Knowledge Areas
GISc (Technician)
GSc: Geographical science
Ability to understand Geographical science as it relates to GISc.
GSc1: Area and spatial analysis (12)
Comprises the reading, analysis and interpretation of spatial information; Basic concepts and terminology. Broader understanding of what GIS is and what it involves. Historical perspective. Application fields. Understand different fields contributing and forming part of GISc. Components of a GIS. Functionality, analysis and processess involved.
GSc2: Earth and environmental science (12)
GIS in earth and environmental studies:
A combination of any of the following: Climatology, Geomorphology, Hydrology, Ecology structural geology, engineering geology, interpretation of geological maps, integrated environmental management, environmental impact assessment, development science and theory, urban systems and human settlement, population geography, Disasters (natural and manmade), sustainable development, natural environmental systems (water, atmospheric, oceanographic, fauna/flora etc.), tourism, conservation (natural or heritage), climate change.
MS: Mathematics and statistics
Ability to apply mathematics and statistics in solving GISc related problems.
MS1 Mathematics: Introduction to higher mathematics and problem solving (24)
Differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, partial derivatives, solving systems of linear and non-linear equations, trigonometric functions, conic sections, vector geometry, matrix algebra, linear transformations, differential geometry. Basic statistics: regression, distributions, error theory, correlation, sampling. including sets, probability, mean standard deviation.
PS: Physical science
Ability to understand the principles of Physics in geomatics practice, instrumentation and technology related to GISc.
PS1 Kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, Friction, Momentum, and work (12)
Kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, power, gravity, periodic motion, interference, diffraction, refraction and reflection of waves, electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic spectrum. Optics.
AM: Analytical methods
Understand and apply different analytical methods related to GISc.
AM3: Geometric measures (9)
Distances and lengths; direction; shape; area; volume proximity and distance decay; adjacency and connectivity. Terrain Analysis.
AM4: Basic analytical operations (9)
Buffer; overlay; neighborhoods; map algebra.
CF: Conceptual Foundation
Ability to work in a information technology environment.
CF1: Introduction to information technology (12)
Introduction to computer hardware, operating systems, data communications (local and wide area cover networks), word processing, spread sheets, internet, distributed systems, CAD, security of systems and data/information, data storage, data dissemination, spatial data integration (coordinate systems, projections, resembling rasters).
CV: Cartography and visualization
Understand and apply cartography and visualization tecqniques.
CV2: Data considerations (8)
Source materials for mapping; Data abstraction: classification, selection, and generalization; Projections as a map design issue.
CV3: Principles of map design (8)
Map design fundamentals; Basic concepts of symbolization; Color for cartography and visualization; Typography for cartography and visualization; Visual perception, graphicacy, cartographic communication (including information sense-making, information use and information-knowledge transformation), graphic space, symbology (point, line, area, pictorial, 3-D), colour, cartographic design, typonomy, generalisation, map use, multimedia mapping, 2-D and 3-D visualisation, Web maps, general purpose maps, relief representation, thematic maps (including statistical mapping).
CV6: Map use and evaluation (8)
The power of maps; Map reading; Map interpretation; Map analysis; Evaluation and testing; Impact of uncertainty.
DA: Design aspects
Understanding the design aspects of databases for geospatial data.
DA4 Database design (12)
Modeling: Conceptual model; Logical models; Physical models.
DM: Data modelling
Understand DBMS and Data modelling.
DM2: Database management systems (4)
Co-evolution of DBMS and GIS; Relational DBMS; Object-oriented DBMS; Object-relational DBM; Extensions of the relational model.
DM3:Tessellation data models (4)
Grid representations; The raster model; Grid compression methods; Terrain models including the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) model; Resolution; Hierarchical data models.
DM4: Vector and object data models (4)
Geometric primitives; The spaghetti model; The topological model; Classic vector data models; The network model.
DN: Data manipulation
Ability to implement data manipulation in a GISc environment.
DN1: Representation transformation (6)
Impacts of transformations; Data model and format conversion; Interpolation; Vector-to-raster and raster-to-vector conversions; Raster resampling; Coordinate transformations.
DN2: Generalization and aggregation (6)
Scale and generalization, caveats of generalising algorithms (Douglas-Peuker) and auto-snap-up routines; Approaches to point, line, and area generalization; Classification and transformation of attribute measurement levels; Aggregation of spatial entities.
GC: Geocomputation
Understand basic computer programmes in a geographical information system.
GC10: Computer programming (12)
Algorithms; Standard query language (SQL); Scripting.
GD: Geospatial data
Ability to demonstrate an understanding of working with Geospatial data.
GD1: Earth geometry (4)
Earth’s shape; geoid, spheres and ellipsoids.
GD3: Georeferencing systems (6)
Geographic coordinate system; Plane coordinate systems; Linear referencing systems. Two- and three-dimensional coordinate systems, grid reference systems, SA Survey co-ordinate system and UTM system.
GD4: Datums (2)
Horizontal datums; Vertical datums. Reference datums.
GD5: Map projections (6)
Map projection types and characteristics; Georeferencing; projection properties.
GD6: Data quality (6)
Primary and secondary sources, Geometric accuracy; Thematic accuracy; Logical consistency, Resolution; Precision; Metadata. Completeness and temporal quality. Digitsing and editing of data.
GD7: Land surveying, land law and GPS/GNSS (6)
Survey theory and electro-optical methods; Land law: South African cadastral survey system and the Land Survey Act and Regulations, registration systems.Global Positioning System (GNSS).
GD10: Aerial imaging and photogrammetry (6)
Principles of analogue and digital photography, photogrammetric measurement and data processing including geometry of images, relative and absolute orientation. Knowledge of photogrametric and satellite sensors, methods and products.
GS: GI S&T and society
Ability to understand and apply professionalism, ethics and relevant legislation in the GISc environment.
GS6: Ethical aspects of geospatial information and technology (12)
Ethics and professionalism in the GISc practice; Codes of ethics for geospatial professionals; Codes of conduct in the GISc field. Legislation regulating the profession. Intellectual property rights and copyright, privacy rights.
OI: Organizational and institutional aspects
Ability to operate safely and within the Geomatics Industry legal requirements.
OI5: Institutional and interinstitutional aspects (6)
Understanding of Spatial data infrastructures; Adoption of standards; Data transfer and exchange; Spatial data sharing among organizations; Data warehousing.
OI7: Business and project management (6)
Effective communication within the built environment (written and spoken communication, communication in the workplace); office organisation and methods; contracts; awareness of management theory, marketing and client relations. Introduction to project management.
RM: Research methodology
Ability to demonstrate technical proficiency in the application of relevant technologies and producing a related report.
RM1: Portfolio of evidence (8)
Technical Report-Portfolio of evidence demonstrating communication skills in the application of relevant competencies applied in the GISc field.
Credits for specialization
Select one but not more than three core KA's for specialization (10)