Programmes

About Course

Offered in Conventional

SKILLS LEVEL                                                                   COURSE DURATION

Postgraduate (ZNQF Level 9)                                                 2 years

LESSONS:

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS

Normal Entry

Applicants should normally hold a minimum of an Upper Second Class (2.2) Honours degree in Forestry, Wildlife, Environmental Science and related disciplines with a significant Forestry and Wildlife content.

Special Entry

A candidate with a BSc (Honours) degree at 2.2 and at least three years of relevant work experience shall be admitted after passing a qualifying examination.

PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

Structure
The Programme shall consist of twelve (12) modules including two electives and a research project, which will culminate into a dissertation.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, field-based practicals, seminars, group work, industrial visits, industrial attachment, research project, and individual independent study.

Assessment Methods

Written and oral examinations, tests, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, industrial attachment report, final year research project report, continuous assessments. Coursework shall constitute 40% (Test 15%, Assignment 5%, Practical 20%) and Written Examinations 60%.

REGULATIONS
The Regulations for the Master of Science degree, hereinafter referred to as the MSc Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation are subordinate to University General Regulations for undergraduate degrees and Faculty of Environmental Science regulations.

YEAR I

EFW 5101 PRINCIPLES OF ECO-TOURISM (25 CREDITS)

This module shall explore the history, concepts, principles and practices of ecotourism and development which promote cultural and environmental awareness and local economic benefits across different cultures. The basic concepts and principles of eco-tourism; the complex nature of eco-tourism development in the contemporary world; Eco-tourism Landscapes and environments in local perspectives, the; Structure of ecotourism industry; Prospects of ecotourism development in Zimbabwe and the sub-region; Current patterns and future trends of ecotourism in Zimbabwe and the global world.

EFW 5102 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION (25 CREDITS)

The module covers concepts and characteristics of biodiversity, local and global patterns of biodiversity, history (evolution) of life on earth and biodiversity extinction. The present status, degradation and biodiversity decline in Zimbabwe: Indigenous and exotic species; endemic, endangered and threatened species; species on the IUCN Red List; keystone and umbrella species. Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat loss, overuse of resources, invasive species, genetically modified organisms, pollution, and global climatic change. Ecosystem services: the value of biological diversity and the need to conserve biodiversity; the status of biodiversity hotspots, conservation strategies in practice and techniques in biodiversity assessment, evaluation and monitoring as well as mitigation of human impacts. The module shall also cover the equilibrium theory of island biogeography, reserves as ecological islands, the “SLOSS” (single large or several small) debate, Trans-frontier conservation corridors, edge effects and reserve shape, and biodiversity and reserve complementarity.

EFW 5103 STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (25 CREDITS)

Concepts and issues in strategic environmental management: The module focuses on the management, and relationship between eco-tourism activities and the environment, the impact of the tourism industry on the environment, environmental conservation, ecological responsibility, preservation of natural habitats and archaeological treasures, and the link between preservation of ecosystem integrity and the production of economic opportunities. The theory of sustainable development shall be examined and an appraisal of sustainable tourism made within the wider context of the tourism system. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and its statutory provisions in Zimbabwe; the EIA process and project cycle. Socio-economic and biophysical impacts of the tourism industry. Theoretical and practical concepts in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite and airborne remote sensing in spatial data capture, manipulation, integration, analysis, presentation, mapping, and monitoring; the application of geospatial tools in environmental monitoring and the effective assessment of the natural resources for developmental planning, policy formulation, and decision-making. A review of relevant environmental policies, Acts, by-laws and trea ties and conventions; their provisions and implementation in biodiversity conservation. Trans-Frontier Conservation Areas are included. Traditional and cultural systems shall be considered. Management and regulations of wildlife utilization, wildlife-based ecotourism, wildlife depredation and compensation, ethical and professionalism standards in relation to governance and natural resources utilization. 

EFW 5104 PLANT AND ANIMAL TAXONOMY (25 CREDITS)

The module covers taxonomy of plants, fish, mammals, birds, insects, amphibians, and reptiles; their evolution and phylogeny, classification, nomenclature, identification, importance of taxonomy in biodiversity assessment and monitoring for conservation. It also includes herbarium and field techniques such as field guides.

EFW 5201 TOURISM POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT (25 CREDITS)

An overview of competitive and supportive tourism development and promotion policies, supply and demand development, destination strategy implementation, stages in tourism planning, the tourism philosophy, scale of tourism development, programme resource audit, strategic impact analysis and public and private policy formulation in tourism. Public and private sector organisations involved and those that influence tourism policy and development at international, regional, national and local levels. Case studies utilising both developed and less developed countries, protected nature reserves, rural, remote and peripheral areas.

EFW 5202 STRATEGIC TOURISM MARKETING (25 CREDITS)

The module is designed to equip students with skills in strategic marketing, planning, cost accounting and negotiation philosophies and legal considerations in tourism business management. It examines the scope of marketing decisions, pricing, promotion and publicity, ethics in tourism industry, tools of communication as well as methods of implementation and evaluation of tourism business management techniques.

EFW 5203 BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY OF MAMMALS, BIRDS, AND INSECTS (25 CREDITS)

The module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the fundamental concepts, scope and practice of behavioural ecology as it applies to mega-herbivores, antelopes, carnivores, birds, insects, and arachnids. These concepts include: Genetic and environmental components of behaviour; mechanisms of behavioural interactions (communication, aggression, and territoriality, predation, anti-predator mechanisms, mate competition); Social systems (group size, structure, and mating systems of selected mammals, birds and insects of Southern Africa); Environmental applications (e.g., behavioural ecology and captive breeding, animal translocation, sport hunting and change in animal behaviour).

EFW 5204 RESEARCH METHODS (25 CREDITS)

The module shall focus on the purpose of doing research; ethics in research, scientific and social science methods of conducting research; the research process; formulating research problems and hypotheses, data collection procedures; data processing and analysis; report writing; different kinds of research designs e.g., Latin squares, ANOVA, Regression, Orthogonal contrasts, Survey, Multi-variate analysis, and modelling.

DISSERTATION (I20 CREDITS)

The research topic shall be chosen between the student and the supervisor, with approval from the Departmental Board. A seminar shall be presented before field work begins. The Research Project shall have an overall duration of 6 months spread throughout the module as deemed appropriate. The dissertation shall be presented by the end of the programme, and a final seminar (examinable) shall be presented.