BACHELOR OF GEOINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ( Level 7) Programme Aims/Purpose: The Bachelor of Geoinformation Technology aims to provide a skilful and competent labour force for the growing Systems (GIS) industry in Namibia. The programme provides a systematic and coherent introduction to the main theories, broad principles, concepts, data, and problem-solving techniques in the main cognate area, i.e. Geoinformation Technology. The programme is designed to provide graduates with a blend of cognitive and intellectual skills, as well as practical and theoretical skills necessary to successfully design, implement and apply geoinformation technologies that can be used as decision supporting tools in solving spatial problems. The focus of the programme will be the development of essential practical skills alongside training in fundamental spatial concepts and theory. Students will achieve the programme aims through the development of: A solid grounding in the fundamental theory and concepts upon which GIS software and analysis have been developed. Practical, hands-on experience of GIS software operation and application in a range of spatial analysis problems introducing a broad range of geo-information technology applications, including surveying, forestry, agriculture, land use planning, environmental sciences, mining, etc. in order to broaden their career horizons. Basic skills in programming for GIS software customisation and web-gis development. The skills aim to increase student awareness in GIS trends and in modelling tools, which is required in a fast changing sector. Valid, highly structured internship opportunities (Work Integrated learning) in cooperation with industry and government specifically focused on geo-information technology portfolio development that is representative of the students work. Skills and competencies to apply local and regional data in solving spatial problems thereby reducing the learning curve once employed. Graduates will be qualified to serve as scientists in a wide range of activities involving geosciences, geography, GIS, remote sensing, databases, programming and computing. The continual development and expansion of the geospatial data infrastructure in Namibia (and at SADC level), and the need to analyse these earth-oriented data to achieve development objectives, will ensure a constant need for qualified scientists in these fields. This programme represents a gateway to an academic career for some students, and for others it will facilitate career advancement in their current fields of employment, either in the public sector or private industry. The revised programme has been endorsed by members of the Programme Advisory Committee while international benchmarking was also done (please find evidence of consultation, benchmarking and support attached). 1 P age
Exit Programme Outcomes (Qualification Outcomes): Upon completing the programme, graduates will be able to: Apply integrated knowledge of GIS techniques; Evaluate concepts and information used by the GIS discipline; Formulate, apply and evaluate ideas and hypotheses in the geo-information field; Apply computer programming principles to extend GIS operation to include software customisation and development; Apply theory surrounding digital representation of spatial phenomena in the practical analysis of spatial data; Apply theory surrounding spatial analysis methodologies to applied spatial analysis tasks; Select and apply appropriate spatial statistical techniques; Construct, manage and analyse spatial databases; Design, implement and coordinate GIT related projects; Utilise state of the art methods for spatial data presentation and dissemination; Achieve the generic graduate outcomes of problem-solving, critical thinking, responsible citizenship and good communication. Criteria for Admission: In addition to meeting the Polytechnic s minimum admission requirements as spelt out in the general rules, candidates must have a total of 18 points on the evaluation scale for Mathematics, Physical Science and Geography or Natural science in a combination of symbols on NSSC Higher or Ordinary Level or both. Only one of the above subjects may be as low as a C on Ordinary Level or a 4 on Higher Level. The Head of Department or his/her nominee may admit candidates who do not have the required minimum symbol for one of the above subjects, provided that such candidates have very strong symbols for the other two subjects and that the total point score for the three subjects is not lower than 18. Such candidates may be required to enrol for a bridging course at the discretion of the department. Mode of Delivery: The programme will be delivered on full-time mode only, in accordance with Polytechnic rules. Requirements for Qualification Award: The Bachelor of Geoinformation Technology degree will be awarded to students credited with a minimum of 368 credits, and who have met the detailed qualification requirements for the 2 P age
programme as set out below. In addition, students should meet the administrative and financial requirements as spelt out in Part 1 of the Polytechnic of Namibia Yearbook. The major cognate/subject area of learning within the programme is Systems that is developed in increasing complexity across relevant levels and in accordance with principles as represented in the Table below. Courses Level to Geospatial Data 4 Systems 1 5 Basic Web Cartography 5 Digital Cartography & Visualisation 5 Remote Sensing 1 5 Land Systems 6 Remote Sensing 2 6 Systems 2 6 Geoinformation Management 6 Geodatabases 6 Geodemographics 6 Systems 3 7 GIS Programming 7 Spatial Statistics 7 Advanced WebGIS 7 Work Integrated Learning - GIT 7 3 P age
Year 1: Semester 1 Course Code IGD411S LIP411S CUS411S BSC410S Course Title Comprehensive Learning Outcome Prerequisites to Geospatial Data Language in Practice Computer User Skills Basic Science Apply relevant geographic information contained in topographic base maps and produced by Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Demonstrate and apply knowledge of grammatical structures in reading with comprehension and writing. Demonstrate and apply various technical and practical skills to effectively use basic functionalities of a Personal Computer (PC), as well as widely used application software, as tools to solve problems and improve personal and organisational productivity. Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of natural sciences and apply the basic principles in their everyday lives. or Elective Level Notion al Hours Credits None 4 80 8 None 4 100 NCB None 4 100 10 None 4 80 8 ILP510S TBC to Land Use Planning & Management Mathematics Analyse mandates, processes and outputs of different planning institutions on local, regional and national level. None 5 120 12 Apply basic knowledge of mathematics and statistics in a spatial orientated None 5 120 12 4 P age
and Statistics for Spatial Science context. Total Credits: 50 5 P age
Year 1: Semester 2 Course Code GES512S WDF521S EPR511S OSN521S ISM520S PGI520S Course Title Comprehensive Learning Outcome Prerequisite or Elective Analyse the fundamental concepts of Systems (GIS) and to Geospatial Systems 1 apply the main GIS functions to selected Data, real world applications. Computer User Skills Web Development Fundamentals English in Practice to Operating Systems and Networks to Survey and Mapping Programming for Geoinformati cs Apply the fundamentals and processes of web development in designing simple and functional websites for organisations. Display the proper application of grammatical structures, as well as enhanced reading skills, and integrate technology in the analysis and assessment of written work. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals and common manipulation of computer interfaces and networks functional components. Analyse the basic principles of land surveying and apply various technical skills to plot surveying outputs. Design, implement, and verify programmatic solutions to simple problems, using suitable tools and techniques, data acquisition and visualisation. None Language in Practice Computer User Skills to Geospatial Data Mathematics and Statistics for Spatial Science, Computer Notional Level Hours Credits 5 120 12 5 100 10 5 120 NCB 5 100 10 5 120 12 5 120 12 6 P age
User Skills Total Credits: 56 7 P age
Year 2: Semester 3 Course Code BWC511S DCV512S RES511S LIS611S DBF510S ICT512S Course Title Comprehensive Learning Outcome Prerequisite or Elective Present and disseminate geospatial data Basic Web over the worldwide web by applying Cartography relevant techniques and workflows. Digital Cartography & Visualisation Remote Sensing 1 Land Systems Database Fundamentals Competence Demonstrate competence in the use and application of the main cartographic principles, mapping techniques and possibilities of geographic visualisation. Apply basic methods and techniques for the interpretation of aerial photographs and remotely sensed digital images. Create and analyse land-based data such as parcel information, zoning, land use, ownership and general property information. Use the language SQL to design database systems and for effective data retrieval and modification. Search effectively for information using search engines on the Internet and Web 2.0 technologies to solve given problems and critically evaluate information Level Notional Hours Credits Computer User Skills 5 120 12 to Geospatial Data to Geospatial Data, Mathematics and Statistics for Spatial Science Systems 1 5 120 12 5 120 12 6 120 12 None 5 100 10 None 5 100 10 8 P age
obtained. Total Credits: 68 9 P age
Year 2: Semester 4 Course Code Course Title Comprehensive Learning Outcome Prerequisite or Elective Level Notional Hours Credits SEH621S DPT621S TBC GES612S Software Engineering 1 and HCI Database Programming and Techniques Geoinformation Management Systems 2 Utilise software engineering tools to manage a software project that involves software user s interactions with computer systems. Apply appropriate connection and querying techniques in developing database systems. Evaluate relevant tools and procedures in implementing and managing GIS related projects as well as geospatial data requirements. Complete spatial planning tasks based on real-world applications by integrating practical knowledge of spatial data formats, data analysis and data dissemination tools. Web Development Fundamental s Database Fundamental s Systems 1, Remote Sensing 1 Systems 1 6 120 12 6 120 12 6 120 12 6 120 12 RES612S Remote Sensing 2 Deploy advanced methods of information extraction to support a variety of disciplines such as land management, environmental monitoring and risk assessment. Remote Sensing 1, Systems 1 6 120 12 10 P age
Total Credits: 60 Year 3: Semester 5 Course Code Course Title Comprehensive Learning Outcome Prerequisite or Elective Level Notiona l Hours Credits EAP511S English for Academic Purposes Communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively in academic speech and writing within academic contexts. English in Practice 5 140 14 GDB611S Geodatabases Apply advanced techniques to effectively organise a variety of spatial information sets within a geodatabase and integrate tools to perform advanced topological editing, error detection and spatial analysis. Database Fundamentals, Systems 2 6 120 12 TBC Geodemographi cs Evaluate the fundamental principles and concepts of geo-demographical analysis and apply various GIS tools for socioeconomic investigations. Systems 2 6 120 12 TBC GIS To use model building and script writing Programming 7 120 12 11 P age
GES711S Programming Systems 3 to build GIS tools that automate the solving of geographical problems from an object oriented coding perspective. Assess and apply a wide range of GIS tools for advanced spatial analysis based on statistical surfaces and terrain information. for Geoinformati cs, Systems 2, Software Engineering 1 and HCI Systems 2 7 120 12 CIS610S Contemporary Issues Evaluate the impact of contemporary issues on society and develop strategies to mitigate/harness their negative/positive impacts on society. None 6 120 12 Total Credits: 74 Year 3: Semester 6 Course Code Course Title Comprehensive Learning Outcome Prerequisite or Elective Level Notiona l Hours Credits 12 P age
TBC Spatial Statistics Explore and evaluate the nature of spatial data distributions. Systems 3, Remote sensing 2 7 120 12 AWG721 S Advanced WebGIS Evaluate and apply advanced methods and techniques to disseminate spatial information via WebGIS applications based on proprietary as well as open source software solutions and tools. Basic Web Cartography, Web Development Fundamentals, Geodatabases 7 120 12 TBC Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Solve real-world problems in the context of GIT at a variety of interdisciplinary Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement stations by employing theoretical and practical competencies. All courses up to and including Semester 5 7 360 36 Total Credits: 60 13 P age