Postgraduate Diploma: Nature Conservation

Purpose

The Purpose of this qualification is to develop students who can integrate various conservation issues into applied research addressing a wide range of conservation issues.

Qualifying students will be able to conduct integrated research on various conservation issues. Students will be able to research and interpret the influence of various key issues on the environment and effect outcomes.

This qualification provides the conservation industry with multi-and interdisciplinary researchers who will be able to holistically address conservation-related issues. Due to articulation with related disciplines, students will be able to influence other industries with regard to conservation needs and issues.

Rationale

Southern Africa has large natural areas, which consist of enormous numbers of plant and animal species in a great diversity of habitats. The sustainable management of these indigenous biological natural resources, such as unique ecosystems, biodiversity and species, is crucial for the survival of humankind and continued sustainable economic development of the conservation industry.

This qualification will provide students with the capacity to view conservation concepts at a multi-and interdisciplinary level.

Qualified students will be able to integrate contemporary conservation related issues into the management and research of conservation areas. Students will also be able to participate in multi-and interdisciplinary research.

Students enrolling are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or learning areas

• The ability to learn from written material in the language of tuition.
• The ability to communicate what they have learned comprehensibly in the language of tuition.
• The ability to take responsibility for their own progress with limited support, and independently adjust to a variety of contexts or learning environments.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning can be used to grant

• Access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
• Credits towards the qualification.

The Recognition of Prior Learning process will be conducted according to Unisa's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and may involve, among other things, the submission of portfolios with evidence of prior learning, challenge examinations, and interviews with assessment panels.

Access to the Qualification

Applicants must be in possession of at least

• An Advanced Diploma: Nature Conservation from UNISA.
• An appropriate Bachelor's Degree.

OR

• A cognate qualification at NQF level 7.

Students with disabilities will be granted admission wherever the nature of their disability does not preclude them from achieving the outcomes of the qualification.

All modules are at NQF Level 8 and are compulsory.

Total credits for the qualification: 120 Credits.

Modules

• Conservation Biology, 12 Credits.
• Freshwater Management, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Education, 12 Credits.
• Wildlife Welfare, 12 Credits.
• Contact session 1, 12 Credits.
• Community Based Resource Management, 12 Credits.
• Climate Change, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 36 Credits.

1. Conduct multi-and/or interdisciplinary research under supervision to address various local, regional and global conservation issues.
2. Critically discuss biodiversity and its implications for conservation strategies.
3. Evaluate the status and ecology of freshwater resources in Southern Africa.
4. Define environmental education and its role in conservation within Southern Africa.
5. Evaluate the status of animal welfare in Southern Africa.
6. Define community based resource management and its role in conservation.
7. Critically discuss climate change and its implications for conservation in Southern Africa.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

1.1 Various research methodologies are evaluated in terms of suitability of application.

1.2 Applicable research methods are used in collecting, analysing and interpreting data.

1.3 Theories within the context of topical conservation issues are critically discussed.

1.4 Research results are presented in both written and oral formats.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

2.1 Biodiversity is defined and its value described in terms of conservation strategies.

2.2 Challenges of sustainable development are identified and critically evaluated with regard to conservation strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

3.1 The status and ecology of freshwater systems are established.

3.2 Applicable and/or appropriate legislation is critically discussed.

3.3 Challenges of and to sustainable utilisation of freshwater resources are identified and critically evaluated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

4.1 Elements of environmental education are described in terms of conservation.

4.2 Appropriate environmental education strategies pertinent to Southern Africa are identified and critically discussed.

4.3 Challenges facing environmental education with regard to community and governmental involvement are identified and discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

5.1 Animal welfare versus animal rights are critically discussed.

5.2 Appropriate legislation with regard to conservation of wildlife in Southern Africa is identified.

5.3 Ethical wildlife management considerations pertinent to national and transfrontier situations are discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

6.1 Community based resource management with regard to sustainable development and conservation is described in the Southern African context.

6.2 The role and application of community based resource management in terms of conservation and sustainable development is critically evaluated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

7.1 The science behind climate change is discussed.

7.2 Global climate change projections with specific focus on Southern Africa are identified.

7.3 Impacts and adaptations (with reference to communities and ecosystems in Southern Africa) are critically discussed.

7.4 Mitigation strategies are examined and proposed.

Integrated Assessment

Applied competence - that is, the integration of foundational, practical and reflective competence - will be assessed in a variety of ways and instances during the course of the programme. For example, students will be asked to conduct interdisciplinary research on various conservation topics involving the application of knowledge, as well as reflection.

In the various modules of the qualification, students will be required to provide evidence of integrated knowledge, research skills and values. Integrated assessment will be conducted during the course of the programme, including but not limited to written assignments, practical activities, and examinations.

All assessment will meet the criteria of the relevant UNISA policies and procedures.