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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Geographical Information Systems 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104753  Bachelor of Science Honours in Geographical Information Systems 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 8  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The curriculum of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Hons) in Geographic Information Systems (GSI) qualification is aimed at graduates intending to work in disciplines associated with the natural, geographical and computer sciences. The qualification is intended to equip graduates with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge they need to incorporate GIS techniques in their everyday work routine.

Rationale:
This qualification is bound by discipline-specific knowledge and has been developed by consensus on the complexity of learning and competencies to be acquired by learners undertaking the programme of study, who will be empowered to build learning programmes with a view to articulation towards further qualifications associated with the built environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Students may be admitted as a candidate for an Honour's Degree if he/she has attained a level of competence which in the opinion of Senate is adequate for the purposes of admission as a candidate of the degree.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement is:
  • A Bachelor of Science Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 6, 7 and 8 totalling 158 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 4 Credits:
  • Systems Camp, 4 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 24 Credits:
  • Geomatics III, 24 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 130 Credits:
  • Geomatics Management and Professionalism, 24 Credits.
  • Advanced GIS, 24 Credits.
  • Computing for GISI, 18 Credits.
  • Research Report, 40 Credits.
  • Introductory GIS, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse and solve problems related to the natural and built environment.
    2. Deal with commercial, entrepreneurial and management issues.
    3. Communicate effectively on all matters to which their skills and competencies have been applied.
    4. Use and apply information technology.
    5. Interpret and apply legal principles within the context of the natural and built environment.
    6. Execute tasks requiring numerical and quantification expertise.
    7. Conduct research within the context of the natural and built environment, including consideration of interdisciplinary aspects.
    8. Apply knowledge of technology within the context of the built environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:
  • Demonstrate specialised skills and competencies.
  • Demonstrate critical understanding of the subject matter, competencies to deal with practice-based problems related to the natural and built environment, and conduct research in the context of the natural and built environment.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Students will be assessed for each course module through a range of methods, including formal examinations and through group and individual assignments or projects. These will be designed to enable them to demonstrate their critical understanding of the subject matter to which they have been exposed as well as their competence to deal with practice-based problems or issues arising out of that subject matter. In addition, students registered for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Hons) in geographic information system (GIS) qualification will be required to formulate a relevant topic for their research project, translate it into a set of detailed research questions, design and execute an appropriate research method, and present their results or conclusions in carefully structured and coherently argued report. This will provide the opportunity for a 'capstone' assessment of their ability to apply skills and knowledge acquired throughout the programme to a specific issue of theoretical and practical significance. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Honours qualification is comparable to other similar 4-year qualifications around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. Graduates are accepted into a range of Masters and/or Doctoral Degree qualification internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • A Master's Degree at Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.