Masters Programme

The Masters Degree Programme in Sustainable Development Planning and Management (consisting of a course work BPhil degree plus a research-based MPhil degree) is delivered in partnership with the School of Public Management and Planning, University of Stellenbosch.

 2010 Prospectus - Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development Planning & Management (551.82 kB)

Aims

 This structured transdisciplinary programme, with four available specialisations/options, has been jointly designed and developed by the School of Public Management and Planning (www.sopmp.sun.ac.za) and the Sustainability Institute (www.sustainabilityinstitute.net).

The main aim of this taught, multi-disciplinary programme is to provide participants with an understanding and practical experience of the wide ranging contextual, conceptual and thematic issues involved in the planning, management and practice of sustainable development throughout the world. As the various global social and environmental crises deepen, a new generation is rising up into leadership positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors that are required to possess a broad trans-disciplinary understanding of the various dimensions of these crises and related solutions. This programme aims to equip these people with the knowledge, experience and skills they will need if they are to grow and develop within this new field of career development. This will be done by combining the following:
• a set of 8 core modules that will be taught from an international perspective by leading experts in their fields, followed by either a long Integrated Thesis (with optional variations) or a shorter Integrated “Mini-Thesis” (with optional variations) plus electives (see details below);
• a teaching methodology that combines formal teaching, case methods, facilitated discussion learning, and self-managed learning in a way that allows each participant to shape their own study focus;
• a residential living and learning context that is rooted in a functioning sustainably built and operated community that provides participants with opportunities for direct experiences of sustainable development work in the farming, construction, and educational sectors that will complement their respective learning programmes.

This programme of study comprises the following:

• BPhil in Sustainable Development Planning and Management (one year – full-time* or two years part-time*), which is a 120 credit Honours-level degree which comprises a compulsory four-day orientation/induction and the eight core modules (that will be selected from the eighteen core modules that are available). BPhil graduates will have an automatic right to apply for registration for the MPhil.
• MPhil in Sustainable Development Planning and Management (one year – full-time or two years part-time), worth 120 credits which comprises the following:
•  A research component (an academic thesis or various options including a Project Proposal or Academic Journal articles – more details below)
•  Research Methodology Course (5 days)
•  Electives (more details below)

All students are required to complete the BPhil before starting the MPhil.  No student will be allowed direct entry into the MPhil without having completed the BPhil. No other degree will be recognized as an entry requirement to the MPhil.

*Part-time:  This means that a student may complete 8 modules over two-years (e.g. 4 modules in the first year of registration and 4 modules in the second year of registration).

*Fulltime: This means a student has to complete all 8 modules within 1 year. 

NB: Fulltime and part-time students must attend the full week (Monday – Saturday) of classes at the Sustainability Institute (R310, Lynedoch Road) in Lynedoch, for each of the modules they choose. No distance education options are available.

The BPhil degree has a foundation module (Sustainable Development) that everyone must complete, plus four clusters of modules known as Specialisations. These Specialisations are as follows:

•  Sustainable Development: foundation module plus any combination of 7 modules
•  Sustainable Development Planning: foundation module, 4 Core Modules from the development planning Specialisation, plus any 3 additional Core Modules
•  Renewable and Sustainable Energy: foundation module, 3 additional specified Core Modules delivered by the School of Public Management and Planning, plus 4 Core Modules from the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialisation, some which are delivered by the Engineering and Forestry faculties.
•  Managing Sustainable Agriculture for Development: foundation module, plus 5 compulsory Core modules and 2 core modules selected from any of the specializations.

Students will graduate with two separate degrees which can be separately reflected, namely a BPhil Sustainable Development Planning and Management, and an MPhil: Sustainable Development Planning and Management. The BPhil is ideal for students who are only interested in the modules and have no interest in research. Students who complete the modules but want to complete the research component a few years later can exit with an Honours-level degree and then register for the MPhil whenever it suits them. Because the MPhil degree is defined as a research-based MPhil it is more highly rated in the national higher education system than a two year course work MPhil. In other words, not only do students graduate with two degrees from this Programme, they also get a highly rated research-based Master’s degree from the University of Stellenbosch which is one of South Africa’s leading research Universities

Entry Requirements

 Admission Requirements for the BPhil: Candidates may submit written applications to enter this taught BPhil Programme if they are in possession of one of the following qualifications:
• Any bachelor's or BTech degree or a relevant four-year diploma with a 60% pass mark in one of the following major subjects: Town and Regional Planning, Housing, Geography and Environmental Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Public and Development Management, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Forestry, Ecology/Nature Conservation, Mathematics, Statistics, Agricultural Economics, Transport Economics, Forestry, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land Surveying or any other major approved by the Programme Committee. Relevant work experience may be considered for admission.
• Any three year diploma with at least five years relevant work experience and conformity with the University’s RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) policy. According to this policy, the equivalent of 120 credits NQF level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) must be offered in one or more of the following ways, subject to the decision of the Programme Committee, which consists of the Director of the School of Public Management and Planning, the Programme Coordinator and other relevant persons:
• Completion with a total 65% mark of at least three modules from the BPhil curriculum
• Recognition of all the professional short , in-service training courses and completed subjects for another degree or diploma programme
• Submission of a learning portfolio, with copies of written work
• Passing of an entrance examination if so required by the Programme Coordinator

Admission requirements for the MPhil: Candidates may submit written application to enter this Programme if they comply with the following:
• BPhil in Sustainable Development Planning and Management or have passed 8 core modules form the above mentioned BPhil degree, but have not yet graduated
• Preference will be given to applicants who have obtained an average of 65% or higher for the BPhil degree; AND
• A completed Research Proposal and Attendance of the compulsory Research Workshop

If a candidate has obtained a Merit Certificate for one or more individual modules that were completed for non-degree purposes, the candidate may apply for these Certificates to be converted into credits towards the degree. The Programme Coordinator has sole discretion over whether or not to grant this request. S/he will take into account the performance of the candidate and the time that may have lapsed between the completion of the Certificate and the application to register for the degree.

Application and Selection
• Applications closing date for 2010 is 30 September 2009.
• Late applications will be accepted and considered until 15 November 2009.  No applications received after this date will be considered. 
• The normal entry requirements for postgraduate study at the University of Stellenbosch apply. Selection will take place in October after which successful candidates will be informed and will be required to confirm acceptance in writing by end of October /mid-November. The criteria for selection include academic excellence, graduate course profile, experience, demographic representivity, and career commitment in the broad field of sustainable development.

Composition of Programme for 2010

The programme is presented formally during the scheduled contact sessions, with assignments completed during the interim periods between blocks. The 4-day Orientation/Induction is compulsory for all BPhil students. The blocked sessions will be scheduled in the following way:

Compulsory 4-day Orientation/Induction (26 – 29 January 2010)
*Sustainable Development I  (1 – 6 February 2010)
Introduction to Development Planning  (22 – 27 February 2010)
Sustainable Development II (22 – 27 February 2010)
Complexity Theory and Systems Thinking  (15 – 20 March 2010)
Leadership and Environmental Ethics  (22 – 27 March 2010)
Food Security and Globalised Agriculture  (12 – 17 April 2010)
Development Planning Theory and Practice  (12 – 17 April 2010)
Systems & Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture  (19 – 24 April 2010)
Development Planning Systems, Policy and Law  (19 – 24 April 2010)
Sustainable Cities  (3 – 8 May 2010)
Ecological Design for Community Building  (10 – 15 May 2010)
Policy & Legal Framework for Rural Development in the Agricultural Sector  (17 – 22 May 2010)
Governance, Globalisation and Civil Society  (7 – 12 June 2010)
Applied Economics  (19 – 24 July 2010)
Renewable Energy Policy and Financing  (19 – 24 July 2010)
Development Planning and Environmental Analysis  (26 – 31 July 2010)
Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture  (26 – 31 July 2010)
Corporate Citizenship  (2 – 7 August 2010)
Managing Sustainable Agricultural Enterprises  (2 – 7 August 2010)
Energy Efficient Cities  (16 – 21 August 2010)
Renewable Energy Systems  (www.sun.ac.za/crses)
Solar Energy (PV & Thermal)  (www.sun.ac.za/crses)
Sustainable Biomass Production  (www.sun.ac.za/crses)
Wind & Hydro  (www.sun.ac.za/crses)
Bio Energy  (www.sun.ac.za/crses)
Sustainable Land Use  (www.sun.ac.za/crses)
Conventional Energy Systems  (www.sun.ac.za/crses)

*All BPhil students are compelled to attend Sustainable Development I.  Students who fail to do so will not be allowed to attend Sustainable Development II and will immediately forfeit their place on the entire programme.

The Renewable and Sustainable Energy Modules delivered in partnership with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies are Core modules for the RSE programme option but can be selected as electives by the other programme options.

Each module will as far as possible be delivered at these fixed times. This means that a course participant can mix and match his/her participation to suit each person’s practical circumstances. For example, it will be possible for someone to complete the entire course work programme for the BPhil (full-time) in one year by attending eight core modules and completing the assignments or over 2 years (BPhil – part-time) by attending 4 core modules per year and completing the assignments. You have the choice of two options when applying for the MPhil – either the MPhil Research degree (100% thesis) to be completed in one year or the MPhil Research plus Electives (electives plus thesis) which can be completed in one year (full-time) or over 2 years (part-time) or the MPhil Research plus Electives (electives plus thesis) which can be completed in one year (full-time) or over 2 years (part-time). As far as sequencing is concerned, the only course requirement is that all participants must do the Foundation Module Sustainable Development before they enrol for any other Module. No sequencing is applicable to any of the other sustainable development core modules. This will allow for the maximum possible flexibility for course participants.

It is recommended that participants who want to enrol for all the planning core modules follow the Foundation Module: Sustainable Development with the planning modules in the following order: namely first Development Planning Theory and Practice; followed consecutively by Development Planning Systems, Policy and Law; Development Planning and Environmental Analysis; and Applied Economics. However, it is not compulsory to follow this order.
For the programme to be financially viable, a minimum number of 15 participants are required for each module. The preferred class size is 30 participants, but this may expand to as much as 45 for certain modules.

BPhil Curriculum

The BPhil Curriculum comprises eight (8) Core Modules each worth fifteen (15) credits. The eight Core Modules must be selected as follows:

The Foundation Module, Sustainable Development, and a 4-day Orientation/Induction is compulsory and must be completed before participation in any of the other modules will be authorised.

Programme Option 1 - Sustainable Development

Students who require a general transdisciplinary understanding of global trends in sustainability thinking and sustainable development in particular are encouraged to select this option. These students must select 8 modules from the following options:

Compulsory module
 Foundation Module: Sustainable Development (15 credits)

The remaining seven modules must be selected from the following Core Modules and Energy-related modules:
 Applied Economics (15 credits)
 Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
 Complexity Theory and Systems Thinking (15 credits)
 Corporate Citizenship (15 credits)
 Development Planning and Environmental Analysis (15 credits)
 Development Planning Systems, Law and Policy (15 credits)
 Development Planning Theory and Practice (15 credits)
 Ecological Design for Community Building (15 credits)
 Energy Efficient Cities (15 credits)
 Governance, Globalisation and Civil Society (15 credits)
 Leadership and Ethics (15 credits)
 Policy and Legal Framework for Rural Development and the Agricultural Sector (15 credits)
 Renewable Energy Policy (15 credits)
 Sustainable Cities (15 credits)
 Systems and Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture I (15 credits)
 Systems and Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture II (15 credits)
 Managing Sustainable Agricultural Enterprises

A maximum of two modules can be selected from the following list of energy-related modules:
 Bio-Energy
 Sustainable Land Use Planning
 Sustainable Biomass Production
 Solar Energy (PV and Thermal)
 Wind and Hydro Energy

Programme Option 2 - Development Planning

Students who intend practicing in the applied disciplinary field of development planning and the allied built environment sphere, in South Africa or elsewhere, are advised to select this programme option. Students are required to complete certain compulsory modules, and to select additional modules from the list of core modules (8 modules in total).
Compulsory modules
 Foundation Module: Sustainable Development (15 credits)
 Applied Economics (15 credits)
 Development Planning & Environmental Analysis (15 credits)
 Development Planning Systems, Law and Policy (15 credits)
 Development Planning Theory and Practice (15 credits)

The remaining three modules must be selected from the following Core Modules and Energy-related modules:

Choice of Core Modules:
 Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
 Complexity Theory and Systems Thinking (15 credits)
 Ecological Design for Community Building (15 credits)
 Energy Efficient Cities (15 credits)
 Leadership and Ethics (15 credits)
 Policy and Legal Framework for Rural Development and the Agricultural Sector (15 credits)
 Renewable Energy Policy (15 credits)
 Sustainable Cities (15 credits)
 Corporate Citizenship (15 credits)
 Globalisation, Governance and Civil Society (15 credits)
 Managing Sustainable Agricultural Enterprises (15 credits)
 Systems & Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture I (15 credits)
 Systems & Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture II (15 credits)

A maximum of two modules can be selected from the following list of energy-related modules:
 Bio-Energy
 Sustainable Land Use Planning
 Sustainable Biomass Production
 Solar Energy (PV and Thermal)
 Wind and Hydro Energy

Programme Option 3 - Managing Sustainable Agriculture for Development

Students who intend to become managers within the agricultural sector for the purpose of furthering the aims of sustainable development are encouraged to select this option. Students must complete the following 8 modules:
Compulsory module:
 Foundation Module: Sustainable Development (15 credits)
Compulsory Core Modules
 Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
 Managing Sustainable Agricultural Enterprises (15 credits)
 Policy & Legal Framework for Rural Development in the Agric. Sector (15 credits)
 Systems & Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture I (15 credits)
 Systems & Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture II (15 credits)

The remaining two modules must be selected from the following Core Modules and Energy-related modules:

Choice of Core Modules:
 Applied Economics (15 credits)
 Complexity Theory and Systems Thinking (15 credits)
 Corporate Citizenship (15 credits)
 Development Planning and Environmental Analysis (15 credits)
 Development Planning Systems, Law and Policy (15 credits)
 Development Planning Theory and Practice (15 credits)
 Ecological Design for Community Building (15 credits)
 Energy Efficient Cities (15 credits)
 Governance, Globalisation and Civil Society (15 credits)
 Leadership and Ethics (15 credits)
 Renewable Energy Policy (15 credits)
 Sustainable Cities (15 credits)

A maximum of two modules can be selected from the following list of energy related modules:
 Bio-Energy
 Sustainable Land Use Planning
 Sustainable Biomass Production
 Solar Energy (PV and Thermal)
 Wind and Hydro Energy

Programme Option 4 – Renewable and Sustainable Energy

This Specialisation is offered in partnership with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University (see www.crses.sun.ac.za). This Centre is a joint initiative by four Faculties of the University plus the Sustainability Institute, and the South African National Energy Research Institute (which is a subsidiary of the Government’s Central Energy Fund). The teaching programme is jointly managed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Public Management and Planning and the Sustainability Institute. All modules will take place at the Sustainability Institute or at the Engineering Faculty in the event that access to laboratories or experimental units is required. It is important to note that the Foundation Module, the Conventional Energy Systems Module plus the five modules from the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialisation (see below) are also the component modules of the Master’s in Engineering specialising in Renewable and Sustainable Energy delivered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This means that students who enrol for the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialisation in the BPhil/MPhil programme will be studying together with engineering students registered for the MEng degree. This will create a challenging learning environment that will prepare people for working across disciplines which is what will be required for those who pursue careers in the sustainable energy field. After completing the BPhil, the research component for the MPhil will need to have a renewable and sustainable energy focus.

Compulsory Modules:
 Foundation Module: Sustainable Development (15 credits)
 Ecological Design for Community Building (15 credits)
 Energy Efficient Cities
 Renewable Energy Systems (15 credits)
 Renewable Energy Policy & Financing (15 credits)

The remaining three modules must be selected from the following Core modules and Energy-related modules:
 
A maximum of two modules can be selected from the following list of energy related modules:
 Bio-Energy
 Conventional Energy Systems
 Sustainable Land Use Planning
 Sustainable Biomass Production
 Solar Energy (PV and Thermal)
 Wind and Hydro Energy

A maximum of three modules can be selected from the following list of Core Modules:
 Applied Economics (15 credits)
 Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
 Complexity Theory and Systems Thinking (15 credits)
 Corporate Citizenship (15 credits)
 Development Planning and Environmental Analysis (15 credits)
 Development Planning Systems, Law and Policy (15 credits)
 Development Planning Theory and Practice (15 credits)
 Governance, Globalisation and Civil Society (15 credits)
 Leadership and Ethics (15 credits)
 Managing Sustainable Agricultural Enterprises
 Policy and Legal Framework for Rural Development and the Agricultural Sector (15 credits)
 Sustainable Cities (15 credits)
 Systems and Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture I (15 credits)
 Systems and Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture II (15 credits)

The normal combination for the Renewable and Sustainable Energy programme is the five Compulsory Modules, two Energy-related Modules plus one additional module selected from the list of Core Modules.

MPhil Curriculum

After completing the eight Core Modules and graduating with a BPhil degree, the student must apply to register for the MPhil. Registration will only be possible after attending the Research Workshop and if an adequate Research Proposal has been completed. The Research Proposal must define which of the options will be selected:

Option 1

Full Research Programme (100% Thesis)

• Research Methodology Course, plus
• Research Component: 120 Credits with the following options:

1. Integrated Thesis - a long thesis will need to be written in accordance with the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±40 000 words [±60 pages]) OR
2. A Project Proposal for a large-scale and complex capital works project or sustainable development project in accordance with the Logical Framework Analysis project management approach (± 40 000 words [± 60 pages]).

Option 2

Research plus Two Electives Programme: a 90 credit research component (see options below) plus two electives worth 15 credits each selected from the modules on offer in the BPhil Programme or from any other Programme at the University of Stellenbosch or other learning institution on condition these have been approved by the Programme Coordinator. The Programme will consist of the following:

• Research Methodology Course, plus
• Two Electives: 15 Credits each
• Research Component:  90 Credits with the following options:

1. Two academic journal articles in the style of a predetermined journal and in accordance with the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±8000 words [±20 pages] per journal article). ) OR
2. A project proposal for a given development project that must define the goal, objectives, implementation plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation mechanism in accordance with the Logical Framework Analysis project management approach (±20 000 words [±45 pages]) OR
3. A traditional Thesis in accordance with the normal academic format and requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±20 000 words [±45 pages]).

Option 3

Research plus Four Electives Programme: a 60 credit research component (see options below) plus four electives worth 15 credits each selected from the modules on offer in the BPhil Programme or from any other Programme at the University of Stellenbosch or other learning institution on condition these have been approved by the Programme Coordinator.  The Programme will consist of the following:

• Research Methodology Course, plus
• Four Electives: 15 Credits each
• Research Component:  60 Credits with the following options:

1. An academic journal article in the style of a predetermined journal and in accordance with the requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±8000 words [±20 pages]) OR
2. A Project Proposal for a given development project that must define the goal, objectives, implementation plan, budget, and monitoring and evaluation mechanism in accordance with the Local Framework Analysis project management approach (±15000 words [±30 pages]) OR
3. A Mini-Thesis in accordance with the normal academic format and requirements of the University, the School and the supervisor (±15 000 words [±30 pages])