Advanced Diploma in Geomatics
Physical Planning and Construction - Physical Planning Design and Management
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Geomatics is to meet the generic academic standard for a Geomatics Technologist as prescribed by the SAQA-recognised professional body, the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC). The qualification includes a fundamental commitment to educating learners as Geomatics Technologists in the various fields of geomatics:
- Precise Engineering Surveying
- Geographic Information Sciences
- Research Methodology
- Entrepreneurship
- Project Management
- Professionalism
- Ethics, amongst others.
The qualifying learner will be enabled to solve broadly-defined geomatics problems in an industry-oriented career in small and large projects while being part of a team or as a project leader. The qualification is designed to build the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required for further learning and towards becoming a competent practicing Geomatics Technologist. The core of the qualification is the integration of theory and practice (practical skills and attributes). The knowledge emphasizes higher-order geomatics principles and application or technology transfer. The qualification provides learners with a sound knowledge base in a particular field or discipline and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to particular career or professional contexts while equipping them to undertake more specialized and intensive learning.
Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
- Apply geomatics principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined geomatics problems.
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, basic science, and geomatics sciences to wide practical procedures and practices to solve broadly-defined surveying problems.
- Perform procedural design of broadly defined components or processes to meet desired needs within applicable standards, codes of practice, and legislation, and apply scientific and geomatics knowledge.
- Conduct investigation of broadly defined problems through locating, searching, and selecting relevant data from codes, databases, and literature, design and conducting experiments, analyzing and interpreting results to provide valid conclusions.
- Use appropriate established techniques, resources, and modern geomatics tools including information technology for the solution of broadly defined surveying problems, with an awareness of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions, and constraints.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with geomatics sector audiences and affected parties.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of geomatics activity on society, the economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by analysis and evaluation.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of geomatics management principles and apply these to one's work, as a member and leader in a technical team.
- Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
This qualification prepares learners for postgraduate studies by deepening their knowledge base and understanding of geomatics principles and application and develops abilities to solve advanced theoretical and practice related problems in the geomatics environment.
Rationale:
South Africa is a developmental state needing skill in the construction and associated industries. Therefore, the associated demand for human resources has exacerbated the skills shortage particularly in the scarce categories like engineering and related professions.
In terms of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) list of scarce skills, there is a shortage of skills in the survey (or geomatics) professions. Recently, on the list of the DHET's List of Occupations in High Demand, published in Government Gazette, the survey related occupations are mentioned. This is attributed to the broad set of skills that surveyors possess in response to spatial data collection or manipulation for application in developments that are on the rise in South Africa as the middle-class numbers increase.
The Advanced Diploma in Geomatics will respond to the demands of the Geomatics Profession Act No 19 of 2013 for registration in the Geomatics Technologist category. This qualification is endorsed by the SAGC, it is designed to meet the SAGC professional requirements for Geomatics Technologist. Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to register as Technologists in the geomatics environment.
The rationale for the qualification arises from the following three areas:
- Accelerating the provision of priority skills to address the identified shortage as per DHET.
- Promoting greater relevance and responsiveness in the education and training system and strengthening the employability of graduates.
- Identifying blockages and obstacles within the system of education and training that stand in the way.
The qualification addresses changing techniques and technology that is defining modern geomatics. Learners will be exposed to higher-order historical survey techniques, and this will be integrated with its evolution to modern geomatics.
The process of development of a Geomatics Technologist starts with the attainment of an Advanced Diploma in Geomatics or equivalent that meets the relevant SAGC standards. The content of this qualification will prepare the learner to build on existing knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills obtained in the prior qualification (a cognate Diploma in Geomatics). This qualification will expose learners to advanced geomatics theory, practicals, and the content will prepare learners to undertake complex precise engineering surveys and be project leaders. The qualification is designed to provide vertical articulation into a cognate NQF Level 8 honours or postgraduate qualifications.
Outcomes
- Apply geomatics principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined geomatics problems.
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, basic science and geomatics sciences to wide practical procedures and practices to solve broadly-defined surveying problems.
- Perform procedural design of broadly-defined components or processes to meet desired needs within applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation, and apply scientific and geomatics knowledge.
- Conduct investigation of broadly-defined problems through locating, searching, and selecting relevant data from codes, databases and literature, design and conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting results to provide valid conclusions.
- Use appropriate established techniques, resources, and modern geomatics tools including information technology for the solution of broadly-defined surveying problems, with an awareness of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions, and constraints.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with geomatics sector audiences and affected parties.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of geomatics activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by analysis and evaluation.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of geomatics management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member and leader in a technical team.
- Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.
- Comprehend and apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics, responsibilities and norms of technical practice as specified by the South African Geomatics Council.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Analyse and define the problem and identify the criteria for an acceptable solution.
- Identify relevant information and geomatics knowledge and skills for solving the problem.
- Generate and formulate possible approaches that would lead to a workable solution for the problem.
- Model and analyse possible solutions.
- Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
- Formulate and present the solution in an appropriate form.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Bring an appropriate mix of knowledge of mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, natural science, and engineering science at an appropriate level and in a specialist area to bear on the solution of broadly-defined engineering problems.
- Apply applicable principles and laws.
- Select appropriate surveying engineering materials, components, or processes.
- Communicate concepts and ideas effectively.
- Perform reasoning about and conceptualising geomatics materials, components, systems or processes.
- Perform work within the boundaries of the practice area.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Formulate the design problem to satisfy user needs, applicable standards, codes of practice and legislation.
- Plan and manage the design process to focus on important issues and recognises and deals with constraints.
- Acquire and evaluate knowledge, information and resources to apply appropriate principles and design tools to provide a workable solution.
- Perform design tasks including analysis, quantitative modelling and optimisation of the product, system or process subject to the relevant premises, assumptions, constraints and restrictions.
- Evaluate alternatives for implementation and select a preferred solution based on techno-economic analysis and judgment.
- Assess the selected design in terms of the social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental impact and benefits.
- Communicate the design logic and relevant information in a technical report.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Plan and conduct investigations and experiments within an appropriate discipline.
- Search available literature and critically evaluate material for suitability to the investigation.
- Perform analysis as necessary to the investigation.
- Select and use equipment or software as appropriate in the investigations.
- Analyse, interpret and derive information from available data.
- Conclude from analysis of all available evidence.
- Record the purposes, processes and outcomes of the investigation in a technical report.
- Perform qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Assess the method, skill or tool for applicability and limitations against the required result.
- Apply the method, skill or tool correctly to achieve the required result.
- Test and assess results produced by the method, skill or tool against required results.
- Create, select and use computer applications as required by the discipline.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Use appropriate structure, style and language of written and oral communication for the communication and the target audience.
- Use appropriate and effective graphics in enhancing the meaning of the text.
- Use visual materials to enhance oral communications.
- Provide information in a format that can be used by others involved in the activity.
- Deliver oral communication with the intended meaning being apparent.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Explain the impact of technology in terms of the benefits and limitations to society.
- Analyse the geomatics activity in terms of the impact on occupational, public health and safety, and on the physical environment.
- Take personal, social, economic, cultural values and requirements into consideration for those who are affected by the geomatics activity.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Explain the principles of planning, organising, leading, and controlling.
- Carry out individual work effectively, strategically and on time.
- Contribute to team activities, including at disciplinary boundaries, support the output of the team as a whole.
- Demonstrate functioning as a team leader.
- Carry out effective communication in the context of individual and teamwork.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Manage learning tasks autonomously and ethically, individually and in learning groups.
- Reflect learning undertaken on and determine own learning requirements and strategies to suit personal learning style and preferences.
- Source, organise and evaluate relevant information.
- Comprehend and apply the knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.
- Assumptions are challenged critically, and new thinking is embraced.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Describe the nature and complexity of ethical dilemmas.
- Describe the ethical implications of decisions made.
- Apply ethical reasoning to evaluate geomatics solutions.
- Maintain continued competence through keeping abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques available in the workplace.
- Understand and embrace the system of continuing professional development as an ongoing process.
- Accept responsibility for consequences stemming from own actions.
- Make judgments in decision making during problem-solving and design.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- 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.