Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Wood Science

Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification

1. To equip qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional insights and attitude in various fields of Forestry Sciences to fully utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
2. Provide significant numbers of graduates in various fields of forestry sciences to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity.
3. Stimulate and prepare learners for Postgraduate studies by providing subsequent opportunities to obtain the required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as Forestry Researchers; and
4. Provide forestry scientists who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of forestry sciences and of their responsibilities to provide timber, fibre and wood products for all in an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

• Forest Science, Nature Conservation, Wood Science; Community Forestry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements

• Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

Critical cross-field outcomes

1. The Bachelor of Science (BSc) for graduate will have demonstrated the following generic/cross field outcomes

• Identifying and solving problems in which responses indicate that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
• Working effectively with others as a member of a group, organisation and community.
• Organising and managing himself/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively.
• Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.
• Communicating effectively using visual, numerical/mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.
• Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and public health.
• Possess an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
• Contributing to his/her full personal development and the social and economic development of the society at large.
• Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
• Participation as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities.
• Culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
• Exploring education and career opportunities.
• Able to develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

General outcomes

2. The BSc Forestry graduate will demonstrate

• A sound understanding of the theoretical background of core aspects of forestry sciences.
• An introductory knowledge of the operation and application of a range of scientific equipment, techniques and experimental approaches.
• The ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve theoretical and practical problems.
• An ability to read and interpret scientific literature including the ability to teach themselves from source material.
• Show an understanding of the importance of using sound experimental controls and statistical methods.
• An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly and understanding of scientific observations.
• Basic skills in the presentation of scientific reports (both written and verbal) including use of information technology as an aid to effective communication skills.

1. The graduate will thus have demonstrated the acquisition of a good general and scientific background of sufficient depth and width to enable the graduate to practise as a competent scientist.

Specific outcomes

4. The BSc Forestry graduate will have

• An understanding of the operatives of forestry science.
• The ability to detect and solve problems in forestry science.
• An understanding of the interdisciplinary interrelationships within forestry science.
• The ability to use relevant statistical methods and evaluation.
• An awareness of the social responsibility towards the environment.
• The basic entrepreneurial skills to identify and explore the commercial potential.
• A grasp of opportunities available in the commercial forestry environment.

• The assessment used for these outcomes ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

1. A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as portfolios, simulations, work-place assessments, written and oral tests and examinations are used.
2. The required range of modalities is used integrated to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.

• The assessment of parts generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned systematic way in order to ensure reliability.
• The assessments used meet the standard and level of achievement for Level 7.
• The student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and the structural organisation of presentations.
• The assessment used for the BSc ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

1. The criterion used to assess outcomes a) and b) is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for evaluation is accurate and valid.
2. Competence in outcome c) will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate and integrate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems.
3. To demonstrate competence in outcomes a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, undertake and successfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions.

• The assessment used for the BSc for ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

Integrated Assessment

• Integrated Assessment takes place in terms of a variety of procedures, such as assignments, work-place assessment, written and oral tests and examinations.
• Oral examinations are used to determine the student's ability to integrate the work done in the various modules and disciplines of the qualification.