SAQA 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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Science: Conservation Ecology and Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
14380  Master of Science: Conservation Ecology and Planning 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  200  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
1. The course is directed at the application of principles of population and community ecology to environmental conservation in Africa
2. Graduates completing the course will have the ability to apply scientific method and methodologies to solve conservation related problems and to predict and monitor the consequences of conservation management actions. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Honours degree: B Sc (Hons) 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Learning outcomes:
A M Sc (Conservation Ecology and Planning) graduate is able to:
Knowledge
  • The scientific method and the associated methodologies
  • Interactions determining the distribution and abundance of organisms
  • The structure and function of biological communities
  • The interpretation of fundamental information of biological populations and communities to assess their conservation status and to development measures to assure their continued existence

    Skills
  • Scientifically evaluate the factors affecting status and distribution of species populations
  • Inductively and deductively evaluate research results on aspects related to the conservation, management and sustainable use of species populations.
  • Scientifically develop, maintain and evaluate an ecological research program, either as an academic activity or as applied in conservation management, sustainable use and the restoration of disturbed ecological systems.
  • Apply fundamental knowledge in biological populations and communities to solve complex conservation related problems.
  • Use fundamental information to maintain and enhance biological diversity, either through conservation measures or through the restoration of disturbed systems.
  • Lead conservation and related research efforts to maintain biological diversity and improve the quality of life for all involved.

    Values
    A scientific approach to finding solutions for conservation related problems with a clear understanding of the values of the maintenance of biological diversity for mankind.

    Integrated assessment:
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community
    Organising and managing oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes or oral and or written persuasion
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively
  • exploring education and career opportunities
  • developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment:
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    Written project report (dissertation)
    Written scripts on seminars and projects 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    Ph D Zoology
    Ph D Entomology

    Ph D Zoology serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    Ph D Entomology serves as an entry point to the related qualification 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Summative assessments, external additional examiner
    Student access to all final test/examination answer books
    Project assessment (external evaluation of dissertation) 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    Ph D Zoology

    Career experience required:
    Outstanding research record

    Other criteria:
    Postgraduate guidance. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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.
     
    1. University of Pretoria 


    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.