Bachelor of Environmental Sciences

The purpose of the Bachelor of Environmental Sciences is to provide qualifiers with graduate-level (Level 7) knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of Environmental Science, that provide for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

Qualifying learners will be able to

• Impart scientific knowledge about the environment and the need to manage it.
• Impart skills for the evaluation and monitoring of the environment and natural resources.
• Develop innovativeness and problem-solving competencies to be able to tackle real-world environmental problems.
• Develop and promote the ability to understand, interpret and implement national and international policies on environmental and natural resources.
• Develop and promote a professional culture whereby scientific experts work directly with local communities in environmental and resource conservation projects.

Rationale

The rationale of this qualification is to produce graduates with an understanding of environmental science who can manage the environment such as pollution, water resources, minimise or rehabilitate industrial environmental disturbance and contamination and manage agricultural land survey for production systems in a sustainable manner.

This qualification will provide Southern Africa countries with professional Environmental Scientists, who will have a clear understanding of the interaction between the atmosphere and its environment, based on the sound knowledge and understanding of geography, Evolution, Biology and ecology.

Thus, this qualification has specific exit level outcomes which can be both directly related to the aspirations of learners seeking careers in environmental science and technology and to the range of competencies required in different employment sectors (industry and business, research and development, local and national government, development and planning, management, and education).

The qualification will also provide South Africa with significant numbers of learners in several environmental science fields to ensure the broadening of local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activities. These cadres of scientists will be prepared to commence careers in research and practice theoretical and experimental environment science with a greatly improved level of self-confidence.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The admission of candidates via prior learning is according to the institution`s official Policy on Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as contained in the institution calendar which falls in line with SAQA RPL requirement for prior learning, particularly those learners who have working experience in the natural environment and are equipped to complete the qualification.

The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. This qualification may therefore be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 7 and 8 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 76 Credits

• The Natural Environment as a System, 12 Credits.
• English Communication Skills, 10 Credits.
• Intro to Cartography, Map Analysis and Aerial Photo Interpretation, 8 Credits.
• Integrated Study of Major World Environments 1(GEO1541), 8 Credits.
• Ecological Principles for Environmental Management, 12 Credits.
• English Communication Skills, 10 Credits.
• Elements of Remote Sensing and Geomatics, 8 Credits.
• Integrated Study of Major World Environments 1 (GEO1641), 8 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 44 Credits (Select modules totalling 44 Credits)

• Diversity of Life, 16 Credits.
• General Chemistry for the Applied Sciences, 16 Credits.
• Maths for Biological, Earth and Life Sciences, 10 Credits.
• Basic Statistics, 8 Credits.
• Basic Microeconomics, 12 Credits.
• Ecology, Adaptation and Evolution, 16 Credits.
• Inorganic Chemistry of the Applied Sciences, 8 Credits.
• Organic Chemistry of the Applied Sciences, 8 Credits.
• Basic Statistical Inference, 8 Credits.
• Basic Macroeconomics, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 64 Credits

• Principles of Resource Management, 12 Credits.
• Spatial Organisation of Society, 10 Credits.
• Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods, 10 Credits.
• Pollution and Environmental Quality, 12 Credits.
• Patterns and Processes in Physical Geography, 10 Credits.
• Themes on the Geography of Africa, 10 Credits.

Elective modules, Level 6, 56 Credits (Select modules totalling 56 Credits)

• Ecology, 20 Credits.
• Inorganic Chemistry, 10 Credits.
• Organic Chemistry, 10 Credits.
• Intermediate Microeconomics (ECO2541), 15 Credits.
• Conservation Biology, 20 Credits.
• Analytical Chemistry, 16 Credits.
• Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECO2641), 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 56 Credits

• Resource Evaluation and Info Systems, 13 Credits.
• Climate Change, 15 Credits.
• Environmental Impact Assessment, 13 Credits.
• Environmental Economics and Green Economy, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7, 64 Credits (Select modules totalling 64 Credits)

• Geography of South Africa, 16 Credits.
• Geomorphology, 16 Credits.
• Biogeography, 16 Credits.
• Population and Demography, 16 Credits.
• Remote Sensing and Geo-Information Systems A, 16 Credits.
• Climatology, 16 Credits.
• Geography of Tourism, 16 Credits.
• Rural Geography and Development, 16 Credits.

1. Show understanding of the place of environmental sciences in human endeavour and have a basic knowledge of the philosophy and ethics of environmental sciences.
2. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of geological prospecting, location, evaluation, exploration and beneficiation of geological resources, fundamental in the mining industry environment, sustainable development, environmental assessment, and integrated environmental management.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical background in the core aspects of Hydrogeology and Water Resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify common environmental resources and discuss how people use them.
• Discuss common processes of geologic formation of rock and mineral resources.
• Describe some of the extraction methods and identify different types of mining.
• Describe geologic materials as current or potential energy resources and categorize sources as renewable or non-renewable.
• Plan and execute both large and small mine programme.
• Implement mining and rehabilitation of mined land.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical aspects of geological exploration and the location of deposits.
• Discuss theoretical aspects of mining and surveying.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical aspects of mining types of equipment and criteria for correct selection for the type of mining in place.
• Describe theoretical aspects of environmental assessment and integrated environmental management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe the roles, processes and effects of streams and groundwater.
• Describe and model processes involved throughout Earth's hydrologic cycle.
• Identify and describe channel types and sedimentary loads formed and carried by rivers and streams.
• Describe critical components of groundwater.
• Identify various geologic features associated with groundwater.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification considers that assessment is a paramount activity inseparable from the teaching process, aimed at establishing the learner's competencies and knowledge, critical sense, ability to recognise and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills.

Learners will be examined for this qualification under the terms of the institution Policy by the presentation of a thesis that will be internally and externally examined.

Formative assessment is done through individual or small group exercises, usually in the form of short assignments, or using impromptu class tests (which are not scored). This informs the lecturer of any shortcomings in the teaching and/or misconceptions among students. It also informs the students of lack of knowledge and understanding of the aspects tested.

Summative assessment is done using

• Short class tests of limited scope (10% of semester mark).
• One major test covers at least half of the theory work.
• An exam on all the work covered in the module is conducted at the end of each semester.
• The semester mark contributes 60% to the final mark, and the exam mark 40%. An aggregate of 50% is required for a pass.
• The written field report (fourth year) tests the practical application of a wide range of skills, i.e. the application of theoretical knowledge in a practical, real-life situation.