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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Environment and Water Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86171  Bachelor of Science Honours in Environment and Water Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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 
Purpose:

The Bachelor of Science Honours course aims to provide students with a thorough overview of both the physical and social dimensions of environmental science, aided by the necessary skills and techniques required for the identification and critical assessment of environmental issues. The programme pays a strong emphasis on both the social dimensions of environmental issues, which are often neglected but increasingly recognised as of crucial importance to successful solutions, as well as the physical processes that underlie landscape dynamics.

Rationale:

South Africa is at a crossroads with regards to its environmental future. Government has stated on numerous occasions that it sees it as a high priority and that it should become central in all planning exercises. At this stage there are very few trained environmental scientists that can make the necessary inputs into this process and the result is that the environment is often neglected in the present development strategies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Students should have a basic understanding of Environmental issues and have demonstrated the ability to reason scientifically.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Access to the programme can also be provided in terms of the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria as stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidate's interest in the Environmental Studies an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

Access to the Qualification:
  • A Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any appropriate area with a minimum overall grade of 60%. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Bachelor of Science Honours: Environment and Water Science, NQF Level 7, 120 credits.

    All the modules offered as part of the course are compulsory:
  • Environmental Impact Assessment 701, 20 credits.
  • Advanced Geographical Information Systems (GIS) 702, 20 credits.
  • Geohydrology 703, 20 credits.
  • Catchment Processes 704, 20 credits.
  • Research Project 705, 20 credits.
  • Environmental Law 707, 20 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The student must be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding and critical awareness of the theory and the methodologies of the fields studied in this course.

    2. The student must be able to apply this understanding to independently identify and solve new problems furthermore; the student is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage himself and the project in this context.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display critical thinking.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, or organisation.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical, and/or language skills in the modes of written and/or oral presentation. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Environmental issues as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments, class tests and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented. Furthermore, the student is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage a project in this context.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The University adopted a Continuous Assessment System. Assessment consist of a number assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example, tests, essays, practical reports, project reports and oral presentations). 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Qualifications from the University of New Castle were compared with common core and elective components of qualifications. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon completion a student will be eligible to apply for appropriate Masters-level programmes. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The programme will be moderated via a system of external peer review and evaluation. At least one internal supervisor/assessor and at least two external assessors will be appointed. The minimum qualifications for assessor will be a Master's plus 3-5 years research experience in the specific focus area. 

    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. 

    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 the Western Cape 


    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.