Bachelor of Applied Science in Nature Conservation

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to supply the nature conservation industry with competent nature conservation scientists to identify, investigate and evaluate biodiversity issues.

Rationale

The institution has developed a centre of excellence within the nature conservation industry, and caters very strongly for supplying Nature Conservators (the technological staff) within the industry. However, employment within the industry also caters for Nature Conservation Scientists with a minimum employment criterion of an Honours Degree. Currently this niche is catered for by traditional Universities with a general biological sciences Degree. The institution believes that it can provide a service to the industry with a focused Applied Science Degree, leading to an Honours degree and then research Master's and Doctorate. This would be run in parallel with the current suite of Diplomas and Master's and Doctorate.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners applying for the Recognition of Prior Learning to gain access to the qualification must apply on the prescribed form obtainable from the institution. The application is forwarded to the relevant personnel for assessment. The portfolio is assessed and subjected to an internal approval process culminating in a decision by the institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 336 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 129 Credits

• Administration I, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship I, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Statistical Methods, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• End-user Computing I, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• Soil Science I, Level 5, 15 Credits.
• Environmental Communication I, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• Biodiversity I, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• Terrestrial Ecology I, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• Coastal and Marine Ecology, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• Freshwater Ecology I, Level 5, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 6, 102 Credits

• End-user Computing II, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Environmental Communication II, Level 6, 12 Credits.
• Terrestrial animals I, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Terrestrial plants I, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Coastal and Marine Organisms, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Freshwater Organisms, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• Wildlife Ethology I, Level 6, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 105 Credits

• Environmental Communication III, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• Coastal and Marine Management III, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• Freshwater Management III, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• Wildlife Management III, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• Vegetation Management III, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• Wildlife Management IV, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• Protected Area Management III, Level 7, 15 Credits.

1. Perform advanced natural resource and conservation management.
2. Communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, subordinates, other nature conservation professionals and the general public.
3. Demonstrate effective Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of conservation of freshwater species.
• Apply and understand the principles of aquaculture.
• Apply and demonstrate knowledge of farming with freshwater species.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of monitoring methods.
• Effectively implement appropriate monitoring method.
• Apply appropriate legislation.
• Understand and apply the principles of aquaculture.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of farming with marine species.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of monitoring methods.
• Select and effectively implement appropriate monitoring method.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of Protected Area size and shape.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of heterogeneity and ecological dynamics within the Protected Area.
• Consider landscape elements, both natural and modified, that will, influence the success of the Protected Area.
• Accommodate human activities effectively.
• Understand and apply the principles of monitoring programmes.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of monitoring methods.
• Select and implement effective appropriate monitoring method.
• Understand and apply the principles of veld evaluation.
• Select and implement effective appropriate evaluation Determine and accurately interpret carrying capacity.
• Determine and accurately interpret browsing capacity.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of bush control methods.
• Select and effectively implement appropriate bush control method.
• Understand and apply the principles of veld restoration, principles of radical veld improvement and principles of veld replacement.
• Select, implement and effectively manage appropriate soil conservation measures.
• Effectively manage problem plants.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of different types of wildlife management.
• Understand the principles of wildlife management.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the ecology and population dynamics of animals.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of animals as individuals.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of animal distribution and knowledge of the principles of competition within species.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of appropriate aspects of population dynamics.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of animal nutrition and feeding.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of appropriate water needs and utilisation.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the digestive systems of appropriate animals.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of natural nutrition and knowledge of additional feeding.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the management of nutrition and additional feeding.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of behavioural ecology and knowledge of the ecology of predation.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the ecology of game diseases.
• Understand the principles of genetics and principles of animal breeding.
• Effectively apply the principles of genetics to conservation.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of methods of game species selection.
• Select appropriate method.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of types and methods of game utilisation.
• Select appropriate type of utilisation.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of appropriate wildlife census techniques.
• Understand the management implications of wildlife censussing.
• Understand, demonstrate and apply methods of estimating wildlife condition.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of methods of age and sex determination in wildlife species.
• Accurately determine maximum sustained yield.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ecotourism.
• Understand principles of game management plans.
• Effectively compile game management plan.
• Effectively implement game management plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate confidence in speaking.
• Demonstrate fluency in current conservation terminology.
• Demonstrate fluency in presentation, integrated writing skills, analytical reading and interpersonal skills.
• Use and effectively manage task, activity and report books.
• Effective record keeping and manage filing system.
• Accurate processing of analytical observations.
• Demonstrate interpretation and appropriate application of a wide range of data.
• Effectively used telephone techniques and handle correspondence.
• Display appropriate and effective body language.
• Effective communication with supervisor peers and subordinates.
• Demonstrate conflict resolution skills.
• Understand and demonstrate dynamics of negotiations.
• Apply knowledge of intercultural communication.
• Adhere to moral standards.
• Demonstrate mutual respect for supervisor, peers and subordinates.
• Effectively handle a variety of routine and non-routine responsibilities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of environmental education goals, principles and methods and their appropriateness in different contexts.
• Demonstrate selection, planning and adapting a contextually-relevant environmental learning programme.
• Implement and evaluate environmental learning programme.
• Select, adapt and use existing environmental resource materials, and develop supplementary learning aids.
• Use broad networking in order to source information and support around a key environmental issue or risk.
• Research and analyse environmental issue in the light of principles of environmental justice and sustainability and recommend possible solutions.
• Apply fundamental knowledge of environmental ethics to a field of work or study.
• Design, organise and critically evaluate original environmental learning programme.
• Develop original learning support materials for an environmental learning programme.
• Propose and analyse a range of environmental issues and appropriate educational responses for different contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Perform tasks related to basic computer literacy skills.
• Critically assess the validity of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions for problems posed by the Nature Conservation discipline.
• Use ICT that is appropriate to the Nature Conservation discipline.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is continuous and done on the following basis

Formative Assessment

• Assignments.
• Written tests.
• Practical tests.
• Mini projects.
• Research project.
• Reports.
• Oral evaluation.
• Presentations.

Summative Assessment

• Written examinations.
• Practical examinations.
• A portfolio of work is compiled and assessed.
• Portfolio records are kept as per requirements.