Master of Science

Purpose

This qualification provides the learners with the competencies and scientific skills that allow them to enter Different research fields within science-based or science-supported careers, thus benefitting the specific scientific sector within the field of study, the economy that depends on that specific scientific discipline and society more at large.

Different areas of research have different job and career opportunities i.e. a graduate with a Master of Science (Environmental Sciences) will gain the skills that are necessary for a career in environmental science while a graduate with a Master of Science (Mathematics) has access to number of computational and applied field that relies on critical mathematical and computational skills.

The qualification may be completed through Master of Science (by dissertation) - i.e. by research dissertation only, or Master of Science (by coursework and research report). Independently of the research field of the Master of Science, all Master of Science learners are expected to formulate research questions, design a research project, collect and analyse data, and write a research thesis.

Rationale

The rationale of this qualification is for learners to master the scientific methods of research in the field/discipline of their Master of Science qualification. Learners with such qualification should be capable of specialised practice within a science-based or science-supported career and are also provided the foundations they would need to enter a Doctoral Studies. Learners qualify in a specialist field within broad disciplines such as Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences.

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.

Rationale

The rationale of this qualification is for learners to master the scientific methods of research in the field/discipline of their Master of Science qualification. Learners with such qualification should be capable of specialised practice within a science-based or science-supported career and are also provided the foundations they would need to enter a PhD programme. Learners qualify in a specialist field within broad disciplines such as Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences.

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.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits

• Full Research, NQF level 9, 180-credits.

Select one Reasearch Focus from the following

• Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences
• Archaeology
• Astrophysics
• Chemistry
• Computational and Applied Mathematics

Or

Compulsory: NQF level 9, 90 Credits: Research thesis.

and

1. Generate, explore and consider options and possibilities for scope, content and methodology of research leading to a dissertation.
2. Identify the most appropriate scope, content and methodology of research commensurate with one or several of interest, research imperatives, resources and supervision available.
3. Assess a particular scope, content and methodology of research that has been chosen and what has been considered in doing so.
4. Undertake the research and produce the dissertation, while continuously monitoring and adapting own performance as required or recommended by supervision and/or peers.
5. Evaluate own learning during the research and identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.
6. Reflect on the ethics of their research and what they have learnt about themselves as a learner and as a researcher.
7. Interpret boundaries, inter-connections, value and knowledge creation systems of the chosen discipline/s within the sciences and critically evaluate these.
8. Analyse specified bodies of content and their inter-connectedness in chosen discipline/s.

The Assessment Criteria may be applied across any one or more of the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated way.

• Demonstrate advanced discipline-related knowledge, skills, and allow learners to reflect on their own learning.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the nature and purpose of the investigations;
• Show sufficient acquaintance with the relevant literature;
• Master the necessary techniques, including, where applicable, keeping accurate experimental scientific records of experiments, analysing data statistically and qualitatively, and assessing the reliability of experimental results with an aim in mind.
• Acquire a thorough understanding of appropriate scientific methods for the system under consideration;
• Critically reflect on and evaluate the use of, and explore alternatives to, scientific methodologies, techniques, and literature in the chosen field or discipline
• Reflect on the appropriateness of decisions made in designing and executing the research leading to the dissertation, and on adjustments to research design that might have been made from time to time
• Assess the significance of the findings and justify dissertation-design decisions;
• Write in a literary style and present a dissertation acceptable in the sciences
• Critically reflecting on supervisor(s) and peer feedback during the research.
• Incorporate sufficient critical comment to ensure academic rigour without invalidating the declaration that the dissertation constitutes her work.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

MSc (by dissertation)

A person who is admitted as a candidate for the degree must present a dissertation on a subject approved by the Senate. After registration, a learner is required to produce a project proposal, and only after approval of the research report can they start to work on the project.

The qualification is usually awarded solely on the dissertation, which must show acquaintance with the methods of research but need not involve original or publishable research.

MSc (by coursework and research report)

Both the marks awarded for the coursework and those awarded for the Research Report contribute to the final mark for thequalification.

The coursework marks come from integrated assessments achieved by a variety of formative and summative strategies, including written examinations, individual projects and assignments, seminar presentations, and field trips where relevant. All these assessments are discipline and module-specific, but are all designed to test the learner's knowledge, skills, and to allow learners to reflect on their own learning.

To promote, monitor, and measure learner learning throughout a course.

A single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.