Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with specialised knowledge, research skills and applied competence in the field of environmental or earth sciences that will assist them to further develop as recognised natural scientists in South Africa and beyond.

The qualification, therefore, aims to expose the qualifying learners to real-life physical, socio-economic, civil and infrastructural challenges. The qualification will compel them to develop appropriate skills to address these challenges at local, regional and national scales. These qualifying learners will, therefore, demonstrate understanding and appreciation of the following:

• The earth as a system,
• The earth's natural resources (e.g. aquatic or terrestrial, rural or urban) and the ability to utilise and manage them in a sustainable manner,
• The principles and legislation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS),
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), research, and how these can be applied to solve real-life ecological challenges, particularly in the tourism and ecotourism sector.

The overall outcome of this qualification is to provide South Africa with competent qualifying learners who can take up managerial or leadership positions at all levels of society.

Rationale

The South African economy depends mainly on the agricultural, mining and tourism sectors, all of which thrive in a healthy environment. The institution is located in an impoverished geographical area that is intensely affected by environmental problems. The university, therefore, saw it fit to produce qualifying learners that do not only understand these challenges but qualifying learners who can also apply lasting solutions to in a range of geographical contexts.

The qualification will introduce learners with a science background to environmental techniques and situations of identifying, executing, interpreting and applying feasible environmental solutions to environmental challenges. This qualification will train natural scientists required by the environmental sector to make a meaningful contribution to the field through the generation of new knowledge. The qualifying learners are equipped with advanced theoretical knowledge, problem-solving, research and management skills that will enable them to address societal and environmental challenges, thereby contributing positively to the economy of the country.

The institution will, therefore, provide matriculants or equivalent learners as well as government officials with work experience from related fields, with a BSc Degree in Environmental Studies as a platform to advance their knowledge and skills. This will enable the learners to become professional Environmental scientists in geography or related field. For example, they can work as Environmental and Social Impact Analysts/Practitioners, Environmental officers/managers, Environmental planners/consultants and researchers, Land Surveyors, Geographical Informational System technicians or managers, Remote Sensing technicians/experts, Climate Change and Modelling experts, Population and Demography experts, Environmental Legal Practitioners, etc.

This qualification follows an academic pathway in which the BSc learners may enrol for a BSc Honours in Geography or related field.

The knowledge, skills, values and attitudes acquired will open up various career opportunities such that on completion of the qualification, qualifying learners may work for the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, Water Affairs, Land Affairs, Rural Development, Education, Sociology, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Weather Stations, Eskom, Agricultural Research Council, Science and Technology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, private consultancies, municipalities and universities. The qualifying learners can also be registered with several professional bodies such as SACNASP, SAGA and IAIA.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL requirements for entry into the qualification are guided by the institution's admissions policy and the Faculty of Natural Sciences prospectus as highlighted below:

Experience in the field of Environmental Sciences

Learners who do not qualify for admission, i.e. without a matriculation endorsement but have extensive experience in the field of Environmental Studies/Management/Affairs/Science and have good recommendations from their employers may be considered. They must, however, have attempted the following subjects at NSC level: English, Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography and Life Sciences.

All learners will attend aptitude tests to establish interest and commitment to the profession and service. Learners applying through RPL will be thoroughly briefed before the assessment and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in the prescribed university format.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate NQF Level 4, with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate NQF Level 4, granting access to a Bachelor's Degree.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4, granting access to a Bachelor's Degree.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 368 Credits.

Compulsory Level 5 Modules, 88 Credits

• Introduction to Environmental Survey Techniques, GEO11M1, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to the Physical Environment, GEO11M2, 16 Credits.
• Computer Literacy CLT11M1, 8 Credits.
• Communication Skills COK11MO, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Environmental Survey Techniques GEO12M1, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to the Human Environment GEO12M3, 16 Credits.
• Computer literacy CLT12M1, 8 Credits.

Elective Level 5 Modules, 80 Credits

• Physics for Life Sciences I PHY11M3, 16 Credits.
• Physics for Life Sciences II PHY12M4, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Microeconomics ECO11M1, 16 Credits.
• Insects and Environment PMP12M1, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Macroeconomics ECO12M2, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Level 6 Modules, 80 Credits

• Environmental Survey Techniques I GEO21M1, 16 Credits.
• Atmosphere and Terrain Analysis GEO21M2, 16 Credits.
• Environmental Survey Techniques II GEO22M1, 16 Credits.
• Environment and Development GEO22M3, 16 Credits.
• Soil Science GEO22M4, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Level 7 Modules, 120 Credits

• Geographic Information Systems GEO31M1, 16 Credits.
• Terrestrial Resources Management GEO31M2, 16 Credits.
• Tourism and Eco-Tourism GEO31M3, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology GEO31M6, 16 Credits.
• Geographic Information Systems GEO32M1, 16 Credits.
• Rural Resources Management GEO32M4, 16 Credits.
• Environmental Impact Analysis GEO32M5, 16 Credits.
• Environmental Law ENL42M2, 8 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method.
2. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of critical terminologies, principles, requirements and legislation related to EIAs.
3. Identify and solve problems related to post-decision work in unfamiliar contexts.
4. Explain critical terms and the significance of concepts associated with the nature of tourism and ecotourism.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the factors affecting demand in the tourism sector.
6. Manage rural resources in a sustainable manner.
7. Analyse laws and policies governing the utilisation of rural resources.
8. Demonstrate ability to use GIS skills to solve real-life problems.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of resources terminology.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of how the earth functions as a system.
11. Apply theories of resource use.
12. Develop knowledge and skills in managing physical resources.
13. Demonstrate an understanding of Environmental law terminology.
14. Demonstrate an understanding of legislation governing the environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Interpret scientific literature.
• Apply commonly used qualitative and quantitative research methods about the discipline.
• Collate and present data in a scientific manner and tabular or graphical formats using appropriate computer programmes.
• Analyse relevant environmental data using parametric and non-parametric statistics and appropriate statistical software programmes.
• Interpret the results and scientific inferences or reasonable conclusions such as ideas, patterns, principles and perspectives are drawn from the data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Define key EIA terms and concepts.
• Describe the principles of EIA.
• Explain the requirements and legislation related to Environmental Impact Assessment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify and solve problems within the Plan, Do, Check and Reporting cycle.
• Identify and report incidents accordingly.
• Develop management objectives, indicators and targets for construction sites.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain the key terms and concepts.
• Recognise factors affecting the growth of tourism.
• Discuss sectors of tourism.
• Explain the principles of ecotourism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Discuss the factors affecting tourism demand.
• Explain the trends in tourism with particular reference to the Eastern Cape.
• Apply solutions to the challenges facing tourism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explain basic concepts in hydrology, types, characteristics and variability of water resources.
• Explain patterns of water-use.
• Explain the benefits and challenges associated with water as a resource in South Africa.
• Explain the competing uses of water, demand-supply management and conjunctive use schemes.
• Explain the different approaches to the sustainable management of the nation's agricultural resources.
• Explain the effects of floods and reservoirs on the environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply the laws and policies governing rural resource utilisation in different rural resource management contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Explain and apply spatial modelling principles in different scenarios.
• Apply GIS skills to given projects.
• Apply spatial modelling skills to given situations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Define key terms and concepts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Compare and contrast the sub-systems which exist in the earth system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Develop models that can be used to explain the relationship between the environment, economy and society.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

• Manage terrestrial resources according to defined standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13

• Define key environmental law terms.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14

• Explain the Environmental governing principles and legislation are explained.
• Examine and reference past environmental cases to present scenarios.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification will make use of a multiple-assessment approach where a combination of formative and summative assessment strategies will be used. To assess whether the learners understand the techniques of analysing and evaluating environmental challenges through course work; written tests, assignments, oral presentations, laboratory and field practicals as well as research projects will be used. The ratio of formative assessment work will be computed as follows: tests 50%, essays 20%, and presentations/practicals 30%.

Overall, the qualification will be assessed summatively in the form of written examinations. During the qualification, learners will be assessed through course work which is internally examined and externally moderated.

The weighting of both the formative and summative assessments will be determined and applied according to the rules of the institution.