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 Honours in Environmental Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81108  Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  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   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 
To provide graduates with a specialized knowledge in Environmental Science through study in depth; to equip them with practical and applied knowledge of research methodology and to produce in them the ability to solve problems, both independently and in teams. To ensure that students graduate with the ability to compare and evaluate information from disparate sources and sub-disciplines in order to make sound decisions and judgements. These graduates should be good competent in oral presentation, and communicate well in spoken and written English, to both expert and non-expert audiences.
The programme is intended to provide the country with graduates who have a specialized knowledge in the Environmental Sciences and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Access to this programme is available to candidates who have previously satisfied the requirements for a BSc in this University or have been admitted to the status thereof and had sufficiently good exit-level (SAQA level 6) results in appropriate courses.

Recognition of prior learning for access to this programme:
In cases where relevant experience or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a candidate may be admitted by permission of Senate. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Have in-depth specialized knowledge of Environmental Science;
  • Understand and be able to apply advanced concepts in Environmental Science;
  • Understand the complex and holistic nature of the earth's environmental systems;
  • Be aware of the importance of social issues in the analysis and solution of environmental problems;
  • Be able to identify and solve problems and make responsible and ethically sound decisions on environmental matters;
  • Be able to consider a range of problems, options and solutions, and implement decisions based on sound academic foundations;
  • Develop and exercise responsibly in the practical, field and laboratory skills applicable to environmental careers;
  • Be able to work in and manage multidisciplinary groups and teams;
  • Working individually, taking decisions and accepting responsibility for them, to explore and develop educational and professional opportunities;
  • Be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral presentations;
  • Have had the opportunity to enhance personal development through self-directed and self-motivated study and professional attitudes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners will be required to:
  • Pass the required number of modules of in-depth academic study in Environmental Science. The assessment Criteria are varied. For examinations, accuracy, lucidity, and to reason and draw conclusions are paramount; in assignments, gathering and interpreting information and/or data, punctuality, and efficiency in presentation are most important.
  • Submit an Honours research project that is assessed as satisfactory by internal and external examiners. The criteria will be:
    o understanding of theoretical principles and the ability to relate them to the research problem;
    o selections and executive of an appropriate methodology;
    o accuracy of factual material;
    o sound reasoning leading towards sensible conclusions;
    o appropriate reference to other relevant studies;
    o the ability to assess the strengths;
    o weaknesses and value of the work in the context of the discipline;
    o written and oral presentation of a suitable standard.

    To demonstrate outcomes 1-7 and 10 a student must be able to write logical and coherent essays, assignments and reports, contribute to class discussions, make satisfactory oral presentations to a peer group, answer exam questions satisfactorily, and undertake an and independent research project under the supervision of a staff member. Competence in outcomes 8 accrues when a student works successfully as a member of a group assigned to collaborative assignments and tasks. Objectives criteria for the achievement of outcomes, but general demeanour, etiquette and professional behaviours in all activities including demonstrating and tutoring undergraduate classes, are good indicators. Students will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and respect and awareness of others with whom they interact. Two compulsory modules, research Project and Research Methods integrate all the specific outcomes, which contribute to the achievement of exit level outcomes of the programme.

    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.

    In the present case, an Honours Project is designed to act as "capstone", capturing a learner's competence in integrating theory, technique and methodology from a variety of sources to solve particular problems or develop theory (of the purpose and outcomes statements) 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Programme permits candidates with suitably high levels of achievement to proceed to Postgraduate programmes in the Science faculty of this University and largely also in faculties of Science at other universities. Access to the Programme is via a strong BSc degree from this University or from certain other universities.

    Recognised prior learning:

    Suitable alternative prior learning is also recognised as a basis for access. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under assessors criteria will suffice. All modules are administered and moderated by experienced academic staff (many of whom have acted as external examiners for other universities). The final award of the BSc Honours degree is made after moderation by appropriate experienced examiners external to this university. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staffs are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to qualifications are externally examined. 

    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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.