CE at UP courses in 2013

Certificate Course in Introductory Geographic Information Systems

The purpose of this programme is to teach the theory and practical components of a Geographic Information System (GIS). This programme will introduce GIS and explain the use of GIS in research, problem solving and decision making. The programme includes a strong practical component to strengthen the understanding of the theoretical concepts. The delegate has the option to do the practical component using either proprietary GIS software or open source GIS software. This is an evaluated distance learning programme, which include compulsory workshops and continuous assessments.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completion of this course, delegates should have the theoretical and practical knowledge to:
- design a new GIS project;
- acquire data from various sources;
- build an integrated spatial database;
- analyse the data; and
- communicate the results.

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT
Module 1: Basic computer literacy and GIS software
Module 2: Introduction to GIS and modelling space
Module 3: Projections and spatial referencing
Module 4: Spatial databases
Module 5: Data acquisition, quality and standards
Module 6: Spatial analysis
Module 7: Visualisation and map-making

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Delegates from all application fields interested in obtaining skills in GIS.

ACCREDITATION
The course is presented at a recommended level 5, with 40 recommended credits.

DURATION
This is a web-based programme consisting of seven modules presented over nine months with three compulsory workshops and one optional workshop. The workshops will take place on the following dates in Pretoria (proprietary and open source software) and Cape Town (open source software only):
4 - 6 February 2013
18 - 19 April 2013 1
7 May 2013 (Optional workshop)
5 - 7 June 2013

CERTIFICATE
After successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a certificate from the University of Pretoria.

COURSE FEES (CE at UP IS EXEMPT FROM VAT)
Pretoria: R15 100.00 
Cape Town: R17 100.00 
The course fee includes course material, textbook, lunch and refreshments during the workshops and is payable by the start date of the course.

REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES
Samedah Davis: 012 420 6342, info.ce@up.ac.za

COURSE CONTENT ENQUIRIES
Sanet Eksteen: 012 420 3546, sanet.eksteen@up.ac.za
Gavin Fleming: 084 596 5680, gavin at afrispatial dot co dot za 

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Certificate Course in Advanced Geographic Information Systems

The purpose of this course is to further the delegate’s theoretical and practical knowledge of GIS while enhancing their spatial thinking capabilities. This programme will offer more advanced principals of data acquisition, management and analysis when working with a GIS. This course will also focus on specific problems which may arise while working with GIS data. A Student version of the software used will be supplied to each delegate. This is an evaluated distance learning programme, which includes compulsory workshops and continuous assessments.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completion of the course the delegates should be able to: explain the difference between the various data models; analyse data using vector and raster methods in multi-criteria analysis; understand some advanced topics in raster data analysis; and design and implement a GIS project.

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT
Module 1: Data models
Module 2: Geodatabases
Module 3: Remote Sensing
Module 4: Data Analysis –vector
Module 5: Data Analysis – raster
Module 6: Advanced topics in raster data analysis
Module 7: GIS Standards
Module 8: Practical Project

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Delegates from all application fields with prior theoretical and practical knowledge of GIS

DURATION 
This is a web-based programme consisting of 8 modules presented over nine months with 5 compulsory workshops. An optional workshop introducing the GIS software may be attended at an additional cost. The workshops will take place on the following dates:
4 - 6 February 2013 (Optional workshop)
6 February 2013
25 - 27 March 2013
25 - 26 April 2013
25 - 28 June 2013
17 - 19 July 2013
24 - 25 October 2013

CERTIFICATE
After successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a certificate of successful completion from the University of Pretoria.

COURSE FEES (CE at UP IS EXEMPT FROM VAT)
The course fee is R20 000.00; includes course material and refreshments during the contact sessions. The course fee is payable by the start date of the course. (The textbook is excluded from the course fee)

REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES
Samedah Davis: 012 420 5015, info.ce@up.ac.za

COURSE CONTENT ENQUIRIES
Sanet Eksteen: 012 420 3546, sanet.eksteen@up.ac.za

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GISc Professional Practice

The course covers the Professional Practice theme described in the academic model of the South African Council for Professional Land and Technical Surveyors (PLATO). Topics include professionalism, professional ethics, social responsibility, professional practices, partnerships, client relationships, PLATO legislation and rules, Acts relevant to geomatics (e.g. Promotion of Access to Information Act, Spatial Data Infrastructure Act) and the role of international associations and societies in geomatics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the completion of the course, delegates will be able to:
- Discuss the meaning of GISc, a profession and the GISc as a profession
- Critically discuss the pros and cons of GISc as a profession, with particular reference to South Africa 
- Critically discuss the professional and ethical issues relevant to GISc within and between organisations 
- Discuss, analyse and evaluate different types of professional practices and partnerships 
- Discuss the role of international societies and associations in geomatics and their relevance to GISc business in South Africa 
- Interpret the PLATO legislation and rules 
- Interpret the relevant legislation pertaining to GISc business practice in South Africa

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT 
- Professionalism
- Professional ethics and social responsibility
- Professional practices, partnerships and client relationships
- International associations and societies in geomatics
- PLATO legislation and rules
- SDI Act, Promotion of Access to Information Act, Copyright, Intellectual Property Act

WHO SHOULD ATTEND 
Delegates who intend to apply for professional registration with PLATO. 

ADMISSION
Three year BSc degree; BA in geography or environmental science or related field; or relevant National Diploma for PLATO registration.

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Introduction to Geoinformation Standards

ISO/TC 211, Geographic Information/Geomatics, has produced a number of standards with regards to geographic information. The aim of this standardisation work is to establish a structured set of standards for information concerning objects or phenomena that are directly or indirectly associated with a location relative to the Earth. These standards, amongst others, specify methods, tools and services for acquisition, processing, management, analysis, access, presentation and transfer of geographic information in digital format between different users, systems and locations. ISO/TC 211 collaborates with the Open Geospatial Consortium Inc (OGC) on standards development. OGC publishes specifications for geospatial and location-based services, among these the more well known are the Web Map Service (WMS) and the Web Feature Service (WFS).

During this course the practical use of geographic information standards will be demonstrated. Upon completion of the course, delegates will know how to read, interpret and implement a geographic information standard. A selected number of ISO/TC 211 and South African national standards, such as ISO 19115, Geographic Information - Metadata, the South African address standard (SANS 1883) and some OGC web service standards, will be studied during the course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the programme, delegates should be able to:
- know where to find international standards with regards to geographic information;
- be able to read and interpret a standard;
- understand how to implement a standard; and
- be able to determine whether a standard implementation conforms to the standard.

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT
In the course the following will be addressed:
- International standards on geographic information.
- Abstract, meta-, information and service standards.
- Implementation of a standard for geographic information.
- Conformance with a standard for geographic information.
- A number of standards which have been selected as study material for the course.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The course is aimed at people working in the GIS industry. A basic knowledge of GIS is required.

ACCREDITATION
The University of Pretoria is an accredited higher education provider. CPD points can be obtained for course attendance.  

DURATION 
Full day attendance on campus for two days of eight hours each on 15 - 16 July 2013.

CERTIFICATE
A University of Pretoria certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the assessment.  

COURSE CONTENT ENQUIRIES
Dr Serena Coetzee: 012 420 3823, serena.coetzee@up.ac.za

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Introduction to Quantum GIS

This short course introduces Quantum GIS (QGIS) as an open source geographic information system software package. The basic tools and functionality of the software will be demonstrated, as well as a number of more advanced functions. Participants will get hands-on experience of the software in order to gain a clear and concise understanding of its usage.   

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Remote Sensing

The purpose of this course is to further the delegate's theoretical and practical knowledge of remote sensing techniques and applications. The course introduces the principles of remote sensing, in particular covering three main areas:

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Spatial Databases with PostGIS

This course provides a practical introduction to PostgreSQL with PostGIS, covering the following major themes of spatial databases: installing and configuring PostGIS, viewing PostGIS data in a desktop GIS, spatial SQL queries, spatial joins and spatial indexing. Although the theory is explained, most of the time during the course will be spent on practical examples, ensuring that delegates understand how to view spatial data, query spatial databases, etc. The course aims to equip the delegates with the necessary skills and knowledge to use spatial databases in the daily operations of their respective jobs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completion of the course delegates should be able to:
- create a spatial database in PostGIS;
- load spatial data into a PostGIS database;
- view spatial data in a PostGIS database from QGIS;
- manipulate and query spatial data with SQL; and
- tune PostgreSQL for efficient spatial data access.

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT
The course covers the following topics:
- Object-relational databases with PostgreSQL
- Spatial databases with PostGIS
- Manipulate and query spatial databases with SQL
- Configuring PostgreSQL and PostGIS for spatial data

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The course is aimed at people working in the GIS industry who want to use PostGIS spatial databases in their work. A basic knowledge of GIS is required.

ACCREDITATION
The University of Pretoria is an accredited higher education provider. CPD points can be obtained for course attendance. 

DURATION
Full day attendance on campus for five days of eight hours each on 10-14 June 2013

CERTIFICATE 
A University of Pretoria certificate is awarded to delegates who successfully complete the theory and practical assessment.

COURSE FEES (CE at UP IS EXEMPT FROM VAT)
The course fee is R7 500.00 and includes course material, lunch and refreshments. The course fee is payable by the start date of the course

REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES 
Samedah Davis: 012 420 5015, info.ce@up.ac.za 

COURSE CONTENT ENQUIRIES 
Dr Serena Coetzee: 012 420 3823, serena.coetzee@up.ac.za
Gavin Fleming: 084 596 5680, gavin at afrispatial dot co dot za

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The Basics of GIS

The purpose of this course is to teach the basic principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including both the theoretical background and a hands-on component, illustrating the theoretical concepts in practice.

COURSE CONTENT
The practical aspects of the course will be illustrated and practised by using ArcGIS 10. Although this course is not only about the software, delegates will have sufficient knowledge by the end of this course to do an easy GIS project using ArcGIS 10. The understanding of the theoretical and practical principles of GIS, together with experience in ArcGIS 10, will allow delegates to apply these principles to other GIS software packages.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completion of this course, delegates should have the theoretical and practical knowledge to design a new GIS project, acquire data from various sources, build an integrated GIS database, analyse the data and communicate the results.

WHO SHOULD ENROL?
People working in a GIS environment will benefit to a great extent.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Delegates should have at least a grade 12 qualification and a workable knowledge of Windows 2000.

COURSE STRUCTURE AND VENUE
This is a 3-day course, presented at the University of Pretoria.

ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION
Delegates will receive a certificate of attendance. The recommended NQF level is 5.

COURSE FEE (NO VAT PAYABLE)
R5100 per delegate, including all course material and refreshments

REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES 
Samedah Davis: 012 420 5015, info.ce@up.ac.za 

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