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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Doctor of Philosophy: Environmental Sciences: Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
16159  Doctor of Philosophy: Environmental Sciences: Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  240  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0695/12  2012-07-01  2014-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2015-12-31   2018-12-31  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
96556  Doctor of Philosophy Environmental Science  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
1. To provide students with advanced research skills including problem identification, data acquisition and analysis techniques; data interpretation skills; and ability to make policy recommendations on the basis of research findings.
2. To enhance creative thinking abilities, as well as the ability to work independently.
3. To mould highly responsible researchers who can carry out research work about land resource and environmental issues that affect the livelihoods of people in the Northern Province, the country, the Southern African Region and beyond.
4. To enhance the communication skills of students through participation in seminars, workshops and conferences both locally and internationally; and through the writing of research reports and thesis. Writing of research articles for publication will also be part of the training.
5. To prepare students for careers in academia and/or research institutions. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. Masters of Environmental Sciences/Management degree from the University of Venda

2. The equivalents of the Master of Environmental Sciences/Management degree from recognised tertiary institutions.

3. Masters degrees in related disciplines such as Geography, Ecology, Botany, Earth Sciences and Chemistry.

Vast work experience in Environmental Science or related areas; fellowship or professional membership of societies/bodies that deal with environmental issues; and a track record of commitment to the promotion of sustainable development. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Skills for identifying researchable environmental/land resource problems; appropriate knowledge and skills for putting together research logistics and research design; identification, acquisition and analysis of pertinent data; interpretation of research findings; proper use of research findings for making environmental policy recommendation; communication skills; working independently.

Specify critical cross-field outcomes:

* The research students will from time to time liase with other researchers in related fields such as Geography, Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Earth Sciences and Chemistry.
* They will also link up with relevant departments of the Provincial and local Governments, Community Based Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations and the private sector. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Participate in scholarly discussions; write and present mini-seminars and participate effectively in oral presentation
  • Submit assignments and reports in an acceptable format according to clear guidelines and deadlines
  • Participate and interact intelligently in class discussions and presentations and in practical situations
  • Critically read, interpret and analyse literature. Participate in group discussions
  • Do independent reading and information retrieval in the library and the internet. Work with reduced supervision and show initiative
  • Prepare assignments and improve computer literacy
  • Write a project proposal, highlighting the research problem
  • Identify the research problem
  • Describe the research methods/procedures and techniques to be followed
  • Learn the use of research instruments
  • Collect, analyse and interpret data
  • Write up the results in a clear, concise and acceptable manner
  • Defend and orally present research report to scientific audiences

    Integrated assessments:
  • Workplace assessments
  • Oral examinations
  • Examination of thesis
  • Seminar presentations
  • Discourse
  • Conference presentations
  • Research thesis 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s):
    Post-Doctoral Research

    The students registered for the PhD may opt to change to a Master of Environment/Management degree by research if they feel they can't cope with the rigours of the PhD; or if there are reasons that make them not to complete the PhD research. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    * A system of internal peer moderation shall be in place and will consist of:
    - Two members of staff from the Department of Ecology and Resource Management
    - A member of the Post Graduate and Research Committee who does not belong to the Department of Ecology and Resource Management.

    * External moderation will consist of:
    - A representative from an external professional body, appropriately qualified representative of the Departments of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Water Affairs and Forestry, Land Affairs and Agriculture; or researcher from other institutions. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Internal assessors must have a Ph.D. in a related/relevant field of Environmental Management or related fields
    External assessors must have a Ph.D. and outstanding research experience in Environmental Management or related fields

    Internal and external assessors should be competent academicians and/or researchers. Both internal and external assessor should have not less than 5 years teaching and research experience after date of obtaining their (the assessor's own) PhD degrees.

    Both internal and external assessors should have a track record of supervising postgraduate students in Environmental Management and related fields. They should also show active research in the relevant subject area. Membership of professional bodies is another requirement. 

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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 Venda 


    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.