​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Masters (coursework-based)​​

Coursework Masters’ Degree (Magister Scientiae) / Short Courses

Programme in Rivers and Wetlands
Presented by the Department of Zoology,
University of Johannesburg (UJ)

Course Aim

To provide training at a professional scientific level that qualifies candidates on a nationally and internationally recognised expertise level in managing riverine and wetland ecosystems.

Objectives

• Enable in-service training of civil servants at various levels (single module certificates to a Masters degree) in managing riverine and wetland ecosystems.
• Raise awareness of the value of all wetland types and rivers.
• Ensure an understanding of the complexity of the interaction between increasing capacity to manage the diverse aquatic ecosystem types.
• Ensure that managers have an understanding of impacts and the rehabilitation of wetlands and river ecosystems.

Study Options

UJ offers a flexible suite of advanced study options:

• Accredited (SAQA) individual modules and short courses, which are credit-baring towards the MSc.
• A two year full-time or three-year part-time Master of Science programme encompassing coursework modules and a research project.

Entrance Requirements:

Short courses (note: successful completion of short courses does not automatically lead to entrance to the Masters Programme).

• A Bachelor’s degree or diploma (on NQF level 8) in an appropriate relevant field or appropriate work experience in aquatic ecosystems.

Coursework MSc (note: UJ entrance requirements for admission to the Masters programme).

• A BSc Hons or equivalent 4-year degree in a biological science field (NQF level 8), or equivalent qualifications in environmental sciences for cross-disciplinary studies.
• Candidates lacking an adequate ecological foundation may be required to complete additional modules as co-requisites during a preliminary year (2-year programme).

Short Course and Module Content

Study Unit 1: Functional freshwater and wetland ecology
The aim of this course is to provide students with the relevant background information of different wetland and river types found in South Africa and the intricate interactions between the various components of these ecosystems. This will provide them with the necessary skills to engage in research and management in these ecosystems.

Study Unit 2: Water quality and pollution
The aim of this course is to provide students with the relevant background information on water quality and pollution to evaluate the consequences that the various water users have on the environment, to support measures aimed at controlling water-related diseases, and to protect ecosystems.

Study Unit 3: Monitoring of wetlands and rivers
This course is aimed at providing the students with the knowledge and skills to plan and conduct monitoring and biomonitoring surveys in rivers and wetlands as well as enabling them to interpret the results of biomonitoring surveys.

Study Unit 4: Estuaries and the near-shore marine environment
The aim of this course is to provide the student the relevant background information on the function and structure of estuaries and the near-shore marine environment and to demonstrate the intricate interactions between the various components of freshwater and the near shore marine environment with the focus on estuaries.

Study Unit 5: Legislative aspects related to rivers and wetlands
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the different environmental laws, which may have an influence on the use and management of rivers and wetlands. This includes international conventions, common law and other important legislative developments that will impact on water resource management.

Study Unit 6: Wetland and river management
The aim of this course is to give the learner the relevant background information on policy, strategy, and management instruments that will facilitate the management of riverine and wetland resources.

Study unit 7: Wetland and river remediation and rehabilitation
The aim of this course is to provide students with the necessary information to identify factors affecting river and wetland functioning and the strategies involved in remediating these factors and rehabilitation of the systems.

Study Unit 8: Research Project
The research project will require the completion of a project management phase (including project proposal, project budget and development of the research proposal (presentation to the higher degree committee). For the two-year full-time and three year part-time degree, data gathering, analysis and write-up must be completed within the specified registration period. Research projects are encouraged within the fields of expertise of the candidate.

Costs

Short course modules (study units 1 and 4)
Registration, tuition and certification costs for individual 5-day short course modules: R3000 per module. Module costs exclude accommodation, meals and travel.

Masters Programme (module 8)
Refer to the Faculty of Science.

Venue

Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Campus. Various other venues will also be utilised for certain modules. This will be indicated closer to the relevant module date.

Dates

• Study Unit 1: Functional freshwater and wetland ecology. (UJ, APK Campus)
• Study Unit 2: Water quality and pollution. (UJ, APK Campus)
• Study Unit 3: Monitoring of wetlands and rivers. (UJ, APK Campus)
• Study Unit 4: Estuaries and the near-shore marine environment. (Garden Route National Park, Eastern Cape)
• Study Unit 5: Legislative aspects related to rivers and wetlands. (UJ, APK Campus)
• Study Unit 6: Wetland and river management. (UJ, APK Campus)
• Study Unit 7: Wetland and river remediation and rehabilitation. (UJ, APK Campus)

Further Information

Only 20 participants will be accepted for the short courses. For more information please email Prof R Greenfield at rgreenfield@uj.ac.za.