Postgraduate Diploma: Forestry and Wood Science

Purpose

Graduates will gain advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of forestry science and can apply and communicate forestry principles and concepts effectively. They will understand, evaluate and review new information critically; engage in rigorous intellectual analysis, criticism and problem solving, work independently, carry out research, communicate concepts, results and conclusions effectively. Completion of this Degree can lead to professional employment or the possibility of enrolling in the Master of Forest Science. This Diploma will inform learners with a limited foundation in Forestry and Wood Science, to enable them to focus on aspects of the forestry value chain and prepare them for future Postgraduate studies in Forestry and Wood Products Science.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma: Forestry and Wood Science seeks to empower individuals within the sector. There is clearly no one way to facilitate change in agricultural practices. Individuals with qualification(s) in Agriculture need to keep up-to date with the latest innovations. The qualification seeks to address application and transfer of knowledge and technologies to the sector and to provide learners with personal, academic and career experiences essential for success in the field.

The learner should

• Be able to read and critically evaluate academic texts in English and communicate information and own ideas orally and in written text that is grammatically correct, well structured, clear and concise, using accepted standards of scientific and academic writing at NQF Level 7.
• Be competent in the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding developed in learning at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is applied for learners who do not have formal academic achievement to gain access to a particular qualification. Proven expertise and competency will be considered. Candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualification or study concerned.

Access to the Qualification

The learner should be in possession of either a

• Three year Bachelor's Degree.
• Bachelor of Technology Degree or equivalent qualification.
• Non-standard access may be obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning.

The qualification consists of core and elective modules at NQF Level 8, worth a total of 120 Credits

Select either Forest Science or Wood Product Science as your focus area.

• Forest Science Project, 24 Credits.

Or

• Wood Product Science Project, 24 Credits.

Elective modules

i. Select four 16-credit modules pertaining to your Core focus area (64 credits).

ii. Select one 32-credit module from the other focus area.

• Forest Science: Sustainable land use planning, 16 Credits.
• Forest Science: Bioenergy systems, 16 Credits.
• Forest Science: Energy production from wood and other biomass, 16 Credits.
• Forest Science: Geo-information science for resource managers, 16 Credits.
• Forest Science: Silviculture, 32 Credits.
• Forest Science: Timber harvesting and transport logistics, 32 Credits.
• Forest Science: Forest inventory and yield prediction, 32 Credits.
• Forest Science: Forest management, 32 Credits.
• Forest Science: Forest propagation and tree improvement, 32 Credits.
• Forest Science: Forestry development, 32 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Wood products manufacturing I, 16 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Design and construction of wooden products, 16 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Wood products manufacturing II, 16 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Industrial wood finishing, 16 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Wood based construction, 16 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Wood quality factors, 32 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Primary wood processing, 32 Credits.
• Wood Production Science: Mechanical properties of timber and bioenergy, 16 Credits.

Total: 120 credits

1. Understand and critically analyse the field of timber harvesting and the related logistics function crucial in commercial plantation forestry, natural forest and woodlands in order to enhance the rationale and sustainable selection, application and control of forest operations at both a national and international level.
2. Apply modern landscape assessment techniques for better planning of land use changes with emphasis on African conditions.
3. Understand and analyse the value chain of a primary wood manufacturing operation such as sawmill, pole producer or mining timber manufacturer.
4. Analyse the major economic forces and natural resource policy issues that impact on forestry and wood production locally and internationally.
5. Conduct research within the context of either forestry or wood production, including consideration of interdisciplinary aspects.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification enables the further development of the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A comprehensive, systematic and integrated knowledge of forest mensuration methods is explained.
• An understanding of a range of forest inventory methods/techniques and an ability to select these appropriately to plan, set up and implement a forest inventory and to evaluate the outcomes in an auditing process in commercial plantations are demonstrated.
• The implications and modifications of an inventory in natural forests are identified.
• Independent evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative forest growth and yield data, is engaged with and current research in this scientific field is evaluated and analysed.
• A coherent and critical understanding of the principles, scope, theories and epistemologies of forest growth and yield science is illustrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Land use patterns are assessed in order to balance different land use requirements.
• The context, history and development of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in natural resource management are explained.
• The skill to apply GIS and RS as tools for the management and analysis of spatial data is used.
• Specific spatial problem within the field of study are solved using GIS and RS independently.
• Successful plantation establishment or regeneration projects are planned and conducted.
• Sustainable productivity in silviculture is ensured and effectively managed.
• Pro-active and re-active measures that can be used to manage fire, climatic, biological and other risks are implemented.
• Both the yield and the impact of the process on the environment are analysed and quantified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Key innovations in furniture construction are identified and their impacts on products and manufacturing methods described.
• The stresses and deformations present in a wood based construction under loading are evaluated.
• Overviews of the management of the environmental aspects involved in a wood preservation operation are provided.
• The mechanical properties of structural timber and the factors affecting the use of timber in structures are evaluated.
• The thermal and electrical properties of wood, which play a role in wood-water relations during the kiln drying process, are explained.
• All the documents that are necessary for efficiently manufacturing wooden products are compiled.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The impact of policy issues on commercial plantation forestry, indigenous forests and wood production is explained.
• Local forestry industry and wood production practices are compared with international practice.
• The silvicultural operations that can improve stand and timber quality are assessed and implemented.
• Genetic tree improvement and the use of advanced propagation techniques are explained.
• Different forest ecosystem functions and the effect of various interventions on the sustainable management of natural resources and the production of wood are understood and identified.
• Agroforestry systems in the context of natural resources as a means of livelihoods in the rural communities are analysed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Sound research techniques, identification of research problems, formulation of hypotheses, objectives and methodologies are implemented.
• Information is gathered, analysed, conclusions drawn and recommendations made.
• The importance of participation in teamwork is observed.

Integrated Assessment

Students will be expected to complete at least four evaluation opportunities per semester module. This will consist of a combination of tests and assignments.