Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Forestry
Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Forestry and Wood Technology
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is:
- To enable and empower learners to acquire knowledge, skills, and applied competence in general and specific areas of Forestry for personal growth, gainful activity, and contributions to society.
- To provide the Forestry industry in Southern Africa with professionals possessing interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to solve real-life industry problems, particularly in the small scale agricultural sector.
- To produce forester professionals with a systematic body of knowledge, scientific evaluation skills, cognitive skills, and competence in applied research and practice.
- To offer learners opportunities for personal growth, gainful economic activity, postgraduate study, and constructive contributions to society.
- To develop forestry professionals who demonstrate initiative, ethical behavior, professionalism, and intellectual leadership.
- To provide experiential learning in work environments, and foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence.
Rationale:
- The Forestry industry in South Africa needs applied Scientists with high levels of knowledge and skills to meet the growing demand for forestry products and services.
- Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces have significant forestry resources, and skilled professionals are required for quality management.
- The University of Venda's School of Agricultural Sciences plays a vital role in producing globally competent scientists to sustain the natural resource base for agriculture.
- The Department of Forestry at the university addresses the need for professional forestry education in the region and facilitates international cooperation.
- The qualifications aim to support agriculture by applying and transferring forestry knowledge and technologies, preparing learners for careers in Agriculture and Forestry fields.
Outcomes
- Understand and critically analyse the field of Forest Management, Ecology and Conservation, with crucial application in commercial plantation forestry, natural forest and woodlands, indigenous and high value exotic agroforestry trees on agricultural landscapes, urban and land reclamation forestry.
- Apply modern landscape assessment techniques for better planning of land use changes with emphasis on Southern African conditions.
- Understand and analyse the value chain of a primary wood manufacturing operation such as sawmill, pole producer or mining timber manufacturer.
- Analyse the major economic forces and natural resource policy issues that impact on forestry and wood production locally and internationally.
- Conduct research within the context of either forestry or wood production, including consideration of interdisciplinary aspects.
- Communicate effectively with peers in a variety of modes, in the discourse of forestry and related sciences. Participation in class discussions### writing and presenting of seminars### preparation of assignments### participation in oral presentations.
- Apply detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline of specialisation, and demonstrate that they understand the interactions between plants/animals and the environment, and the multidisciplinary nature of problems in forestry and the Biological Sciences.
- Identify and define problems encountered in forestry and biological systems and use appropriate methodology to devise creative problem-solving strategies that lead to appropriate management interventions.
- Use computer technology competently as a tool in visual presentations, storage and analysis of data and information, written and graphic work in the context of Livestock Science & Agricultural Extension.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Explain a comprehensive, systematic, and integrated knowledge of various forest operations
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of forest practices, such as inventory methods/techniques, and the ability to select and implement them appropriately in a forest inventory plan
- Evaluate the outcomes of a forest inventory plan in commercial plantations through an auditing process
- Identify the implications and modifications of an inventory in natural forests
- Engage with and independently evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative forest growth and yield data
- Evaluate and analyze current research in the scientific field of forest growth and yield
- Illustrate a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, scope, theories, and epistemologies of forest growth and yield science
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Assess land use patterns to balance different land use requirements
- Explain the context, history, and development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in natural resource management
- Use GIS and RS as tools for the management and analysis of spatial data
- Solve specific spatial problems within the field of study independently using GIS and RS
- Plan and conduct successful plantation establishment or regeneration projects
- Ensure sustainable productivity in Silviculture is effectively managed
- Implement proactive and reactive measures to manage fire, climatic, biological, and other risks
- Analyze and quantify both the yield and the impact of the process on the environment
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Identify key innovations in furniture construction and describe their impacts on products and manufacturing methods
- Evaluate the stresses and deformations present in a wood-based construction under loading
- Provide overviews of the management of environmental aspects in wood preservation operations
- Evaluate the mechanical properties of structural timber and factors affecting the use of timber in structures
- Explain the thermal and electrical properties of wood in relation to wood-water relations during the kiln drying process
- Compile all necessary documents for efficiently manufacturing wooden products
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Explain the impact of policy issues on commercial plantation forestry, indigenous forests, and wood production
- Compare local forestry industry and wood production practices with international practice
- Assess and implement Silvicultural operations that can improve stand and timber quality
- Explain genetic tree improvement and the use of advanced propagation techniques
- Understand and identify different forest ecosystem functions and the effect of interventions on sustainable management of natural resources and wood production
- Analyze agroforestry systems in the context of natural resources as a means of livelihoods in rural communities
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Implement sound research techniques, including identification of research problems, formulation of hypotheses, objectives, and methodologies
- Gather information, analyze it, draw conclusions, and make recommendations
- Observe the importance of participation in teamwork
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Participate in class discussions
- Write and present seminars
- Prepare assignments
- Participate in oral presentations
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Read and interpret scientific literature critically
- Participate in group discussions with lecturers, subject specialists, and peers
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Investigate and discuss case studies
- Complete and submit a written report on a project of appropriate scope
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Develop and demonstrate computer literacy through the preparation and presentation of assignments, reports, and seminars
Integrated Assessment:
- Demonstrate applied competence through a range of formative and summative assessment methods, including assignments, seminars, practical reports, tests, and exams
- Complete at least four evaluation opportunities per semester module
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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