Master of Science in Entomology

The first purpose of the Master of Science (Entomology) qualification is to provide qualifiers with mid post-graduate-level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of fields of entomological science that provide for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

Its second purpose is to provide the nation with Masters qualified learners in the entomological sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity is consolidated, strengthened and widened. Such qualified learners can feed into the country's needs for higher - level scientists and managers in the spheres of entomology, agriculture, nature conservation, museum collections, biodiversity management and utilisation, pest control and ethno biology as well as specialists in sub-fields therein

The qualification's third purpose is to provide South Africa with a body of higher - level teachers at the tertiary level who will have gained a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of biological sciences and environmental education in general and entomological science in particular prior to or after acquiring specific postgraduate teaching qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior accredited learning in the form of a Bachelor of Science (Honours)-level degree in the form of a B.Sc (Hons) (Entomology), B.Sc (Hons) (Biology Sciences), B.Sc (Hons) (Ecology), BSc (Agriculture) or BSc (Hons) (Zoology) or equivalent where these include a mix of courses and outcomes deemed appropriate for accreditation.

Where such can be demonstrated and assessed, additional and relevant prior learning may also be recognised.

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Entomology, NQF Level 8.

Exit Level Outcomes

The Master of Science (Entomology) qualified learner

1. Will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals and major principles and theories of Entomology and allied sciences as well as the more specialised principles and theories;
2. Will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the relevant and pertinent fields as a foundation for the sciences of these fields and will demonstrate an appropriate understanding of cross-disciplinary applications of this knowledge;
3. Will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the practical techniques and applications appropriate to the major and specialised course fields;
4. Will demonstrate competence in identifying, seeking, retrieving, synthesising and communicating information of publication quality;
5. Will develop and demonstrate appropriate attitudes, values and an appropriate sense of responsibility as relevant to the component courses and modules.

Assessment Criteria

The Master of Science (Entomology) graduate

1. Will select and use fundamentals, key concepts and specialized principles in the analysis and interpretation of Entomological principles;

• Will be able to explain fundamentals, key concepts and specialized Entomological principles;

1. Will use the laws and knowledge of the relevant and pertinent fields in solving problems within those fields and will be able to pursue applications across disciplinary boundaries;
2. Will be able to identify and utilize the appropriate techniques and application in solving basic and specialized Entomology problems;

• Will be able to independently design, plan and execute basic and more advanced experimental investigation and undertake surveys and collections to a level appropriate to the degree;

1. Will be able to interpret their investigations in terms of relevant, comparative background information;

• Will be able to present in verbal, graphic and written forms, clear, concise reports on their investigations;
• Will be able to prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed publications;

1. Will conduct all investigations and surveys in a professional manner;

• Will adhere strictly to the principles of unbiased investigation using the appropriate scientific method;

Formative Assessment

• Background knowledge evaluation;
• On-going evaluation throughout;
• Regular reporting;
• Review of drafts;
• Learner attitude appraisal.

Summative assessment

• Examination of dissertation.