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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Earth Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110888  Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Earth Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Earth and Space Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to produce achieving learners who will be able to operate as Natural Science Professionals and who are competent in performing specialist tasks in the Environmental Earth Science field in one of the disciplines of Geomorphology, Surface Geology, Hydrology and/or Soil Science. The graduating learners should be able to engage critically in current in-depth debates concerning development initiatives and relevant resource utilisation, including environmental rehabilitation strategies.

Rationale:
This qualification is designed to produce practitioners in the Environmental Earth Sciences field. In addition, the qualification will produce graduates who will be able to eventually operate as Natural Science Professionals and who are competent in performing in the broad Environmental Earth Science field across the Geomorphology, Surface Geology, Hydrology and Soil Science arenas. These learners should be able to engage critically in current debates concerning development initiatives and relevant resource utilisation, including environmental rehabilitation strategies. The qualification also enables learners to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to grant admission to the qualification to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirement in line with institutional policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Relevant Bachelor's Degree, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 128 credits:
    Compulsory Modules, 64 Credits:
  • Earth Sciences Research Project, 48 Credits.
  • Research Methods in Environmental Sciences 16 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 64 Credits (Choose four or more modules totalling 64 Credits):
  • Evaporation Estimation (AMET860), 8 Credits.
  • Evaporation Estimation (AMET870), 16 Credits.
  • Automatic Weather Station Technologies 1, 16 Credits.
  • Biogeography of Invasive Species, 16 Credits.
  • Analytical Geographic Information System (GIS) and Advanced Spatial Modelling, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Remote Sensing, 16 Credits.
  • Air Pollution, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Global Change, 16 Credits.
  • Applied Geomorphology, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Biogeography, 16 Credits.
  • Coastal Geomorphology, 16 Credits.
  • Environmental Modelling, 16 Credits.
  • Digital Data Treatment and Representation, 8 Credits.
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) Measurement and Control Technologies, 8 Credits.
  • Heat Pulse Measurement in Plants and Soils, 8 Credits.
  • Environmental Temperature and Radiation, 8 Credits.
  • Current Issues in Hydrology, 16 Credits.
  • Integrated Water Resources Management, 16 Credits.
  • Pedolochemistry in the Environment, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Hydrological Process, 16 Credits.
  • Soil Productivity Management, 16 Credits.
  • Soil Science Seminar, 16 Credits.
  • Automatic Weather Station Technologies 1, 8 Credits.
  • Contemporary Environmental Issues, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On completion of the qualification the learner will be able to:
    1. Demonstrate extensive and systematic knowledge of the complex environmental challenges facing the South African community with reference to the development and resource utilisation strategies from the perspective of an Earth Science specialist in one of the fields of Geomorphology, Hydrology or Soil Science.
    2. Demonstrate in-depth skills to undertake literature searches in obtaining relevant information in order to identify complex, practice orientated solutions in the Earth Sciences.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge and critical, in-depth understanding of the principles and theories relevant to the Earth Sciences in an environmental context for individuals and communities, and evaluate and document suggested interventions from a responsible and ethical framework.
    4. Work independently according to the depth and complexity of the case-specific research project undertaken.
    5. Demonstrate integrated knowledge and understanding of the content of the fields which constitute the qualification.
    6. Show an understanding of the related methods and procedures of enquiry to adequately and competently solve pertinent problems to gain evidence-based solutions, notwithstanding a context of theory-driven arguments.
    7. Communicate own knowledge and findings to peers and lay audiences in a competent, ethical and professional manner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Use knowledge and skills to develop in-depth solutions to earth Science-related environmental challenges.
  • Integrate knowledge across the disciplines of earth sciences.
  • Deal with related questions as a consolidation and deepening of the general knowledge gained at undergraduate level in a chosen field of specialisation.
  • Analyse and interpret information arising from the research project and reach conclusions through practical recommendations.
  • Communicate research findings these in writing by means of Information Technology and verbally to both laymen and professional audiences.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification has been designed to allow for a range of assessment types (both formative and summative) in oral and written format, to allow the potential achieving learner to demonstrate an integrated, in-depth knowledge of sub-disciplines within the Environmental Earth Science field, and to demonstrate their understanding of the key concepts involved by applying them in the context of the capstone research module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The School has numerous contacts with international bodies in both Europe and America and, through staff exchanges and collaboration ensures that the qualifications it offers are internationally comparable. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Analysis and Management, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Earth Sciences, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Science, Level 9.
  • Master of Environmental Science Ecology and Resource Management, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.