Master of Science in Geology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to provide an opportunity for learners to prove that they have a depth of understanding in the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills specific to the geological sciences, through supervised research.

Rationale

The Master of Science in Geology is a research-based qualification that aims to provide learners with competences, skills and knowledge within the geology subject area, with an individually chosen specialisation centred on an independent research project. There is a dire need to increase the skill levels of qualified learners in Geology to support and improve the economy of the region and country. Qualified learners of the qualification should be able to be innovative and have problem-solving abilities. These learners would be able to think and act independently yet be part of a larger team to help solve some of the economic and socio-economic problems.

Learners graduating from the qualification will be more highly trained and skilled in geological techniques and procedures and be adequately prepared for working in the industry. The qualified learner would be employable in the industrial sector and the agricultural industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The learner who does not meet the direct admission requirements is required to demonstrate to the Institution that they have a qualification or experiential-or work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of this qualification. These learners qualify for admission and the recognition of prior accredited and prior experiential learning. The learner who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but require further academic development, may be necessary to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes before admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

Assessment of the learner application will involve the following steps

• The learner must submit a portfolio containing evidence as indicated by the Department.
• The internal assessor will assess the learner's portfolio and the outcome of the RPL process, including written reports by the assessor and a recommendation, will be submitted to the HOD.

The Faculty communicate the final decision and outcome regarding the RPL status to the learner.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology, NQF Level 08.

or

• A four-year Degree in the core discipline in which learners wish to prove their Master's capabilities, NQF Level 08.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 09 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 09

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Conduct relevant research in the Geology discipline.
2. Write a research report in the form of a formal dissertation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Provide a suitable motivation for the need for the research;
• Plan, design and develop a proper research strategy with a reasonable chance of success;
• Create and write-up of a defensible research proposal;
• Conduct a well-formulated research experiment under laboratory settings (wet lab work);
• Collect, collate and assess experimental data;
• Implement the research plan;
• Properly and adequately interpret data;
• Defend the data/results/conclusions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Produce a type-written dissertation of the project undertaken (results, interpretations of the data, discussions of the findings).

Integrated Assessment

The Department applies integrated assessment throughout the research project to ensure that assessment happens to evaluate applied and reflective competencies.