PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION: BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Work experience requirements
1. For registration purposes, work experience should be gained after the completion of the highest qualification.
After completing a B.Sc. Honours or recognised B.Tech. degree, three years work experience is required, two years after completing an appropriate and recognised M.Sc. degree, and one year after completing a Ph.D.
If an applicant was employed full-time, work experience gained while studying part-time for a recognised M.Tech./M.Sc. degree, may be taken into consideration.
2. Applicants that are operating on a decision-making level should have been responsible for the drafting of guidelines in the decision-making process and responsible for the affects of their decisions.
3. Applicants employed in an advisory capacity should indicate to what extent peers or clients depend on their professional advice and expertise for which they could be kept responsible, or if they have been involved in research which has lead to publication(s) in established science journals.
4. Research projects, which have lead to publication(s) in established science publications or papers, should be listed.
Guidelines for work experience report (not a CV)
1. The work experience report should be clear about the nature, extent and variety of the natural scientific work, as well as the level of participation in projects. A list of projects completed is not sufficient.
(a) All work experience relevant to the field of practice for which is applied.
(b) Information such as name of company, position occupied, period of employment, and responsibilities of each position in chronological order.
(c) Evidence of the application of the basic scientific principles, methods and techniques, scientific observation, discussion and interpretation of data where a scientific opinion is delivered and findings explained in scientific terms.
(d) A description of any major research, project or design, and their appropriate values.
(e) List of articles published in recognised scientific journals.
(f) Papers presented at congresses/symposia, attendance of conferences and symposia
(g) Membership of scientific societies or other involvement in the profession.
2. Applicants that are operating on a decision-making level should have been responsible for the drafting of guidelines in the decision-making process and responsible for the affects of their decisions.
3. Applicants employed in an advisory capacity should indicate to what extent peers or clients depend on their professional advice and expertise for which they could be kept responsible, or if they have been involved in research which has lead to publication(s) in established science journals.
Scope of work involved
Botanical Science
The kinds of work in connection with projects, undertakings or services relating to the botanical sciences:
(a) which involve describing, ordination, modelling, laying out, design, direction, identification, classification, synthesis, evaluation, simulation, investigation, analysis, planning, advising upon, surveying, measurement, standardisation, specification, commissioning, operation, handling, manipulation, disposal certification, inspection, reporting or testing of degree or standard which, for their development and attainment, require the skilled use and application of the principles and characteristics of organisms and their mutual interaction with the biotic and abiotic environment,
(b) at a level where the knowledge for the skilled use and application of such principles must be attained and developed by at least following the curriculum laid down form time to time for one or other of the examinations recognised by the Council.
1. The identification of all organisms wherever this is necessary for the safety, health, economic and scientific interests of the community.
2. The ecological planning, landscaping and management of ecosystems and derelict areas with special reference to plants.
3. The use of organisms for the removal of wastes, effluent and other pollutants.
4. The use of organisms for the production of primary, intermediate and secondary metabolites which are required in the pharmaceutical, food processing, agricultural and forestry industries.
5. The application of breeding, tissue culturing, molecular manipulation and genetic engineering of organisms for industrial, medial, agricultural and other purposes.
6. The application of chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and antibiotics) for the control of plant weeds, plant pests and plant pathogens.
7. The manipulation of biological processes (both abiotic and biotic) for the improvement of quality and productivity of organisms.
8. The diagnosis and remedial treatment of the physiological and pathological levels of plant and fungal diseases.
9. The decision making, manipulation and organisation of the conservation of organisms. The decision making and organisation of the control of weeds, spores and pollen causing diseases and allergies.
Lecturing
Lecturing, in a full-time or part-time capacity presented as occupational experience, should include research which is recorded and can lead to the publication in a acknowledged science publication, or is of a standard acceptable to the Council. In addition, the applicant should also have been responsible for lecturing on a postgraduate or equivalent level in one or more of the natural science fields and/or have given guidance with respect to Masters or Doctorate dissertations or research dissertations, which are acceptable to the Council.
Identification of work for the field of practice Botanical in terms of Section 27 of Act 27 of 2003
A botanist is a scientist who studies the origin, development, structure, physiology, molecular biology, distribution, sociology, interactions with other biotic and abotic factors, taxonomy, economic importance, and other basic aspects of plant life. Findings are used to solve environmental, agricultural, horticultural, forestry and other problems as well as for the advancement of science.
A botanist could specialize and any of the following directions:
Molecular botany Algologist
Bryologist Cyto-Geneticist Economic Botanist
Ethno Botanist Lichenologist Limnologist
Marine Botanist Mycologist Palaeobotanist
Palynologist Phycologist Plant Anatomist
Plant Breeder Plant Cytologist Plant Ecologist
Plant Ecophysiologist Plant Geneticist Plant Morphologist
Plant Mycologist Plant Pathologist Plant Physiologist
Plant Taxonomist Population Dynamacist Pteridologist
Nature of the work
Botany is the science of the living plant and can be divided into the following specialisation fields:
· Plant morphology - the study of the form and structure of plants.
· Plant molecular biology – study of plants at the molecular level.
· Plant taxonomy - the classification of plants.
· Plant physiology -the study of the life processes and activities of plants.
· Plant genetics – the study of heredity of plants
· Plant ecology - the study of the relation between plants and their environment.
· Economic botany – application and usage of plants or their products.
· Plant pathology - the study and combating of plant diseases.
Certificated Natural Scientist
· The collection, analysis and classification of plants.
· Routine data/sample collection.
· Sample preparation and analysis.
· Routine laboratory analysis applying the scientific method.
· Applying statistical analyses to data generated.
· Applying good laboratory practice.
· Recording details of work performed as well as making sure that subordinates keep up-to-date daily records on test results.
· Supervising the activities of subordinates.
· Management of the relatively low level risks associated with botanical science processes, systems, equipment and infrastructure
Professional Natural Scientist
· The practical application of botanical knowledge, theoretical and applied.
· Involved in research and the development of new knowledge.
· Applying critical analyses and interpretation to complex botanical processes and problems.
· Ability to work and interpret data generated at various levels of organization.
· Ability to document and present research results.
· The study of the structure and composition of plant bodies, the classification of plant material; examination of the similarities and differences between species by means of microscopic, chemical and other techniques.
· Supervise and direct the activities of subordinate laboratory and plant personnel.
· Disseminate botanical information and supervision of post graduate training.
Identification of work for the field of practice Ecological Science
in terms of Section 27 of Act 27 of 2003
An Ecologist could specialize in many different fields of varying complexities such as:
Ecophysiology, behavioural ecology, pollution ecology, community ecology or according to the biological group, e.g. animal ecology, insect ecology and plant ecology, or according to the biome, e.g. Anarctic ecology, desert ecology and tropical ecology. The approach to ecological research could also determine the branch of ecology, e.g. theoretical ecology or genetic ecology. None of the above is mutually exclusive.
Certificated Natural Scientist
As for the Professional Ecological Scientists, but at a lower academic level and responsibility
· Application and understanding of the complexities and interactions between biotic and abiotic factors.
· Understanding and application of the scientific method.
· Involved in research and the development of new knowledge.
· Applying critical analyses and interpretation to complex ecological processes and problems.
· Ability to work and interpret data generated at various levels of organization.
· Ability to document and present research results.
· Integration of knowledge across fields and biotopes.
· Understanding of ecosystem integrity and sustainability.
· Research behavioural ecology.
· Recording details of work performed as well as making sure that subordinates keep up-to-date daily records on test results.
· Supervising the activities of subordinates.
· Management of the relatively low level risks associated with ecological science processes, systems, equipment and infrastructure.
Professional Natural Scientist
· Application and understanding of the complexities and interactions between biotic and abiotic factors.
· Understanding and application of the scientific method.
· Involved in research and the development of new knowledge.
· Applying critical analyses and interpretation to complex ecological processes and problems.
· Ability to work and interpret data generated at various levels of organization.
· Ability to document and present research results.
· Integration of knowledge across fields and biotopes.
· Understanding of ecosystem integrity and sustainability.
· Research behavioural ecology.
· Supervise and direct the activities of subordinate laboratory and field personnel.
· Preparing and implementing laboratory and field work schedules in accordance with priorities.
· Organize and direct the routine care and maintenance of Laboratory equipment.
· Exercising financial control and assisting with the compilation of the annual budget.
Identification of work for the field of practice Biological Science
in terms of Section 27 of Act 27 of 2003
Biological scientists are involved in basic and applied research in the biological science field. Specialization takes place in a combination that include e.g.; biology, botany, zoology, anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, genetics, limnology and marine science. The practical application of scientific knowledge and the development of practical methods that can be applied in various other fields, such as medicine, industry and agriculture, are also the concern of persons working in this field.
The biologist studies and undertakes research into the origin, derivation, development, anatomy, distribution, heredity and other basic characteristics of flora (plant life), fauna (animal life) and microbes and their relation to one another.
The biochemist is a scientist who deals with phenomena which distinguish the living from the non-living in chemical and physical terms, be it in animals, plants or micro-organisms. He endeavours to bridge the gap between the highly integrated activity of the living cell (a biological unit) and the properties of its individual components.
Botany is the science of plants including the algae (Protista) and cyanobacteria.
Zoology is that branch of Biology which deals with animals.
Physiologist is a biological scientist who studies the functions and biological activity of living organisms under normal and abnormal conditions in view of solving specific problems existing in everyday life.
Certificated Natural Scientist – Biological Science
· The collection, analysis and classification of botanical (plant), zoological (animal) and microbial materials.
· Routine data/sample collection.
· Sample preparation and analysis.
· Routine laboratory analysis applying the scientific method.
· Quality control and product evaluation by microbiological, physical and chemical testing.
· Applying statistical analyses to data generated.
· Applying good laboratory practice.
· Supervising the activities of subordinates.
· Management of the relatively low level risks associated with chemical science processes, systems, equipment and infrastructure.
Professional Natural Scientist– Biological Science
· The practical application of biological knowledge, theoretical and applied.
· Involved in research and the development of new knowledge.
· Applying critical analyses and interpretation to complex biological processes and problems.
· Ability to work and interpret across taxonomic divisions from the organism down to biochemical levels.
· Ability to document and present research results.
· Supervise and direct the activities of subordinate laboratory and plant personnel.
· Preparing and implementing laboratory work schedules in accordance with priorities.
· Organize and direct the routine care and maintenance of Laboratory equipment.
· Exercising financial control and assisting with the compilation of the annual budget.
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