Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation
Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Nature Conservation
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose
The purpose of the qualification is to prepare learners for working at the interface between conservation and communities. The goal is to develop skills that contribute to the development and management of protected areas while considering the needs of surrounding communities and ensuring decisions are research-based. Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of key terms, concepts, principles, insights, and issues related to the management of protected areas and natural resources with a focus on community roles in nature conservation.
- Assess, evaluate, integrate, and apply knowledge to address complex management issues in nature conservation.
- Recognize that knowledge is contested and that community members may offer different perspectives on nature conservation, integrating multiple views in problem-solving.
- Identify appropriate data collection methods, validate data sources, and evaluate data for use in arguments in nature conservation.
- Address complex biological and socio-economic issues in conservation, propose solutions, and evaluate them within the context of problem-solving.
- Make informed decisions, act ethically and professionally, and be accountable for actions.
- Conduct independent research, analyze information, and make recommendations for addressing issues in nature conservation.
- Communicate ideas effectively in writing and verbally to various audiences, using structured argumentation and appropriate tools and technology.
- Manage their own learning, demonstrate attributes of self-directed learning, and work autonomously.
- Work effectively in groups, taking responsibility for individual and collaborative work and being accountable for actions.
Rationale
The qualification is aligned with the Mpumalanga Provincial Economic Review and Outlook for 2012/13, recommending building on the province's advantage in conservation. The Mpumalanga Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) prioritizes environmental sustainability, tourism, biodiversity, and cultural heritage due to the region's rich natural and cultural resources. The nature conservation sector is recognized as a potential driver of economic development. Stakeholder consultations highlighted the need for skilled individuals in sustainable natural area management, supporting economic growth and diversification in the province. Competition for land use in Mpumalanga underscores the necessity for professionals who can navigate conflicting interests in conservation areas. The integration of community needs and interests in conservation practices is emphasized, along with the importance of research for informed decision-making. The curriculum is designed to address these needs through a research-focused module and discussions on the inclusion of local communities in conservation planning and management processes.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of key terms, concepts, principles, insights and issues relating to the management of protected areas and natural resources, with a particular focus on the roles of communities in nature conservation.
- Assess, evaluate, integrate and apply such knowledge to address complex issues in nature conservation.
- Demonstrate an understanding that knowledge is contested and that community members may have an understanding of the natural world and nature conservation that is different to that of scientists, and reflect this understanding in the manner in which multiple views and perspectives are considered and integrated in addressing problems in nature conservation.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify suitable methods for data collection and justify those methods, investigate the sources of and validated such data and evaluate its suitability for building, sustaining and defending arguments in nature conservation.
- Demonstrate an ability to deal with complex biological and socio-economic problems in familiar and unfamiliar conservation settings, identify solutions and evaluate those solutions in the light of the understanding that problem-solving is context-bound and does not happen in isolation.
- Demonstrate the ability to take decisions, justify decisions and act ethically and professionally at all times, and be accountable for one's actions.
- Undertake independent research and show the ability to analyse, and synthesise information with a view to making recommendations to address issues and solve problems in nature conservation.
- Communicate own ideas in writing and verbally, to both lay and science/Nature Conservation audiences using logically-structured argumentation, appropriate discourse, suitable audio-visual tools and technology.
- Manage their own learning and demonstrate the attributes of learning-driven and self-directed learners as well as autonomy.
- work in a group as a member or leader, and take full responsibility for own work and, where applicable, that of fellow-students, as well.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
- Demonstrate a full understanding of theories, research methodologies, methods, and techniques of protected area and natural resource management, communities, and wildlife.
- Apply and integrate knowledge in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
- Manage complex problems and apply knowledge from nature conservation, including Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
- Identify appropriate methods, including statistical methods, and choose the most suitable ones.
- Manage complex problems and apply knowledge from various disciplines, including Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
- Identify and address ethical issues effectively.
- Undertake independent research by following specific steps in the research report.
- Use appropriate conventions and technology to communicate complex ideas effectively to different audiences.
- Demonstrate the ability to function independently and facilitate the learning of others.
- Show accountability through various actions such as attendance, contribution in discussions, and responsible management of resources.
Integrated Assessment:
Assessment in the Advanced Diploma program will be both formative and summative.
Assessment Methods and Instruments:
Formative Assessment:
- Assignments aligned with learning outcomes.
- Comprehensive feedback for improvement.
- Research methodology module assessment breakdown:
- Formal research proposal seminar (5%).
- Written research proposal (10%).
- Fully assessed logbook of research activities (15%).
- Formal research seminar at the project completion (10%).
- Written research report structured as a scientific paper (60%).
Summative Assessment:
- Assessing achievement of outcomes through tests and assignments.
- Exams concluding each module, written in June or November.
- Final mark calculation:
- Class record (60%): based on module assessments.
- Exam (40%): one for each module.
This assessment framework ensures a comprehensive evaluation of students' understanding and application of knowledge in protected area and natural resource management.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- 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.