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: Biodiversity and Conservation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
84366  Bachelor of Science Honours: Biodiversity and Conservation 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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  Life Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  136  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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 
Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Bachelor of Science Honours qualification is to consolidate and deepen the students' knowledge and expertise in their respective science disciplines/fields, and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of those science disciplines. Bachelor of Science Honours is essentially a coursework degree of which at least 25% (30) of the credits is devoted to a research project and reporting under supervision. The degree demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, and serves as the initial science Postgraduate specialisation qualification providing students with in-depth scientific knowledge and skills preparing them for research based postgraduate science study.

This programme trains and develops prospective researchers with intellectual competence and practical skills in environmental education and reserve management. Aspects of conservation and ecology, including animal health and grazing capacities is integrated and understood. Information necessary for long-term conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources is access, interpreted and integrated. Students have the opportunity to select a project of their choice, plan a project, generate and collect experimental data on a specific research topic in the research focus areas of the department, interpret results in terms of current subject information, make inferences and recommendations and present it as a written report and an oral presentation.

This programme equips the student with a working knowledge of the diversity and taxonomy of the mammals of southern Africa. Familiarise the student with aspects concerning the origin, radiation, adaptations and distribution of mammals. Demonstrate the dynamic relationship between mammals and their environment.

Rationale:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours programmes develop students in applied and cognitive competencies; this includes acquisition interpreting, understanding and application in the specialisation field of Biodiversity and Conservation at this level.
  • The student must be able to carry out research under guidance and mastering the required experimental and technological skills and necessary fieldwork competencies required for this level.
  • The students must be able to demonstrate reflexive competencies such as innovation, decision making, strategic thinking and organizational skills required for this level. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learning assumed to be in place:

    The student is assumed to have completed a Bachelor of Science Degree where they would have demonstrated a knowledge base, theory and methodology of life and environmental sciences. The Bachelor of Science Life and Environmental Sciences is to develop qualified scientists who can identify, evaluate and solve problems associated with life, earth and environmental sciences and be able to assume and demonstrate initiative and responsibility in related academic and professional contexts in South Africa as well as in the international world. With the focus of the programme being on the principles and theory of the life and environmental sciences with the possible applications thereof, the students acquire the appropriate competence and research ability that serves as a basis for entry into the labour market and a range of professional training and practice as well as postgraduate studies opportunities.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Experienced students are recommended to the Executive Dean and the Head of Department who will appoint a panel to follow the official procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in Zoology and Botany. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Minimum credits required at specific levels: 136 Credits.

    Learning components:

    Fundamentals:
  • Laboratory and Field Skills (ZOO0017); 8 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Philosophy and Research Methodology in Zoology (ZOO0027); 8 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Nature Conservation (ZOO0057); 8 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Research Project (ZOO0077); 16 Credits; NQF Level 7.

    Core:
  • Population Genetics and Biosystematics (ZOO0037); 12 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Mammal Diversity (ZOO0097); 12 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Parasitology (ZOO0117); 16 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Herpetology (ZOO0147); 4 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Resource Management (ZOO0187); 20 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Molecular Evolution (ZOO0217); 24 Credits; NQF Level 7.

    Electives:
  • Advanced Plant Taxonomy and Economic Botany (ZOO0177); 24 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Terrestrial and Conservation Ecology (ZOO0227); 18 Credits; NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes and the Associated Assessment Criteria:

    Students should be able to:
  • Identify, interpret, analyse and address complex problems, using both routine and advanced skills, conceptual and/or evidence-based enquiry and theory-driven arguments.
  • Work effectively with others in a team by being answerable for their own work and the work of others.
  • Identify, evaluate and address their own professional and on-going learning needs.
  • Demonstrate efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills, using appropriate ICT.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic and critical knowledge and understanding of the principles, scope, theories and epistemologies of their respective science discipline/field.
  • Evaluate their own and others' academic work and initiatives against informed criteria.
  • Present and communicate ideas and texts, offering professional insights, interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the science context.
  • Use science and technology in complex and challenging contexts and make autonomous ethical decisions on complex professional issues in accordance with recognised professional and/or ethical standards.
  • Critique current research and advanced scholarship in the science area of specialisation and make sound theoretical judgements based on evidence.
  • Identify, select and apply a range of research methodologies and methods/techniques to research problem/s in their science area of specialisation.
  • Identify, analyse, synthesise and undertake independent evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative data, and to engage with and evaluate current research and scholarly or professional literature in their respective discipline/field. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:

    The students are assessed through tests, assignments, practicals and presentations. Those who meet minimum requirements of 40% are then eligible for examinations at the end of each semester:
  • Every module in the Honours programme has to be passed separately and individually for the Honours degree to be awarded.
  • Re-registration for a failed module can only be done with the specific approval of the Executive Dean on recommendation of the Head of Department involved. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The program is compared with international curriculum through Peer review and external moderation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Students may progress to various Master of Science programmes. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Recommendation of a moderating body or bodies (internal and external):

    Recommendations for external moderations are made by the Faculty Board. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All registered assessors are from other recognised Academic Institutions. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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 Johannesburg 


    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.