Description

The  Doctor  of  Philosophy  (PhD)  in  Natural  Resource  Sciences  is  aimed  at  equipping  students  with  deepened  knowledge  and 
research skills in their specialisation area by creating new knowledge that will bring solutions and implement new ideas to the 
Natural Resource Sciences. The programme will enable students to develop a thorough understanding of relevant methodological 
approaches and develop general competence in and knowledge of one or more of the subfields in Natural Resource Sciences. In 
addition, through independent research using advanced methods and techniques, the student will contribute new knowledge on 
the topic of interest and/or contribute to the solution of sophisticated application problems in the field of study.

The development of research competence has prime priority in the context of this PhD programme. Thus, the research output,  in 
the  form  of  a  thesis,  must  contribute  meaningfully  and  substantially  to  the  existing  body  of  knowledge  in  the  field/area  of 
specialisation through comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of existing knowledge. The qualification aims 
at producing high‐calibre scientists in various specialisation areas related to Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Admission Requirements 

Applicants who hold qualifications from recognised institutions at NQF level 9 in Natural Resource Sciences related subjects and/ 
or related cognitive areas can be considered  for admission  to  this programme. Applicants need  to provide evidence of having 
conducted  supervised  research  at  Master’s  degree  level.  In  addition,  applicants  will  be  requested  to  attend  a  pre‐selection 
interview at  the discretion of  the Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences  (FNRSS). The applicants may be requested 
to make  up  specific  deficiencies at  the  discretion  of  the  supervisor and  the  respective  Head  of Departments.  Apart  from  the 
applicant’s qualification, the admission of an applicant will also depend on the availability of a qualified and competent supervisor 
for the planned topic and the available staff resources of the affected department(s).

Higher degrees Committee (HDC) will approve the final selection and admission of the selected candidates in accordance with  the 
regulations as specified by Rules for Postgraduate Studies of the NUST Yearbook. First‐time registration may only occur upon the 
submission  and  approval  of  a  Concept Note  by  the  HDC.  The  Concept Note  is  prepared  under  the  guidance  of  the  student’s 
designated  supervisor.  Continuation  of  admission  to  the  programme  is  conditional  on  the  production  and  approval  of  a 
comprehensive research proposal, which needs to be submitted within the first two semesters for full‐time students and within 
the first three semesters for part‐time students. These procedures will be fully explained to each prospective student during his 
or her personal interview. Additional information is given in the Guidelines for the Supervision and Examination of Masters and 
Doctoral Programmes.