The full-time multi-disciplinary programme on George Campus follows the BSc degree or Advanced Diploma in Forestry, Agriculture, Conservation or Environmental Studies, as well Wood Technology, Zoology, Botany, Game Ranch Management, Geography, or an equivalent qualification.
The flagship module is the Principles of Sustainability module, focusing on the inter-relatedness of social, economic and biophysical systems .
Students from different disciplines can learn in one classroom about sustainability issues and solutions and specialise in one of four disciplines, namely Forestry, Agriculture, Conservation or Socio-ecology.
Socio-ecology is a relatively new and multi-disciplinary field on its own and is a crucial aspect of addressing sustainability problems. The teaching is enriched by several field excursions and guest lectures from practitioners and experts in sustainability.
The programme is ideal for students with a wide interest in sustainability, ecology, conservation, forestry management, sustainable agriculture, socio-ecology and human-nature relationships, says Dr Coetzee Lecturer in Nature Conservation on Mandela University’s George Campus.
For funding, students can apply for the University’s Postgraduate Research Scholarship (PGRS).
The need for sustainability scientists and managers is increasing in different sectors, including Forestry, Agriculture and Conservation, Business, Government and Education. Students would also be able to pursue a career in research after further postgraduate studies. Master’s and doctoral degree opportunities are available on both George and Gqeberha campuses.
The honours programme is presented on the University’s George Campus, which borders one of South Africa’s largest indigenous forests and is in close range of six different biomes.
The southern Cape is a hub for agricultural activities (growing in the area) and forestry and is ideally placed for studying sustainability aspects in these different industries .
The multi-disciplinarity of the programme is quite unique, where students are exposed to multiple perspectives and the interconnectedness of different industries and issues.
Each student will complete a research project during the Honours course, which can be field, or lab based. Students that are accepted into the course, can contact the lecturers directly to discuss research projects.
The research expertise in the School of Natural Resource Science and Management includes wildlife ecology, plant conservation, veld rehabilitation, equitable resource access, forestry hydrology, silviculture, forestry engineering, fire management, agricultural entrepreneurship, and management.
Online applications are open for this programme.
More details appear on the webpages: conservation.mandela.ac.za and snrm.mandela.ac.za