Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Science

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Sciences is to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate studies. As such, the curriculum of this qualification provides 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. This 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 the academy, 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.

The proposed qualification includes modules on integrated environmental management, climate change and global change, water treatment and integrated water management, and learners will be prepared to work in the sector or continue to advanced research-based postgraduate degrees.

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

• Illustrate an advanced and current understanding of and critical insight into the general principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning environmental science.
• Apply advanced knowledge and skills to critically discuss and debate complex issues in environmental science.
• 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, 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.
• Illustrate a mastery of techniques and approaches involved in collecting and analysing information, including field and laboratory techniques, and qualitative and quantitative techniques with a critical assessment of their strengths and weaknesses.

Rationale

The University is responsive to national, provincial, and global priorities and the goals identified in a range of reports including the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (2020), the National Development Plan 2030, The Mpumalanga Integrated Development Plan 2022 - 2027, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, and the UN SDGs and these and other reports provide direction to University of Mpumalanga Vision 2030. Of particular relevance to the application for this qualification, these reports include goals such as ensuring environmental sustainability, food security, clean water for all, resilience against climate change and global change, the development of integrated plans for waste management, water management and environmental management, and reducing carbon emissions and the development of green and clean energy.

Qualifying learners from this qualification will have been exposed to recent thinking and new developments in these core areas of environmental science and will have undertaken a small research project in an area of specialisation. Learners will be able to contribute towards the development of research-based solutions to the environmental challenges facing South Africa and more broadly, continue with further postgraduate studies.

The rationale for this qualification is clear given that it is research that will identify the solutions to the many and diverse environmental problems and challenges that we face. In addition to this, the minimum entrance 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.

Learners will benefit through the development of advanced knowledge and skills and improved employment opportunities. They will also bring benefits to society and the economy through the application of their newly acquired knowledge and skills. The institution is value-led, and learners will possess its values including being socially aware agents of change which should bring benefits to society.

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 in Environmental Sciences, NQF level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Environmental Sciences, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Science in Life and Environmental Sciences, NQF Level 7.

Or

• An Advanced Diploma, NQF Level 7 in a cognate field.

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

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 90 Credits.

• Research Methodology, 15 Credits.
• Research Report, 30 Credits.
• Philosophy of Science and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, 15 Credits.
• Advanced Integrated Environmental Management, 15 Credits.
• Advanced Global Change and the Impacts of Climate Change, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 30 Credits (Select two modules).

• Advanced Studies of Environmental Systems, Processes and Landscapes in Southern Africa, 15 Credits.
• Wastewater Treatment and Water Recycling, 15 Credits.
• Integrated Water Resource Management, 15 Credits.
• Human Dimensions of Wildlife Ecology, 15 Credits.

1. Illustrate an advanced and current understanding of and critical insight into the general principles, theories and methodological approaches underpinning environmental science.
2. Apply advanced knowledge and skills to critically discuss and debate complex issues in environmental science.
3. 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, 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. Illustrate a mastery of techniques and approaches involved in collecting and analysing 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 in environmental science, starting from identifying a research problem, collecting data, and analysing the data, through to completion of the research and preparation of the research report.
7. Illustrate an advanced understanding of professional ethics in general and as they apply in environmental science, and apply this in their work, decisions, and actions.
8. Access information from a diverse range of sources to address complex problems and issues, evaluate the sources and the information, and use the information to develop and sustain an argument in which different perspectives are integrated, multiple views are accommodated, and creative tensions are managed.
9. Communicate confidently and orally and in writing, to professional and lay audiences using appropriate language, suitable audio-visual tools and technology, as well as appropriate referencing conventions.
10. Undertake highly autonomous and well-organised learning and time management to achieve consistent proficiency and sustained achievement, and work in a group as a member or leader, taking full responsibility for your own work, and, where appropriate, that of fellow learners.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.

• Critically review and use relevant theories, principles, procedures and practices, research methodologies, methods, and techniques to support the development of convincing arguments and positions in assignments, the research report and examinations.
• Reference critical discussions of current issues in the field of specialisation that are informed by an advanced understanding of current literature and case studies and draw on examples from the world with an emphasis on Africa.
• Reflect critically on personal learning and intellectual development and develop appropriate learning strategies to address learning and professional development needs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.

• Illustrate a full understanding of the area of specialisation and review recent research articles.
• Critically analyse and discuss case studies with reference to established theory and current literature.
• Draw from a deep understanding of the issues at hand, make contributions to the debate and discuss current issues in the area of specialisation that are supported by recent literature.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.

• Illustrate in written assignments a critical awareness of relevant philosophies and research paradigms.
• Critically compare a range of different research paradigms in reference to literature and examples.
• Present perspectives from different disciplines and IKS successfully and creatively manage tensions so that multiple voices can be heard.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.

• Select and fully justify appropriate research paradigms given familiar and unfamiliar research topics.
• Review published papers and include an accurate critique of the research design and methods drawing on advanced knowledge and understanding of the methods used in the area of specialisation.
• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the selected methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.

• Correctly apply routine and specialised research methods in the field or laboratory.
• Consider a range of approaches to data analysis in familiar and unfamiliar examples, and fully justify and recommend a range of appropriate methods.
• 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 Outcomes 6.

• Illustrate an ability to undertake independent environmental research in the research module.
• Identify appropriate methods, including statistical methods, and consider the appropriate ones.
• Consider ethical issues when conducting research and seek approval if necessary.
• Present a research report in a format that is appropriate for the discipline and demonstrates no plagiarism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7.

• Identify and critically discuss the best way to address ethical issues in the area of specialisation in assignments and research papers.
• Apply a critical review of ethical issues in case studies and obtain ethical approval prior to research commencing.
• Actively seek the views of multiple stakeholders and accommodate them in all activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 8.

• Access and critically evaluate information from a wide range of sources and include them in research papers and all assignments.
• Critically review and analyse existing knowledge in the field of specialisation.
• Manage contradictory information and consider alternative viewpoints to reach a balanced conclusion.
• Reflect a critical assessment through referencing published work to ensure the validity of the source and of the work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 9.

• Communicate results from the research project to both professional and lay audiences using appropriate language and technology.
• Communicate and present oral arguments in a convincing manner.
• Apply appropriate language in the research paper, present all assignments in the approved style and adhere to norms for academic scientific writing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 10.

• Apply knowledge of and take the lead in ensuring that all assignments are submitted on time.
• Execute all agreed responsibilities within the group, take full responsibility for own work, and, where appropriate, that of fellow students.
• Successfully plan and research all group assignments and complete them within the agreed-on timeframe.