Bachelor of Science Honours in Environment and Water Science
Purpose:
Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Honours Degree
Credits
120
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of the Western Cape
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences
Subfield
Environmental Sciences
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The Bachelor of Science Honours course aims to provide students with a thorough overview of both the physical and social dimensions of environmental science, aided by the necessary skills and techniques required for the identification and critical assessment of environmental issues. The programme pays a strong emphasis on both the social dimensions of environmental issues, which are often neglected but increasingly recognised as of crucial importance to successful solutions, as well as the physical processes that underlie landscape dynamics.
Rationale
South Africa is at a crossroads with regards to its environmental future. Government has stated on numerous occasions that it sees it as a high priority and that it should become central in all planning exercises. At this stage there are very few trained environmental scientists that can make the necessary inputs into this process and the result is that the environment is often neglected in the present development strategies.
Entry requirements and RPL
Students should have a basic understanding of Environmental issues and have demonstrated the ability to reason scientifically.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Access to the programme can also be provided in terms of the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria as stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidate's interest in the Environmental Studies an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.
Access to the Qualification
- A Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any appropriate area with a minimum overall grade of 60%.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
Bachelor of Science Honours: Environment and Water Science, NQF Level 7, 120 credits.
All the modules offered as part of the course are compulsory
- Environmental Impact Assessment 701, 20 credits.
- Advanced Geographical Information Systems (GIS) 702, 20 credits.
- Geohydrology 703, 20 credits.
- Catchment Processes 704, 20 credits.
- Research Project 705, 20 credits.
- Environmental Law 707, 20 credits.
Exit level outcomes
- The student must be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding and critical awareness of the theory and the methodologies of the fields studied in this course.
- The student must be able to apply this understanding to independently identify and solve new problems furthermore; the student is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage himself and the project in this context.
Critical Cross-Field Outcomes
- Identify and solve problems in which responses display critical thinking.
- Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, or organisation.
- Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
- Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
- Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical, and/or language skills in the modes of written and/or oral presentation.
Associated assessment criteria
Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Environmental issues as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments, class tests and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented. Furthermore, the student is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage a project in this context.
Integrated Assessment
The University adopted a Continuous Assessment System. Assessment consist of a number assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example, tests, essays, practical reports, project reports and oral presentations).
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
Upon completion a student will be eligible to apply for appropriate Masters-level programmes.
International comparability
Qualifications from the University of New Castle were compared with common core and elective components of qualifications.
Notes
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012; 2015.
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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