Bachelor of Science Honours

Purpose

The main purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours is to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate studies. This qualification will provide learners with a sound understanding of the research process, and with the philosophical foundations necessary to understand how scientific knowledge is created. It also provides an opportunity to carry out research while under supervision. Learners will be able to apply advanced theory and methodologies to discuss and contribute to the solution of a diverse range of problems, depending on their area of specialisation. The qualification will provide learners with advanced theoretical, analytical, and practical knowledge in the discipline to allow for professional and academic growth in a range of careers and academia, and to make a constructive contribution to industry and society at large. Learners will be able to plan, design and execute research in an area of specialisation using relevant methodology and report on the findings and thus contribute to the generation of new knowledge.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and critical insight into the general principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning the scientific study in specialisation.
• Apply advanced knowledge and skills to critically discuss and debate complex issues in the specialisation.
• Critically reflect on the diversity of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding deriving from an understanding of the epistemologies of the natural and social sciences and humanities, including Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS).
• Critically consider and reflect on the diversity of techniques and approaches involved in collecting information in a specific field of study, including instrumentation, laboratory work, field surveying, observation, and the use of textual and archival approaches.

Rationale

The qualification is the bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and learners are prepared for further research-based postgraduate studies. Given that it is research that will identify the solutions to the many and diverse problems that we face, the rationale for the Honours degree is clear. In addition to this, the minimum entry requirement for a career in academia is a master's degree, and the Honours degree can be seen as a crucial stepping stone for people wishing to become academics.

South Africa hosts important economic ore deposits of various commodities, and mining companies are key players in the global economy. Significantly, the Mpumalanga province is known for its coal resources and is endowed with other minerals such as gold, platinum, chromite, iron, and nickel. In addition, the institution is located near the Barberton Greenstone Belt (known locally as the Makhonjwa Mountains, and now a World Heritage Site) which contains some of the oldest rocks on Earth. Rocks in the Barberton Greenstone Belt are Archaean (> 2 500 Million years old) and were formed in the second-oldest aeon of geological time. The Barberton Greenstone Belt includes volcanic, sedimentary, and intrusive rocks ranging in age from >3547 to <3225 Ma. and studying the geology of this area can provide unique insight into the history of life on Earth. The institution is well positioned and able to play a significant role in training geologists who will be able to independently carry out research projects and solve applied and fundamental geological problems.

The needs of the sector are varied, from exploration geology to mining geology and geological studies of the history of life on Earth. The curriculum has been designed to include advanced studies in each of these areas and in research, and in this way prepares learners to join the sector.

Typical learners for this qualification are those who completed a bachelor's degree with relevant major subjects (geology in the case of the current stream). Qualifying learners for this qualification will also have an opportunity to vertically articulate to a Master's followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree (with the possibility of joining the academic sector) and to work in any of the branches of geology, including Mining Geology, Exploration, Geophysics and Geochemistry.

Learners will benefit through the development of advanced knowledge and skills and improved employment opportunities. Learners will possess the Institution's values including being socially aware agents of change which should bring benefits to society. Economic benefits will depend very much on the field that the learners choose to work in. In the current stream, this might be exploration or mining geology where the economic benefits are high.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Geology, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Mining Engineering, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Research Methodology, 15 Credits.
• Research Report, 30 Credits.
• Philosophy of Science and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, 15 Credits.

Elective modules, Level 8, 60 Credits:(choose any four modules from the following modules)

• Geology of Ore Deposits, 15 Credits.
• Geochemistry, 15 Credits.
• Geophysics, 15 Credits.
• Crustal Evolution of Southern Africa, 15 Credits.
• Mining and Exploration Geology I, 15 Credits.
• Mining and Exploration Geology II, 15 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and critical insight into the general principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning the scientific study in a diverse range of problems in the area of specialisation.
2. Apply advanced knowledge and skills to critically discuss and debate complex issues around specialisation.
3. Apply knowledge and understanding of the epistemologies of the natural and social sciences and humanities, including Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS).
4. Critically consider and reflect on the diversity of techniques and approaches involved in collecting information in a specific field of study, including instrumentation, laboratory work, field surveying, observation, and the use of textual and archival approaches.
5. Demonstrate a mastery of techniques and approaches involved in collecting and analyzing information, including field and laboratory techniques, and qualitative and quantitative techniques with a critical assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.
6. Undertake independent and original research in a field of specialisation starting from identifying a research problem, collecting data, analyzing the data, through to completion of the research and preparation of the research report.
7. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of professional ethics in general and as they apply to the area of specialisation, and apply this in their work, decisions, and actions.
8. Communicate confidently and effectively orally and in writing, to professional and lay audiences using appropriate language, suitable audio-visual tools and technology, as well as appropriate referencing conventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critically review and use relevant theories, principles, procedures, and practices, for research methodologies.
• Apply methods and techniques to support the development of convincing arguments and positions in assignments, research reports, and examinations.
• Discuss current issues in the field of specialisation and apply advanced understanding by referencing current literature and case studies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply recent research articles, and skills and demonstrate a full understanding of the area of specialisation.
• Critically analyse and discuss case studies with reference to established theory and current literature.
• Contribute to debate and discussion of current issues around specialisations and draw on a deep understanding of the issues at hand.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Illustrate a critical awareness of relevant philosophies and research paradigms in written assignments.
• Critically compare a range of different research paradigms with reference to literature and examples.
• Select and fully justify given familiar and unfamiliar research topics and the appropriate research paradigm.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Select and fully justify familiar and unfamiliar research topics appropriate for research methods.
• Reviews of published papers include an accurate critique of the research design and methods used drawing on advanced knowledge and understanding of the methods used around specialisations.
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of selected methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply routine and specialised geological methods in the field and laboratory.
• Correctly apply qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Correctly use software to undertake routine and more complex statistical tests.
• Correctly interpret the output of statistical tests.
• Correctly report statistical results in writing and illustrate them in tables and figures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Illustrate an ability to undertake independent entomological research.
• Decide on, and present the project's questions and scope.
• Identify and consider a range of appropriate methods, including statistical methods, and choose the appropriate ones.
• Collect, collate and analyse data successfully.
• Interpret and discuss data in the context of the available information gathered in the literature review.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Critically discuss ethical issues in the area of specialisation.
• Use case studies to include a critical review of ethical issues.
• Obtain ethical approval prior to research commencing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Communicate results from the research project to both professional and lay audiences using appropriate language and technology.
• Communicate oral arguments in a convincing manner.
• Clearly communicate complex concepts, ideas, and theories.
• Use standard referencing style accurately and consistently in the research paper.
• Communicate written arguments in a convincing manner.
• Clearly present statistical results in the research paper.