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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Geographical Information Systems 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111562  Bachelor of Science Honours in Geographical Information Systems 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Environmental Relations 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
22103  Bachelor of Science Honours: Geography  Level 7  NQF Level 08  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification is a combination of modules as well as research work. It will allow learners to enter the occupational area as Geographical Information Systems Professionals and will thus assist them in reaching their full professional potential. Also, this qualification will allow for the recognition of prior learning.

The learning outcomes of the qualification are relevant to national and industry skills development needs. Learners will be able to transfer their credits from one learning institution and employer to another. The development and guidance of learners are conducted by individuals who have achieved the level of qualification that is recognised by the Geographical Information Systems industry for certification and registration as Geographical Information Systems practitioners.

Rationale:
There is a high demand for learners who can apply their competence within the parameters of the legislative framework that regulates the Geographical Information Systems profession. Formal recognition at this level is beneficial to learners, the industry and society, respectively in the context of sustainable employment, increased productivity levels, and the health and wellbeing of communities.

This qualification represents a planned combination of learning outcomes with a defined purpose. As such, it consists of the essential theory and applied competence that is required by the Geographical Information Systems profession and learners who seek to be recognised by this profession as Geographical Information Systems Practitioners.

This qualification caters for employed in the Geographical Information Systems industry who want to gain a progressive accumulation of knowledge, skills and competence. Learners may use these skills in any application or field that requires Geographical Information Systems or spatial solutions. The use of Geographical Information Systems generally leads to improved decision-making and subsequently aids sustainable development and socio-economic stability. It is therefore beneficial to all communities within a variety of spatial contexts.

This qualification is accessible to learners employed in the Construction Industry as well as new entrants to the workplace. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners without a Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualification may gain entry to the qualification if they have experience in the field of Geographical Information Systems, Computer Science or Surveying and Cartography. Learners must fulfil the requirements for learning already in place for entrance to a BSc Honours qualification.

For learners who have already qualified with a cognate qualification and have done modules in their qualification that are equivalent to modules within this Postgraduate Diploma may apply for the equivalent module/s to be credited. The learner will complete a Request for Module Credits form and must supply the curriculum/ of the module/s within their completed qualification. The Head of Department will then consider this form. The learner will receive the outcome from the institution.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science in Geography, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Environmental Sciences, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 126 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 102 Credits:
  • Cartography, 24 Credits.
  • Remote Sensing, 24 Credits.
  • Geographical Information Systems, 24 Credits.
  • Research Project, 30 Credits.

    Elective modules, Level 8, 24 Credits (Choose one module):
  • Environmental Impact Studies, 24 Credits.
  • Any other module in The School of Environmental Sciences, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Collect, organise and critically evaluate information relating to cartography, remote sensing, geographical information systems and spatial and non-spatial data sets, based on the knowledge gained concerning the theory and practice of those and related disciplines.
    2. Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking based on training in cartography, remote sensing and geographical information systems.
    3. Apply appropriate research methods, in particular, to interpret maps, air photographs and other sources of spatial information.
    4. Develop skills to investigate phenomena related to Geography and demonstrate an understanding of the changing and contested nature of knowledge in spatial science.
    5. Work effectively in various types of groups, collaborating to solve spatial problems and contributing geographical skills to the process.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to read Geographical literature and maps to obtain spatial information and present it through useful oral and written modes of communication in English.
    7. Use appropriate technology responsibly through supervised practice in the laboratories, in particular, to produce final maps and analyses of spatial data both manually and computer-generated.
    8. Demonstrate the use of geographical principles and concepts and the integration of knowledge from other disciplines, across real-world contexts.

    Learners of the qualification will be aware of:
    9. A variety of thinking and learning skills, with emphasis on the application of Geography to real-life situations.
    10. Participating in society as responsible geographers.
    11. Contextualising spatial issues in a cultural, social and environmental framework.
    12. The career opportunities are available in the discipline of Geography and its application in the community.
    13. Fundamental entrepreneurial skills and the management of people and resources. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all the Exit level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate specialised skills and competencies in Geographical Information Systems.
  • Display critical understanding of the Geographical Information Systems.
  • Demonstrate competencies to deal with practice-based problems related to the natural and cultural environment.
  • Conduct research in the context of the natural and cultural environment.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The lecturers assess learners for each module through a range of methods, including formal examinations and individual assignments and projects. These methods will enable learners to demonstrate their critical understanding of the subject matter as well as their competence to deal with practice-based problems or issues arising out of that subject matter.

    Also, learners registered for the qualification have 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 report will provide the opportunity for a capstone-type assessment of their ability to apply skills and knowledge acquired throughout the qualification to a specific issue of theoretical and practical significance.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment Practice: Formative:
  • Essays.
  • Drawing (manually/computer-generated).
  • Practical exercises.
  • Seminars.
  • Oral presentations.
  • Treatise.

    Assessment Practice: Summative:
  • Semester tests.
  • Examination - written. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Bachelor of Science Honours in Geographical Information Systems qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, the degree of complexity and notional learning hours.

    Country: Australia:
    Institution: University of Melbourne.
    Qualification: Bachelor of Science Honours in Geography.

    Similar to the BSc Honours in Geography Information Systems, the qualification offered at the University of Melbourne is a specialisation qualification, which comprises of coursework and a research project and has an entry requirement of an undergraduate Bachelor of Science qualification. Similarly, both qualifications draw knowledge from the natural and social sciences to provide learners with the skills and conceptual frameworks needed to understand the environmental and social processes that shape the world around us. They further offer learners with a combination of practical skills and specialist knowledge, which makes them attractive to employers.

    Country: United Kingdom.
    Institution: Newcastle University.
    Qualification: Geographic Information Science BSc Honours.

    The BSc Honours in Geographic Information Systems is related to the BSc Honours in Geographic Information Science offered at the Newcastle University. The fields of specialisation are similar. Both qualifications draw knowledge from the natural and social sciences to provide learners with the skills and conceptual frameworks needed to understand the environmental and social processes that shape the world around us. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Geographical Information Systems, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Geo-Information Systems, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Geography, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.