Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Sciences

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with advanced knowledge, practical skills and awareness of the ethical values required by integrating the wide-ranging contextual, conceptual, and practical issues involved in Environmental Management in South Africa.

Qualifying learners will be able to

• Generate, interpret, disseminate, and apply disciplinary knowledge across various contexts, such as in the practice of environmental assessment, focussing on improving the interaction between human society and the natural environment.
• Identify complex and abstract problems in unfamiliar working or industry-related settings.
• Conduct literature research and process information to find solutions to environmental problems, including addressing issues such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation, the interaction between human society and the natural environment, and natural resources management.
• Address multiple resources and critically review factors needed for the research planning process and experimental design.
• Apply different research techniques and strategies utilised in practice.
• Take full responsibility and practice independently as leaders and managers in environmental sciences.

The qualification will focus on an integrated body of knowledge, skills and applied competencies, mainly within a South African context, converging with African and international perspectives. Fields of study will amongst others address matters particular to environmental assessment, such as:

• Identifying pollution sources.
• Conducting qualitative analysis of the impact on the bio-geophysical environment.
• Quantifying the risk and impacts on the environment.
• Recommending greener and sustainable mitigation and management measures.
• Sustainably managing natural resources and applying them to all aspects of environmental science and natural resource management.

The qualification will contribute to job creation, capacitating practitioners to transform and upskill scientific applications in environmental sciences and contributing to finding solutions to environmental problems.

Successful graduates will be able to articulate vertically to Masters qualifications in cognate fields of study.

Rationale

The qualification is developed to fulfil the current need to deepen and strengthen knowledge related to the field of Environmental Science, particularly to environmental assessment in a broad context. Environmental assessment is one of the few environmental tools that are compulsory in South Africa and is therefore a main income generator for any environmental scientist. The qualification, therefore, addresses a specific need of empowering environmental scientists with regard to environmental assessment.

This qualification is also designed to develop graduates who will address the need for environmental scientists who are able to apply theories, research methodologies, methods, and techniques in the field of environmental science in general, and of ecologically sustainable development and environmental management systems in particular. The completion of a qualification at NQF level 8 is a requirement for conducting environmental assessments in South Africa.

There is a need in the environmental industry for these educated in-house environmental advisors who can facilitate proactive interventions with regard to complex environmental issues such as climate change and who are able to lead a team involved in environmental assessment practice. Furthermore, there is a need for graduates who can fill positions as managers of the bio-geophysical environment and natural resources, as well as the integration of multiple sources of knowledge. As such, the qualification contributes directly to the development of a well-rounded practitioner, equipped to contribute directly to the socio-economic and health development of the people of South Africa (Environmental Sector Skills Plan, 2010).

In addition, the qualification is designed to promote and prepare young researchers in the field of environmental science. A range of vocational skills is developed for addressing specialized skills to identify, analyse and address complex environmental problems ethically and professionally. The graduate will be able to draw on the body of knowledge and research methods to critically reflect, apply, communicate, and present evidence-based research solutions and research-driven arguments to a range of audiences.

The qualification should aid environmental scientists showing a potential to articulate into a research-based career with a specific focus on environmental concerns and issues facing South Africa in this modern era and, thus, widening access to higher levels of study such as Master's Degrees. Currently, there is a shortage of environmental scientists holding Postgraduate qualifications in this field and the qualification is aimed at addressing this problem.

Typically, successful graduates with undergraduate qualifications in the cognate fields of study will qualify for access to the Postgraduate Diploma. Working individuals such as environmental assessment practitioners with an advanced diploma , a Bachelor's degree, or any other related qualification equal to level 7 of the NQF may apply for admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Sciences. The qualification resides in the Vocational Pathway of the Higher Education Qualification Sub-framework (HEQSF).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution recognises the importance of the RPL in ensuring that learners that possess skills acquired through life or work experience and non-formal education are catered for. The RPL assessment will focus on ways of evaluating a person's lifelong experiences (formal and informal) against a set of pre-determined criteria.

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners 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.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, 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 credit

• 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 formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Environmental Sciences, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Advanced Diploma in Environmental Management, NQF Level 7.

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Environmental Science, 24 Credits.
• Landscape and Community Ecology, 24 Credits.
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS), 18 Credits.
• Natural Resource and Environmental Management, 18 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Science Project, 24 Credits.

1. Evaluate theories, research methodologies, ethical requirements, and techniques relevant to the field and apply such knowledge in the context of environmental sciences research methodology and research ethics.
2. Integrate multiple sources of knowledge and evaluate and process the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories relevant to the specific fields of environmental sciences, such as environmental assessment practice
3. Investigate and critically reflect on a range of specialised skills and methods of enquiry to identify, analyse, and address multifaceted or abstract problems identified in the field of environmental sciences ethically and professionally.
4. Draw on the body of knowledge and research methods to critically reflect, apply, communicate, and present evidence-based research solutions and research-driven arguments to a range of audiences.
5. Gather, synthesise, and manage research-based information to investigate ecological-related issues in specialized contexts.
6. Identify pollution sources, conduct a qualitative analysis of the impact, quantify the risk and impacts, recommend greener and sustainable mitigation and management measures, sustainably manage natural resources and apply it to all aspects of environmental science and natural resource management.
7. Critically reflect, facilitate, and manage activities within the specific context of environmental sciences, taking decisions and responding ethically and professionally.
8. Justify the decisions and actions in a self-critical manner and take full responsibility and accountability for the work ethics and decision-making, drawing on appropriate ethical principles and approaches within the environment under study and supervision. Such knowledge may include but is not limited to Environmental Sciences, Landscape and Community Ecology and Research Methodology including specialised skills in applied methods, survey techniques and data handling.
9. Establish, access, and disseminate significant information and knowledge relevant to the understanding of environmental sciences, environmental assessment practice and general research principles, while implementing uncompromising emphasis on ethical research and teaching.
10. Produce and communicate ideas and results using appropriate academic, and professional discourse by implementing a variety of methodologies and advanced techniques relevant to the field of environmental sciences.
11. Identify, evaluate, and address learning needs in a self-critical manner, and facilitate collaborative learning processes of peers within an appropriate research environment.

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

• Research and evaluate integrated and detailed knowledge and knowledge literacy of environmental sciences concepts, principles and rules and apply them to relevant examples in the field of environmental sciences.
• Environmental sciences concepts, theories, and strategies in the research fields of advanced environmental sciences are identified, analysed, and resolved using applicable examples typically to the environmental sciences sector.
• Analyse and apply environmental impact assessment techniques to conduct the environmental impact assessment and compile an environmental impact assessment report to develop the necessary skills required by the industry.
• Apply Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in an environmental assessment context and case study.
• Identify and analyse both printed and electronic media to deepen knowledge and incorporate available knowledge into technical and scientific reports.
• Evaluate and apply policies and laws governing the implementation of all environmental tools such as environmental audits and environmental impact assessments in a case study scenario.
• Critically reviewed, appraise, discuss and consolidate the existing environmental reports to generate new reports and deepen knowledge within the environmental field.
• Utilize methods of enquiry to investigate complex problems in the field of environmental sciences and current topical research areas.
• Critically evaluate and apply evidence-based solutions to case studies relevant to the field.
• Distinguish and compare methods in advanced environmental sciences research methodology applied to resolve problems using research and theory-driven arguments.
• Evaluate and apply methods and procedures to all integrated environmental management tools and in case studies or real scenarios.
• Identify appropriate environmental analyses hardware and software equipment to analyse an environmental problem.
• Recommend suitable and applicable laboratory analytical methods to analyse potential environmental contamination situations.
• Analyse, appraise and assess data sets containing both abiotic and biotic information to interpret underlying environmental issues or report on the status of a set of environmental parameters.
• Utilize and operate internationally acceptable statistical software packages to evaluate environmental data sets.
• Compile effective environmental management plans based on applicable data sets and their interpretation following environmental impact assessments.
• Identify, formulate, and execute activities, decisions and actions regarding research methodology and research practice within an appropriate and controlled research environment by critically reflecting, facilitating, and managing the research process in an ethical and professional manner.
• Defend, appraise, and judge ethical values and approaches to research-management principles and research practice, with regards to decisions and actions decided, based on research results to assess the validity and appropriateness of the research.
• Interpret and apply consistently ethical codes, regulations, and standards for environmental assessment practice to ensure ethical conduct.
• Manage and lead a team of environmental scientists where ethical values and approaches and implement appropriate integrated environmental assessment and implement Environmental Management Plans.
• Ethical codes of conduct are demonstrated in leadership roles when making decisions with regard to environmental projects and in applying South African law in environmental impact assessment procedures.
• Implement professional ethical practice in workplace simulations involving environmental investigations and environmental audits.
• Justify and adhere to appropriate academic, and professional discourse using an assortment of technologies, methodologies, and techniques relevant to research in the field of environmental sciences.
• Apply creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context of environmental sciences.
• Resolve individual accountability and problem based on evidence and procedures.
• Identify, tailor, evaluate and address the continuous professional development of learning needs in a self-critical manner to facilitate collaborative learning processes of both the graduate and his/her peers within an appropriate research environment.
• Referred personal and peer conduct and accountability to relevant organisational structures.