Purpose and Rationale

Purpose

The main purpose of this qualification is to address the serious shortages of qualified personnel in South Africa who can enter the fields of pharmacological research and marketing. Most entrants currently have general BSc qualifications and receive training from their employers. The BSc Biomedicine Programme proposed by MGI aims to provide a higher education model in this discipline. The program will bridge the gap between layman and expert by developing individuals who can communicate effectively at technical levels. It encourages graduates to blend biology with business through its entrepreneurial approach.

This undergraduate program allows learners to engage in research, present their findings publicly, and includes an internship in the final year. It focuses on providing a strong academic foundation in biomedicine theory while incorporating practical experience. The changing landscape of biology necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, requiring proficiency in mathematical, physical, and information sciences. MGI's small institution size facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration, offering individualized attention to students. The goal is to produce well-rounded graduates who can either enter the workforce or pursue further studies upon program completion.

Rationale

Biomedicine, at the intersection of medicine and biology, presents expanding career opportunities driven by technological advancements. The BSc Biomedicine program emphasizes molecular biology, human physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and interpersonal skills. Graduates can pursue roles like laboratory technicians, clinical research associates, and technical sales representatives.

MGI's program addresses the demand for skills in science and technology in South Africa and promotes inclusivity in higher education through flexible entry requirements and academic support. The curriculum integrates generic competencies like teamwork, information analysis and presentation, technology utilization, problem-solving, and time management, enhancing graduates' employability and potential for further education.

Overall, MGI aims to produce graduates who can seamlessly transition into the workforce or continue their academic pursuits in biomedicine. The program's structure aims to build a strong knowledge base while offering practical experience, aligning with the objective of creating competent and knowledgeable individuals in the field.

Outcomes

Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts and principles.

Recognise that scientific knowledge and understanding are changeable.

Demonstrate key scientific reasoning skills through identifying and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.

Work effectively as a member of a team or group in scientific projects or investigations.

Manage and organize their learning activities responsibly.

Communicate scientific understanding in writing, orally and using visual, symbolic and/or other forms of representation.

Demonstrate effective Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills.

Apply scientific knowledge and ways of thinking to societal issues, taking into account ethical and cultural considerations. Annexure 2: Core Module Outcomes: Year 1:

Module Name### NQF Level: Science Skills### NQF Level

At the end of this module learners should: Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific research process. Develop interpersonal, communication and information technology skills necessary to work in a team on a research project.

Module Name### NQF Level: Biology IA: Principles of Biology### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of cellular structure and function as well as the inter-relationships between nucleic acids and proteins. Demonstrate basic laboratory skills.

Module Name### NQF Level: Chemistry IA: Introduction to Chemistry### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate a foundational understanding of chemical bonding and interatamoic interactions and the way these determine the structure and reactivity of compounds.

Module Name### NQF Level: Biology IB: Plant and Animal diversity### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of biological diversity within the plant and animal kingdoms.

Module Name### NQF Level: Chemistry IB: Applied Chemistry### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the applications of chemistry in industry. Year 2:

Module Name### NQF Level: Microbiology IIA: Introduction to Microbiology### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structure, metabolism, growth and genetics of the major groups of microorganisms.

Module Name### NQF Level: Biochemistry IIA: Molecular Biology### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of gene structure, gene expression and its regulation work with DNA in laboratory.

Module Name### NQF Level: Physiology IIA: Organ systems NQF Level###

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems.

Module Name### NQF Level: Marketing IIA: Biopharmaceutical Marketing### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic marketing principles with respect to the promotion of health products.

Module Name### NQF Level: Microbiology IIB: Medical Microbiology### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the pathogenic microorganisms in relationship to disease states. Demonstrate the understanding and application of routine and special medical microbiology procedures.

Module Name### NQF Level: Biochemistry IIB: Medicinal Chemistry### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding and application of the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Demonstrate an understanding of the main methods and techniques used in modern biochemistry.

Module Name### NQF Level: Physiology IIB: Control Mechanisms### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of physiological systems which maintain homeostasis in the body i.e. the nervous, endocrine and paracrine systems.

Module Name### NQF Level: Economics of Health care### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding and application understanding of economic principles in the health care field.

Module Name### NQF Level: Marketing IIB: Personal Selling and sales management### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to understand the role of personal selling in the promotional mix. Year 3:

Module Name### NQF Level: Pharmacology IIIA: Systems Pharmacology & chemotherapeutics### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of pharmacotherapeutics of drugs affecting the cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems as well as chemotherapeutic agents.

Module Name### NQF Level: Drug Development IIIA: Pharmaceutical R&D NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding and application of the drug development process. Demonstrate the skills necessary to function as part of an effective team member in the design and conduct of ethically-sound clinical trials.

Module Name### NQF Level: Biological Products IIIA: Medical Biotechnology### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of how biotechnology techniques are applied in the medical field. Recognize emerging technology developments in the field of biotechnology.

Module Name### NQF Level: Pharmacology IIIB: Endrocrine and Neuropharmacology### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of pharmacotherapeutics of drugs affecting the nervous and endocrine systems.

Module Name### NQF Level: Drug Development IIB: Operations Management### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the managerial concepts and quantitative tools and techniques required in the design, operation and control of operation systems in the production of goods and/or services.

Module Name### NQF Level: Biological Products IIIB: Nutraceuticals and functional foods### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of how foods can be used to modify physiology. Recognize social, cultural and regulatory issues governing the nutraceutical industry.

Module Name### NQF Level: Internship### NQF Level

After completion of this module, learners should be able to develop the skills and attitudes to work within a biology based field.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 1:

Identify, describe, and explain core concepts and principles of Biomedicine.
Demonstrate relationships among core concepts and principles.
Identify the range and limits of applicability of core concepts and principles.
Apply core concepts and principles to standard problems.
Describe and explain changes in knowledge and understanding in the field of Biomedicine.

These criteria can be assessed within the core modules of the Biomedicine Programme. Annexure 2 provides core module outcomes and assessment criteria for each.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 2:

Appraise the limitations of basic techniques used in Biomedicine.
Recognize the significance of contested scientific knowledge in a contemporary context.
Demonstrate an understanding of how scientific information and ideas become generally accepted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 3:

Demonstrate logical thinking.
Identify naive and flawed scientific reasoning.
Discriminate between inductive and deductive reasoning.
Reflect on thinking and reasoning processes.
Demonstrate the capacity to judge when understanding has been achieved or a problem has been adequately solved.
Formulate, analyze, and solve concrete and abstract problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Apply knowledge of theory to real-world contexts.
Integrate knowledge from various disciplines or modes of enquiry in solving scientific problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 4:

Provide evidence of successful and effective contributions in group work.
Communicate outcomes of scientific group work effectively and respectfully.
Apply organizational skills in managing group work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 5:

Demonstrate appropriate study skills.
Develop effective learning strategies suited to personal needs and contexts.
Demonstrate effective time management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 6:

Use scientific language correctly to produce clear and coherent written documents following appropriate scientific conventions.
Present scientific information verbally in front of others.
Use appropriate referencing conventions, avoid plagiarism, and respect intellectual property.
Use non-verbal forms of representation correctly and appropriately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 7:

Perform tasks related to basic computer literacy skills.
Critically assess the validity of ICT solutions for problems posed by the Informatics discipline.
Use ICT appropriate to the Informatics discipline for computational applications, simulation applications, pattern recognition, automation and control, and managing large volumes of data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 8:

Identify scientific knowledge relevant to current societal issues.
Critically evaluate public information dealing with current scientifically related issues.
Make ethically and culturally sensitive decisions on the effects of scientifically based activities on society.
Identify the socio-economic impact of scientific interventions in society.
Apply scientific knowledge for the direct benefit of others.

Integrated Assessment:

Learning and assessment are integrated.
Continual formative assessment is conducted to provide feedback on progress in achieving specific learning outcomes.
Formative assessment tasks occur every fortnight and can include multiple choice tests, short questions tests, concept maps, take-home tests, practical tasks, and short class presentations.
Summative assessment is concerned with judging learning in relation to exit-level outcomes and includes class tests, assignments, practical work, and a final examination.

For specific module outcomes and assessment criteria, please refer to Annexure 3.

Qualification Details

Type

National First Degree

NQF Level

Min. Credits

360

SAQA Source

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Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine