Faculty of Science

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

M.SC. BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (11MSCB)
(In Collaboration with Humboldt)

DEPARTMENTAL REGULATIONS

All the courses will be taught on a block basis- the duration of each course is indicated in the course contents. Other regulations and guidelines governing the Master programme remain the same as per section of the general prospectus. Subject to the provisions of the Regulations for Postgraduate courses of study of the University of Namibia, the following Departmental Regulations shall apply. The programme is based on a pool of taught courses, internship and the completion of a Master thesis/dissertation.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The M.Sc. Biodiversity Management & Research degree is internationally exposed. Admission requirements may be granted to those who hold a first university degree (e.g. Bachelor, Magister or German Diploma) in a relevant discipline (e.g. Biology, Geography, Ecology, Agronomy). Applications from non-academic persons can also be taken into account , if a professional career in a subject relevant to the objectives of the Masters Course can be verified (certificate only). In case of international degrees, the approved equivalence agreements of the conferences by the minister of education and arts, and by the rectors of universities have to be considered. The adjudication behooves to the committee of admission and examination. For students whose first language is not English, an evidence of proficiency in English is required.

DURATION OF STUDY

The M.Sc. Biodiversity Management & Research degree will be offered in a 2-years rhythm in January, at the beginning of the Namibian academic year. The first year consists of coursework while the second year will offer coursework and internship during the first semester. The research for the Dissertation and its write up will take place throughout the second year.

CURRICULUM COMPILATION

The curriculum for the MSc Biodiversity Management & Research consists of coursework, internship and the writing of a research thesis. Refer to the Regulations for Postgraduate Courses of study in the General Information & Regulations Prospectus.

Year 1

SEMESTER	MODULE NAME	CODE	PRE_REQUISITE	Compulsory/Elective
1	Biostatistics, Scientific Presentation & Publication	SEBM 5911	Admission requirements	Compulsory
1	Academic Writing for Post Graduate Students	UAE5819	Must be a registered postgraduate student	Compulsory
1	Assessing Biodiversity	SEBM5931	Admission requirements	Compulsory
1	Evolution of Biodiversity	SEBB 5911	Admission requirements	Compulsory
1	Applied Biogeography	SEBB 5931	Admission requirements	Compulsory
1	Integrated Land use and Water Resources Management	SEBL5911	Admission requirements	Compulsory
2	Natural Resource Economics and Management	SEBL5912	Provide a list of requirements or courses that should first be completed before this one.	Compulsory
2	Environmental law	SEBL 5932	Admission requirements	Compulsory
2	GIS and Remote sensing	SEBL5952	Admission requirements	Elective
2	Management of Natural History Collections	SEBM 5912	Admission requirements	Elective
2	Functional Biodiversity of Arid and Semiarid ecosystems	SEBF 5912	Admission requirements	Elective
2	Functional Biodiversity of woodland and forest Ecosystem	SEBF5932	Admission requirements	Elective
2	Functional Biodiversity of Marine Ecosystems	SEBF5952	Admission requirements	Elective
2	Functional Biodiversity of Freshwater Ecosystems	SEBF 5972	Admission requirements	Elective

Year 2

SEMESTER	MODULE NAME	CODE	PRE_REQUISITES	Compulsory/Elective
1	Internship	SEBL 5902	Student must pass all year modules and register for thesis	Compulsory
1 & 2	Thesis	SEBL5900	Student must pass all year 1 modules	Compulsory

EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

All module examinations will be carried out after each module. Examinations will be subject to external assessment. The Admission & Examinations Committee will decide on admission to the module examinations. In addition to module-specific regulations, attendance of at least 80% in a particular module is a requirement for examination admission. Students must pass all modules for them to proceed to the master thesis. A mixture of assessment modes will be used: written, oral or practical examinations, reports and presentations.

FORMAT AND EVALUATION OF DISSERTATION WORK

Before a candidate can proceed to the thesis, he/she must first successfully complete the coursework examinations. Each student will submit a Master Thesis/Dissertation during the second year. The thesis must be drafted in English language. The processing time of the Master thesis comprises six months including data survey. The thesis must be in a format given by the Coordinators. The thesis will be evaluated by the supervisor and another examiner within one month after submission. The UNAM grading system will be used for the evaluation. Each student will defend the thesis in a viva voce examination.

PRACTICALS AND INTERNSHIP

Attendance of practical classes, field trips and internship is compulsory.