Master of Environmental Management

Purpose

The overall aim of this Master of Environmental Management is to equip learner with the required disciplinary knowledge, practice-based skills and research capacity to produce a research project and dissertation with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability meeting acceptable academic and professional standards. The institution aims to graduate higher degree research learner who are distinguished by their in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field of study and/or academic discipline, including, where appropriate, relevant expertise outside the area of study and/or academic discipline, as well as a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of the field of study and/or area of professional practice.

The overall purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the discipline informed by current scholarship and research, including critical awareness of current issues and developments in this field of study. In addition, Master's Degree learners will be required to conduct a research project through independent research culminating in the production and successful completion of a dissertation, which implies that learners must have a high level of personal autonomy and accountability in planning, managing and executing a substantial research project, while demonstrating the ability to apply, integrate and contextualise advanced knowledge and skills in this field of study. In completing the research project and dissertation, learners must demonstrate the ability to address complex and challenging problems and show understanding of the ethical issues and consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specific context.

Since environmental sustainability is high on the South African government agenda, the importance of protecting our environment for future generations is in the constitution of South Africa (Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996: Chapter 2). All types of development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. This highlight the need for qualified environmental management practitioners and the structured coursework-based Masters of Environmental Management is designed to address this need. South Africa, with its sustainable development commitments and other global treaties and protocols require Environmental professionals to fulfil its international and national obligations. Business, and in particular, the industrial sector needs professionals to help them meet their legal requirements to adhere to specific Environmental Management principles.

South Africa is experiencing a strategic need for relevant courses and programmes on Environmental Management and Sustainable Development and this professional Master's Degree in Environmental Management has been designed to address these needs. This qualification will enable learners to specialise within a wide range of fields in Environmental Management such as Environmental Assessments: Theory and Practice, Environmental Economics, Environmental Law, Geographic Information Systems and Water Resources Management, all which is crucial to environmental sustainability.

The aim is to produce environmental managers who can address complex environmental issues. The qualifying learners will be skilled to independently initiate and embark on solving environmental problems using a trans-disciplinary approach and be able to contribute to knowledge production within the field Environmental Management.

Rationale

The rationale of this qualification is to supply the workplace with functional environmental professionals by enhancing the students' skills and technical expertise. The aim is to produce managers can address complex environmental issues. The graduates will be skilled to independently initiate and embark on solving environmental problems using a transdisciplinary approach and be able to contribute to knowledge production within the field Environmental Management.

South Africa, with its sustainable development commitments and other global treaties and protocols, require Environmental professionals to fulfil its international and national obligations. Business and in particular the industrial sector needs professionals to help them meet their legal requirements to adhere to specific Environmental Management Principles. South Africa is experiencing a strategic need for relevant courses and programmes on Environmental Management and Sustainable Development and the Masters in Environmental Management has been developed to fulfil that need.

Environmental Management is a vital component of sustainable living. This qualification highlights the importance of ecological sustainability, not only globally, but also locally. It further iterates the importance of environmental management practices and the need for qualified professionals to manage the environment. The Environmental Management Programme is spearheading the environmental sustainability project on energy efficiency within the institution. Learners from the programme are involved in the research.

This qualification rests upon the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of Environmental Science and will endeavour to inculcate in its students an appreciation for the complexity of Environmental Sustainability and the management thereof, and a commitment to promoting scientific problem-solving culture. The qualification is well-suited to the goals of the institution as the institutional mission is aimed at meeting societal needs.

The qualification is already part of the institutional vision, mission and strategic plan. The distinguishing feature of the Masters of Environmental Management is that it takes a holistic look at the practice of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development. Many environmental management decisions that are made require moral, social, political, legal, scientific, technological and economic expertise from a wide range of disciplines (Oelose and Scott, 2002). The main strength of the Master's Degree is that the qualification integrates a wide range of relevant and inter-related fields of study such as Occupational Health and Safety, Geographic Information Systems, and Environmental Economics.

Qualifying learners from the programme will be expected to be competent and versatile researchers, capable of undertaking applied research in a multidisciplinary setting. The institution' mission of becoming the footprint in the region of career-focused education and technology. The interdisciplinary nature of Science and Technology is a particular strength of the qualification in the sharing of resources and other infrastructure across disciplines will be encouraged.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against the admission requirements of the qualification or for credits against a part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled following an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Learners may obtain access to a postgraduate qualification through recognition of prior learning using a portfolio of evidence of relevant work experience and scholarship. The institution will evaluate the portfolio of evidence against the relevant SAQA Level Descriptors. Upon Faculty Board approval, the application should be considered at the institutional level by the Higher Degrees Committee and approved by Senate.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor's Honours Degree, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8 in the field of study or related field(s) of study.

Or

• A Professional Bachelor's Degree (480 SAQA Credits), NQF Level 8 in this field of study or related field(s) of study.

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

• Full Dissertation, 180 Credits.

Or

• Course work and Mini Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Gain an understanding of the research process.
2. Access, process and manage information applicable to the research project.
3. Plan and prepare a research proposal.
4. Compile and present the research proposal.
5. Show accountability and management of own learning.
6. Act ethically and professionally.
7. Plan and manage the research project with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.
8. Conduct a literature review and use written communication and technical skills relevant to the discourse of the discipline and choose an appropriate genre to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
9. Apply research methods for data collection, analysis and interpretation, including the use of appropriate computer software programmes.
10. Draw conclusions and present research results by compiling a coherent and sustained argument that is supported by the research results and findings in the research report.
11. Demonstrate the ability to make autonomous ethical decisions related to the research project.
12. Demonstrate problem-solving abilities to address complex and challenging problems within the field of study and relevant to the research project with an understanding of the of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specific context.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Display adequate understanding the foundations, paradigms and nature of research relevant to the academic discipline, the field of study and professional practice.
• Apply critical aspects of research design, such as exploration, description and explanation, and the research process to plan and execute a research project.
• Locate, analyse, critically appraise and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources to compile the literature review of the research proposal and to make informed decisions regarding research design and methodology.
• Select a research topic and evaluate the suitability of the research topic using criteria relevant to the field of study such as scope, relevance, significance, feasibility, ethics, objectivity, originality, etc. in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Formulate a clear and concise research problem statement and sub-problems using appropriate criteria and guidelines relevant to the field of study and in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Generate research question(s), aims and objectives of the research and hypotheses (if applicable) based on relevant criteria and guidelines pertinent to the field of study and in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Demonstrate understanding of the use of appropriate research methods and techniques relevant to the area of study including aspects such as qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research methods, sampling techniques, data generation and data analysis, including statistical purposes (if relevant to a field of study).
• Compile a research proposal based on institutional and faculty criteria, procedures and guidelines pertinent to the area of research and in consultation with the supervisor(s).
• Demonstrate the ability to use a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to the field of study, discipline and professional practice to present the research proposal in written and oral format to a range of audiences, including peers and examiners.
• Demonstrate the ability to operate independently and to take full responsibility for his/her work while managing resources (e.g. time, budget, technology, equipment, etc.) in compiling the research proposal.
• Demonstrate the ability to work within the ethical framework as defined in institutional criteria, procedures and guidelines in terms of plagiarism and copyright, confidentiality, ownership and professionalism and obtain permission and ethical clearance from relevant authorities to execute the research project.
• With a high level of personal autonomy and accountability, plan, manage and execute a substantial research project using available resources assigned to the task (e.g. funding, infrastructure, academic, technical and administrative staff and or assistants, etc.) and within the timeframe allocated to the project.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply, integrate and contextualise advanced knowledge and skills in executing the research project against acceptable academic requirements.
• Consult with supervisor(s) and act on feedback received in a manner that shows improvement.
• Demonstrate an ability to select relevant sources drawing on the work of leading scholars in the field of study or discipline and to produce a comprehensive literature review on different perspectives in the field of research or discipline that shows originality.
• Use written communication and technical skills relevant to the discourse of the discipline and choose an appropriate genre to communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Use the prescribed referencing technique of the institution correctly and accurately.
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a range of research methods and techniques, critically evaluate these and apply them appropriately to investigate the research problem.
• Assimilate data using different data collection methods (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental and simulation methods) to present a coherent representation of data analysis.
• Analyse, interpret and synthesise data using the appropriate computer software programme(s), (if relevant to the chosen research problem).
• Demonstrate the ability to compile a coherent and sustained argument that is supported by research results and conclusions in the research report.
• Demonstrate the ability to present in verbal, written or visual form, the research results and findings of the study to specialist audiences emphasising the contribution to knowledge production in the field of study, discipline and profession.
• Demonstrate the ability to present in verbal, written or visual form, the research results and conclusions of the research project to non-specialist audiences emphasising the contribution the study makes to society/community in general.
• Consider issues of confidentiality (if applicable) and adhere to institutional/professional requirements in this regard.
• Identify a range of channels relevant to the field of study used in disseminating the research results and conclusions (e.g. conference poster, conference paper, journal article, etc.)
• Prepare a report for publication in a nationally accredited journal or peer-reviewed conference paper in consultation with the supervisor(s) based on relevant criteria.
• Adhere to institutional policies and requirements in terms of plagiarism.
• Exercise informed judgement to ethical, cultural, research and professional issues pertinent to the chosen research problem.
• Demonstrate the ability to make autonomous ethical decisions related to the research project which affect knowledge production, or complex organisational and professional issues.
• Demonstrate an ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in a specific context (where applicable in terms of the research project).
• Demonstrate the use of the full range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the field of study and relevant to the research project and show an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specific context.
• Describe in detail the biophysical, political, social, economic and cultural aspects of an environmental management or sustainability issue or challenge.
• Describe options for better environmental management or sustainable living within a variety of geographical, social and economic contexts.
• Generate solution-based approaches to environmental management problems.
• Critically discuss the concept of sustainable development using a relevant scenario.
• Describe multilateral environmental agreements.
• Generate a report on the Environmental liability, National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)/The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), EIA/Waste Regulations; as applied with SA case law (planning and environmental management)
• Demonstrate the application to ecological management scenarios of the following tools: SEA, EIA, SA, SIA, LCA.
• Use conceptual and procedural knowledge to construct logical and coherent arguments relating to contemporary environmental and sustainability issues.
• Demonstration through appropriate ways an understanding of the application of Environmental Economics to expertise projects.

Integrated Assessment

The integrated assessment aims to assess the learner holistically and contributes to the learner's personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competence. The execution of the research project and production and acceptance of the dissertation constitute the total of a combination of formative, summative and integrated assessment methods at this level of study.

In executing the research project and dissertation, learners will

• Compile a scientific research proposal through integration and application of knowledge and skills within the area of specialisation in the field of study.
• Demonstrate in-depth learning with abstraction and understanding knowledge of the field/area of investigation using a well-structured literature review.
• Develop critical research skills and attributes in planning and research in the field of horticulture by applying knowledge, research methods and techniques appropriately and correctly.
• Dealing with unpredictability in problem-solving, extracting, interpreting and analysing research results accurately.
• Taking responsibility and autonomy in the research process in drawing conclusions and reporting research results in both scientific article and dissertation formats.
• Display a professional attitude, ethical behaviour and values in presenting results to a scientific audience in reflecting on professional practice.