FIELD                        SCIENCES

 

Review, Revision and Rollover of Science unit standards

 

Revision and Rollover of Food Science unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

Id

Science

Food Science

16751-16755

 

The National Qualifications Services (NQS) of NZQA has decided that the unit standards above, which were registered in June 2000, should have their period of registration extended. 

 

The reason for the rollover is that the unit standards have not been used sufficiently to warrant a review at this stage.  They have also been revised to update the moderation option and the special notes.

 

A review of these unit standards is planned to take place during 2006.

 

Date new versions published                        September 2004

 

New comments by date                        December 2006

 

Expiry date of new versions of the unit standards                        December 2007

 

Main changes resulting from the revision

 

·               Special notes were updated in terms of legislation, industry standards, references, and the definition of food.

·               The moderation option was updated.

 

Review of Science unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

Id

Science

Biochemistry

8046, 8052, 8058

Biology

8097, 8098

Chemistry

8444, 8457

Microbiology

8029

Science - Core

8440, 8466-8468, 9183

 

NQS has completed a review of the unit standards listed above that were registered in December 1996 and November 1999.

 

Date new versions published                        September 2004

 

New comments by date                        December 2008

 

Expiry date of new versions of the unit standards                        December 2009

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

In 2003 NQS initiated a review of selected high level Science unit standards following feedback from assessors that changes were needed.  Science unit standards focusing on safety also needed to be considered in the light of current legislation impacting on work in science laboratories.  Unit standards 8029, 8467 and 8468 were considered in the light of the requirements of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996.

 

A subgroup of NQS's National Diploma in Science advisory network met in September 2003 to review the unit standards.  This review panel included both tertiary provider and industry members.  Review drafts were subsequently circulated to people and organisations that had expressed an interest in the review.  Endorsement of the final drafts came from the advisory network.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

The main changes are as follows.

·               Special notes relating to legislation and references have been updated.

·               Elements, performance criteria, range statements and/or special notes have been changed, or added to, to clarify assessment requirements.

·               The credit allocation for unit standards 8046, 8097 and 8098 has been increased.

·               The title for each of unit standards 8052, 8097, 8098, 8440 and 8467 has been changed.

·               The level of unit standard 8440 has been decreased.

·               Unit standard 8029 has been moved from the domain of Microbiology to the domain of Science - Core.

·               Unit standards 8466 and 9183 have been amended to eliminate overlap between them.

·               Unit standard 8046 now has additional evidence requirements so that it is more in line with the allocated level.

·               Changes have been made to unit standard 8467 to give it a more practical focus, consistent with parallel unit standard 8029. 

·               Unit standard 8468 has been replaced by unit standard 20885.

·               New unit standard 20886 has been developed to address the complex requirements of the HSNO Act.

 

Unit standards categorised as category C expire at the end of December 2005.

 

Impact on existing provider accreditations

 

Current Accreditation for

Accreditation extended to

Nature of accreditation

Classification or Id

Level

Nature of accreditation

Classification or Id

Level

Domain

Microbiology

6

Standard

8029

4

 

Impact on existing qualifications

 

None.

 

Summary of main changes to standards' Ids, classification, titles, levels, and credits

 

The following summary shows the changes made to the standards as a result of the review.  All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

 

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the replacement standard carries the same Id and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the replacement standard carries the same Id and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new Id

D

Standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Subfield            Science

Id

Domain

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

8046

Biochemistry

Perform high pressure liquid chromatography

6

3

4
B

8052

Biochemistry

Determine protein concentration

Determine protein concentration in solution

5

2

B

8058

Biochemistry

Demonstrate knowledge of plant biochemistry

6

6

A

8097

Biology

Undertake field sampling and measurements of plants, with guidance

Undertake field sampling and measurements of plants

5

3

 

 

4

B

8098

Biology

Undertake field sampling of animals, with guidance

Undertake field sampling and measurements of animals

5

3

 

4

B

8444

Chemistry

Perform inorganic analysis of waters

6

6

B

8457

Chemistry

Apply knowledge of the chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins

5

5

B

8029

Microbiology

Science - Core

Demonstrate knowledge and ability to work safely in a microbiological laboratory

4

2

B

8440

Science - Core

Maintain laboratory quality systems

Comply with laboratory quality management systems

6

 

5

4

B

8466

Science - Core

Demonstrate competence in principles of laboratory measurement and recording

4

3

B

8467

Science - Core

Describe safe practices when working with laboratory chemicals

Demonstrate knowledge and ability to work safely in a chemical laboratory

4

3

B

8468

Science - Core

Carry out safe practices when working with chemicals

6

4

C

20885

Science - Core

Manage hazardous substances compliance in a science laboratory

6

4

 

9183

Science - Core

Demonstrate knowledge of units and notation in science

3

3

B

 

New unit standard

 

The following new unit standard was developed to fill a gap identified by the review process.

 

Subfield            Science

Id

Domain

Title

Level

Credit

20886

Science - Core

Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous substances in science laboratories and related legislation

6

5