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National Certificate in Science (Level 4)
Level
4
Credits
60
This qualification has been reviewed. The last date to meet the requirements is 31
December 2018.
Transition Arrangements
This qualification has been reviewed and replaced by the New Zealand Certificate in
Applied Science (Level 4) [Ref: 2551].
The last date for entry into programmes leading to this qualification is 31 December 2016.
The last date to meet the requirements of this qualification is 31 December 2018 at which
point the qualification will be designated discontinued. From that date no results can be
reported against the qualification.
For detailed information see Review Summaries on the NZQA website.
NZQF National Qualification Registration Information
Process
Registration
Review
Version
1
2
Date
June 2011
January 2015
Last Date for Assessment
December 2018
December 2018
Standard Setting Body
National Qualifications Services
NZQA
PO Box 160
Wellington 6140
Telephone
Email
04 463 3000
nqs@nzqa.govt.nz
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
MoE Code 9999
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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National Certificate in Science (Level 4)
Level
4
Credits
60
Purpose
The National Certificate in Science (Level 4) [Ref: 1669] is designed for people wanting to
enter the science workplace. It provides foundation skills and knowledge that are needed
to gain employment as field assistants, sampler/testers, or routine quality control
technicians or assistants in the science sector or to move onto further study in the
sciences.
The emphasis in this qualification is on foundation skills. The compulsory section of this
qualification recognises core competencies, and the elective structure and content allows
recognition of competence in skills and techniques in a variety of specific science contexts.
Holders will be able to undertake, in a competent manner, guided routine technical tasks
required of a technical or laboratory assistant.
The skills in the compulsory section include:
 working safely in a science laboratory
 demonstrating knowledge of units and notation in science
 reading texts to research information
 creating and using spreadsheets to create a solution
 collaborating within a group/team.
It is recommended that people with minimal science knowledge begin their programme of
study in science with this qualification.
This qualification can lead onto the National Certificate in Science (Level 5) [Ref: 1670],
the National Diploma in Science (Technician) (Level 5) with optional strands [Ref: 0234],
the National Diploma in Science (Advanced Technician) (Level 6) with optional strands
[Ref: 0235], or an equivalent qualification. It provides a foundation for employment and/or
further study towards specialist laboratory qualifications and/or science qualifications
related to other science related qualifications such as nursing.
Credit Range
Level 3 credits
Level 4 or above credits
Minimum totals
Compulsory
11
8
19
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
MoE Code 9999
Elective
41
41
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Requirements for Award of Qualification
Award of NZQF National Qualifications
Credit gained for a standard may be used only once to meet the requirements of this qualification.
Unit standards and achievement standards that are equivalent in outcome are mutually exclusive for the
purpose of award. The table of mutually exclusive standards is provided on the New Zealand Qualifications
Authority (NZQA) website: http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/standards/standards-exclusionlist/.
Reviewed standards that continue to recognise the same overall outcome are registered as new versions
and retain their identification number (ID). Any version of a standard with the same ID may be used to meet
qualification requirements that list the ID and/or that specify the past or current classification of the standard.
Summary of Requirements
 Compulsory standards
 Elective – A minimum of 41 credits as specified
Detailed Requirements
Compulsory
The following standards are required
Computing and Information Technology > Computing > Generic Computing
ID
Title
Level
2785
Create a computer spreadsheet to provide a solution for 3
organisation use
Humanities > Communication Skills > Interpersonal Communications
ID
Title
Level
11101
Collaborate within a group/team which has an
objective(s)
Humanities > Communication Skills > Reading
ID
Title
2990
Read texts to research information
Sciences > Science > Science - Core
ID
Title
Credit
5
Credit
4
4
Level
Credit
3
4
Level
Credit
26117
Work safely in a science laboratory
3
2
27388
Demonstrate knowledge of units, notation, and
calculations in science
4
4
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
MoE Code 9999
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Elective
A minimum of 41 credits at Level 4 or above
Field
Subfield
Domain
Sciences
Science
Any
Transition Arrangements
Version 1
Version 1 was issued following a review of the National Certificate in Science [Ref: 0233],
the National Diploma in Science (Level 5) [Ref: 0234], and the National Diploma in
Science (Level 6) with optional strands in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science, Microbiology,
and Molecular Biology/Biochemistry [Ref: 0235].
The review identified that the National Certificate in Science [Ref: 0233] was not meeting
the needs of the sector and, at Level 2, was below the level needed by the sector. It was
decided that a new qualification in Science at Level 4 was required instead.
For detailed information see Review Summaries on the NZQA website.
Certification
This certificate will display the logos of NZQA and the organisation that has been granted
consent to assess against standards that meet the requirements of the qualification
(accredited).
Classification
This qualification is classified according to the classification system listed on the Directory
of Assessment Standards (DAS) and the New Zealand Standard Classification of
Education (NZSCED) system as specified below.
DAS Classification
NZSCED
Code
Description
Code
Description
316
Sciences > Science
019909
Natural and Physical Sciences >
Other Natural and Physical
Sciences > Laboratory
Technology
Quality Management Systems
Providers and Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess by a recognised Quality
Assurance Body before they can register credits from assessment against standards. Organisation with
consent to assess and Industry Training Organisations assessing against standards must engage with the
moderation system that applies to those standards. Consent to assess requirements and the moderation
system are outlined in the associated Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) for each standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
MoE Code 9999
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQF NQ Ref
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NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
MoE Code 9999
Version
2
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 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016