All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
Bachelor of Environmental Sciences |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
109840 | Bachelor of Environmental Sciences | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
University of Venda | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
- | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
National First Degree | Field 07 - Human and Social Studies | General Social Science | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 360 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 07 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Reregistered | EXCO 0821/24 | 2021-07-01 | 2027-06-30 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2028-06-30 | 2033-06-30 |
In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification replaces: |
Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
9493 | Bachelor of Environmental Sciences: Ecology and Resource Management | Level 6 | NQF Level 07 | 360 | Complete |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
The purpose of the Bachelor of Environmental Sciences is to provide qualifiers with graduate-level (Level 7) knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of Environmental Science, that provide for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
Qualifying learners will be able to: Rationale: The rationale of this qualification is to produce graduates with an understanding of environmental science who can manage the environment such as pollution, water resources, minimise or rehabilitate industrial environmental disturbance and contamination and manage agricultural land survey for production systems in a sustainable manner. This qualification will provide Southern Africa countries with professional Environmental Scientists, who will have a clear understanding of the interaction between the atmosphere and its environment, based on the sound knowledge and understanding of geography, Evolution, Biology and ecology. Thus, this qualification has specific exit level outcomes which can be both directly related to the aspirations of learners seeking careers in environmental science and technology and to the range of competencies required in different employment sectors (industry and business, research and development, local and national government, development and planning, management, and education). The qualification will also provide South Africa with significant numbers of learners in several environmental science fields to ensure the broadening of local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activities. These cadres of scientists will be prepared to commence careers in research and practice theoretical and experimental environment science with a greatly improved level of self-confidence. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The admission of candidates via prior learning is according to the institution`s official Policy on Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as contained in the institution calendar which falls in line with SAQA RPL requirement for prior learning, particularly those learners who have working experience in the natural environment and are equipped to complete the qualification. The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. This qualification may therefore be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Entry requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: Or Or |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 7 and 8 totalling 360 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 76 Credits: Elective Modules, Level 5, 44 Credits (Select modules totalling 44 Credits): Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 64 Credits: Elective modules, Level 6, 56 Credits (Select modules totalling 56 Credits): Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 56 Credits: Elective Modules, Level 7, 64 Credits (Select modules totalling 64 Credits): |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Show understanding of the place of environmental sciences in human endeavour and have a basic knowledge of the philosophy and ethics of environmental sciences.
2. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of geological prospecting, location, evaluation, exploration and beneficiation of geological resources, fundamental in the mining industry environment, sustainable development, environmental assessment, and integrated environmental management. 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical background in the core aspects of Hydrogeology and Water Resources. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Integrated Assessment The qualification considers that assessment is a paramount activity inseparable from the teaching process, aimed at establishing the learner's competencies and knowledge, critical sense, ability to recognise and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Learners will be examined for this qualification under the terms of the institution Policy by the presentation of a thesis that will be internally and externally examined. Formative assessment is done through individual or small group exercises, usually in the form of short assignments, or using impromptu class tests (which are not scored). This informs the lecturer of any shortcomings in the teaching and/or misconceptions among students. It also informs the students of lack of knowledge and understanding of the aspects tested. Summative assessment is done using: |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
The task team consulted and considered: The Commonwealth Universities Online Database for qualifications in Environmental Geology (frequently offered as components of qualifications in Geology and Environmental Sciences, examples of universities and qualifications are listed below).
The qualification closely matches national qualifications that are offered by many universities in the European Union, particularly the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and the USA which are world leaders in undergraduate and Postgraduate studies in environmental science and geology. Similar qualifications were also found for the University of Exeter (Camborne School of mines), Oxford University, and the Colorado School of Mines in the USA. The qualification is similar to the ones offered in several Universities in Germany such as Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe (University of Applied Sciences (OWL) at Hoexter), Gottingen University in Gottingen, and Hawk University. In SADC countries somewhat similar qualifications were found to exist in universities in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Uganda and Zambia. Similarities were found at all levels of undergraduate qualifications, with the same entry-level content being covered. There were also similarities in terms of content covered in short courses, but which are not comparable to full qualifications at undergraduate and Postgraduate level. In the United States of America Mining and Geology is offered in several universities especially Colorado School of Mines, University of California and Pen State University. Particular attention has been devoted to the institutions mentioned above because they have a track record of high-quality undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes in Mining and Geology. The comparability is based on three criteria: content, level and credit value. Those qualifications reflecting "very close" comparability means comparability in terms of all three criteria; "close" comparability means comparability in terms of two criteria and "fair" comparability means comparability in terms of at least one criterion. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
N/A |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
N/A |
NOTES |
N/A |
LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification. |
NONE |
PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
NONE |
All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |