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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

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Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is offered from the Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science provides a broad education in the natural sciences, focusing on the interaction between humans and the environment. It’s an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and geography. The programme has a duration of three years.

SAQA

81784

NQF LEVEL

07

DURATION

3 Years

CAO CODE

KN-P-BSS
KN-W-BSS

CLOSING DATE

30 September

DISCIPLINE

Environmental Science

Entry Requirements

  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) – Degree (Pass).
  • APS score of no fewer than 28 points.
  • Mathematics at Level 4 and Physical Science, Life Science or Agricultural Science at Level 4. 

Modules

Semester 1

  • The smaller Side of Life – BIOL101 (16 Credits)
  • General Principles of Chemistry –CHEM110 (16 Credits)
  • Mathematics for Natural Sciences – MATH150 (16 Credits)
  • Human Environments – GEOG110 (16 Credits)

Total Credits: 64 Credits.

Semester 2

  • Life on Earth – BIOL102 (16 Credits)
  • Environmental Systems – ENVS120 (16 Credits)
  • Introduction to Statistics – STAT130 (16 Credits)
  • Elective (16 Credits)

 

Recommended Electives:

  • Chemical Reactivity – CHEM120 (16 Credits)
  • Computing for Natural Scientists – COMP106 (16 Credits)
  • Earth’s Surface Processes – GEOL102 (only at Westville) (16 Credits)

Total Credits: 64 Credits.

Semester 1

Pietermaritzburg Campus

  • Biological Sciences Toolkit – BIOL200 (16 Credits)
  • Biophysical Environments of Southern Africa – ENVS210 (16 Credits)

32 credits from:

  • Plant and Animal Ecophysiology – BIOL204 (16 Credits)
  • Rangeland Plants: Ecology and Management – BIOL223 (16 Credits)
  • Introduction to Soils & the Environment – SSCI217 (16 Credits)

Westville Campus

  • Biophysical Environments of Southern Africa – ENVS210 (16 Credits)
  • Biological Sciences Toolkit – BIOL200 (16 Credits)
  • Plant and Animal Ecophysiology –BIOL204 (16 Credits)
  • Invertebrate Diversity & Ecology – BIOL214 (16 Credits)

Total Credits: 64 Credits.

Semester 2

Pietermaritzburg Campus

  • Geographic Information Systems – ENVS211 (16 Credits)
  • Geographies of Urban and Rural Change – GEOG220 (16 Credits)
  • Vertebrate Biology – BIOL222 (16 Credits)

16 credits elective may be chosen from:

  • Pedology – SSCI230 (16 Credits)
  • Invertebrate Diversity & Conservation – BIOL213 (16 Credits)
  • Soil Biology and Biochemistry – SSCI260 (16 Credits)
  • Environmental Instruments: Life/Earth Sciences – AMET212 (16 Credits)

Westville Campus

  • Geographic Information Systems – ENVS211 (16 Credits)
  • Geographies of Urban and Rural Change – GEOG220 (16 Credits)
  • Marine Environment – BIOL231 (16 Credits)

16 credits from:

  • Basic IsiZulu Language Studies A – ZULN101 (16 Credits)

OR

  • Vertebrate Biology and Ecology – BIOL210 (16 Credits)

OR

  • Angiosperm Evolution & Diversification – BIOL212 (16 Credits)

 

Total Credits: 64 Credits.

Semester 1

Pietermaritzburg Campus

  • Population and Community Ecology – BIOL305 (16 Credits)
  • GIS & Remote Sensing – ENVS316 (16 Credits)
  • Soil Erosion and Land Degradation – ENVS315 (16 Credits)

OR

  • Atmospheric Science – ENVS318 (16 Credits)
  • Biogeography and Climatic Change – ENVS314 (16 Credits)

Westville Campus

  • Population and Community Ecology – BIOL305 (16 Credits)
  • Soil Erosion and Land Degradation – ENVS315 (16 Credits)
  • GIS & Remote Sensing – ENVS316 (16 Credits)
  • Comparative Animal Ecophysiology – BIOL306 (16 Credits)

OR

  • Parasites and People – BIOL344 (16 Credits))

Total Credits: 64 Credits.

Semester 2

Pietermaritzburg Campus

  • Global Environmental Change – ENVS319 (16 Credits)
  • Environmental Management – ENVS322 (16 Credits)

32 credits electives from BIOL – Recommended BIOL modules are given below:

  • Applied Biotechnology – BIOL315 (16 Credits)
  • Reproductive and Behaviour Ecology – BIOL325 (16 Credits)

Westville Campus

  • Biogeography and Climatic Change – ENVS314 (16 Credits)
  • Research in the Environment al Sciences – ENVS390 (16 Credits)
  • Environmental Management – ENVS322 (16 Credits)
  • Marine Ecophysiology – BIOL342 (16 Credits)

OR

  • Applied Plant Physiology – BIOL348 (16 Credits)

Total Credits: 64 Credits.

What do they actually do?

Environmental Scientists can be involved in all aspects of environmental restoration or protection projects, from cost and scope estimation, to design and implementation, including supervision of people and budgets. 

Environmentalists may also create diagrams to communicate plans, often with geographic information systems (GIS), computer-aided design (CAD) programmes, or other mapping or diagramming software. They also conduct environmental impact studies to examine the ecological effects of pollutants, disease, human activities, nature, and climate change on a specific area

Areas of Employment

• Local government & municipalities
• Research organisations & institutes
• Water Boards
• Government departments (e.g.
Employment & Labour; Agriculture,
Land Reform & Rural Development;
Environmental Affairs, Forestry &
Fisheries)
• Large food manufacturers
• Land & aerial survey companies
• Non-governmental organisations
• Conservation organisations
• Forestry industry
• Mines
• Consultancy companies
• Weather services
• Construction & engineering companies
• Technology companies
• Utility & energy companies
• Environmental education
• Self-employment

Apply today and take the next step toward your future.

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