Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management is to extend the learners' knowledge and skills by providing them with a deeper and systemic understanding of the current thinking, practice, theory and methodology within the field of environmental management both in the South African and international contexts. The qualification will produce professionals with the requisite vocational knowledge and skills in environmental management and the ability to apply these in a range of environmental management perspectives in aiding the transformation of the socio-economic landscape of South Africa.

The qualification will expose learners to a set of core competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, scientific and quantitative reasoning, ethical decision making, communication skills, creativity, innovation, teamwork and technological awareness. Thus, the objective is to extend the learners depth of understanding of current and developing environmental issues.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to integrate knowledge and understanding of the approach, practice, theory and methodology within inter-related fields of environmental management. Qualifying learners would enter society to solve and mitigate environmental issues using the scientific method, whilst applying a systematic understanding of advanced aspects of research methodology including research design, data collection and analysis. In a professional context, learners would correctly and ethically apply environmental legislation to support evidence-based environmental decision-making processes.

Qualifying learners will be able to interpret and write relevant reports such as environmental impact assessment and feasibility reports, to ensure that the learners have a working knowledge of all aspects of national and international environmental law.

Rationale

Environmental sustainability is high on the South African government agenda. The importance of protecting the environment for future generations is embedded in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996: Chapter 2. In addition, the principles of sustainable development are also entrenched in the legislation which further emphasises the South African government's commitment towards sustainable development. To achieve the goals set in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Action Plan (NSSD1) the country needs trained environmental professionals who can provide leadership within the field.

The qualification has been designed to address this need by ensuring that the curriculum is relevant to the needs of industry, South Africa and future global developments. According to the NSSD1 approved by the South African Cabinet on 23 November 2011, "South Africa aspires to be a sustainable, economically prosperous and self-reliant nation-state that safeguards its democracy by meeting the fundamental human needs of its people, by managing its limited ecological resources responsibly for current and future generations, and by advancing efficient and effective integrated planning and governance through national, regional and global collaboration".

Most environmental management decisions that are made require moral, social, political, legal, scientific, technological and economic expertise from a wide range of disciplines (Strydom et al. 2018). The focus of the qualification is on the management of the environment as an integrated system and for this reason, the qualification integrates a wide range of supporting disciplines such as occupational health and safety, geographic information systems, economics, water quality, environmental professionals should have advanced knowledge of both the biophysical and human aspect of environmental systems to be able to participate actively in environmental decision making.

Stakeholders that were consulted include, current learners, staff alumni, advisory board, the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development, Rural Development and Land Reform, Water and Environmental Science and Technology; different municipalities namely, City of Cape Town and City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Companies that were consulted include Engen, Eskom, CA mining, Gecko (Namibia), Shell (Brazil) and consultancy companies such as Avifauna, Chand Environmental Consultants, Eco-SA Environmental Consultants, Terraworks and SRK Consulting.

According to the feedback from stakeholders the field of environmental management is shifting from management to environmental compliance, due to the increasing corpus of legislation in South Africa and the government's commitment to sustainable development. The majority of the stakeholders have emphasised the importance of knowledge about environmental law in South Africa today.

Environmental Management does not have a statutory professional body, but relevant non-statutory professional bodies were consulted. The South African Council For Natural Scientific Professionals (SACNASP) is essentially for Natural and Environmental Scientists such as Hydrologists and Geohydrologists. It is not specifically for Environmental practitioners. However, SACNASP requirements were used as a guideline in the development of the Environmental Geohydrology subject content. Therefore, the curriculum addresses the needs of industry and is relevant to what is required of an environmental management professional in the job market.

Employment opportunities for the qualifying learners exist in government departments such as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Planning, Water Affairs and Forestry, City of Cape Town, private sector Industries and consulting companies. Graduates will be able to find employment as Environmental Officers, Senior Environmental Officers, Environmental Consultants, GIS Technicians and Risk Administrators.

The has been designed to provide advanced knowledge in the practice of Integrated Environmental Management and scientific skills for those who aim to progress in their professional careers within the broader environmental management industry.

The National List of Occupations in High Demand released by DHET in 2018 echoes The National Scarce Skills List of 2014 indicates that Environmental Managers (80), Water Quality Analysts (86), SHEQ Practitioners (37) and Health and Safety Managers(86) are occupations that are considered in short supply within South Africa. As the curriculum was designed taking into account the occupational needs of the country graduates will have the knowledge and skills to contribute to the sustainable development of South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be conducted according to the institution's RPL policy. Learners who submit a body of evidence of non-formal and formal learning will be considered for admission to this qualification. RPL applications will be dealt with on an individual basis. Admission to this qualification may in part be achieved through recognition of prior learning and proven prior work experience in the field of environmental management.

RPL for access

• RPL for access is applied to earners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• Advanced standing may be granted.

RPL for exemption from module

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification.
• For a learner to be exempted from a module and the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credits

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Management, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Environmental Management, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,90 Credits

• Research Project V, 30 Credits.
• Environmental Law V, 15 Credits.
• Environmental and Waste Management V, 15 Credits.
• Environmental Resources Management V, 15 Credits.
• Research Techniques for Environmental Management V, 15 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8,30 Credits (Select two modules)

• Environmental Chemistry V, 15 Credits.
• Geographic Information Systems V, 15Credits.
• Water Resources Management V, 15 Credits.
• Safety and Health Management V, 15 Credits.

1. Integrate knowledge and understanding of the approach, practice, theory and methodology within inter-related fields of Environmental Management.
2. Solve and mitigate environmental issues using the scientific method.
3. Apply systematic understanding of advanced aspects of research methodology including research design, data collection and analysis.
4. Apply environmental legislation correctly and ethically to support evidence-based environmental decision-making processes.
5. Communicate and appropriately report environmental management issues to professionals and laypersons.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply methods of integrated environmental management within a variety of geographical, social and economic contexts; and
• Solve practical environmental management problems by reporting according to the current Environmental Management Act.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Manage and document water quality with respect to water quality standards (World Health Organization and International Standards Organization).
• Compare and contrast determinants of environmental factors in relation to hydrological charts.
• Conduct water sampling for further laboratory analysis.
• Compile an appropriate remediation plan for a contaminated and disturbed site.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Construct an acceptable research proposal that includes the relevant sections and is accepted by the departmental research committee.
• Conduct research in a relevant environmental management field that addresses the research questions identified.
• Write a research report that analyses and discusses the research undertaken according to the departmental template.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply environmental legislation to current environmental problems.
• Provide appropriate environmental legislation advice on proposed activities that fall under the regulations of the relevant legislation (such as NEMA Act 107 of 1998).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate effective communication by written means as required in the environmental law and management context.
• Interact successfully with colleagues, other role players and members of other professions and disciplines during the processing of environmental management matters; through meeting organisation and attendance.