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:

Bachelor of Science Honours: Forestry

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7589	Bachelor of Science Honours: Forestry
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
Honours Degree	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Secondary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 7	Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2022-12-31

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

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The purpose of the qualification is

1 to consolidate and deepen what has been learned in the fist degree or qualification and to undertake advanced study in a chosen field of specialization*

2 to provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in specific fields of forestry sciences to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society

3 to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates able to undertake independent research through the acquisition of the necessary research skills and tools in specific fields of forestry sciences in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity

4 to stimulate and prepare learners for further academic study and research by the provision of the required knowledge, skills and insight to develop as forestry researchers on the highest academic levels; and

5 to provide South Africa with well equipped professional forestry scientists who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of forestry sciences and of their responsibilities to provide timber, fibre and wood products in an economically viable, sustainable and environmentally friendly way

*Forest Science; Nature Conservation; Wood Science; Community Forestry.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

BSc in Natural Sciences, BSc in Forestry or other suitable and appropriate qualification approved by the Senate for this purpose. Depending on the chosen field of study, additional work and/or proof of competency may be required.

Candidates must obtain an average of 60% in the final year of the BSc or BScFor.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Critical cross-field outcomes:

The BscFor Hons graduate will have demonstrated the following outcomes:

a) Identifying and solving problems in which responses indicate that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking in a chosen area of specialisation have been made.

b) Have an understanding of the principles and concepts underpinning the field of study and of its boundaries and limitations.

c) Possess knowledge of advanced investigative methods

d) Have an overview of recent, relevant and cutting-edge research in the chosen field.

e) Be familiar with the opportunities, challenges, demands and code of conduct of the profession associated with the field of specialisation.

f) Working effectively with others as a member of a group, organisation and community.

g) Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

h) Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.

i) Communicating effectively using visual, numerical/mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.

j) Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and public health.

k) Have an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

l) 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:

1) Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
2) Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
3) Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
4) Exploring education and career opportunities; and
5) Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

General outcomes:

The BscFor Hons graduate will have demonstrated the following general outcomes:

a) Have a sound and deep understanding of the theoretical background in core aspects of the forestry sciences by being able to analyse, re-arrange, synthesise and evaluate a wide range of information.
b) Able to operate a range of scientific equipment and use appropriate techniques and experimental approaches and plan and conduct basic research;
c) Have an understanding of the interdisciplinary relationships within the forestry sciences.
d) Be aware of the social responsibility towards the environment.
e) Possession of the basic entrepreneurial skills to identify and explore the commercial potential, including knowledge of opportunities available in the agro- and forestry commercial environments.
f) Have the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve new theoretical and practical problems by arguing critically and convincingly.
g) The ability to read and interpret scientific literature including the ability to teach themselves from source material.
h) Shown an understanding of the importance of using sound experimental controls and statistical methods.
i) An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly of understanding of scientific observations.
j) Advanced skills, indicating sound theoretical judgement and evaluations 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 detailed general and scientific background of great depth and latitude to enable the graduate to practise as a competent scientist.

Specific outcomes:

In addition to the outcomes listed in 3.1 and 3.2, the specific outcome which the BscFor Hons graduate will have is the successful completion of an advanced study in a specialised field (forest science, nature conservation, wood science, community forestry) in one of the majors of the relevant bachelor's degree via the completion of various assignments and research projects which meet the criteria for critical evaluation and publication in scientific journals.

In summary, graduates will be equipped with the theoretical, practical and intellectual skills needed to understand and make decisions about the growing and optimal utilisation of timber, and associated natural resources, and the integration of this into the prevailing socio-economic framework.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The assessment used for these outcomes ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

a) A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as simulations, work-place assessments, and written and oral examinations is used.

b) The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.

c) The assessment of parts generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned systematic way in order to ensure reliability.

The assessments used meet the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 7.

The criterion used to assess outcomes

a) and b) is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for marking is accurate and valid.

Competence in outcome 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 a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, undertake andsuccessfully complete a supervised research project and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions.

The student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and the structural organisation of presentations

Integrated assessment

Integrated assessment takes place in terms of a variety of procedures, such as assignments, oral and written presentations, work-place assessment, written and oral examinations. Oral examinations are used to determine the learner's ability to integrate the work done in the various modules and disciplines of the programme.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

For the BScFor Hons degree horizontal articulation with the first year programme of the MScFor or other programmes within the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences or outside faculties is enhanced by the elective credits at each level. Vertical articulation into a MScFor is common at the University of Stellenbosch, students can also proceed to such masters programmes at some universities in South Africa.

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 the departments contributing to this programme.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which conforms to the quality assurance system of the University.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 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