Download MSc: Environmental Sciences

Postgraduate Admission requirements for the Postgraduate programmes
in the Department of Environmental Sciences
2017 intake
Department
Qualification
Contact details for the Department of
Environmental Sciences
Curriculum:
Purpose of Research Proposal Modules:
MPENV90
Application dates
Department of Environmental Sciences
MSc: Environmental Sciences (Qualification code: 98002)
Dr M Chitakira,
Postgraduate coordinator for the MSc Environmental Science program:
Tel: +27 471 3220
E-mail: [email protected]
A research proposal module (MPENV90) and a dissertation (DFENS91). Students
are required to first register and comply with the requirements for the research
proposal module before registration for the dissertation will be allowed.
The purpose of this module is for students to gain the knowledge and skills required
to execute a research project that falls within the scope of the research groups
particular to Environmental Sciences. The learner accredited with this module will be
able to:
 Identify a research problem.
 Formulate the problem, research questions and/or set appropriate hypothesis.
 Set well defined research objectives.
 Compile a literature review.
 Present a suitable methodology and data analysis for the research project.
 Identify the contribution the research will make to the Body of Knowledge.
 Draft a research proposal that addresses all of the above.
Students interested in the MSc in Environmental Science program need to apply
during the bulk application dates of Unisa.
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Admission requirements for the MPENV90
and DFENS91 modules
An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree, BTech, Postgraduate Diploma or a 480
credit Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 96 credits at NQF level 8 (or equivalent)
in Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, or Physical
Sciences or related field or related field. A student who is admitted on the strength of
an equivalent qualification and who has not completed a module in research
methodology may be required to complete such a module at NQF level 8 for nondegree purposes (NDP) before he/she will be allowed to register for the research
proposal.
International students must meet the English language requirement as provided for in
paragraph 2.1 of the Procedures for studies for Master’s and Doctoral Degrees.
In addition to the above requirements, ALL applicants must submit a 4 page concept
document (PDF) describing their intended research.
An approved selection procedure which is in line with Unisa's policies on equality and
diversity in the discipline or department will be implemented. Students, who are
awaiting Honours examination results, must still submit applications by the due date.
Applications will be considered once results become available.
Selection criteria
Students will be accepted on the following criteria:
1. A score of at least 60%.
2. Suitability and viability of the intended research as presented by the
student.
3. English writing skills as reflected in the submitted documentation.
4. The supervision capacity within the specific research group.
5. The full academic record will be evaluated and ranked (aspects that
will be taken into account with the ranking is the number of
supplementary opportunities a candidate has used to obtain the
graduate degree; the percentages obtained for other modules in the
graduate degree; the number of times a student repeated a module;
the length of time the student took to complete the graduate degree.
6. Should it be determined that more students from a specific group are
registering for the qualification, the correction of this bias will be
included in the ranking criteria for admission.
7. All students from outside the borders of South Africa will only be
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Selection procedure
Procedures for unsuccessful applications
Documents to support application
Assessment mode for MPENV90
Assessment criteria for Research
proposal
considered if their application is accompanied by the name and
curriculum vitae of a possible supervisor located in the country in
which the research is to be undertaken.
8. Due to the gender bias of the present cohort of students, preference
will be given to female applicants during the selection process.
9. Due to the racial bias of the present cohort of students, preference will
be given to South African Indian, Coloured and Black applicants,
followed by South African White applicants and lastly foreign nationals
during the selection process.
 Apply online for a student number and appropriate qualification.
 Application should reach the student admission office no later than 15
November 2016.
 The application will be forwarded to the Department of Environmental
Sciences for consideration.
 A selection committee will complete the review process of the application by
31 January 2017
 In cases where clarity is required on the application the research field/theme
leader may consider requesting an interview (telephonic or in person) with the
candidate.
 Applications of selected candidates will be submitted to the College Research
Innovation and Higher Degrees committee for final approval.
 Successful candidates will be notified by 15 February 2017 or as soon as
possible thereafter. Successful applicants must formally register by 15 March
2017.
 Candidates who were not successful may apply to the COD of the
Department for the reasons for rejection of the application.
 A further appeal may be submitted through the appropriate Unisa procedures.
A candidate is requested to provide the following documentation:
 An updated CV.
 A four page research concept document within the scope of the research
group.
 Full academic record.
The research concept document will be assessed through the use of an assessment
rubric.
The assessment is based on the vetting of each research concept document within
the Department of Environmental Sciences. The vetting committee consist of two
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appropriate internal departmental experts of which one should at least be familiar
with the field of research. The concept document is then discussed at a Departmental
Vetting committee meeting which consists of staff members who are conform to the
following criteria: senior staff members and/or may have NRF rating and/or are
supervisors or co-supervisors of students and/or have examined concept document
before and/or have been requested to do act as an external examiner for other
universities.
Assessment criteria for Concept Document for MSc in Environmental Sciences
Admission
Form2017.pdf
Final Research
Proposal Assessment criteria.doc
Mode of delivery of MPENV90
Mode of supervision for MPENV90
External supervision

Online delivery will be followed through means of study units on myUnisa,
discussion forums and the submission of two assignments on myUnisa
related to the research proposal.
 Contact sessions may be organised by the post graduate programme
coordinator for all master's students in the Department of Environmental
Sciences.
 A seminar may also be organised for the presentation of completed research
proposals which may be delivered through video conferencing or on the
Florida campus.
Supervision may be delivered in different modes depending on the requirement of the
supervisor and study design. One-on-one contact sessions may be required which
can be delivered through video conferencing for students in remote areas or through
personal visits to the supervisor.
Should the need arise to include an external supervisor the decision will be made
based on the expertise or assistance required from an external supervisor on a
particular part of the project. This will only be implemented if the internal capacity of
supervision cannot support the requirement of the research project.
Students undertaking research outside the borders of South Africa must be allocated
an external supervisor/ co-supervisor that is knowledgeable, or resides in the area in
which the research is undertaken. Students are welcome to identify possible external
supervisors, however, the selection and appointment of these external supervisors
remains the responsibility of the Department of Environmental Science.
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New intake for 2016
Motivation for intake
Appeals for master's degree admission
Enrolment plan 2017
Six (6) new students can be accommodated in the MSc Environmental Sciences
program for 2017. The number of students will be accommodated in the research
themes indicated in the columns below. The Department is not obliged to accept all
applicants that apply. Applicants will be approved on the basis of the submitted
research concept document.
The Master's in Environmental Sciences programme will select 6 students in 2017.
Appeals will only be directed to the College if the enrolment target of the particular
qualification has not been met and/or additional enrolment spaces are available.
MandD CAES
Appealsform2017.docx
Key Focus Areas for Master's Candidates in Environmental Science for 2017
MSc level capacity
Capacity for each
Possible supervisor
research project
Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology,
MSc
2
Prof M Tekere
and pollution remediation
Tel: 011 471 2270
E-mail: [email protected]
Earth observation with environmental Applications
MSc
1
Mr M Jordaan
Tel: 011 471 3222
Special focus on use of UAV`s (if possible)
E-mail: [email protected]
Characterisation of airborne particulates; dust
MSc
2
Mr MM Sebaiwa
fallout monitoring; heavy metals toxicity and their
Tel: 011 471 2655
environmental impacts.
E-mail:
[email protected]
Lichens as the indicator of pollution in Gauteng
MSc
1
Mr KW Maphangwa
Province
Tel: 011 471 2305
E-mail:
[email protected]
Focus Areas
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