FIELD                 SCIENCES

 

Revision of Science qualifications

 

National Diploma in Science (Level 5) [Ref: 0234]

National Diploma in Science (Level 6) [Ref: 0235]

 

National Qualifications Services (NQS) has revised the qualifications listed above that were registered in September 1998.

 

Date new versions published                                                                    February 2004

 

A review of these qualifications will be completed in 2004

 

Reason for the revision

 

In 1997, the National Diploma in Science (Level 5) and the National Diploma in Science (Level 6) replaced the New Zealand Certificate in Science (NZCS).  Owing to an oversight, the timeline in the NZCS/Diploma Transition Action Plan did not include a cut-off date for transition.  Following consultation with the polytechnic sector and NQS's advisory network during 2003, new transition and credit transfer arrangements were approved by NZQA.

 

A review of the qualification was initiated in 2003 and is expected to be completed in 2004, when a further version will be registered.

 

Main changes resulting from the revision

 

·        New transition and credit transfer arrangements have been introduced.

·        Information about the standards setting body has been updated.

 

Transition Arrangements

 

The National Diploma in Science (Level 5) and the National Diploma in Science (Level 6) replaced the New Zealand Certificate in Science (NZCS) in 1997.

 

The NZCS is being phased out and providers no longer offer courses leading to its award.  The last date for award of the NZCS was December 2003.  People with an incomplete NZCS need to meet the additional requirements of the diplomas.

 

Transition arrangements, for people with an incomplete NZCS, have been extended to 31 December 2005.  After that date, applications for credit exemptions on the basis of NZCS subject passes must be made in accordance with the Credit Transfer Arrangements set out below.

 

Applications for transition before 31 December 2005

 

Candidates may claim credit exemptions on the basis of NZCS subject passes according to these transition arrangements and as specified in the Appendix.  Exemptions will apply only for the purposes of award of the qualification and will not appear on the Record of Learning.

 

a          There is no restriction on the number of credits that may be claimed as exemptions under these transition arrangements.

b          Exemptions must be applied for on the application form in the Appendix and reported as part of the normal reporting of results.

c          A processing fee of $40.00 is required with each application.  That fee must be paid before the application is processed.

d          Current NZQA credit fees do not apply.

 

A copy of these transition arrangements will be sent to all Polytechnics, the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand, and Careers Service/Rapuara.

 

It is the intention of National Qualifications Services that these arrangements are fair, and do not disadvantage any student.  Anyone who thinks that they have been disadvantaged by the transition process should, in the first instance, contact National Qualifications Services at the address below.

 

NZQA National Qualifications Services

PO Box 160

WELLINGTON

 

Telephone          04 8023000

Facsimile           04 8023112

Email                  nqs@nzqa.govt.nz

 

Credit Transfer Arrangements

 

From the 1^st January 2006, people with an incomplete New Zealand Certificate in Science (NZCS) may claim credit exemptions on the basis of NZCS subject passes according to these credit transfer arrangements and as specified in the Appendix.  Exemptions will apply only for the purposes of award of the qualification and will not appear on the Record of Learning.

 

a          A maximum of 80 credits can be claimed as exemptions under these credit transfer arrangements.

b          Exemptions must be applied for on the application form in the Appendix and reported as part of the normal reporting of results.

c          Current NZQA credit fees apply and must be paid before the application is processed.

 

Candidates with NZCS subject passes that represent an exemption of more than 80 credits will be required to use Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedures, in addition to these arrangements, to transfer to the National Diploma in Science.  This will require the learner to pay any associated assessment costs, including NZQA credit fees.

 

Application Form for Exemptions

National Diploma in Science (Level 5)

National Diploma in Science (Level 6)

 

To be completed by all applicants and processed in the first instance through the applicant's accredited training provider.

 

 

Section A is to be completed by all applicants.             Section B is to be completed for any of the listed subjects where evidence is available that the applicant has passed or been exempted the subject.  Original result notices must be sighted by an appropriately responsible person at the accredited training provider.             Section C must be signed by the accredited training provider to certify that the results recorded are correct.             IN ALL CASES APPLICANTS MUST HAVE PAID THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REGISTRATION (HOOK ON) FEE ($25.00) BEFORE THE APPLICATION CAN BE PROCESSED BY THE QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY.             A $40.00 PROCESSING FEE IS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSITION RECEIVED BEFORE 31 DECEMBER 2005.             APPLICATIONS FOR CREDIT TRANSFER FROM 2006 ARE SUBJECT TO NZQA CREDIT FEES.

 

 

Completed forms are to be sent to:                     Tertiary Records                     New Zealand Qualifications Authority                     PO Box 160                     WELLINGTON

 

Application Form for Exemptions

National Diploma in Science (Level 5)

National Diploma in Science (Level 6)

 

All sections of this form must be completed.

PLEASE USE BLOCK LETTERS

 

Section A - Personal Details

  

 

 

 

 

Section B - Confirmation of Academic Record

 

Original result notices must be sighted by an appropriately responsible person at the accredited training provider.

 

Complete the column headed Year Passed or Exempted for each subject.

 

Credits in the subfield Science

Subject No.	Subject Name	Year Passed or Exempted	Level	Credit
4513	Analytical Chemistry		5	15
5556	Analytical Chemistry		6	15
5555	Applied Inorganic Chemistry		6	15
4006	Biochemistry		5	30
5263	Biochemistry A		6	15
5264	Biochemistry B		6	15
3148	Biology		4	20
4185	Biology		5	30
5252	Biology A Part 1		6	15
5253	Biology A Part 2		6	15
5254	Biology B Part 1		6	15
5255	Biology B Part 2		6	15
3006	Chemistry		4	20
3152	Food Science		4	20
4189	Food Science A		5	30
5163	Food Science A		6	15
4190	Food Science B		5	30
5260	Food Science B		6	15
5261	Food Science C		6	15
5262	Food Science D		6	15
5553	General and Physical Chemistry		6	15
3091	Geology		4	20
3139	Human Biology		4	20
4515/4599	Inorganic & Physical Chemistry		5	15
4526	Instrumentation		5	30
3156	Laboratory Practice		4	15
4184	Microbiology		5	30
5247	Microbiology A		6	15
5248	Microbiology B		6	15
4514	Organic Chemistry		5	15
5554	Organic Chemistry		6	15
3048	Physics		4	20

 

Credits in the subfield Mathematics

Subject No.	Subject Name	Year Passed or Exempted	Level	Credit
3156	Laboratory Practice		4	10
3031	Mathematics		4	20
4028	Mathematics		5	20

 

Credits in the subfield Statistics and Probability

Subject No.	Subject Name	Year Passed or Exempted	Level	Credit
3150	Statistics		4	20
4200	Statistics		5	20

 

Credits in the subfield Communications

Subject No.	Subject Name	Year Passed or Exempted	Level	Credit
1040	Communication Skills		3	10
140	Business Communication		3	10

 

Section C - Declaration by Accredited Provider

 

This is to certify that the results recorded in Section B above are correct.   Signed by Provider:......................................................................................   Name (please print):.............................................................................................   Designation:......................................................................................................   Date: ......................................................................................................................