Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Monitoring and Modelling

The primary purpose of these qualifications is to provide Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours graduates with systematic knowledge, specialised skills and theoretical competence in environmental management.

The second purpose of this qualifications is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with professional environmental management graduates with appropriate skills, managerial and leadership acumen to reach sound and responsible environmental decision making; in keeping with the precautionary principle and sustainable development principles. Such graduates can serve the country in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors.

The third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates who will make valuable contributions to society in terms of monitoring the quality and state of the environment. Graduates are expected to understand and apply the principles and methods they learn in order to investigate and solve environmental problems as well as make responsible environmental decisions.

Furthermore, this qualification aims to enable students to specialise in the field of Environmental Science, providing them with the appropriate knowledge and competencies to register as a Candidate Natural Scientist with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Students will be given RPL for individual modules if they can produce a portfolio of evidence or undergo any other recognised means of assessment that shows that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for that module. They may also be awarded blocks of credits towards elective modules.

Entry Requirements

An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or equivalent, with an average of 60% or more, in the disciplines of Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences or Physical Sciences (or related fields). A student who does not have an average of 60% or more will be restricted to the registration of a maximum of 48 credits in their first year of registration. Such students will be required to pass these modules before continuing with the remaining modules for the qualification.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Environmental Research Project, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Monitoring, 24 Credits.
• Environmental Remote Sensing and Modelling, 24 Credits.
• Ecotoxicology, 24 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules

• Earth Systems and Processes, 12 Credits.
• Integrated Environmental Management, 12 Credits.
• Geographical Information Systems, 24 Credits.
• Environmental Risk Assessment and Management, 12 Credits.

1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the natural environment.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks within the field of environmental management.
3. Manage and organise her or his activities and life responsibly and effectively, including her or his studies within the open and distance learning context.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required.
5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and for written presentation, often in pieces of sustained discourse.
6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global context.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those locally and the broader community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify, analyse and solve concrete and abstract problems by drawing on the theoretical knowledge and experiential base of a single discipline or across interdisciplinary lines in science and technology.
• Identify, analyse and solve problems in a variety of routine and non-routine contexts within a discipline or field of study.
• Use their knowledge and experience to offer informed suggestions for solving problems at a community, national, international and global level.
• Solve problems by generating alternative strategies for dealing with those problems.
• Critically evaluate various theoretical standpoints and compare them to own views.
• Offer evidence in a variety of ways (from theoretical knowledge base, from experiential base, etc.) to support their stated views.
• Analyse the global, national and local community in terms of problems, needs, opportunities related to science and technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate respect for the scientific opinion of others through (written and/or oral) reporting without bias.
• Undertake projects of a theoretical and/or practical nature to provide evidence of successful interaction with others.
• Use advanced scientific communication skills within the group.
• Lead people effectively within the limits of their own competence.
• Organize themselves and others into effective working groups.
• Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through (written, oral, and/or modern data and telecommunication media) reporting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Organise their study plans and engage in effective time management.
• Evolve strategies best suited to their personal situations and contexts.
• Think independently, and offer sustained theoretical evidence to support their decisions.
• Assess their own strengths and weaknesses and develop organisational strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Use library and other resources such as computers effectively to suit the needs of the particular area of research.
• Integrate information from a variety of sources.
• Act responsibly as a researcher and scholar (e.g. appropriate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
• Follow the conventions of scholarship in the discipline under study.
• Apply relevant discipline-related conventions and guidelines to their academic and personal purposes.
• Critically evaluate theories, examples, experimental results, etc.
• Argue appropriately within the relevant discourse community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Responsibly use the ideas of others in support of their own (without plagiarism, etc.).
• Evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments.
• Follow the literacy and numeracy conventions of written (and/or oral) use in the respective discipline.
• Use appropriate models of organisation and presentation as required in the relevant discipline.
• Use statistics (where necessary) effectively in support of their ideas.
• Identify and illustrate discipline-specific jargon.
• Use language to analyse, evaluate and critique the ideas of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Select technology to suit the needs of the individual or group.
• Use natural resources in a sustainable way.
• Show respect for and a responsible attitude towards science and technology.
• Demonstrate a consideration of the ethics involved in science and technology issues.
• Show respect and openness towards psychological, health and physical environment of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Use interdisciplinary methods to solving science and technology related problems.
• Follow an integrated approach to learning and studying.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is done in line with the institution's policy.

Formative Assessment is done by means of activities in study guides, self-assessment questions in study guides and self-assessment assignments as well as written assignments that have to be submitted for assessment. The assignments are either in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short questions, essays or a combination. Students must submit at least two assignments for each module. The marks obtained for these assignments contribute a minimum of percentage towards the final mark for the module. The remaining mark is made up of the examination mark.

Summative Assessment is conducted by means of a two-to three-hour examination per module.