Geoinformatics

The courses given in the four year Geomatics programme comprise lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, computation and draughting sessions, and practical fieldwork. Students must show satisfactory performance in each aspect of the work in order to obtain a duly performed certificate. Students are required to complete approved courses of a value not less than 576 credits and to comply with the prescribed curriculum requirements. Students may choose a stream in Surveying or Geoinformatics. The Surveying stream is targeted at students wishing to register as a Professional Practitioner with the South African Geomatics Council; the Geoinformatics stream is targeted at students wishing to work in the spatial information industry and for registration as a Professional Geo-Information Sciences Practitioner with the South African Geomatics Council.

The design of the degree is outcomes based, with a strong emphasis on the ability to plan, execute and report on Geomatics projects with demonstrated knowledge of underlying theory and the ability to critically analyse the project outputs. The degree is designed to meet the challenges of geomatics practice in the African and developing world context as well as in the developed world, while maintaining international standards of teaching and research. 

Streams in Geomatics: There are two streams in the Geomatics programme: Surveying and Geoinformatics. If the Geoinformatics stream is a possible choice, then certain first and second year courses must be taken to allow that option. You will be counselled at registration, but also think about whether you may want to take environmental and geographical science or computer science to third year level prior to registration as these options may affect your courses in first year. 

Computer Science Specialisation

First Year Core Courses

• APG1016F Geomatics I
• CSC1015F Computer Science 1015
• CSC1016S Computer Science 1016
• GEO1009F Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences
• MAM1020F Mathematics IA for Engineers
• MAM1021S Mathematics IB for Engineers
• STA1000S Introductory Statistics
• Elective

Second Year Core Courses

• APG2014S Geomatics II
• APG2016W Surveying I
• APG2017X Basic Survey Camp
• CSC2001F Computer Science 2001
• MAM2083F Vector Calculus for Engineers
• MAM2084S Linear Algebra and DEs for Engineers
• PHY1031F General Physics A
• PHY1032S General Physics B
• APG2019X Practical Training I

Third Year Core Courses

• APG2015F Geographic Information Systems I
• APG2018X Geographic Information Systems Camp
• APG3011S Geographic Information Systems II
• APG3012S Geomatics III
• APG3013F Numerical Methods in Geomatics
• APG3016C Surveying II
• APG3027Z Cadastral Survey & Registration Projects
• CON2027F Real Property Law
• CSC2002S Computer Science 2002
• APG3015X Practical Training II

Fourth Year Core Courses

• APG3038F Professional Communication Studies
• APG4002Z Land Use Planning & Township Design
• APG4003Z Research Project
• APG4010X Geoinformatics Camp
• APG4011F Geomatics IV
• APG4012S Geomatics Management & Professionalism
• CSC3002F Computer Science 3002
• CSC3003S Computer Science 3003

• Certified copies of official academic transcripts in ENGLISH (full transcripts for each tertiary institution attended)
• Certified copies of degree certificates in ENGLISH (for each tertiary institution attended where applicable)

International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to submit one of the following:

• a recent score (obtained within 3 - 5 years before application for admission) of at least 570 (paper-based test) or 230 (computer-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• a recent overall band score of 7.0 (with no individual element of the test scoring below 6.0) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• or, noting that this may only be written at certain designated venues within South Africa, a score of at least 65% on the university's Placement Test in English for Educational Purposes (PTEEP).