Bachelor of Science Degree




Prof Taro Mwabvu

Programme Description

The BSc at the University of Mpumalanga has a strong biological and geographical focus and has been carefully designed to provide very clear career paths for students. Mpumalanga, and South Africa more broadly, are characterised by competing and often conflicting demands for land for agriculture and forestry, for conservation and tourism, for mining, and for human settlement. Thus, the new generation of natural and geographical scientists must be able to work in this contested space and understand the genuine demands from all the players. This is a key aim of the BSc qualification.  

Completion of the BSc will provide an important opportunity for progression for those students who wish to continue with their studies at the University of Mpumalanga. It will also provide a route into further postgraduate studies (Honours, Masters and Doctoral studies).  

The underlying objective of the BSc programme is to enhance and facilitate creativity and promote critical thinking in the natural and geographical sciences. 

The focus of this BSc qualification will be in the biological, earth and environmental sciences. In first year, all students will take a fixed curriculum in which they do a full year of biology and earth and geographical sciences, and a semester of integrative environmental science. These modules will be supported by a semester of chemistry, a semester of end user computing and a semester of mathematics. 

In second year, there will be separate, year-long, modules in ecology (animal and plant), environmental science, geography (including GIS), entomology and integrated water studies. Students will select three of these. 

In third year, the same elective modules will be offered but at qualification level 7. Students will select two of the three modules taken in second year, which will be their major subjects. All combinations will be possible and will prepare students for further studies, or employment in a wide range of fields.  

Teaching will be by contact and will include lectures, tutorials, practicals, field trips, group work and online learning. Throughout the three years, there will be an emphasis on independent research, and third year will include 30 credits (15 per major subject) for research. 

 

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission are: 
NSC 
  • Admission point score of 30.  
  • Minimum NSC requirements for degree entry must be met.
  • English (Home Language or First Additional Language on at least NSC level 4 (5059%).
  • Mathematics on minimum NSC level 4 or Mathematics literacy on minimum NSC level 6.
  • A minimum of NSC level 4 for two of Life Science, Physical Science or Geography. 

South African students who have written under another Examination Board and International students must have similar scores for the same or similar subjects to be considered.  

Students who have completed a 360 credit Diploma in an appropriate field such as conservation will be considered for this degree.  

Students will be considered on a monthly basis and students who meet or exceed the minimum entrance requirements will be offered places. 
 

Duration

The BSc Programme is at exit level 7 on the HEQSF, with a requirement of 360 credits as a minimum. The BSc programme is offered over 3 years (120 credits per year x 3 years = 360 credits).
 

Module Structure of the Program

Module Code Semester Compulsory Credits Pre-requisites
YEAR 1
Biology 101 BIO101 1 No 15 -
Geography 101 GOG101 1 No 15 -
Chemistry 101 CHEM101 1 Yes 15 -
Environmental Science 101 ENV101 1 No 15 -
Geology 101 GLG101 1 No 15 -
           
Biology 102 BIO102 2 No 15 -
Biology 112 BIO112 2 No 15 -
Geography 102 GOG102 2 No 15 -
End User Computing CSC1C2 2 Yes 15 -
Mathematics for Life Science 102 MLS102 2 Yes 15 -
Geology 102 GLG102 2 No 15 -
YEAR 2
Entomology 201 ENT201 1 No 20 BIO101, 102 & 112
Ecology 201 ECL201 1 No 20 BIO101, 102 & 112
Geography 201 GOG201 1 No 20 GOG101
Water Management 201 WMG201 1 No 20 -
Environmental Science 201 ENV201 1 No 20 ENV101
Geology 201 GLG201 1 No 20 GLG101 & 102
           
Entomology 202 ENT202 2 No 20 BIO101, 102 & 112
Ecology 202 ECL202 2 No 20 BIO101, 102 & 112
Geography 202 GOG202 2 No 20 GOG102
Water Management 202 WMG202 2 No 20 -
Environmental Science 202 ENV202 2 No 20 ENV101
Geology 202 GLG202 2 No 20 GLG101 & 102
YEAR 3
Agricultural Entomology 301 ENT301 1 No 30 ENT201 & 202
Advanced Ecology 301 ECL301 1 No 30 ECL201 & 202
Geography 301 GOG301 1 No 30 GOG201
Geology 301 GLG301 1 No 30 GLG201 & 202
Water Management 301 WMG301 1 No 30 WMG201 & 202
Environmental Science 301 ENV301 1 No 30 ENV201 & 202
           
Agricultural Entomology 302 ENT302 2 No 30 ENT201 & 202
Advanced Ecology 302 ECL302 2 No 30 ECL201 & 202
Geography 302 GOG302 2 No 30 GOG202
Geology 302 GLG302 2 No 30 GLG201 & 202
Water Management 302 WMG302 2 No 30 WMG201 & 202
Environmental Science 302 ENV302 2 No 30 ENV201 & 202






























Articulation:       

Students will be able to articulate horizontally and diagonally between this general BSc, the BSc (Agriculture) and BSc (Environmental Science). Graduates from the BSc will be able to continue into Honours programmes in any of the subjects in which they will have majored.  
 

Enquires

Professor Taro Mwabvu 
Programme Leader: Bachelor of Science Degree  
tarombera.mwabvu@ump.ac.za

 



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