Bachelor of Geomatics
Physical Planning and Construction - Physical Planning Design and Management
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Bachelor's Degree is to provide a well-rounded, broad education that equips graduates with the knowledge base, theory, skills, and methodology of the discipline of geomatics. It also provides necessary education towards cross-disciplinarity as a foundation for further training and experience towards becoming a competent Professional Geomatics Practitioner. This foundation is achieved through a thorough grounding in mathematics, geographical sciences, engineering science, legal principles, information technology, and cartography. Technical knowledge is complemented by an appreciation of the natural world and society in which geomatics is practiced and an understanding of its impacts. The qualification will offer the sciences, mathematics, and physics in the first two years, but will also emphasize specialized subjects like surveying, remote sensing, and spatial analysis. It will make provision for 2 streams of specialization, surveying and GISc, with elective subjects. This qualification has been developed to assist with professional advancement within the geomatics industry.
Rationale:
The South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors (PLATO) is responsible for the registration of surveyors and Geographic information system (GISc) practitioners. Currently, a person with a Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) Degree can register as a Professional Engineering Surveyor or Professional GISc practitioner. PLATO has decided that in terms of the new Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) the structure of the Bachelor's Degree is required to register as a technologist. At an advisory committee meeting, PLATO has recommended that the institution replace the B.Tech with the Bachelor Degree, thus allowing for a technologist career path. This qualification will enable learners to attain higher-order thinking abilities especially in mathematics, advanced GIS, and advanced surveying.
Globally, the terms surveying and cartography have been absorbed into the umbrella term Geomatics, not just at universities, but also in industry. In South Africa, the Professional and Technical Surveyors' Act has been replaced by the Geomatics Profession Act in 2013. PLATO and the institution's Advisory Committee have recommended that the Surveying and Cartography streams should be merged into one Geomatics qualification. This is in keeping with national and international trends. The Geomatics profession, which encompasses surveying and geo-information science professionals, has been declared a scarce skill by the government and as such, it is essential that the required manpower is supplied to the industry. This will allow graduates to register as a Technologist in the Geo-information science field or the Engineering Surveying field, depending on their specialization.
The B.Tech qualification will be phased out, thus leaving a gap in the education of technologists. This qualification addresses the outstanding learning areas that have been identified by industry, other educational institutions, legislative bodies, government institutions, and professional councils.
Outcomes
- Systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined surveying or Geographic Information Systems (GISc) problems by applying geomatics principles.
- Manage the collection and capturing of spatial and a spatial data from various formats and sources.
- Undertake procedural and nonprocedural design to solve broadly defined surveying and GISc problems that meet professional standards.
- Conduct a significant study/research that addresses a particular research problem in any study area of the GISc field successfully.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with audiences from geomatics and related fields.
- Operate effectively as a geomatics practitioner in a professional practice.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Analyse and define the problem and identify the criteria for an acceptable solution.
- Utilize knowledge of mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, geographical science, and engineering science at a fundamental and specialist level for solving geomatics problems.
- Identify relevant information and geomatics knowledge and skills for problem-solving.
- Generate and formulate possible approaches for a workable solution.
- Model and analyze potential solutions.
- Evaluate and select the best solution.
- Formulate and present the solution appropriately.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Formulate data collection to meet user needs, accuracy requirements, standards, constraints, and legislation.
- Import digital data files into a project dataset.
- Transform data sets into an appropriate target co-ordinate system.
- Collect data from various sources.
- Include Meta data in all data sets.
- Plan and conduct fieldwork, data capture, investigations, and experiments according to standards.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Ensure designs comply with codes of practice and legislation in geomatics and related fields.
- Formulate design problems to meet user needs, standards, constraints, and legislation.
- Acquire knowledge, information, and resources to provide a workable solution.
- Evaluate alternatives and select a preferred solution.
- Assess the design in terms of social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental impacts.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Contextualize the research problem and outline limitations.
- Conduct a literature review.
- Analyze and interpret data to appropriate standards.
- Draw conclusions from available evidence.
- Record the investigation in a technical report to professional standards.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Use appropriate language for written and oral communication.
- Provide information effectively, including through well-designed maps.
- Deliver fluent oral communication with clear meaning.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
- Manage projects according to specifications, on time, and within budget.
- Consider and describe ethical implications of decisions.
- Accept responsibility for consequences of actions.
- Manage team members and resources for optimal performance.
Integrated Assessment
- Utilize various Teaching and Learning methods, including work-integrated learning.
- Use summative and formative assessment methods such as examinations, assignments, projects, presentations, case studies, portfolios, and practical tasks.
- Award qualification based on evidence of achievement of stated outcomes.
Integrated assessment aims to:
- Assess competent practice in geomatics contexts nationally and internationally.
- Evaluate integration of professional roles, knowledge, practice, and skills.
- Develop reflexive competence through reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.