Master of Science

Purpose

The main purpose of the qualification is to develop skills in the methods of research, as part of training for professional scientists. The qualification provides South Africa with significant numbers of learners in the Natural Sciences to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity in these fields widens.

Rationale

Many employers in South Africa require a Masters as the minimum qualification for working in a particular field. Thus, the qualification embodies aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a senior scientist in a work environment. The qualification also equips learners with the tools necessary for them to be professional academic practitioners in their particular disciplines. Also, most South African Institutions insist on a Master's level qualification or evidence of attainment of this standard as the minimum entry standard for Doctor of Philosophy training.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Non-Honours learners who show by examination or publication or record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the module or a cognate module similar to an Honours qualification can be permitted to register for the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours, NQF Level 8.

The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Coursework Qualification

• Dissertation, 60 or 90 Credits.
• Coursework, 120 Credits or 90 Credits.

Dissertation only

• Full dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Demonstrate mastery of theoretically sophisticated subject matter in the sciences.
2. Be proficient in research methodology to proceed to a Doctor of Philosophy.
3. Master the skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, collection and analysis of data, and effective writing communication.
4. Conduct independent research in the discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
5. Apply in-depth and specialised disciplinary knowledge and research skills to specific empirical cases and topics.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of the research and an ability to make claims with appropriate conditions.
7. Draw on discipline-based knowledge to devise hypotheses and pose research questions.
8. Prepare research reports and literature surveys of topics related to the scientific discipline of study, and effectively communicate research in an accessible form to lay audiences.
9. Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature related to their discipline of study.
10. Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
11. Understand the processes to construct knowledge in the specific field.
12. Identify and understand at an advanced level the main trends, themes and debates within the field.
13. Identify, debate and apply at an advanced level the main theoretical approaches developed in related knowledge areas.
14. Apply relevant methodological approaches and key research techniques.
15. Conduct advanced literature searches to inform reviews of specialised literature in the field.
16. Prepare professional papers for peer review.
17. Where relevant, apply cross-disciplinary knowledge to respond to practical problems facing societies in transition in Africa generally and South Africa in particular.
18. Prepare and present research proposals and to act as a research and policy consultant in relevant fields.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Conduct independent research in the field.
• Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
• Apply disciplinary knowledge and research skills.
• Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
• Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
• Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge while demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field.
• Master body of knowledge within a specified area of the discipline.
• Master all relevant research techniques, both general and specific about a particular field of study.
• Be able to summarise clearly, accurately and comprehensively all relevant aspects of an academic debate.
• Be able to relate or apply existing knowledge in novel contexts.
• Demonstrate adequate research problem formulation and development.
• Demonstrate familiarity with and integration of the relevant and specialised literature that informs the research question.
• Apply relevant theoretical approaches and key research techniques at an advanced level.
• Systematic and sustained discussion and argumentation and integration of findings.
• Address the normative issues that might attend the study.
• Appreciate the methodological of the study.
• Use the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment determines that the learner achieves the requisite level of knowledge and skills required at this advanced level, including in-depth knowledge of theoretical frameworks in the discipline, familiarity with the literature and discourse, ability to review current literature in the subject area critically, and ability to formulate and carry out a research project, and to report on it. Assessment methods, therefore, include formal examinations, essays and laboratory or fieldwork reports, oral presentations in a research seminar context, and a dissertation on the research project. All assessments will also evaluate elements of scientific literacy, numeracy and computer literacy at levels appropriate to the study area. Assessment of research outcomes is using a dissertation which normally consists of a substantial piece of work which demonstrates skills of independent research, response to supervisor's comments, mastery of the theoretical base and scholarly literature of a field of study.

Assessment in the full dissertation research Master of Science Degree is using a supervised dissertation not exceeding 50,000 words.

The Institution has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. The academic staff of the Institution use this in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the Institution.