Advanced Diploma in Forestry Management

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Forestry develops learners who can comprehend the significance of planning in sustainable forest management practices and also enhances the learner's capacity to sustainably manage commercial forest plantations and natural forest resources in response to various legislation and standards. The qualification imparts knowledge and skills to learners to make use of forestry information technology software, participation in research activities and understand and apply the principles, criteria, and standards for sustainable forest management.

Rationale

Forestry field of study is a scarce skill in South Africa. Therefore, through this qualification, the professional training in line with the forestry industry needs and standards is extended to learners or those currently studying a Diploma in Forestry. Consequently, this creates an opportunity for the majority of learners from the various social background (ethnicity, race etc.) in South Africa to partake in forestry through broadening access for them to acquire knowledge and skills that are critical for the forestry industry's sustainability. Learners will be able to become active citizens in the economy of the country.

Most importantly, the land cover under forest plantation in South Africa is dwindling at an alarming rate and as such it critically requires learners that are trained and equipped with knowledge and skills that enable them to systematically and analytically come up with solutions to maximise timber productivity/yield on the currently limited land resource available. Moreover, the development of this qualification is in line with the norms and standards of agricultural training institutes, and also the endorsement from the curriculum advisory committee constituting of the members from the forestry industry as well as the council. Qualifying learners have opportunities to acquire employment as forest managers, contractors, foresters, assistant forest researchers, community development facilitators, project managers, and practice as forestry consultants. Also, the qualification provides learners with an opportunity for professional growth in the forestry career pathway.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institute intends to implement the RPL for learners seeking to enrol. The RPL process involves the application, assessment, and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. This institution implements RPL against qualifications offered by this institution. The institution exempts from certain modules. For exemption of modules, a learner should demonstrate through informal and non-formal learning that their knowledge should be closely related to the Exit Level Outcomes of this qualification. Assessment of the learner's knowledge against the learning outcomes of a particular module/course(s), for recognition, will take place. Based on the assessment results, the learner can enrol and receive an exemption from some modules, but not for the entire qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a

• Diploma in Forestry, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits

• Research Methods, 12 Credits.
• Project Management, 12 Credits.
• Tree Improvement, 16 Credits.
• Forest Management III, 16 Credits.
• Forestry GIS and Remote Sensing, 16 Credits.
• Forest Costing and Budgeting, 16 Credits.
• Forest Development, 16 Credits.
• Research Project, 16 Credits.

1. Apply general forest management approaches significance for sustainable management of commercial plantation and natural forest.
2. Understand and analyse the planning of various forestry operation.
3. Develop skills in creative thinking, analytical ability and problem-solving.
4. Plan, design, select and manage of commercial forest plantation and natural forest operations.
5. Select and apply appropriate computer-based methods to model and analyse silvicultural and harvesting operations.
6. Communicate effectively, in writing, orally through presentations, and drawing.
7. Demonstrate teamwork abilities.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Explain the importance of the principles of sustainable forest management in commercial and natural resources.
• Explain and analyse forest management planning (short-term, medium-term, long-term) to achieve sustainable management of commercial and natural forests.
• Explains and demonstrate measuring and recording data of timber production yield for a given cycle.
• Identify and demonstrate different compilation of annual plan of operation methods or procedures to achieve effective implementation and management of forestry operations.
• Explain and analyse different plans significant for various forest operations.
• Demonstrate the principles of creative writing, assignment and conduct practical's that require them to apply theoretical knowledge acquired to solve the problem concerning operational planning.
• Explain the principles of planning and designing a research project and the development of a research proposal.
• Identify various methods for data collection and organisation.
• Explain and demonstrate the capturing and analysis of data using relevant software.
• Described, analyse, and synthesise application of computer-based methods appropriate for improving silvicultural and harvesting operations.
• Demonstrate working with GIS software in terms of digitising maps and relate to GPS inputs; handling GIS data - import/amalgamation and edit tables in GIS, and GPS data collection and retrieval.
• Explain the process critical for the preparation and compilation of writing reports and oral presentation to peers.
• Explain the importance of participation in teamwork through discussions and group work activities.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment methods include written essays, research projects, reports, time-constrained assignments and examinations, class debate, report, and case study analysis.

The assessment maintains the dual nature of being formative and summative.

• The formative assessment provides regular feedback on the performance of the learners as demanded by learning outcomes.
• A minimum of two summative assessments per semester per module.

Apart from traditional approaches to assessment, effort shall be made in an endeavour to incorporate new and developing technologies  the use of a variety of assessment methods that will be both theoretical and practical. Assessment methods will include written essays, research projects, reports, time-constrained assignments and examinations, class debate, report, and case study analysis. Each module shall, as far as possible, use a variety of classroom techniques applicable to learning situations as informed by NQF Level Descriptors.

Frequency of assessment shall be as follows

• For non-research modules, there will be a minimum of two (2) tests, two (2) assignments and minimum of two (2) practicals; these shall account for 50% of summative assessment for the module per semester.
• For a research module, the learners will write one review assignment on methods used when conducting research and also develop a proposal for implementation in the research project course.
• For the project-based module, there will be an assessment of a written report and oral presentation. The written report/manuscript shall contribute 60%, and oral presentation shall represent 40% of the final mark.