Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation
Dr Mduduzi Ndlovu
Programme Description
The Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation at the University of Mpumalanga has a strong focus on the inclusion of people in conservation 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 conservationists 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 Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation.
Completion of the Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation 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 (PostGraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral studies).
The focus of the Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation will be to produce graduates with strong theoretical and applied skills in:
- research and problem solving skills to solve complex problems when employed in the nature conservation industry;
- applied and adaptive management of fauna and flora inside and outside protected areas; and
- the human-wildlife interface, and the implications thereof.
The Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation will consist of four modules, each worth 30 credits. These modules are Protected Area Management, Communities and Wildlife, Natural Resource Management and Research Methodology.
Teaching will be by contact and will include lectures, tutorials, practicals, field trips, group work and online learning. Throughout the year, there will be an emphasis on independent research, and the Programme will include at least 30 credits for research.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirements for admission are:
- A Diploma in Nature Conservation (or equivalent) at NQF level 6 with a minimum of 60% for major subjects.
Students who have completed a 360 credit Diploma in an appropriate field such as conservation will be considered for this Programme.
Students will be considered on a monthly basis and students who meet or exceed the minimum entrance requirements will be offered places
.
Duration
The Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation is at exit level 7 on the HEQSF, with a requirement of 120 credits as a minimum. The Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation is offered over 1 year.
Module Structure of the Programme
Module |
Code |
Semester |
Credits |
Protected Area Management |
PAM401 |
1 |
30 |
Communities and Wildlife |
CON401 |
1 |
30 |
Resource Management |
REM402 |
2 |
30 |
Research Methodology |
RMY402 |
1 and 2 |
30 |
Articulation:
Students will be able to articulate horizontally and diagonally between this Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation, and our BSc (Honours) and BSc (Agriculture). Graduates from the Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation will be able to continue into Postgraduate Diploma programmes in any of the subjects in which they will have majored.
Enquiries
Dr Mduduzi Ndlovu
Programme Leader: Diploma in Nature Conservation and Advanced Diploma in Nature Conservation
mduduzi.ndlovu@ump.ac.za
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