Knowledge Areas
Land Surveyor (Professional)
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, differential equations, partial derivatives, Taylor series,\nmean value theorem, solving systems of linear and non-linear equations, trigonometric functions, hyperbolic\nfunctions, conic sections, complex numbers, vector geometry, matrix algebra, linear transformations, space curves\nand surfaces, intersection of lines/planes, distance from points to lines/planes, differential geometry. series and\npolynomials. Basic statistics, including sets, probability, permutations and combinationsmean, standard deviation\nand normal distribution. To be added to allow for changes in matriculation syllabus: Euclidean and analytical\ngeometry, trigonometric identities, laws of sines and cosines, proportion, co-ordinate systems, areas and volumes.
Physics
Kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, power, rotational dynamics, torque, angular momentum, gravitation, periodic motion, simple harmonic motion, interference, wave motion, diffraction, refraction and reflection of waves, Doppler effect, electric charge and field, electric potential, capacitance, resistance, electric current, electromagnetic induction, magnetic field, electromagnetic spectrum.
Surveying
Measurement science, distance measurement (optical, mechanical and electro-optical), angular measurement,\nmeasuring equipment (distance and angular, including sources and management of instrument errors, calibration\nand expected precision), spatial reference systems, distance and direction from coordinates, position determination\nusing observed angles/directions, distances, or combinations of these, and Satellite Navigation Systems, setting out\nof pre-determined positions, heighting, areas, volumes, interpretation of maps/plans, design and setting out of\nhorizontal and vertical curves, cross and longitudinal sections, cut and fill calculations, preparation of maps/plans, 2-D coordinate transformations, control surveys, topographic surveys. Inertial navigation systems.
Information Technology
Introduction to computer hardware, operating systems, data communications (local and wide area cover networks),\nword processing, spreadsheets, internet, software development (scientific/engineering) in a current programming\nlanguage, systems development (including systems analysis and design), databases and database management\nsystems, use of information technology in surveying, 2-D CAD, security of systems and information.
Geo-spatial Information Science
Nature of geo-spatial information, geo-spatial information in planning and decision-making, components of a GIS,\ndata acquisition and manipulation, data structures (including vector, raster, hybrid), data modelling, geo-spatial\ndatabases and DBMS, , applications of geo-spatial data using spatial analysis, spatial modelling and spatial statistics,\nvisualisation and representation of geo-spatial information (including digital cartography).
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Earth radiation model and electro-magnetic spectrum, satellite orbits, geometry of sensors and sensor systems\n(airborne and satellite), camera calibration , acquisition of images (including flight planning), image media and\nformats incl. image compression, principles of analogue and digital photography, photogrammetric measuremnet\nand data processsing including geometry of images, relative and absolute orientation, 3D resection, 3D intersection,\nbundle adjustment and aero triangulatio+B1n, ortho-rectification, mosaicing and georeferencing, digital elevation\nmodels . Determination of 3-D coordinates in close-range photogrammetry. Accuracy and reliability assessment of\nphotogrammetrically derived data, image (photo) interpretation , image processing (including image enhancement,\nimage feature extraction, classification). creation of 3D computer model of landscapes settlements and buildings.Virtual globes
Coordinate Systems and Map Projections
Two-dimensional coordinate systems, three-dimensional coordinate systems, grid reference systems, shape of the Earth, mathematical representations of the Earth (including reference ellipsoids), geographical coordinates, different types of map projection transformations, reference datums and ellipsoids, SA Survey co-ordinate system and UTM system.
Adjustments and Error Theory
The nature of observations and data acquisition, types of errors, means, norms ,accuracy, precision, reliability,\nprobability, confidence intervals, distributions and probability density functions, auto- and cross-correlation,\nhypothesis testing, least squares theory, simple and multiple regression, distribution functions, law of error\npropagation, least squares adjustments of survey observations( paramatric and condition equation case), network adjustment (including free networks), adjustment of coordinate transformations, design of survey networks,\nstatistical analysis of results and interpretation of data.
Earth and Environmental Science
Geomorphology, structural geology, engineering geology, interpretation of geological maps, integrated environmental management, environmental impact assessment.
Business and Project Management
Management functions (planning, controlling, organising, decision-making), human resource management, financial\nmanagement and management accounting, marketing and client relations, labour legislation, taxation, project\nplanning, costing, resource allocation, project control and reporting, business communication, report writing, contract law.
Professional Practice and Ethics
Professionalism, professional ethics, different types of professional practices, partnerships and partnership law, structuring a practice, client relationships, SA Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors (including legislation and rules), and social responsibility. (A minimum of 30% of the time must be spent on professionalism).
Category Specific Project / Research
The reserch project must have a system design and or spatial analysis component and include reporting and presentation of final results. The time spend on research topic selection, research proposal, analysis and interpretation, progress reporting, and liaison with research supervisor must be a minimal of 300 hours.
Cadastral Studies and Land Tenure
Land ownership and land tenure (including indigenous systems), rights in land (including servitudes, leases, statutory rights), nature and function of the cadastre, cadastral surveying systems, South African cadastral survey system and the Land Survey Act and Regulations, curvilinear boundaries, case law on boundaries, registration\nsystems, Deeds registration, conveyancing, division of land, consolidation of land, legislation applicable to land ownership and division of land, sectional titles (including Sectional Titles Act and Regulations).
Satellite Surveying and Geodesy
Earth gravity field, earth rotation dynamics and reference systems, geocentric coordinate systems, gravity observations, geoidal studies, tidal effects, datum and datum shifts, geodetic surveying, global navigation satellite systems, satellite orbits and orbital parameters, time systems, 3-D positioning.
Land Management and Planning
Urban dynamics and development, land use systems and types, land use planning and control, socio-economic influences, environmental and physical influences, planning legislation and constraints on township development, community dynamics, social compacts, layout design, engineering considerations for services, integrated environmental management, environmental impact analysis, land development objectives of local government, land management and administration, land valuation.
Precise Engineering Surveying
3D Modelling /Cartography /Visualisation
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, interactive maps, Web maps, general purpose maps, relief representation, thematic maps (including statistical mapping), image maps, intellectual property rights and copyright, privacy rights, information economics, computer-assisted cartographic systems, map printing.