FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE

SAES2

G3 applies.

CREDIT FOR MODULES PASSED/ADMISSION TO A SUBSEQUENT MODULE

SAES3

G25 applies.

3.1 Limitation on enrolment for modules at subsequent levels

3.1.1 Second year level: a student shall not be allowed to take any module at second year level unless s/he has obtained 50% of the total credits prescribed at first year level.

• Third year level: a student shall not be allowed to take any module at third-year level unless s/he has obtained 100% of the total credits prescribed at first-year level and 50% of the total credits prescribed at second-year level.

3.1.3 Fourth year level: a student shall not be allowed to take any module at fourth year level unless s/he has obtained 100% of the total credits prescribed at second year level and 50% of the total credits prescribed at third-year level.

3.2 Year status: Subject to G25.2 a student must have obtained credit for at least 75% of the total credit in a particular level before being admitted to the status of the subsequent level.

RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

SAES4

G26 applies.

4.1 A full-time student who, after having been registered for a full academic year, has not been able to accumulate any credits will not be able to renew his/her registration.

4.2 A full-time student who, after having been registered for two years at a specific year level for a qualification at this or any other residential university and has not yet obtained subsequent year status according to the conditions explained under Rule G25.2, will only be enrolled as a student subject to the stipulations under Rule G26.4.

4.3 A full-time student who, after having been enrolled for a period of two years exceeding the minimum period of attendance of a qualification as stipulated under Rule G10, and is still not in a position to complete his/her qualification in one more additional year, will not be allowed to register again, subject to the stipulations under Rule G26.4.

4.4 A student who was excluded from the University under Rules G26.2 and G26.3 may apply for readmission after the outstanding credits were obtained from another accredited Institution of higher learning and subject to the stipulations under Rule G8. In the case of students affected by Rule G26.3, application for readmission will be for the purposes of degree conferment.

4.5 A student who, for some one or other reason, has been expelled from another institution shall not be registered.

4.6 The period of study completed at a Tele-institution will be equated with a period of full-time study for purposes of applying Rules G26.2 to G26.4.

STATUTORY REGISTRATION

SAES 5

G27 applies.

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM PERIODS OF ATTENDANCE

SAES 6

Failure to complete the study program within the maximum period of attendance results into the application of G26.3.

CHANGE OF PROGRAMMES AND SIMULTANEOUS REGISTRATION

SAES7

G11 applies, with the following additions:

7.1 Where the composition of a programme or module changes substantially, the student shall be

required to register under the new programme or module, whether or not such a student has interrupted his/her studies.

• Changes from one program to another from within the School, Faculty or any other Faculty will be

based on previous performance of the student and must be approved by the School Management

Committee.

RECOGNITION OF ATTENDANCE FROM OTHER INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING

SAES8

G8 applies.

COMPOSITION OF STUDY PROGRAMMES

SAES9

The undergraduate programmes within the SAES are indicated from section 9.1 to 9.8.

SAES10

10.1 Continuous assessment

10.1.1 All registered students in a particular module will be provided with a complete module outline on the first contact week.

10.1.2 Assessment must be based on the assessment criteria as prescribed in the modular description and module outline.

10.1.3 A minimum of two tests must be written in a module subject to 10.1.2.

10.1.4 A student has the right to receive timeous feedback on all forms of assessment subject to 10.1.2.

10.2 Admission to summative assessment (final examination)

G13 applies

10.2.1 To be admitted to the summative assessment, a student must have obtained a formative assessment mark of at least 40% in each module.

• Summative assessments will be written in all prescribed modules and exit modules will be

externally moderated.

10.2.3 When calculating the final mark following a summative assessment, the differential contribution of the formative and the summative assessment marks are 60% and 40%, respectively.

10.2.4 Irrespective of the final mark achieved, a student must obtain at least a sub-minimum of 40% in the summative assessment.

10.2.5 Scripts shall be forwarded to the Examination Office when marks are submitted to the School Administration Office.

10.3 Expected behaviour in written assessments

10.3.1 Students shall take their seats at least twenty (20) minutes before the commencement of the test/examination.

10.3.2 Students will not be allowed into the examination hall in instances where such students are more than thirty (30) minutes late.

10.3.3 Students shall produce their student cards as they enter the examination hall and shall keep such

cards on display on the desk next to their seat number.

10.3.4 Students shall complete the attendance register at the beginning of each session, before writing the examination otherwise they will be marked as having been absent from the examination of that session.

10.3.5 Students shall be required to fill in the required particulars on the answer book in full and shall

number such books correctly in instances where more than one book is used for the examination

in each session.

10.3.6 Students shall not be allowed to leave the examination hall within an hour after the

commencement of the examination during each session.

10.3.7 Students who leave the examination hall during an examination session and return with the

express intention of continuing with the examination in progress, will not be permitted to do so.

• Students shall be permitted to leave only with the express purpose of responding to the call of

nature, and to return to the examination hall during a session and then only if under escort and

supervision of an invigilator.

• Students shall bring to the examination hall a student card, pens, pencils, ruler, eraser ink and

calculator only. No borrowing of material is permitted among students.

10.3.10 Only material that is required by the School to assist the students in the examination shall be indicated on the particular examination question paper.

10.3.11 Students shall not communicate with each other during the examination. The only communication that is permitted in an examination hall is between the student and the invigilator.

10.3.12 No smoking is allowed in the examination hall nor shall students be allowed any smoking break during an examination session.

10.3.13 No cell phone nor any other unauthorized communication device is allowed to be operative inside an examination hall or during the examination period without the express permission of the invigilator.

10.3.14 Failure to observe the rules of examination may lead to the application H14.

SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENT

SAES11

G14 applies.

11.1 The format of a supplementary assessment shall be the same as that of the summative assessment and for exit modules is subject to external moderation.

11.2 Conditions for the granting of a supplementary assessment in any specific module are dealt with as stipulated in Rules SAES11.3 and SAES11.4.

11.3 Students who obtain a final mark between 45% and 49%, both inclusive, will be permitted to write supplementary assessment in the module concerned.

11.4 If the final mark achieved in a module is 50% or more, but the summative assessment mark is below 40%, the student will qualify for a supplementary assessment.

11.5 Unless otherwise decided by Senate, supplementary assessment will be a flexible system within a reasonable period after the standard assessment.

• Calculation of the final mark following a supplementary assessment will be the same as that after the summative assessment with the supplementary assessment mark substituting the summative assessment mark. The maximum final mark allocated can only be 50%.

SPECIAL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

SAES12

G15 applies.

12.1 A special summative assessment may be granted to a student who has been prevented from taking the assessment:

12.1.1 By illness, on the day of the assessment or during or immediately before that assessment; provided that a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner or registered traditional healer is submitted to the satisfaction of the School; or

12.1.2 As a result of domestic circumstances such as serious illness, or death of a spouse, legal partner, parent, guardian, child, sibling; provided the student can produce satisfactory proof of such special circumstances.

12.2 The School shall determine whether the whole or only part of the assessment in the module concerned shall be done.

12.3 Where a student is permitted to do part of the assessment, the part of the assessment completed before the illness or relevant circumstances shall remain valid.

• A special assessment may be given immediately after the cessation of the circumstances that prevented the student from taking part in an assessment or should be given within 7 days of approval.

• A student who fails to sit for a special summative assessment shall not have a chance to sit for

further assessment in the same module , and shall re-register such a module .

• Applications for such a special summative assessment must be made on the prescribed form obtainable from Examination Office within 7 days of the date on which the assessment was held.

DEVIATION FROM STANDARD ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

SAES13

G16 applies.

ASSESSMENT FRAUD

SAES14

G17 applies.

14.1 The guidelines as stipulated in the Student Code of Conduct will be followed to identify fraud in the assessment venue. A student, who is suspected of having acted in contravention of these, will be charged with assessment fraud and tried through a Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee, as described in the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

14.2 A student charged with assessment fraud shall appear before a Faculty Student Disciplinary committee within four weeks of the occurrence of the act of infringement.

14.3 Marks obtained in assessment events in all modules registered for, will be withheld pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.

14.4 Plagiarism, as described in the Student Code of Conduct, is considered as assessment fraud. Any material that is presented for assessment and where plagiarism is suspected will be used as evidence and Rules SAES14.2 and SAES14.3 shall also apply.

14.5 A student, who presents a fraudulent Sick Certificate for assessment, will enter the same process as that described in Rules SAES14.2 and SAES14.3.

14.6 A student, who has been found guilty of assessment fraud by a Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee, will automatically be deregistered from all registered modules and receive a suspension from the University aligned with the outcome of the Disciplinary hearing.

ASSESSORS

SAES15

G18 applies. In addition,

15.1 Non exit modules are subject to internal moderation while exit modules are subject to external moderation.

15.2 The School Management Committee will evaluate all assessment reports from both internal and external assessors for quality assurance.

15.3 The Head of Department will ensure implementation of the recommendations in the assessor’s report.

MINIMUM PASS AND DISTINCTION IN A MODULE

SAES16

G19 applies.

16.1 The minimum pass mark in any module is 50% subject to SAES10.2.4 .

16.2 A module is passed with distinction when a mark of 75% or more is obtained.

FAILURE OF A MODULE

SAES17

G20 applies.

17.1 A student is regarded as having failed a module if:

17.1.1 S/he does not fulfil all the requirements in the module concerned.

17.1.2 S/he does not meet the sub-minimum requirements in certain parts/ divisions/ papers of the assessment.

17.1.3 His/her final mark is less than 50% .

17.2 Subject to the provisions of Rules G25 and G26, a student shall not be permitted more than two attempts at passing a module even when changing his/her degree programme.

VIEWING AND REMARKING OF SCRIPTS

SAES18

G21 applies.

18.1 Viewing of scripts:

18.1.1 With the permission of the School Director, a student may view his/her final assessment script together with the marking memorandum, under the supervision of a responsible person appointed by the Director.

18.2 Remarking of assessment scripts:

18.2.1 An application from a student for the remarking of an assessment script should be submitted in writing on the prescribed form obtainable from Examination Office to the Director of School within two weeks of the assessment results having been issued to students . Requests via the postal service should be by registered mail.

18.2.2 The Office of the Registrar shall make the necessary arrangements with the original external assessor or an alternate assessor for remarking the script.

18.2.3 The prescribed fee per module is to be paid in full by the applicant prior to remarking .

SAES19

G23 applies.

19.1 Conferment of a Qualification:

19.1.1 No person shall receive a qualification unless s/he has fulfilled all the requirements prescribed by the Rules for the qualification.

19.2 Awarding of a qualification “with distinction” ( cum laude ) for Bachelor’s degrees are subject to the following requirements:

19.2.1 The qualification must have been completed within the minimum prescribed period.

19.2.2 An average distinction mark is required over the duration of the study.

B. RULES FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY

ADMISSION

SAES20

G28 applies. Refer section C to H in this calendar for specific postgraduate program admission rules within the SAES.

EQUIVALENT STATUS

SAES21

G29 applies

REGISTRATION

SAES22

G32 applies

SUPERVISION

SAES23

The selection and appointment criteria for supervisors include the followings:-

• The supervisor must have a qualification in relevant field of study higher than or at least at the same level as, the exit level of the postgraduate study program s/he is supervising.

• The supervisor must have an appropriate research track record as well as experience, expertise and peer recognition in the field of study.

• In case of inexperienced or new supervisors there shall be joint supervision.

• The supervisor in consultation with the student must develop a periodic contact plan which is subject to approval by the School Management Committee.

ASSESSMENT

SAES24

24.1 Continuous assessment for course based postgraduate Programmes

24.1.1 All registered students in a particular module will be provided with a complete module outline on the first contact week.

24.1.2 Assessment must be based on the assessment criteria as prescribed in the modular description and module outline.

24.1.3 A minimum of two tests must be written in a module subject to 24.1.2.

24.1.4 A student has the right to receive timeous feedback on all forms of assessments subject to 24.1.2.

24.2 Admission to summative assessment (final examination)

G13 applies

24.2.1 To be admitted to the summative assessment, a student must have obtained a formative

assessment mark of at least 40% in each module.

24.2.2 Summative assessments will be written in all prescribed modules.

24.2.3 When calculating the final mark following a summative assessment, the differential contribution of the formative and the summative assessment marks are 60% and 40%, respectively.

• Irrespective of the final mark achieved, a student must obtain at least a sub-minimum of 40% in

the summative assessment.

• Scripts shall be forwarded to the examination centre not later than one week after submitting the marks.

24.3 Expected behaviour in written assessments

24.3.1 Students shall take their seats at least twenty (20) minutes before the commencement of the test/examination.

24.3.2 Students will not be allowed into the examination hall in instances where such students are more than thirty (30) minutes late.

24.3.3 Students shall produce their student cards as they enter the examination hall and shall keep such cards on display on the desk next to their seat number.

24.3.4 Students shall complete the attendance register at the beginning of each session, before writing the examination otherwise they will be marked as having been absent from the examination of that session.

24.3.5 Students shall be required to fill in the required particulars on the answer book in full and shall number such books correctly in instances where more than one book is used for the examination in each session.

24.3.6 Students shall not be allowed to leave the examination hall within an hour after the commencement of the examination during each session.

24.3.7 Students who leave the examination hall during an examination session and return with the express intention of continuing with the examination in progress, will not be permitted to do so.

24.3.8 Students shall be permitted to leave only with the express purpose of responding to the call of nature, and to return to the examination hall during a session and then only if under escort and supervision of an invigilator.

24.3.9 Students shall bring to the examination hall a student card, pens, pencils, ruler, eraser ink and calculator only. No borrowing of material is permitted among students.

24.3.10 Only material that is required by the School to assist the students in the examination shall be indicated on the particular examination question paper.

24.3.11 Students shall not communicate with each other during the examination. The only communication that is permitted in an examination hall is between the student and the invigilator.

24.3.12 No smoking is allowed in the examination hall nor shall students be allowed any smoking break during an examination session.

24.3.13 No cell phone or any other unauthorized communication device is allowed to be operative inside an examination hall or during the examination period without the express permission of the invigilator.

24.3.14 Failure to observe the rules of examination may lead to the application of SAES28.

24.4 Assessment of research papers for Honours study

Programmes

Assessment of research papers shall be completed, for full-time students, before the end of March in the year following enrolment for the degree and for part-time students, two years following enrolment.

SUPPLEMENTARY ASSESSMENT

SAES25

25. No supplementary assessment for postgraduate study programmes.

SPECIAL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

SAES26

G15 applies

26.1 A special summative assessment may be granted to a student who has been prevented from taking the assessment:

26.1.1 By illness, on the day of the assessment or during or immediately before that assessment; provided that a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner or registered traditional healer is submitted to the satisfaction of the School; or

26.1.2 As a result of domestic circumstances such as serious illness, or death of a spouse, legal partner, parent, guardian, child, sibling; provided the student can produce satisfactory proof of such special circumstances.

26.2 The school shall determine whether the whole or only part of the assessment in the module concerned shall be done.

26.3 Where a student is permitted to do part of the assessment, the part of the assessment completed before the illness or relevant circumstances shall remain valid.

26.4 A special assessment may be given immediately after the cessation of the circumstances that prevented the student from taking part in an assessment or should be given within 7 days of approval.

26.5 A student who fails to sit for a special summative assessment shall not have a chance to sit for further assessment in the same module and shall re-register such a module .

26.6 Applications for such a special summative assessment must be made on the prescribed form within 7 days of the date on which the assessment was held.

DEVIATION FROM STANDARD ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

SAES27

G16 applies

ASSESSMENT FRAUD AND PLAGIARISM

SAES28

G17 applies

28.1 The guidelines as stipulated in the Student Code of Conduct will be followed to identify fraud in the assessment venue. A student, who is suspected of having acted in contravention of these, will be charged with assessment fraud and tried through a Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee, as described in the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

28.2 A student charged with assessment fraud shall appear before a Faculty Student Disciplinary committee within four weeks of the occurrence of the act of infringement.

28.3 Marks obtained in assessment events in all modules registered for, will be withheld pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.

28.4 Plagiarism, as described in the Student Code of Conduct, is considered an assessment fraud. Any material that is presented for assessment and where plagiarism is suspected will be used as evidence and Rules SAES28.2 and SAES28.3 shall also apply.

28.5 A student, who presents a fraudulent Sick Certificate for assessment, will enter the same process as that described in Rules SAES28.2 and SAES28.3.

28.6 A student, who has been found guilty of assessment fraud by a Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee, will automatically be deregistered from all registered modules and receive a suspension from the University aligned with the outcome of the Disciplinary hearing.

ASSESSORS

SAES29

G18 applies. In addition,

29.1 Students are assessed in all modules by internal and external assessors.

29.2 Internal assessors should have taken part in the training and preparation of the students for the assessment concerned.

29.3 External assessors are nominated from outside the University staff establishment.

29.4 The School Management Committee will evaluate all assessors’ reports from both internal and external assessors for quality assurance.

29.5 The Head of Department will ensure implementation of the School Management Committee’s recommendations concerning the assessors’ report.

MINIMUM PASS AND DISTINCTION IN A MODULE

SAES30

G19 applies. In addition,

30.1 The minimum pass mark in any module is 50%.

30.2 A module is passed with distinction when a mark of 75% or more is obtained.

FAILURE OF A MODULE

SAES31

G20 applies. In addition,

31.1 A student is regarded as having failed a module if,

31.1.1 S/he does not fulfil all the requirements in the module concerned.

31.1.2 S/he does not meet the sub-minimum requirements in certain parts/divisions/papers of the assessment.

31.1.3 Her/his final mark is less than 50% .

VIEWING AND REMARKING OF SCRIPTS

SAES32

G21 applies

32.1 Viewing of scripts:

32.1.1 With the permission of the School Director, a student may view her/his final assessment script together with the marking memorandum, under the supervision of a responsible person appointed by the Director.

32.2 Remarking of assessment scripts:

32.2.1 An application from a student for the remarking of an assessment script should be submitted in writing on the prescribed form to the Director of School within two weeks of the assessment results having been issued to students . Requests via the post service should be by registered mail.

32.2.2 The Office of the Registrar shall make the necessary arrangements with the original external assessor or an alternate assessor for remarking the script.

32.2.3 The prescribed fee per module is to be paid in full by the applicant prior to remarking .

AWARDING OF A QUALIFICATION

SAES33

G35 applies

33.1 Conferment of a qualification:

33.1.1 No person shall receive a qualification unless s/he has fulfilled all the requirements prescribed by the Rules for the qualification.

33.2 Awarding of a qualification “with distinction” ( cum laude ) for postgraduate degrees are subject to the following requirements.

33.2.1 The qualification must have been completed within the minimum prescribed period.

33.2.2 An average distinction mark is required over the duration of the study.

C. RULES FOR HONOURS DEGREE STUDY
ADMISSION TO STUDY FOR AN HONOURS DEGREE

SAES34

G30 applies

34.1 Admission criteria

34.1.1 A relevant bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in terms of NQF level.

34.1.2 At least 60% obtained as an average final mark in the appropriate major learning programme or with special recommendation by the Head of the Department, or

34.1.3 Application of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy.

SAES42

G39 applies

42.1 Research proposal must meet the format requirements as prescribed by the School.

42.2 Research proposal must first be presented and approved within the Department and then to the School Senior Degrees Committee prior to submission for approval.

42.3 No research proposal will be allowed to be presented at the School Senior Degrees Committee in the absence of the major supervisor.

42.4 Research proposal must be presented no later than six months after first registration for full-time study and no later than 10 months for part-time study and all masters’ coursework study program.

42.5 Mini-dissertation/dissertation must meet the format requirements as prescribed by the School.

CLOSING DATES FOR SUBMISSION OF THE MINI-DISSERTATION/DISSERTATION

SAES43

G40 applies

43.1 In order to be awarded the degree during a particular graduation, the assessment report must be submitted in its final form for approval by the Executive Committee of Senate at least three months before the graduation ceremony.

43.2 Students who aim to graduate during the first graduation of the year, but who, for some reason, do not make the deadline described in Rule SAES42.1, must re-register before 31 March and complete all outstanding requirements for the degree.

SUBMISSION OF MINI-DISSERTATION/DISSERTATION

SAES44

G46 applies

44.1 The title page of the copies of the mini-dissertation/dissertation which are submitted shall contain the following information:

The full title of the mini-dissertation/dissertation.

The full name of the candidate.

Mini-dissertation/dissertation submitted in partial (fulfilment) of the requirements for the degree of …………………………in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, at the University of Limpopo, South Africa.

44.1.1 Year and Month of submission.

44.1.1 Name(s) of supervisor(s).

44.2 The candidate must sign the following statement on submitting her/his mini-dissertation/dissertation:

“I declare that the mini-dissertation/dissertation hereby submitted to the University of Limpopo , for the degree of …………………………… (degree and field of research) has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other university; that it is my work in design and in execution, and that all material contained herein has been duly acknowledged.”

44.3 The candidate is required to submit to his/her supervisor,

the following:

44.3.1 An abstract of the mini-dissertation/dissertation, in English. The abstract should further be bound into each copy of the mini-dissertation/dissertation.

44.3.2 One spirally bound copy of a mini-dissertation/dissertation

for each supervisor and assessor.

44.3.3 One spirally bound copy for the Examinations Office for viewing purposes by members of Senate and Faculty.

44.4 With the copies of the mini-dissertation/dissertation, the supervisor and co-supervisor (s), must indicate to the Faculty that the candidate is ready for assessment.

ASSESSMENT OF THE MINI-DISSERTATION/DISSERTATION

SAES45

G41 applies

45.1 On the recommendation of the supervisor, the Executive Committee of Senate appoints an assessment panel consisting of the supervisor, the co-supervisor(s) (if any) as internal assessor(s), and at least one external assessor (a co-supervisor may not act as an external assessor).

45.2 As soon as the mini-dissertation/dissertation has been submitted for assessment, the Examinations Office shall notify the members of Senate and the Faculty concerned in writing that the mini-dissertation/dissertation is ready for inspection. Within fourteen days, any member of Senate or the Faculty concerned may submit comments, in writing, through the Executive Dean, to the Examinations Office for submission to, and consideration by, the supervisor.

45.3 The members of the assessment panel must submit their independent comments on the mini-dissertation/dissertation in writing within six weeks to the Examinations Office who will forward them, with comments received, to the supervisor through the Office of the Executive Dean. A summarised report will be submitted to the Faculty Assessment Committee within two weeks. Upon approval the supervisor oversees corrections and submits the report, with one spirally bound copy of the mini-dissertation/dissertation to the Office of the Executive Dean.

45.4 After assessment of the mini-dissertation/dissertation by external assessors, the student must submit to the Examinations Office.

45.4.1 One corrected hard bound copy for each assessor,

including internal assessor(s).

45.4.2 One corrected hard bound copy for the Examinations

Office.

45.4.3 One corrected hard bound copy and an electronic copy

for the Library.

45.5 If a student fails in a mini-dissertation/dissertation, s/he may submit an amended or different mini-dissertation/dissertation within one year.

AWARDING OF MARKS

SAES46

G47 applies

46.1 The final mark achieved for the mini-dissertation/dissertation, is the average of the marks allocated by all assessors (internal and external).

46.2 If an assessor indicates in her/his examination report that s/he has to view the mini-dissertation again after the corrections are effected, it may be done so once only.

46.3 Where an external assessor awards a mark below 50%, Senate may seek a second external opinion once only.

46.4 In order to pass the degree, a minimum of 50% should be allocated by all assessors (internal and external).

CONFERMENT OF THE MASTERS DEGREE

SAES47

G42 applies

PUBLICATION OF A MINI-DISSERTATION/DISSERTATION

SAES48

G43 applies

48.1 If a mini-dissertation/dissertation is not published by the student within one year after the conferment of the degree, or no actual steps regarded by the School Management as satisfactory are taken to effect the publication thereof in the said period, the School is entitled to publish the whole of the dissertation or part thereof or a summary.

48.2 The term “publishing” implies that the mini-dissertation/dissertation is made available to the public, free or against payment, privately or through the trade, in the form of a typed volume or in the form of a volume multiplied by other processes or as a journal article or by other means.

48.3 At publication, the School must state that it is a consequence of a mini-dissertation/dissertation submitted by the candidate in compliance with the requirements for the degree.……………………. of the University, and with the supervisor, co-supervisor (s) and student acting as co-authors.

CONVERSION OF A MASTERS DEGREE STUDY INTO A DOCTORAL DEGREE

SAES49

G48 applies

49.1 Should a dissertation be deemed of exceptional merit by the supervisor (s) and/or co- supervisor (s), it may be converted to a doctoral thesis, subject to the Rules governing doctor’s degrees, provided that Rule G54, is understood to mean that the degree shall be awarded at least four years after the Bachelor’s degree has been conferred on the candidate.

49.2 In addition to G48.2, the Senate will seek independent outside assessors who are experts in the field to look into the upgrading of thesis.

E. MASTERS STUDY BY RESEARCH

DURATION OF STUDY

SAES50

G44 applies

The minimum duration of study is one year and maximum duration is four years if full-time study. For part-time study the minimum duration is three years and the maximum duration is five years.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDING A MASTERS DEGREE

SAES51

G45 applies

51.1 A research masters degree is awarded on the grounds of:

51.1.1 A dissertation, in addition to which;

51.1.2 An oral exit presentation.

F. MASTERS STUDY BY COURSEWORK

DURATION OF STUDY

SAES52

G49 applies

The minimum duration of study is one year and maximum duration is four years if full-time study. For part-time study the minimum duration of study is three years and the maximum duration is five years.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDING A COURSEWORK

MASTERS DEGREE

SAES53

G50 applies

53.1 A coursework masters degree is awarded on the grounds of:

53.1.1 Completion of the required modules.

53.1.2 A mini-dissertation, contributing at least 50% towards

the final mark.

53.1.3 An oral exit presentation.

G. RULES FOR DOCTORAL DEGREE STUDY
ADMISSION FOR DOCTORAL STUDY

SAES54

G53 applies

• In addition to the rules in this Section, those contained

under Section A (General Rules) and

Section C (Rules for Postgraduate Study) also applies.

54.2 Admission criteria:

54.2.1 A relevant masters degree or equivalent qualification.

54.2.2 If a candidate does not have a masters degree, s/he

may be admitted to the doctoral study provided that the

School is satisfied that such candidate has reached the

standard of a masters degree.

54.3 Before a candidate is accepted for doctoral study, the School must be convinced that the candidate has sufficient knowledge of the field of study to be able to fulfil the requirements for the degree.

54.4 Doctoral studies in the SAES are the following:

54.4.1 Doctor of Philosophy Agriculture in Agricultural Economics, Animal Production, Agronomy, Horticulture, Pasture Science, Plant Protection, Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Remote Sensing or Agricultural Extension

54.4.2 Doctor of Philosophy in Geography

54.4.3 Doctor of Philosophy in Aquaculture

54.4.4 Doctor of Science Agriculture in Agricultural Economics,

Animal Production, Agronomy, Horticulture, Pasture

Science, Plant Protection, Plant Breeding, Soil Science,

Remote Sensing, Aquaculture or Agricultural Extension

54.5 The module description for doctoral studies are

summarized from 54.4.1.1 to 54.4.4.

DURATION OF STUDY

SAES55

G54 applies

The minimum duration of study is two years and the maximum duration is five years.

REGISTRATION

SAES56

G55 applies

56.1 Candidates for doctoral study are not subject to the registration date for bachelor’s degrees only for the first registration.

RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION

SAES57

G55 applies

57.1 A candidate who has been registered for a doctoral degree must renew her/his registration each year before the closing date for academic registration and pay all prescribed fees until the candidate has complied with all the requirements for the degree. On renewal of registration, the student is required to pay the registration fee only.

57.2 A doctoral student may be required to register for Experimental Design and Analysis, Scientific Writing and any other relevant selected module(s).

57.3 If a student’s progress is not satisfactory, the student’s registration for doctoral study may be cancelled.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDING A DOCTORAL DEGREE

SAES58

G56 applies

58.1 A doctoral degree is awarded on the grounds of a completed thesis.

58.2 A candidate will present an oral exit seminar.

THESIS

SAES59

G57 applies

59.1 The title and proposal of a thesis is approved for a period of five years, after which the student

may apply for an extension of time.

59.2 A thesis must:

59.2.1 Demonstrate a high level of research capability.

59.2.2 Make a significant and original academic contribution in

the discipline or field.

59.2.3 Be of a quality to satisfy peer review.

59.2.4 Merit publication.

59.3 Material from the student’s own published work may be

incorporated in the thesis, but should not substitute the

full text. A collection of published works shall not be

accepted as a thesis.

• No publication may contain a statement to the effect that

the published material was or is to be submitted in fulfilment of the degree.

• In order to be awarded the degree during a particular graduation, the assessment report must be submitted in its final form for approval by the Executive Committee of Senate at least three months before the graduation ceremony.

• Students who aim to graduate during the first graduation

of the year, but who, for some reason, do not make the deadline, must re-register before 31 March and complete all outstanding requirements for the degree.

• A thesis previously submitted as a whole or in part for a

degree at another tertiary institution will not be accepted

for consideration.

SUBMISSION OF THE THESIS

SAES60

G58 applies. Rules SAES43.1 to SAES43.4 also applies where ‘thesis’ will replace mini-dissertation/dissertation as necessary.

ASSESSMENT OF THE THESIS

SAES61

G59 applies

61.1 Thesis will be assessed by the supervisor, the co- supervisor (s) (if any) as internal assessor(s), and at least two external assessors. (A co-supervisor may not act as external assessor). The assessment panel will be approved by the Senate Executive Committee.

61.2 As soon as the thesis has been submitted for assessment, the Examinations Office shall notify the members of Senate and Faculty concerned, in writing, that the thesis is ready for inspection.

61.3 Within fourteen days after the abovementioned notice, any member of Senate or Faculty concerned may submit comments on the thesis, in writing, through the Executive Dean, to the Examinations Office for submission to, and consideration by the assessment panel.

61.4 The members of the assessment panel must submit their independent comments on the thesis in writing within six weeks to the Examinations Office who will forward them, with comments received to the supervisor through the Office of the Executive Dean.

61.5 The supervisor compiles a summary report for submission to the Faculty Assessment Committee within two weeks. Upon approval, the supervisor oversees corrections and submits the report, with one spirally bound copy of the thesis to the Office of the Executive Dean.

61.6 Before the degree is conferred, the candidate must hand in to the Examinations Office:

61.6.1 One corrected hard bound copy for each assessor, including all internal assessor(s).

61.6.2 One corrected hard bound copy for the Examinations office.

61.6.3 One corrected hard bound copy and an electronic copy for the library.

61.7 A candidate may not submit a thesis for a doctoral degree if it has been formerly rejected in a different form.

CONFERMENT OF THE DEGREE

SAES62

G60 applies

62.1 A Doctoral degree is not awarded unless the candidate has been registered for the degree at least two academic years before the presentation of her/his thesis.

62.2 If a thesis is accepted and an assessor decides that the candidate has to make certain changes, the degree is not conferred until the changes have been effected to the satisfaction of the School.

62.3 The doctor’s degree is conferred on a student who, in the opinion of the assessment panel and Senate, has fulfilled the requirements of the degree.

62.4 The doctoral degree is not awarded with distinction.

PUBLICATION OF A THESIS

SAES63

G61 and SAES47 apply.