3rd Bsc Double Major – Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

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Title	Urban Environment and Recreation Planning
Code	SGES311	Department	Geography and Environmental Studies
Prerequisites	SGES212	Co-requisites
Aim	This course addresses spatial and development problems that were created by Apartheid planning policies. Apart from studying strategies for integrating the fragmented South African cities, the module goes further and interrogates the concept of integrated settlement planning. The module enquires if this concept is appropriate within the present socio-economic environment. The module also addresses the concept of recreation spaces. Special attention will be given to the connection between recreation planning and other types of planning and environment design, describe alternative approaches to recreation planning and how, where and when these approaches can be used. Students are expected to be able to make meaningful contributions towards shaping a South African city that is integrated and offers more opportunities of economic advancement to its residents
Content	 Aspects to be studied will include:  Introduction to urban and regional planning  Urbanization, unemployment and philosophical approach to urban management and job creation  Urban development and economic integration  Structuring elements of settlements, Urban nodes, Activity corridors, A metropolitan open space system  Housing, integration of urban development and the compact city debate  Unravelling the different meanings of integration: The Urban Development Framework of the SA government  Planning for integration: The Case of the Metropolitan Cape Town  Alternative Urban Planning and Management in Brazil: Instructive examples for other countries in the South  Interpretation of sustainable development and urban sustainability in low-cost housing and settlements in South Africa  Introduction to Recreation Planning; Concepts and Principles; Benefits of recreation  Recreation Supply and Demand analysis  Strategic Plans  Facilities Planning and Design  Planning Methodology  Coastal Recreation Planning and Design
Outcome
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark (comprising 20% practical assessments plus 20% Interim assessments.) 60% Summative assessment(comprising a 3 hour assessment after the course work has been completed)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s

Title	Atmospheric Processes and Pollution
Code	SGES321	DepartmentGeography and Environmental Studies
Prerequisites	SGES222	Co-requisites
Aim	This module is designed to enable students comprehend a wide range of weather-producing phenomena. It deals primarily with the environment of the southern hemisphere, and particularly the atmospheric phenomena affecting the weather and climate of southern Africa. It lays a foundation for specialised modules in climatology and applied climatology offered at senior and postgraduate levels of study. The objectives of this module will be met and tested through formal lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and two assessments.
Content	 Global and thermal circulations o Large-scale pressure patterns and circulation systems o Hadley cells and annual cycle o Governing dynamics o Mid-latitude jet streams  Circulation in the Southern hemisphere o Seasonal mean conditions o Storms tracks  Weather over southern Africa o Sub-tropical anticyclones, wave disturbances o Synoptic sequence and classification  Tropical weather analysis of the Indian Ocean  Air pollution meteorology  Atmospheric stability  Air pollution measurement methods and modelling  Environmental and health effects of air pollution  Air pollution control and management
Outcome	The learners will:  Describe and evaluate atmospheric processes and pollution and indicate ability to make recommendations and predict scenarios.  Identify and evaluate large, medium and small-scale atmospheric processes and pollution and make recommendations.  Distinguish, describe and apply methods of investigating atmospheric processes and pollution and make recommendations.  Identify, design and evaluate models that apply to forecasting techniques in atmospheric processes and pollution.
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark (comprising 20% practical assessments plus 20% Interim assessments.) 60% Summative assessment(comprising a 3 hour assessment after the course work has been completed)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s

Title	Land Use and Natural Resources Management
Code	SGES331	Department	Geography and Environmental Studies
Prerequisites	SGES211	Co-requisites	none
Aim	This course introduces the student to land use concepts, systems, and management and evaluation techniques. In addition, the course introduces natural resources, their types, distribution, rational use, decision–making systems and management. The course also introduces students to major land use and natural resource management issues confronting society
Content	 Landscape form and function in planning  Physiographic and parametric approaches to terrain evaluation  Topography, slope and land use planning  Application of terrain analysis in soil surveys  The application of geomorphological terrain analysis in soil engineering  Utilisation of topographical features in determination of soil types  and land capability in agriculture  Vegetation, Land use and Environmental Assessment  Landscape Ecology, Land use and Habitat Conservation planning  Types, location and management of Natural Resources  Ethics, Aesthetics, Culture, Assumptions, Theories in Economics of Natural resources  Principles of Economics and Sustainable Natural Resource Management  Natural Resource Valuation Techniques  Environmental management approaches  Case studies on Land Use and Natural Resource Management
Outcome
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark (comprising 20% practical assessments plus 20% Interim assessments.) 60% Summative assessment(comprising a 3 hour assessment after the course work has been completed)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s

Title	Climate Dynamics, Weather Variability and Prediction
Code	SGES341	Department	Geography and Environmental Studies
Prerequisites	SGES222	Co-requisites	none
Aim	This module introduces students to the atmospheric circulation of the southern hemisphere particularly southern Africa. Most emphasis is on the tropical atmosphere and oceans. The planetary-scale circulation of the atmosphere and ocean are discussed as a background for subsequent topics with a focus on African climate. The climatology of tropical weather systems is discussed with emphasis on structure, distribution, seasonal characteristics, and their role in the regional climates and inter-annual climate variability. The associated manifold environmental and societal consequences are covered in the inter-annual variability of the atmosphere-ocean system sessions. The module, in addition, deals with weather variability of the tropics and sub-tropics. The module will help a student develop the ability to analyse tropical and sub-tropical circulation systems over southern Africa. Concepts derived from previous atmospheric circulation modules are vital for understanding weather variability.
Content	The nature of matter. Atomic structure and periodicity. Electron configurations and bonding. Types of chemical reactions. Chemical equations and the mole concept. The solid, liquid and gaseous states. Solutions. Thermochemistry. Chemical equilibrium. Chemical Kinetics. Redox equations and basic electrochemistry. Acids, bases and salts. Theory of acid-base titrations, including pH. Basic laboratory skills, including weighing and volume measurements and gravimetric, volumetric, and qualitative analyses
Outcome	 Meteorological scale, Large-scale weather producing processes and systems;  The atmospheric circulation and weather over southern Africa;  Ocean circulation;  Climatology of weather systems;  Inter-annual variability of the atmosphere ocean system;  Human impact;  Introduction to weather variability;  Moisture and precipitation;  Moisture related concepts, rain droplet growth, rainfall augmentation;  Vertical motion and cumulus convection;  Radar reflectivity patterns, storm types;  Prediction of future conditions;  Atmospheric laws and numerical prediction;  Synoptic cycle of sub-tropical weather;  Surface weather patterns over southern African;  Upper level structure & jet stream waves;  Numerical forecasting of weather; Climate modelling & prediction;  Climate change scenarios for southern Africa
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark (comprising 20% practical assessments plus 20% Interim assessments.) 60% Summative assessment(comprising a 3 hour assessment after the course work has been completed)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s

Title	Environmental Management
Code	SGES312	Department	Geography and Environmental Studies
Prerequisites	None	Co-requisites	None
Aim	This course introduces the student to environmental management concepts, its problems, concepts, problems and policies. It provides the skills and knowledge to understand the solutions to the debate around environment and sustainable development. The course also introduces students to major environmental issues confronting a developing society
Content	The nature of matter. Atomic structure and periodicity. Electron configurations and bonding. Types of chemical reactions. Chemical equations and the mole concept. The solid, liquid and gaseous states. Solutions. Thermochemistry. Chemical equilibrium. Chemical Kinetics. Redox equations and basic electrochemistry. Acids, bases and salts. Theory of acid-base titrations, including pH. Basic laboratory skills, including weighing and volume measurements and gravimetric, volumetric, and qualitative analyses
Outcome	 Environment and Environmental Law  Environment and the Constitution  International Environmental Law  Water Law and the Environment  Conservation of Resources Pollution Control Law  Land Use and Planning Law  Strategic Environmental Assessment  Integrated Environmental Management  Environmental Management Tools (Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Management Standards (EMS) & Environmental Law  Water pollution, Waste Management  Coastal zone management  Case studies on environmental management  Environmental Justice  South Durban Industrial Basin  Emission levels exceedences e.g. Forskor  Visit to Richards Bay Clean Air Association  Used tyre dumping on gullies in rural areas  Municipal Bye Laws e.g. UMhlathuze Municipality  DWAF regulations  Comparison of RSA’s Environmental and Water Laws with those of the USA
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark (comprising 20% practical assessments plus 20% Interim assessments.) 60% Summative assessment(comprising a 3 hour assessment after the course work has been completed)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s

Title	Environmental fieldwork and Research
Code	SGES322	Department	Geography and Environmental Studies
Prerequisites	SGES211 AND SGES212 OR SGES222	Co-requisites	None
Aim	This course introduces students to techniques in geographical research leading to a successful project report. The module provides a framework for geographical research methodology, including how to ask pertinent questions, set short-term goals, uncover background material, collect and analyse field data, and interpret information in a critical scientific manner.
Content	 Aspects to be studied will include:  Introduction to Geographical research methods  Writing a research proposal  Literature review  Sampling methods  Questionnaire development  Field data collection  Entry and preliminary analysis of data  Oral presentation of research results  Writing of research report
Outcome	Learners must be able to demonstrate: an understanding of the structure of the atom, the chemical bonding which occurs between atoms and the types of chemical reactions that occur. an ability to write chemical formulas, balance equations, and apply the mole concepts in chemical calculations to mass reactions and reactions in solution. an understanding of the classification of matter and the fundamental properties of matter in the solid, liquid and gaseous phases and of solutions. a thorough grasp of the basic principles of thermochemistry, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, basic electrochemistry and the characteristics of acids, bases and salts as well as the application of this knowledge to acid base titrations. an ability to perform a range of basic laboratory skills, including weighing and volume measurements and simple gravimetric, volumetric, and qualitative analyses
Assessment	40% Continuous Assessment Mark (comprising 20% practical assessments plus 20% Interim assessments.) 60% Summative assessment(comprising a 3 hour assessment after the course work has been completed)
DP Requirement	40% Continuous Assessment Mark 80% Attendance at practical’s