Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Forestry

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is

• The primary objective of the qualification is to enable and empower learners to acquire the appropriate knowledge, specific skills, and applied competence in general and specific areas of Forestry that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful activity and rewarding contributions to society.
• The secondary objective of the qualification is to provide the Forestry industry in Southern Africa with significant numbers of professionals with high levels of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in Forestry necessary for the identification and strategic solution of real-life problems facing the industry particularly in the small scale agricultural sector.
• To produce forester professionals who have: a systematic and coherent body of knowledge and an understanding of underlying forestry principles and concept; the ability to access and evaluate scientific information including knowing how scientific knowledge is created; a high level of cognitive and other generic skills including problem-solving, written and spoken communication and computer literacy; competence in applying knowledge through applied research methods and practice.
• To provide every learner with sufficient depth of knowledge and skills that give opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, including postgraduate study, for gainful economic activity in a range of careers, and for rewarding and constructive contributions to society.
• To provide the region with forestry professionals who demonstrate initiative and responsibility, who are professional and ethical in their roles within the economy and society, and who are able to be intellectual leaders within their society.
• To provide learners with experiential learning in work environment and encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence at all levels of study.

Rationale

The Forestry industry, which is one of important contributors to the South African economy, requires applied Scientists with high levels of knowledge and skills to help supply the population's spiralling demand for forestry products and protective services. Limpopo Province together with neighbouring Mpumalanga province have the largest area of plantation forests, Savanna Woodlands, Riparian Forests, Tropical And Subtropical mountain forests with Kruger National Park the most renowned for tourism in Southern Africa. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy along with mining and tourism. Quality management of this resources demands inputs in human resources capacity training for technical and professional assistance in Forestry. The school of Agricultural Sciences at University of Venda plays a crucial role to produce Scientists who are locally and globally competent to sustain the natural resource base for agriculture. The school holds the Department of Forestry which provides professional education in forestry at the levels of Bachelor and Master of Science. It has a crucial role to serve the needs of Forestry Education for many learners in the Limpopo Province which is in the most Northern end of South Africa, and provide a link for South Africa to have international cooperation in Forestry Education by enrolling students from the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. The qualifications mix seeks to address application and transfer of knowledge and technologies in Forestry to support agriculture and provide learners with personal, academic experiences essential for success in the various careers available within the fields of Agriculture and Forestry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be decided on case-to-case basis. Current forestry competencies that have been acquired by prior learning or through related practical experience will be assessed against the outcomes of appropriate Bachelor of Science's qualifications to determine compliance with access requirements. Candidates must, at the time of application, provide proof in the form of an academic record or other documentation to substantiate required level of knowledge and expertise. Such competencies may help gain access to the programme leading to this qualification, or advanced placement therein. See UNIVEN policy on Recognition of Prior Learning.

Entry Requirements

• An adequate exposure to Physical Science or Biology.
• An Adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in Mathematics.
• Adequate literacy skills in English.

These can be demonstrated in a number of ways

• Matriculation Exemption with at least 40 % at Higher Grade or at least 60 % at Standard Grade for Mathematics and at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.

Or

• Alternative access programme such as the Science Foundation Programme (SFP).

Students who have completed a Diploma at Agricultural and Forestry College may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.

The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption.

First Year

• Diversity of Life, BIO 1542, 12 Credits.
• Basic Macroeconomics, ECO 1541, 12 Credits.
• English Communication Skills, ECS 1541, 12 Credits.
• Introduction General Chemistry, CHE 1540, 12 Credits.
• Mathematics for Biological, Earth and Life Sciences I, MAT 1543, 12 Credits.
• Physics for Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, PHY 1527, 6 Credits.
• Agriculture and Human Kind, AGR 1631, 9 Credits.
• Ecology, Adaptation and Evolution, BIO 1643, 12 Credits.
• Inorganic Chemistry for the Applied Sciences, CHE 1621, 6 Credits.
• Organic Chemistry for the Applied Sciences, CHE 1622, 6 Credits.
• Basic Microeconomicsc, ECO 1641, 12 Credits.
• English Communication Skills for Natural and Agricultural Sciences, ECS 1645, 12 Credits.
• Genetic Basis of Plant and Animal Breeding, GEN 1641, 12 Credits.

Second Year

• Introduction to Plant Production, AGR 2541, 12 Credits.
• Principles and Application of Plant Physiology on Plant Production, AGR 3541, 12 Credits.
• Forest Ecology and Tree Identification, FRT 2541, 12 Credits.
• Wood Anatomy and Properties, FRT 2543, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Economics, AEC 2541, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Plant Protection, PPR 2541, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Soil Science, SSC 2541, 12 Credits.
• Basic Statistics for Natural and Applied Sciences, STA 1549, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agribusiness Management, AEC 2641, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Forestry Engineering, FRT 2641, 12 Credits.
• Wood and Non-wood Based Materials, FRT 2642, 12 Credits.
• Plant Propagation, HRT 2641, 12 Credits.
• Basic Statistical Inferences (for Natural and Applied Sciences), STA 1649, 12 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, CPL 0621, 0 Credits.

Third Year

• Introduction to Mathematical Economics, AEC 3543, 12 Credits.
• Silviculture of Planted Forests, FRT 3643, 12 Credits.
• Forest Resources Assessment, FRT 3544,12 Credits.
• Forest Protection, FRT 3545, 12 Credits.
• Sawmilling, FRT 3542, 12 Credits.
• Logging and Roads, FRT 3645, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodologies, RME 3648, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Extension, EXT 3641, 12 Credits.
• Silviculture of Natural Forests, FRT 3644, 12 Credits.
• Agroforestry, FRT 3647, 12 Credits.

Fourth Year

• Project and Seminar Presentation, FER 4081, 30 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning (Forest Management Planning), WIL 4582, 30 Credits.
• Forest Conservation, FRT 4542, 12 Credits.
• Forest Policy, FRT 4546, 12 Credits.
• Timber Transportation and Planning, FRT 4643, 12 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, CRD 4641, 12 Credits.
• Community Forestry, FRT 4642, 12 Credits.

1. Understand and critically analyse the field of Forest Management, Ecology and Conservation, with crucial application in commercial plantation forestry, natural forest and woodlands, indigenous and high value exotic agroforestry trees on agricultural landscapes, urban and land reclamation forestry.
2. Apply modern landscape assessment techniques for better planning of land use changes with emphasis on Southern African conditions.
3. Understand and analyse the value chain of a primary wood manufacturing operation such as sawmill, pole producer or mining timber manufacturer.
4. Analyse the major economic forces and natural resource policy issues that impact on forestry and wood production locally and internationally.
5. Conduct research within the context of either forestry or wood production, including consideration of interdisciplinary aspects.
6. Communicate effectively with peers in a variety of modes, in the discourse of forestry and related sciences. Participation in class discussions; writing and presenting of seminars; preparation of assignments; participation in oral presentations.
7. Apply detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline of specialisation, and demonstrate that they understand the interactions between plants/animals and the environment, and the multidisciplinary nature of problems in forestry and the Biological Sciences.
8. Identify and define problems encountered in forestry and biological systems and use appropriate methodology to devise creative problem-solving strategies that lead to appropriate management interventions.
9. Use computer technology competently as a tool in visual presentations, storage and analysis of data and information, written and graphic work in the context of Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A comprehensive, systematic and integrated knowledge of various forest operations is explained.
• An understanding of a range of forest practices e.g. inventory methods/techniques and an ability to select these appropriately to plan, set up and implement a forest inventory plan, evaluate the outcomes in an auditing process in commercial plantations are demonstrated.
• The implications and modifications of an inventory in natural forests are identified.
• Independant evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative forest growth and yield data, is engaged with and current research in this scientific field is evaluated and analysed.
• A coherent and critical understanding of the principles, scope, theories and epistemologies of forest growth and yield science is illustrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Land use patterns are assessed in order to balance different land use requirements.
• The context, history and development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in natural resource management are explained.
• The skill to apply GIS and RS as tools for the management and analysis of spatial data is used.
• Specific spatial problem within the field of study are solved using GIS and RS independently.
• Successful plantation establishment or regeneration projects are planned and conducted.
• Sustainable productivity in Silviculture is ensured and effectively managed.
• Pro-active and re-active measures that can be used to manage fire, climatic, biological and other risks are implemented.
• Both the yield and the impact of the process on the environment are analysed and quantified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Key innovations in furniture construction are identified and their impacts on products and manufacturing methods described.
• The stresses and deformations present in a wood based construction under loading are evaluated.
• Overviews of the management of the environmental aspects involved in a wood preservation operation are provided.
• The mechanical properties of structural timber and the factors affecting the use of timber in structures are evaluated.
• The thermal and electrical properties of wood, which play a role in wood-water relations during the kiln drying process, are explained.
• All the documents that are necessary for efficiently manufacturing wooden products are compiled.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The impact of policy issues on commercial plantation forestry, indigenous forests and wood production is explained.
• Local forestry industry and wood production practices are compared with international practice.
• The Silvicultural operations that can improve stand and timber quality are assessed and implemented.
• Genetic tree improvement and the use of advanced propagation techniques are explained.
• Different forest ecosystem functions and the effect of various interventions on the sustainable management of natural resources and the production of wood are understood and identified.
• Agroforestry systems in the context of natural resources as a means of livelihoods in the rural communities are analysed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Sound research techniques, identification of research problems, formulation of hypotheses, objectives and methodologies are implemented.
• Information is gathered, analysed, conclusions drawn and recommendations made.
• The importance of participation in teamwork is observed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Participation in class discussions; writing and presenting of seminars; preparation of assignments; participation in oral presentations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Through critical reading and interpretation of scientific literature; participation in group discussions with lecturers, subject specialists and peers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Investigation/discussion of case studies, completion and submission of a written report on a project of appropriate scope.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Development and demonstration of computer literacy by the learner through the preparation and presentation of assignments, reports and seminars.

Integrated Assessment

Through integrated assessment the learner will be required to demonstrate applied competence using a range of formative and summative assessment methods including assignments, seminars, practical reports, tests and exams. Learners will be expected to complete at least four evaluation opportunities per semester module.