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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Forestry and Wood Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90534  Postgraduate Diploma: Forestry and Wood Science 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Graduates will gain advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of forestry science and can apply and communicate forestry principles and concepts effectively. They will understand, evaluate and review new information critically; engage in rigorous intellectual analysis, criticism and problem solving, work independently, carry out research, communicate concepts, results and conclusions effectively. Completion of this Degree can lead to professional employment or the possibility of enrolling in the Master of Forest Science. This Diploma will inform learners with a limited foundation in Forestry and Wood Science, to enable them to focus on aspects of the forestry value chain and prepare them for future Postgraduate studies in Forestry and Wood Products Science.

Rationale:
The Postgraduate Diploma: Forestry and Wood Science seeks to empower individuals within the sector. There is clearly no one way to facilitate change in agricultural practices. Individuals with qualification(s) in Agriculture need to keep up-to date with the latest innovations. The qualification seeks to address application and transfer of knowledge and technologies to the sector and to provide learners with personal, academic and career experiences essential for success in the field. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The learner should:
  • Be able to read and critically evaluate academic texts in English and communicate information and own ideas orally and in written text that is grammatically correct, well structured, clear and concise, using accepted standards of scientific and academic writing at NQF Level 7.
  • Be competent in the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding developed in learning at NQF Level 7.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL is applied for learners who do not have formal academic achievement to gain access to a particular qualification. Proven expertise and competency will be considered. Candidates may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualification or study concerned.

    Access to the Qualification:
    The learner should be in possession of either a:
  • Three year Bachelor's Degree.
  • Bachelor of Technology Degree or equivalent qualification.
  • Non-standard access may be obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of core and elective modules at NQF Level 8, worth a total of 120 Credits:

    Select either Forest Science or Wood Product Science as your focus area.
  • Forest Science Project, 24 Credits.
    Or
  • Wood Product Science Project, 24 Credits.

    Elective modules:
    i. Select four 16-credit modules pertaining to your Core focus area (64 credits).
    ii. Select one 32-credit module from the other focus area.
  • Forest Science: Sustainable land use planning, 16 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Bioenergy systems, 16 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Energy production from wood and other biomass, 16 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Geo-information science for resource managers, 16 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Silviculture, 32 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Timber harvesting and transport logistics, 32 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Forest inventory and yield prediction, 32 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Forest management, 32 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Forest propagation and tree improvement, 32 Credits.
  • Forest Science: Forestry development, 32 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Wood products manufacturing I, 16 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Design and construction of wooden products, 16 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Wood products manufacturing II, 16 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Industrial wood finishing, 16 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Wood based construction, 16 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Wood quality factors, 32 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Primary wood processing, 32 Credits.
  • Wood Production Science: Mechanical properties of timber and bioenergy, 16 Credits.
    Total: 120 credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand and critically analyse the field of timber harvesting and the related logistics function crucial in commercial plantation forestry, natural forest and woodlands in order to enhance the rationale and sustainable selection, application and control of forest operations at both a national and international level.
    2. Apply modern landscape assessment techniques for better planning of land use changes with emphasis on African conditions.
    3. Understand and analyse the value chain of a primary wood manufacturing operation such as sawmill, pole producer or mining timber manufacturer.
    4. Analyse the major economic forces and natural resource policy issues that impact on forestry and wood production locally and internationally.
    5. Conduct research within the context of either forestry or wood production, including consideration of interdisciplinary aspects.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    This qualification enables the further development of the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A comprehensive, systematic and integrated knowledge of forest mensuration methods is explained.
  • An understanding of a range of forest inventory methods/techniques and an ability to select these appropriately to plan, set up and implement a forest inventory and to evaluate the outcomes in an auditing process in commercial plantations are demonstrated.
  • The implications and modifications of an inventory in natural forests are identified.
  • Independent evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative forest growth and yield data, is engaged with and current research in this scientific field is evaluated and analysed.
  • A coherent and critical understanding of the principles, scope, theories and epistemologies of forest growth and yield science is illustrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Land use patterns are assessed in order to balance different land use requirements.
  • The context, history and development of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in natural resource management are explained.
  • The skill to apply GIS and RS as tools for the management and analysis of spatial data is used.
  • Specific spatial problem within the field of study are solved using GIS and RS independently.
  • Successful plantation establishment or regeneration projects are planned and conducted.
  • Sustainable productivity in silviculture is ensured and effectively managed.
  • Pro-active and re-active measures that can be used to manage fire, climatic, biological and other risks are implemented.
  • Both the yield and the impact of the process on the environment are analysed and quantified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Key innovations in furniture construction are identified and their impacts on products and manufacturing methods described.
  • The stresses and deformations present in a wood based construction under loading are evaluated.
  • Overviews of the management of the environmental aspects involved in a wood preservation operation are provided.
  • The mechanical properties of structural timber and the factors affecting the use of timber in structures are evaluated.
  • The thermal and electrical properties of wood, which play a role in wood-water relations during the kiln drying process, are explained.
  • All the documents that are necessary for efficiently manufacturing wooden products are compiled.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The impact of policy issues on commercial plantation forestry, indigenous forests and wood production is explained.
  • Local forestry industry and wood production practices are compared with international practice.
  • The silvicultural operations that can improve stand and timber quality are assessed and implemented.
  • Genetic tree improvement and the use of advanced propagation techniques are explained.
  • Different forest ecosystem functions and the effect of various interventions on the sustainable management of natural resources and the production of wood are understood and identified.
  • Agroforestry systems in the context of natural resources as a means of livelihoods in the rural communities are analysed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Sound research techniques, identification of research problems, formulation of hypotheses, objectives and methodologies are implemented.
  • Information is gathered, analysed, conclusions drawn and recommendations made.
  • The importance of participation in teamwork is observed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Students will be expected to complete at least four evaluation opportunities per semester module. This will consist of a combination of tests and assignments. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom offers a Postgraduate Taught Programme: Forestry. The qualification modules serve the interests of professional foresters wanting to upgrade their knowledge in the fields of forest management planning, tropical forestry and environmental issues, or the interests of graduates wishing to obtain a broad introduction to forestry.
    Modules:
  • Silviculture.
  • Applied Forest Ecology.
  • Forest Measurement and Monitoring.
  • Wood: Properties to Products.
  • Biology of Forest Health.
  • Trees and the Urban Environment.
  • Forest Resource Management.
  • Plant Ecology.
  • Ecosystem Processes.
  • Global Soil Geography.
  • Conservation in Practice.
  • Special Topics in Forestry.
  • European Forestry Field Course.
  • Introduction to GIS.
  • Advanced Spatial Analysis.
  • Research Skills for Environmental Sciences.
  • Experimental Design and Statistics.
  • Statistics for Complex Designs.
  • Research Project Planning.
  • Ecology and Society.
  • Foundations of Environmental Governance.
  • Biology and Ecology of Mycorrhizas.
  • Climate Change.

    The University of Canterbury in New Zealand also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry.
    Modules:
  • Community Forestry.
  • Forest Health.
  • Advanced Biometry.
  • Forest Transport.
  • Forest Harvesting.
  • Advanced wood-based composites.
  • Research Methods.
  • Farm Forestry.
  • Marketing.
  • Processing.
  • Tree Physiology.
  • Restoration Ecology.
  • Natural Forest Silviculture.
  • Plantation Silviculture.
  • Plantation Forest Management.
  • Information Technology Applications in Forest and Natural Resource Management.
  • Forest Tree Breeding and Genetics.
  • Pest Management and Biological Security.

    Conclusion:
    The two qualifications compare favourably with the Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry and Wood Science. Both qualifications consist of modules that cover forest ecology and silviculture, forest planning and management, forest conservation, forest pathology, urban forestry and environmental governance. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification articulates horizontally with a Bachelor of Science Honours: Agriculture at NQF Level 8.
    Vertically, the qualification may articulate with a Master of Science: Agriculture at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Course content, assignments and tests (test papers and test scripts) will be subjected to internal and external moderation as in the case of all other programmes.
  • External moderators are selected based on their expertise in the particular field of study, covered by the module. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Any assessor must be a recognised expert in their discipline or sub-field with qualifications in the relevant discipline at a higher NQF Level than that of the modules being assessed. The assessor should be currently teaching or have 3 years' experience of teaching in Higher and Education and Training, or be recognised by academic peers as an authority in the particular discipline. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Stellenbosch University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.