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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the context of GI Science 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258657  Demonstrate an understanding of the context of GI Science 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Geographical Information Sciences 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard was developed as a fundamental unit standard to be used by any discipline. A person who has successfully completed this unit standard will understand what GIS is, how it relates to GI Science and how GIS can benefit a variety of disciplines.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Demonstrate a generic understanding of what GIS is.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the specialist knowledge needed to build a proper GI system.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how GIS can be used in different industries.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the functionality available from a GIS. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following:
  • The ability to read maps and understand spatial information.
  • Communication at NQF Level 5.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Geography, Remote Sensing, Information technology, applications.

    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    Range statements are included with specific outcomes as necessary. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate a generic understanding of what GIS is. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The fact that GIS can be used to produce maps from spatial data are understood. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Point, line, polygon.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The fact that GIS offers the ability to integrate spatial data with attribute data is understood. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Database, spreadsheets.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The fact that GIS offers the ability to integrate images with map data are understood. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Satellite imagery, Aerial photos.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The fact that GIS offers the ability to put the different data types in to a holistic union, in order to provide a better understanding of the real world is understood. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an appreciation of the specialist knowledge needed to build a proper GI system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for IT skills in developing a GI system is understood and explained in terms of GI Science. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Databases, Development skills.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The need for Geography skills in developing a GI system is understood and explained in terms of GI Science. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Human geography, physical geography.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The need for Remote Sensing skills in developing a GI system is understood and explained in terms of GI Science. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of how GIS can be used in different industries. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, Food production, Transportation, Marketing, Built Environment, Finances, Education, Entertainment, Medical Care, Conservation, Government, Policing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Review at least six existing GIS applications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Each application must be selected from a different industry listed above.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    GIS applications are suggested. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Select three industry areas that have NOT been included in the review above.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Analyse a GIS application of your choice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Use one of the applications reviewed above.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the functionality available from a GIS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Data capture functionality is understood and explained in terms of GI Science. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Vector and attribute data.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Data storage and management functionality is understood and explained in terms of GI Science. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including vector and attribute data. Attribute management including data models should be reviewed within a GUI database management system.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Data analysis functionality is understood and explained in terms of GI Science. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Examples of Overlays, Booleans, Buffers, Relational analysis, TIN analysis and Network analysis.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Map and report outputs are understood and explained in terms of GI Science. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/group/organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Display an understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:

    Gi:
  • Geographical Information.

    GISy:
  • Geographical Information System used to capture, store, manipulate, analyse and integrate spatial and attribute data in order to provide management information.

    GISc:
  • The Science behind the successful utilisation of Geographical Information Systems.

    GIT:
  • Geographical Information Technology: The technologies used in GISc and GISy.

    Notes to Assessors:
  • All of the requirements of this unit standard is at an information or introductory level. Learners should be given examples, and should be able to discuss these in various contexts. No practical or software based work is required.
  • The unit standard was specifically designed to lead the learner from the known (Maps, data) to the unknown-GIS.
  • Raster data should only be introduced as backdrop data. Later unit standards will introduce raster GIS.
  • GIS functionality should be illustrated, but learners are NOT expected to be able to use such functionality. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  63589   National Diploma: Geographical Information Science  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 
    Core  63711   Bachelor of Geographical Information Science (GISc)  Level 7  NQF Level 07  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30   
    Fundamental  63689   Bachelor of Arts: Geographical Information Science  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30   


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.
     
    1. ESRI SOUTH AFRICA 


    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.