Master of Commerce in Transport Economics

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with intellectual and specialised competencies and practical skills in the acquisition, interpretation, understanding, analysis and application of transport economics, management and regulatory principles. The learner should further develop research, writing and creative thinking skills in transport economics.

The learner should be able to take strategic decisions in the context of the transport sector or any transport function and to assess public sector policy, and other decisions impacting the transport sector. The learner should be able to reflect on his/her decisions and applications and to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of transport economics, management and regulation. The learner should be able to reflect on his/her research skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning in cases of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted following the policy and guidelines of the Institution concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds with the required NQF Level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, learners may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at this Institution.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Transport Economics, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Transport Economics, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 8.

The learners should be able to

1. Evaluate and apply transport economic, management and regulatory concepts and principles in specialised contexts; identifying and analysing complex issues and problems relating to transport economic, management and regulatory strategies and policies, and proposing and implementing alternative courses of action and solutions.
2. Work in a team, as a valuable member, with a variety of role players, including political role players, professional and administrative members of the transport sector, as well as people on the grassroots level in the sector.
3. Act responsibly with respect to, and accept responsibility for, activities undertaken in the course of his/her evaluation and application of transport economic, management and regulatory concepts and principles.
4. Plan, undertake and present, through independent study and teamwork, research in the transport field, including gathering, analysing, integrating and interpreting related, complex, and advanced information.
5. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with different role players in the transport sector, applying principles of communication and reflecting on the communication applied.
6. Correctly utilise the management technology appropriate to the transport economic, management and regulatory environments and field of research.
7. Explain, with insight, the importance and role of the transport sector, and the management and regulation thereof, on a macro-and a micro-level.
8. Explore different learning strategies to acquire and improve the various skills and capabilities required of a transport economist, manager and/or regulator.
9. Make a contribution to the level of professionalism and expertise in, and effectiveness and efficiency of, the transport sector, thus positively impacting on the economy and contributing to the redress of poverty in the country.
10. Demonstrate a positive and sensitive approach to different communities and an insight into the social, economic and cultural differences and needs, particularly with respect to transport, within these communities.
11. Seek employment and entry into the transport sector, as a specialised and advanced, technical or research professional, and thus establish for himself/herself a specialised and advanced career in the sector.
12. Organise and co-ordinate, effectively and responsibly, resources and opportunities, including own activities, taking into consideration the financial implications thereof.

The learners should be able to

• The learner must demonstrate an ability to identify, analyse and solve complex issues and problems, demonstrating critical and creative thinking about transport economic, management and regulatory concepts and principles, in specialised contexts. The learner must evaluate and, where relevant, correctly apply complex and advanced concepts and approaches to transport economic, management and regulatory strategies and policies; thus proposing and implementing alternative courses of action and solutions. The learner must be able to reflect on the application made and assess the success, or otherwise thereof.
• The learner must be able to display team ship. The learner must demonstrate an acceptable level of social sensitivity in his/her relationships with others and work effectively in a management team by implementing the relevant theory and reflecting on the implementation made. Finally the learner must display a thorough, specialised knowledge and understanding of the various role players involved in, or affected by, the transport sector.
• The learner must display an ability to act responsibly and honestly in interactions with other role players in the transport field. The learner must also display an ability to accept responsibility for any activities required of him/her in his/her evaluation and application of the various transport economic, management and regulatory concepts and principles, particularly in specialised contexts.
• The learner must demonstrate the ability to plan and execute research in the field of transport, including the correct gathering, analysing, integrating and interpretation of information on transport economic, management and regulatory issues, by utilising relevant theoretical and specialised research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken. The learner must also be able to show that he/she can plan, undertake, and present complex research through independent study and teamwork.
• The learner must effectively, in an academic and practical - oral and/or written manner (including the usage of visual/graphic aids) - communicate with different role players in the transport sector by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application made.
• The learner must demonstrate an insight into, and ability to operate necessary management technology; in particular specified computer hardware and software including Internet and databases. The learner must use a computer skilfully as well as transport-related databases. The learner must show that his/her command of the management technology is sufficient to support advanced research.
• The learner must analyse and explain the importance and role of the transport sector, and the management and regulation thereof, internationally, regionally, nationally, provincially, and locally. The learner must also identify, and discern between, the importance and roles of transport at a macro- and micro-levels.
• The learner must show that he/she is able to identify and continue to develop the different skills and capabilities necessary in the execution of the activities and responsibilities of a transport economist, manager and regulator and to explore different effective learning strategies to acquire and improve these skills and capabilities.
• The learner must analyse and explain the link between the number of transport professionals and level of professionalism in the transport sector, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the transport sector and therefore of the economy. The learner must evaluate the role which a more effective and efficient transport sector will have in the economy and the impact which this will in turn have on the living standards of the population of the country (e.g. the redress of poverty, improved mobility).
• The learner must demonstrate a positive and sensitive approach towards various different communities and an insight into the social, economic and cultural differences within these communities, by identifying and analysing the particular transport needs of different communities, taking into consideration their various social, economic and cultural differences and therefore their differing needs and requirements with respect to the transport sector. The learner must show an ability to apply transport economic, management and regulatory concepts and principles, to make proposals, within specialised contexts, that will improve the circumstances of these communities.
• The learner must demonstrate acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the transport sector by applying the theoretical principles of employment seeking and career-pathing and reflecting on the application thereof. The learner must demonstrate an ability to undertake academic leadership, advanced research, research-based, professional practice, and/or senior managerial occupations. The learner must also demonstrate that he/she has acquired specialised and advanced competencies in his/her chosen transport economic, managerial and/or regulatory career.
• The learner must display an ability to effectively and responsibly organise coordinate and optimise the resources and opportunities, particularly in the field of transport, by applying relevant theoretical aspects and reflecting on the application made. The leaner must also demonstrate an advanced level of responsibility and organisational ability with respect to his/her own activities. Finally, the learner must demonstrate knowledge of the financial implications of all activities undertaken.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

The learner must attend compulsory discussions with his/her promoter according to a prescribed qualification. If the learner is not making satisfactory progress and not meeting the requirements of the Department of Transport Economics, his/her registration shall be cancelled by the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences on recommendation by the Departmental Chairperson.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of delivering a dissertation and an article ready for publication to the promoter. The dissertation must furnish proof that the learner is capable of scientific research and the application thereof. Under normal circumstances, 100 pages for a dissertation in one and a half spacing on an A4 page will suffice. The Department of Transport Economics may institute other requirements for dissertations.