Master of Agriculture in Food Security

Purpose

This qualification is offered in two forms: by coursework and mini-dissertation and by Full Dissertation.

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare food security practitioners and independent researchers working on trans-disciplinary issues that address all dimensions of food security. The learners will be able to generate knowledge at an advanced level by conducting trans-disciplinary research that addresses complex context-based issues under the guidance of the research supervisory team. The qualification aims to provide learners with specialised knowledge and competence in food security. Learners will be able to contribute to the knowledge-base in the field of food security and national priorities for growth and development within the relevant social, commercial, industrial and state and private-related sectors associated with social, human and economic development. The qualification prepares learners for further Doctoral studies in Food Security.

Rationale

This qualification is necessary in order to provide the country with a cadre of researchers and practitioners in Food Security and Agricultural related fields who are able to provide strategic and evidence-informed guidance and contribute in a scholarly way in addressing local, regional and global issues. The learners from this qualification should contribute in generating and/or broadening the knowledge base in the selected area of study and influence discipline related policies and practices. This qualification will enable learners to develop and become effective and skilled researchers in science and policy issues affecting food security; equipped to become research orientated in their on-going professional development. The qualification will equip the candidate with the knowledge and the skills necessary either for employment in food security and related fields (including teaching and research positions).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution. An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is the

• Bachelor of Agriculture Honours, National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 8.
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours (majoring in Rural Sociology, Environmental Sciences, and Policy), NQF Level 8.
• Bachelor of Science Agriculture Honours, NQF Level 8.

This qualification comprises of compulsory full dissertation module and course work mini- dissertation compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 192 Credits

• Master's by Research in Food Security, 192 Credits.

Or

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 176 Credits

• Food Security, 16 Credits.
• Measuring and Monitoring, 16 Credits.
• Markets for Food Security, 16 Credits.
• C/W Masters Dissertation in Food Security, 96 Credits.
• Transdisciplinary Food Security, 16 Credits.
• Food Security Modelling Systems, 16 Credits.

Electives Modules, Level 9, 16 Credits (Choose One Module)

• Current Topics in Food Security, 16 Credits.
• Tools of Environmental Management, 16 Credits.
• Water Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Applied Geographical Information Systems, 16 Credits.
• Sustainable Development, 16 Credits.
• Spatial Analysis for Water Resources Management, 16 Credits.

(Full-Dissertation)

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic grasp of Food Security and Agricultural related theoretical knowledge and its application in the critique of current research or practices in a selected field of study.
2. Conduct and utilise a wide range of specialised skills in designing and implementing a research project that addresses complex issues in Food Security and Agricultural related fields.
3. Apply and demonstrate a critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies applicable to the selected area of study.
4. Undertake independent research in any fields of Food Security and Agricultural related fields and report on this to reflect independent thinking, originality, critical analysis, ability to defend findings and advanced insight into the chosen field of research.
5. Present research findings to a range of audiences using appropriate media or means to disseminate findings.
6. Identify and manage the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.

(For Course Work and Short-Dissertation)

• Define food security and explain its components.
• Describe the South African & Southern African (SADC) food security contexts in tandem with global food security context.
• Understand the relationships, linkages and contributions of food production, storage, access; and issues around animal and plant sciences, forestry, nutrition, land reform, the environmental, water-security, HIV/AIDS, food storage and livelihoods systems to food security.
• Understand the causes and symptoms of risk and vulnerability to food insecurity.
• Understand the fundamentals of food policy analysis.
• Understand the role of food security measurements, markets, management and interventions in overcoming food insecurity.
• Develop competency in food security monitoring & measurement tools, markets and modelling of food security interventions.
• Demonstrate satisfactory scientific research skills.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Define food security and explain its components; describe the South African & Southern African (SADC) food security contexts in tandem with global food security context.
• Demonstrate the relationships, linkages and contributions of food production, storage and access to nutrition, agrarian reform and environmental issues.
• Apply fundamentals of food policy analysis and the role of food security measurements, markets, management and interventions in overcoming food insecurity; to monitor and model food security interventions. With regard to the research dissertation component, learners will be able to.
• Demonstrate advanced research skills pertaining to food security and agricultural-related issues (and issues of Food Security-related fields/disciplines) at national, regional and international level.
• Apply critical evaluative approach to measure and analyse complex food security issues.
• Critically engage with research methodologies and identify how they should be applied and implemented to gather information on food security issues.
• Undertake independent research and write a dissertation which reflects advanced research skill, independent thinking, critical analysis and advanced insights into complex food security issues.
• Apply research methods principles and integrate knowledge gained from different modules to address food security issues.

Integrated Assessment (Full-Dissertation)

The achievement of learning outcomes will be assessed through a dissertation in the traditional format or in the format of journal manuscripts that will be submitted for examination on completion of the research project. Supervisors for the research project are drawn from the academic staff with a Master's or Doctoral Degree and expertise in the area of research (discipline specific knowledge and or methodology expertise) and who have interest in the chosen area of study. Staff participating in the Master of Agriculture in Food Security by Research programme will be selected on the basis of their expertise in their respective fields. Where the supervisor holds a Masters Degree, a co-supervisor with a Doctoral degree is appointed. The following staff by rank are available to supervise the research projects: Professor (who holds a PhD):1, Senior lecturer (PhD): 2 and Lecturer (PhD or at least Masters): 2. In addition, other staff from the School will be available to assist as co-supervisors where necessary. An independent, individually written dissertation will be assessed. This is facilitated by working through regular drafts for the dissertation. The finalised dissertation is submitted to two independent examiners other than the learner's supervisors for examination as stipulated in the policy. The two examiners' reports are reviewed by the School Academic Leader Research who compiles a coordinating report reflecting the two examiners comments. The coordinating examination report together with the two examination reports from the examiners are sent to the College Dean of Research for approval. In the case of a successful examination outcome, recommendation of the award of the qualification is sent to the learner's supervisor subject to any conditions.

Integrated Assessment (For Course Work and Short-Dissertation)

The achievement of learning outcomes will be assessed through split mark (50%; 50%) in the coursework modules and the Mini Dissertation in the traditional format or by publication which will be submitted for examination on completion of the research project. Each module will be assessed through class assignments, simulation models, essays, quizzes and essays in order to give learners the opportunity to demonstrate a variety of competencies. The coursework modules are all assessed by continuous assessment in both written and oral form. Learners will be assessed on their ability to complete research-based assignments, the learners must demonstrate skills such as academic writing, assimilation, analysis and critical thinking when studying the content matter of the modules and other related literature. Assignments will be formative and/or summative as deemed suitable for the respective modules. The major assignments in each module will be externally moderated to comply with the Senate norms of the institution. One examiner, with a Doctoral Degree and with competency in the respective subject area will be appointed and approved by the Dean and Head of School or the School Academic Leader Research, as per the institution Policy and Guidelines. For assessment the mini dissertation, which will either be in the traditional format or by publication will be submitted for examination on completion of the research project. The qualification is contingent on learner passing the research module. This is facilitated by working through regular drafts. For the mini-dissertation two examiners, both with Doctoral Degrees, evidence of successful research supervision and publication in the subject area of the dissertation will be appointed by the College Dean for Research through the School Academic Leader Research again as per the institution Policy and Guidelines.