Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation is to prepare learners to work at the interface between conservation and communities (including the importance of water and water resources); to contribute to the development and management of protected areas in a manner that takes full cognizance of the needs of the surrounding communities, and to ensure that decisions or recommendations made, are research-based.

A central concept in the qualification is that conservation which does not include the needs and interest of the surrounding communities is unlikely to succeed, and the modules on Sustainable Development, Conservation Ecology and Resource Management address this directly. A second underlying principle is that successful conservation and sound management is built on reliable information, which is generated by ongoing research. Thus, the ability to undertake the research is crucial and this is the focus of a 30-credit module where learners will use the theoretical knowledge and skills developed in the Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma to address an original project on a nature conservation area.

The modules on conservation ecology and natural resource management will include critical discussion on the need to include the local communities in the planning and management processes, especially concerning savanna ecosystems and water resources.

Rationale

The Provincial Economic Review and Outlook for 2012/13 recommends that the Province builds on its comparative advantage in the area of conservation, and the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) prioritises environmental sustainability and tourism, biodiversity and cultural heritage because the Province has a rich natural and cultural resource base. The nature conservation industry is therefore seen as a potential vehicle for upliftment given the many economic and social ills in the Province. This qualification is designed to supply the industry with skilled qualified learners that have a deep understanding of sustainable management of natural areas and who will support the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, thereby developing the sector as a driver of economic activity and diversification.

The qualification has been developed after a benchmarking exercise and a needs analysis, including consultation with representatives of National, Provincial and Private Parks. These external stakeholders in the Province (specifically South African National Parks and the Tourism and Parks Agency) have both expressed a need for such a qualification as an avenue for their staff development.

Significantly, the Province is characterised by competing and often conflicting demands for land for agriculture and forestry, for conservation and tourism, for mining, and human settlement. Indeed, the western border of the Kruger National Park and many of the Provincial and Private Parks illustrate this and highlight the need for a new generation of employees in nature conservation who can work in this contested space and understand the genuine demands from all the players.

Qualifying learners will work in and for National, Provincial and Private parks and may also be in a position to work for themselves or others as environmental consultants.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the institution's policy. RPL will be used as important tools to widen access with success, achieve inclusion and overcome barriers to access. RPL play important roles in promoting lifelong learning and in redressing inequities by providing alternative routes into higher education.

RPL may be used to gain access to the qualification where the minimum entrance requirements are not met (for example a learner with considerable experience in the management of a conservation area) but where informal learning can be translated into perceived equivalents.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Applied Conservation Ecology: The contested conservation space, 30 Credits.
• Natural Resource Management: Sustainable management of water resources, 30 Credits.
• Sustainable Development: Ecological economics and ecosystem management, 30 Credits.
• Research Project, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of key terms, concepts, principles, insights and issues relating to the management of protected areas and natural resources, with a particular focus on the roles of communities in nature conservation.
2. Assess, evaluate, integrate and apply such knowledge to address complex and multidisciplinary management issues in nature conservation.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the natural world and nature conservation, and reflect it in the manner in which multiple views and perspectives are considered and integrated into addressing problems in nature conservation.
4. Take decisions, justify those decisions and act ethically and professionally at all times, and be accountable for one's actions.
5. Undertake independent research and show the ability to analyse and synthesise information to make recommendations to address issues and solve problems relating to nature conservation.
6. Communicate own ideas in writing and verbally, to both community and science/Nature Conservation audiences using logically structured argumentation, appropriate discourse, suitable audio-visual tools and technology, as well as appropriate referencing conventions.
7. Work in a group as a member or leader, and take full responsibility for own work and, where applicable, that of fellow-students, as well as accountability for her/his actions and where necessary, those of fellow learners.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss concepts, theories and methods in the management of protected areas and natural resources in detail concerning current literature.
• Integrate and use knowledge from the major disciplines within nature conservation to sustain and support a discussion of the roles of communities in nature conservation.
• Evaluate current and contemporary issues in nature conservation regarding relevant concepts, theories and methodological approaches.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply fundamental and specialist knowledge in nature conservation in familiar and unfamiliar contexts, to address current problems at the intersection of people and conservation.
• Evaluate and use the latest advances in the discipline to support recommendations.
• Acknowledge the provisional nature of knowledge and incorporate it into written work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Integrate, evaluate and apply alternative ideas, including those from IKS in addressing problems in nature conservation.
• Gather and evaluate the views of all stakeholders as part of the decision making process.
• Identify, manage and solve complex problems are through the application of advanced methods.
• Manage complex problems, integrate alternative ideas and apply knowledge from nature conservation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Manage uncertainty, incomplete data and limited information in the decision making process.
• Reflect on social and ethical issues and include in all recommendations and proposed solutions to problems.
• Evaluate ethical considerations and take the necessary steps to mitigate any ethical concerns.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Decide and describe the project question and scope.
• Conduct a comprehensive literature review, draw information from a range of primary sources, and critically evaluates that information.
• Develop a comprehensive project plan that is achievable and adheres to the required format.
• Choose and justify appropriate research methods.
• Consider and address ethical issues.
• Collect and analyse data or information following the project proposal and plan.
• Interpret and integrate data into the existing body of knowledge.
• Support recommendations proposed by the data and ensure they are formulated.
• Write the research report (mini-thesis) that adheres to the provided guidelines and includes no plagiarism.
• Demonstrate evidence of the ability to work independently, albeit under supervision.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Communicate results from the research project to both professional and community audiences using appropriate language and technology.
• Communicate complex concepts, ideas and theories.
• Complete engaging and clear presentations within the given time.
• Write the research report that uses appropriate language and present it in the approved style that adheres to norms for scientific writing.
• Write reports that are well structured, adhere to the required format, use the required referencing and demonstrate evidence of research on the topic.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Agree on group objectives and own responsibilities for a given task.
• Identify, evaluate and implement strategies to meet objectives and responsibilities.
• Meet deadlines for group work and submit work that adheres to the provided guidelines.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of learning in the qualification has been standardised as far as is possible within the three theoretical modules and is both formative and summative.

For formative assessment, learners will be provided with four assignments per module and the feedback will be used by the learners to improve their learning. In this developmental approach to assessment, assessment tasks will be provided regularly and will be closely aligned with the learning outcomes of each module; comprehensive feedback is provided to help learners learn, and opportunities are provided for learners to demonstrate that their learning has developed or progressed. Through this, learners are empowered in the assessment process and are assisted to monitor their learning.

For the summative assessment, the extent to which learners have achieved the outcomes will be assessed at the end of each module in a single formal examination.

In the Research Project module, assessment is again formative and summative. The formative assessment takes the form of four assignments and the summative assessment is the written project report.