Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Monitoring and Modelling
Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences - Physical Sciences
Purpose and Rationale
The primary purpose of these qualifications is to provide Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours graduates with systematic knowledge, specialized skills, and theoretical competence in environmental management.
The second purpose of this qualification is to produce professional environmental management graduates equipped with the appropriate skills, managerial abilities, and leadership qualities to make informed environmental decisions in line with the precautionary principle and sustainable development principles. These graduates are expected to contribute significantly to various sectors, including public and private, in South Africa and other countries.
The third purpose of the qualification is to cultivate graduates who will play a vital role in monitoring the quality and state of the environment, making valuable contributions to society. They are required to comprehend and apply learned principles and methods to investigate and resolve environmental issues while making conscientious environmental decisions.
Additionally, this qualification aims to enable students to specialize in Environmental Science, granting them the necessary knowledge and competencies to enroll as a Candidate Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
Outcomes
- Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the natural environment.
- Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks within the field of environmental management.
- Manage and organise her or his activities and life responsibly and effectively, including her or his studies within the open and distance learning context.
- Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required.
- Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and for written presentation, often in pieces of sustained discourse.
- Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global context.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those locally and the broader community.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Identify, analyse, and solve concrete and abstract problems within a discipline or across interdisciplinary lines.
- Offer informed suggestions for solving problems at different levels.
- Generate alternative strategies for dealing with problems.
- Critically evaluate theoretical standpoints and compare them to own views.
- Provide evidence to support stated views.
- Analyse global, national, and local community problems related to science and technology.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate respect for others' scientific opinions without bias.
- Undertake projects to interact successfully with others.
- Use advanced scientific communication skills within a group.
- Lead effectively within their competence limits.
- Organize effective working groups.
- Communicate group interactions through various reporting methods.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Organise study plans and engage in effective time management.
- Develop strategies suited to personal situations.
- Think independently and offer sustained theoretical evidence.
- Assess strengths and weaknesses and develop organisational strategies.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Use library and other resources effectively for research.
- Integrate information from various sources.
- Act responsibly as a researcher (referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
- Follow discipline-related conventions and guidelines.
- Critically evaluate theories, examples, results, etc.
- Argue appropriately within the relevant discourse community.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Use others' ideas responsibly without plagiarism.
- Evaluate academic arguments.
- Follow literacy and numeracy conventions in the discipline.
- Use appropriate organisation and presentation models.
- Use statistics effectively.
- Identify discipline-specific jargon.
- Analyse, evaluate, and critique others' ideas using language.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Select appropriate technology for individual or group needs.
- Use natural resources sustainably.
- Consider ethics in science and technology.
- Show respect and responsibility towards others' well-being.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Use interdisciplinary methods to solve science and technology problems.
- Follow an integrated approach to learning and studying.
Integrated Assessment:
- Formative Assessment through various activities and assignments.
- Summative Assessment through examinations per module.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.