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: 

Bachelor of Science in Conservation Ecology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73589  Bachelor of Science in Conservation Ecology 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  Level 7  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   2034-06-30  

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 
Rationale:

To give students a broad understanding of the basic discipline of nature conservation and its inter-relationships with ecology, agriculture, policy, management and economics so that they are able to undertake advanced studies with sufficient knowledge and skills in this discipline.

To undertake integrated post-graduate studies in this discipline.

To equip students with knowledge of nature conservation so that they will be prepared in a unique way for employment in sustainable environmental management in private and public sectors.

To equip students with specific knowledge and skills such that they are fully cognisant of the range of issues that encompass nature conservation, such as ecology, biodiversity conservation, biometry, natural resource economics and policy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
All applications for admission to this undergraduate programme are considered in terms of the normal procedures of the Matriculation Board and the University of Stellenbosch. Furthermore, the University also maintains a comprehensive system of specially designed additional tests with the aim to broaden access. These tests are designed in a manner that does justice to the principles and ideals of Recognition of Prior Learning. Where applicable and justified, the option of admission on Senate discretion is considered and granted.

Access to the Qualification:
Specific Admission Requirements
  • An average performance level of 60% in the NSC or the IEB's school-leaving certificate (excluding Life Orientation), or other school qualification;
  • English or Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) - Code 4/50%;
  • Mathematics - Code 5/60%; and
  • Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) - Code 4/50%. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Level, Credits and learning components assigned to the Qualification:

    Year 1:
  • 132 Credits of compulsory modules on NQF Level 6.

    Year 2:
  • 125 Credits of compulsory modules on NQF Level 6.

    Year 3:
    A total of 128 Credits on NQF Level 7
  • 96 Credits of compulsory modules on NQF Level 7.
  • Learners have to select two modules (32 Credits, NQF Level 7).

    Year 4:
    A total of 128 Credits on NQF Level 8
  • 96 Credits (NQF Level 8) of compulsory modules.
  • 32 Credits (NQF Level 8) of elective modules.

    Learners have to pass a total of 514 Credits over four years to complete the qualification. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The BSc in Conservation Ecology graduate will demonstrate the following generic and specific competencies:

    Generic:
  • A sound understanding of the theoretical background of core aspects of agricultural and ecological sciences.
  • An introductory knowledge of the operation and application of a range of scientific equipment, techniques and experimental approaches.
  • The ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve new theoretical and practical problems.
  • An ability to read and interpret scientific literature including the ability to teach themselves from source material.
  • Show an understanding of the importance of using sound experimental controls and statistical methods.
  • An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly and understanding of scientific observations.
  • Basic skills in the presentation of scientific reports (both written and verbal), including use of information technology as an aid to effective communication skills.

    The graduate will thus have demonstrated the acquisition of a good general and scientific background of sufficient depth and width to enable the graduate to practise as a competent scientist without further training.

    Specific:

    The BSc in Conservation Ecology graduate will have:
  • An understanding of the operation of nature conservation science.
  • The ability to detect and solve problems in nature conservation science.
  • An understanding of the interdisciplinary interrelationships within nature conservation science.
  • The ability to use relevant statistical methods and evaluation.
  • An understanding of the social responsibility towards the environment.
  • The basic entrepreneurial skills to identify and explore the sustainable commercial potential of the environment. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for General Exit-Level Outcome:
  • The criterion used to assess outcomes a) and b) is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for evaluation is accurate and valid.
  • Competence in outcome c) will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate and integrate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems.
  • To demonstrate competence in outcomes d) and e) a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, undertake and successfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Exit-Level Outcome:
  • The assessment used for the Bachelor of Science in Conservation Ecology ensures that the purpose of the Qualification is achieved.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Evaluation will take place by means of continuous evaluation in the form of practical research activities and by means of summative evaluation in the form of assignments, essays, tests and practical research reports, which can be in a written or oral format. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Department of Nature Conservation is the only department in South Africa that has run an undergraduate program in this field. Staff in the department has extensive national and international experience in teaching and research in this field. Similar undergraduate programmes, including many of the core courses, have been run for decades. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Plant and Soil Sciences, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Viticulture and Oenology, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science in Forestry in Forestry and Wood Science, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science in Conservation Ecology, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Conservation Ecology, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Conservation Ecology, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of department. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    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.
     
    1. Stellenbosch University 


    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.