WELCOME TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Dr Mlamuli Ndabambi Acting Chairperson

Environmental education has been conceived as a process of recognising the value and various concepts of the environment. This is aimed at determining the skills and approaches necessary for understanding the relationship between the biophysical and human environments. The relationship between the environment and health cannot be over emphasised.

The programme has been designed to provide broad-based education for undergraduate students in the fields of environmental science. The field covers issues related to resource use, protection and enhancement of environmental quality. Given such a background, some of the departmental and programme objectives are to produce graduates who are able to:

Provide professional advice on matters relating to the environment, environmental law and policy, public health and environmental health;
Participate and provide leadership in the formulation of appropriate early warning systems of environmental change;
Participate in environmental impact assessment and setting up of various systems such as environmental management, quality, occupational health and safety, food hygiene management and HACCP.
Pursue postgraduate studies in environmental sciences, environmental health and public health

To contribute positively in community lives enhancement through environmental protection.

We are a world class reputable institution that is internationally recognised. Our department offers standardised curricula that is recognised the world over. We are sure that if you study with us we would help you carve your career prospects and become competitive for jobs and scholarships at Global Level. Students who have successfully gone through our curricula do not find it difficult to compete for jobs and scholarships worldwide.

Some of the training and consultancy services you will be able to carry out include:

Participatory health and Hygiene Education (PHHE)
Hazard analysis Critical Control Points (HCCP)
Environmental I pact Assessments (EIAs.)
Occupational Health and Safety Systems
Environmental Management Audit
Food Hygiene Management
GIS and Remote Sensing

Our Programmes

Undergraduate

Duration:
4 Years

Minimum Credit Load:
480

Maximum Credit Load:
540

Maximum MBKS Credit load
408

ZNQF Level:
8

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For all entry pathways candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level subjects/ National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics, and a Science subject at grade C or better.

Normal Entry:
Biology and any Science subject at A level

Special Entry:
Special Entry: NC, ND, and HND

Mature Entry:

At least 25 years of age and relevant experience. The applicant may be subjected to an interview

Postgraduate

Skill level: Postgraduate (ZNQF Level 9)

Course Duration: 2 years

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

This Masters's programme is a brainchild of the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA), a membership-based organisation that is open to all the public universities of the 15 countries that make up the Southern African Development Community (SADC). SARUA was established to assist in the revitalisation and development of the leadership and institutions of higher education in the Southern African region, thus enabling the regional higher education sector to meaningfully respond to the developmental challenges facing the region.

The project follows a Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) capacity needs analysis in the SADC region that identified a gap related to climate change and development competencies at the Master’s level. Funded by the Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the project forms part of the SARUA Curriculum Innovation Network. The curriculum aims to educate and train new generations of researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers in climate change and sustainable development in the Southern African region.

The approach is innovative and regionally focused, with a strong inter/ trans-disciplinary and integrated systems framing, to enable inclusive engagement with non-academic communities from different sectors relating to climate change and sustainable development in Africa. The graduate will have a broad knowledge of the field, with the capacity to self-specialize rapidly as needed.

Objectives/Expected Outcomes

Upon completing the requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, graduates should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of climatological and sustainable development key concepts.

• Evaluate the role that climate change plays in sustainable development.

• Outline the climate change hazards, risks, and vulnerability levels.

• Develop and monitor climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of ecosystem services in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

• Apply a multi-disciplinary approach to climate change and sustainable development intervention.

• Integrate climate change into policy formulation for sustainable development.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates with an Honours Degree in Environmental Science and Health, Public Health, Development Studies, Natural Resource Management, or any other related field with at least a lower second class will normally be eligible for admission into the programme.

Special Entry

Candidates with a relevant Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) may also be eligible for admission into the programme.