Bachelor of Earth Sciences in Mine Surveying
Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences - Earth and Space Sciences
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The broad objective of the mine surveying qualification is to develop learners with strong technical knowledge and basic skills and attributes required to practice as professional mine surveyors. The desired skills are those that enable learners to be:
- Independent investigators
- Self-motivated
- Critical thinkers
- Problem solvers
- Life-long learners
- Good communicators
- Team players
- Effective managers
- Economically, environmentally, and socially aware
The qualification aims to produce high-caliber learners to meet the demands of the mining industry and address workforce issues, economic and societal needs by intensifying research and increasing opportunities for post-graduate studies. The Mine Surveying qualification aims to:
- Train mine surveyors to use various survey instruments in open pit and underground mines, as well as tunneling.
- Develop skills in mine surveying and provide necessary practical exposure for application in the mining industry.
- Train learners to perform necessary survey computations and adjustments in the profession.
- Inculcate basic investigative and analytical skills to address problems associated with earth systems and advance socio-economic development.
- Enable learners to make adaptations to existing procedures, techniques, and instrumentation to solve specific problems.
- Prepare learners for research challenges in the field of mine surveying.
Rationale:
The role of mine surveyors in the mining industry is crucial, yet there is a shortage of mine surveyors in South Africa. The declining number of mine surveying professionals coupled with increasing demand for surveying services presents opportunities for learners. The aging workforce of mine surveyors emphasizes the need for new professionals in the field. Mine surveyors play a vital role in measuring activities essential for mining operations.
The proposed mine surveying qualification addresses the scarcity of mine surveyors by offering an academic pathway in mine surveying. The mining industry's expansion creates a continuous demand for graduates in mine surveying. Graduates will have opportunities in various positions in the local, national, or international mining industry with potential employers in different sectors.
The qualification provides opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to access high-paying jobs and embark on challenging and rewarding careers in mine surveying.
Outcomes
- Apply the scientific method to investigations of geological processes, earth systems, and interactions.
- Systematically diagnose and solve broadly defined mine surveying problems by applying engineering principles.
- Use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering tools, including information technology, prediction and modelling, for the solution of broadly-defined mining engineering problems with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
- Demonstrate high level of thorough knowledge competency of mine surveying principles in the discipline.
- Demonstrate familiarity with and have an informed outline knowledge and understanding of the content, theories, and scholarly positions of the critical core of a number of disciplines at a basic and intermediate level.
- Interpret, explain and/or develop an argument around and an understanding of newly-encountered material and demonstrate an ability to marshal an approach used in one or more disciplines included at the exit-level.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Application of various physical and biological realms using standard scientific field and laboratory methods.
- Utilization of academic and practical skills for investigating and reporting on problems related to mine surveying, engineering surveying, and mining and mine environmental management.
- Employment of appropriate instruments, tools, and equipment for laboratory and field investigations.
- Demonstration of understanding of the genesis of earth resources and their finite nature.
- Application of surveying concepts and methods to surveying applications.
- Generation of innovative solutions and logical processes for analyzing and creating surveying problems.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Analysis and definition of the problem with identified criteria for an acceptable solution.
- Identification of relevant information and engineering knowledge and skills for solving the problem.
- Generation and formulation of possible approaches for a workable solution.
- Modeling and analysis of possible solutions.
- Evaluation and selection of the best solution.
- Formulation and presentation of the solution in an appropriate form.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Assessment of the method, skill, or tool for applicability and limitations.
- Correct application of the method, skill, or tool to achieve the required result.
- Testing and assessment of results produced against required results.
- Creation, selection, and use of computer applications as required by the discipline.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Development of knowledge base in the principles of physical and historical geology with emphasis on plate tectonics and global biogeochemical cycles.
- Application of knowledge base and research skills to Earth system based issues such as mining and management of Earth resources.
- Discussion of geologic time and major events in Earth's evolution.
- Explanation of landscape forming processes and Earth system science aiding in land use decisions and mitigation of natural hazards.
- Explanation of hydrologic systems and challenges in maintaining water quality.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Correct use of terminology, concepts, principles, and theories in written and/or oral communication.
- Analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of recent and relevant research findings.
- Proposal and application of solutions to well-structured problems based on theory-driven arguments.
- Efficient and clear communication of scholarly discourse and discipline-specific conventions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Display of communication reflecting competence in higher-order cognitive domains and/or meta-cognition.
- Demonstration of knowledge and comprehension of discipline-specific conventions and scholarly discourse.
- Accurate account of scholarly positions, viewpoints, and solutions.
- Identification and differentiation of current perspectives and scholarly debates in relevant contexts.
- Reflection of critical appraisal of recent and relevant literature including primary and secondary sources.
Integrated Assessment:
- Interdisciplinary approach to assessment through formal and informal tasks to encourage learning and measure progress.
- Contribution of assessment tasks such as group work, oral presentations, case studies, fieldwork, practicums, written assignments, and tests towards the overall 60% of formative assessments.
- Timely feedback to students after each task.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 484
- 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.