Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Maritime Studies

Purpose

The learners successfully completing this qualification will acquire an enhanced knowledge, from a commerce perspective, of the maritime industry both nationally and globally. Further, the learners will master the business competencies necessary to qualify themselves for senior management positions in the business of ports and shipping, and the management of maritime interests. Learners will also contribute meaningfully to the creation of knowledge by completing maritime related research.

The qualifying learner will be capable of

• Critically reviewing the economic, management and financial aspects of different industries in the maritime sector.
• Critically reviewing the national and international policy features of the maritime industry.
• Critically reviewing the role of the maritime sector in facilitating of international trade.
• Critically reviewing the strategic changes of the maritime industry needed to adjust to the globalised world.

Rationale

This qualification meets the needs of the sector by providing qualified post-graduate learners who are able to critically review and direct business functions and processes within the land-based maritime sector at the strategic, tactical and operational level in order to maximize an organisation's sustainability.

The typical leaner attempting this qualification will have completed an undergraduate degree in commerce with a major in transport economics. This qualification will allow the learner access to further post graduate studies, in the same or a related field, at NQF levels 9 (masters degree).

This qualification is a combination of learning outcomes which have the defined purpose of capacitating the learner with workplace applicable competencies, and which will provide the learner with a solid foundation for any future learning endeavors in maritime commerce. This qualification achieves the objectives of the NQF.

The knowledge, skills and cognitive ability demonstrated in a Bachelor of Commerce.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The application of Recognition of Prior Learning will take place in accordance with the policy and criteria of the provider and can be used to:

• Assist learners who are not meeting the admission requirements of the qualification.
• Assist learners in gaining credits towards achieving the qualification.

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the recognition of prior learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

Access to the Qualification

Learners registering for this qualification should already have achieved the Bachelor of Commerce: Transport Economics, NQF Level 7, or an equivalent qualification.

To be awarded the qualification the learner is required to obtain a minimum of 120 credits at NQF Level 8.

The following rules of combination apply to this qualification

Compulsory Modules

The following modules, totaling 90 Credits, are compulsory

• Port Economics and Management; 30 Credits.
• Shipping Economics and Finance; 30 Credits.
• Research; 30 Credits.

Elective Modules

The learner is to select a minimum of two modules, totaling 30 Credits, from the following

• Economic Investment Planning; 15 Credits.
• Industrial Relations; 15 Credits.
• Intermodal Transport and Logistics; 15 Credits.
• International Logistics; 15 Credits.
• Maritime Supply Chain Management; 15 Credits.
• Shipbroking and Chartering; 15 Credits.
• Ship Management; 15 Credits.
• Transport Insurance; 15 Credits.

1. Critically review the economic, management and financial aspects of different sectors in the maritime industry.
2. Critically review the national and international policy features of the maritime industry.
3. Critically review the role of the maritime sector in facilitating of international trade.
4. Critically review the strategic changes of the maritime industry needed to adjust to the globalised world.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

Qualifying learners will be required to demonstrate competence in the following Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Identify, systematically examine, critically evaluates and solves problems in which responses display that responsible decisions have been made, using critical and creative thinking.
• Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
• Collect, analyse, organizes and critically evaluates information.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
• Self manage skills development from the range of experiences and learning opportunities available.
• Transfer skills and continuous learning to organisational setting.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria should be applied in an integrated manor for all the Exit Level Outcomes

1. Scientific methodology is applied with the acquisition of both qualitative data, quantitative data, information and knowledge.
2. Strategic management focused literature is critically analysed in order to determine national and international norms and practices.
3. Research findings are presented in an appropriate form.
4. Team work as part of a strategic management team is applied to enhance business functioning.
5. Problem solving skills are applied in dissimilar fields in order to achieve optimal solutions.
6. National and international maritime industry specific norms and practices are analysed, organised and critically evaluated.
7. Science and technology are used critically and effectively, while taking the environment and the interests of others into account.
8. Communication is effectively undertaken by employing graphic, statistical, mathematical, and language skills when making oral and written presentations.
9. Personal activities are managed in a job situation responsibly and effectively.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment will be applied extensively across each module of learning and the research assignment. Learners will complete an assessment of each module on completion thereof.