responses are created to abstract problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge.
3. Demonstrate oral and written modes or communication with appropriate structure, style and graphic support effectively in the broader Statistics community.
4. Demonstrator responsibility for planning, resourcing and managing whilst processes within complex and unpredictable contexts are assumed.
5. Optimise personal and group output by complete accountability for its determination, achievement and evaluation.

Integrated assessment

The assessment consists of any of the submissions of a thesis of original research.