Important information and answers to frequently asked questions about the short course, Please note: EXPLORING GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS 1. The university presently has two processes one can follow to become a student. These processes include an application process and a registration process. As a potential student to this short course for the first semester of 2013, you only need to go through the registration process which commences in November 2012. We are aware of students who have been instructed to go through an application process first. Please refuse to do so it will cost you additional (unnecessary) money which cannot be reimbursed. 2. At this stage it is not known whether 2013 second semester students have to apply via the Applications route. We will update this information later. 3. The completed registration form, and originally certified copies of your ID document and qualifications have to be e-mailed or faxed to the Department of Geography who will deal with your registration. Registration fees should only be paid AFTER you have received an e-mail with your student number and confirmation of your registration for the qualification (code 75515). Proof of payment has to be e-mailed or faxed to the Department of Geography. 4. We can only accommodate a limited number of students. Applications will be dealt with in a first received, first processed manner. Note however, that if there is missing or incorrect information on the registration form, you run the risk of your registration form being filed under Attend to later. 5. Basic computer literacy (a proficiency test is available on request), access to Microsoft Access and Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 7 or more recent) are requirements. 6. Registration as a myunisa user is essential. We are considering adapting a system whereby the submission and marking of assignments will be done online. If you experience problems registering as a myunisa user, you can send a mail to bugmaster@unisa.ac.za. In most cases problems are due to students forgetting their passwords or failing to pay the tuition fees by the stipulated date. Additional guidelines on how to register as a myunisa user can be requested by sending an e-mail to bugmaster@unisa.ac.za. 7. GIS software and data will be provided for module EGIS02K. 1
1) Enquiries Note that we will not respond to Please call me requests, and calls outside office hours. Office hours are from 8h00 to 16h00 Mondays to Fridays (excluding public holidays). Administrative enquiries only Ms Hellene Steenkamp: Tel: +27 (0) 11 471 3689; Fax: +27 (0)11 471 3216; E-mail: gslpadm@unisa.ac.za Academic enquiries only Mr Chris Vlok: Tel +27 (0) 11 471 3120; Fax: +27 (0)11 471 3216; E-mail: gslpacad@unisa.ac.za 2) What is the purpose of the course? This course will be useful to students of all disciplines and practitioners who make use of or need spatial information to better understand their discipline and the environment in which they operate and who wish to use GIS as a research tool. Another group of students that will benefit from this course would be students who aim to achieve career advancement in the GIS industry by gaining basic skills in operating a Geographical Information System (GIS). In particular, students credited with this course are able to think geographically, apply methods of spatial enquiry and use a Geographical Information System (GIS) as a tool for solving spatial problems and making informed decisions in the real-world based on viewing, querying, analysing and communicating spatial data. 3) Who can benefit from the course? This course is targeted at individuals who have an interest in spatial data and employees of institutions that deal with and need spatial information in their daily activities. Of particular importance are the following application areas: natural resource management; environmental planning and management; provision and maintenance of transport and communication networks; delivery of general public services such as electricity, water and sewerage; provision of community services such as hospitals, schools, libraries, sports fields; crisis planning and management; provision of public safety and security; property development; socioeconomic and health development; marketing; tourism development; education and training; business geographics; military strategy The course will help the pool of Geography teachers in secondary schools who lack the knowledge and skills to effectively teach the GIS concepts that have been introduced in the Grades 10 to 12 Geography curricula. Last but not least are persons considering the GIS industry as a career. Although this course does not offer the depth required to eventually register (with PLATO: http://www.plato.org.za/ or http://www.openspatial.co.za/plato/index.html) as a GIS technician or GIS professional it offers the opportunity to gain experience of what the industry requires. 4) What is the exact content of this course? The course is based on Unit Standards that were developed by the GIS Science Standards Generating Body. These unit standards were eventually approved by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority). 2
ID number of relevant Unit Standards Module EGIS01J 116828 Module EGIS02K 116833 116874 258756 To receive/view these Unit Standards, do one of the following. 1. You can send an e-mail to gslpadm@unisa.ac.za requesting the SAQA unit standards on which the course has been based. 2. Alternatively you can visit the SAQA website and download the Unit Standards yourself. Follow the steps listed below. a. Go to http://www.saqa.org.za/ b. Click on Qualifications and Unit Standards c. Click All Qualifications and Unit Standards d. Click on Search for a Unit Standard e. Type the relevant ID number in the Unit Standard ID field f. Click Go g. Right-click the ID number when the details of the Unit Standard appear and open or save the file. 5) How long does it take to complete the course? It is a semester course. You have to register for both modules in the same semester. You can register in either the first or the second semester. 6) Should I register for both modules simultaneously? Yes! Fully motivated written requests to do the modules in different semesters, should be submitted upon registration. Permission to do the modules in different semesters will only be granted in exceptional cases. However, should such permission be granted you must register for module EGIS01J first. 7) What does it cost? The basic cost for students resident in South Africa* is: R2000* (module EGIS01J) + R5200* (module EGIS02K) = R7200*. * A levy is payable by foreign students (see section 17) Students from abroad (but also RSA residents) can obtain a quotation by following the steps listed below. 1) Go to the UNISA Web: (http://www.unisa.ac.za/); 2) Click Study at UNISA; 3) Click Study fees ; 4) Click Study fees quotation ; 5) Complete the Study Fees Quotation Form; (a) Click on relevant spatial entity (Country - SA or other African country or International); (b) Qualification : select undergraduate; (c) Qualification code : 75515; (d) Library card : No; (e) Matric exemption : Click YES or NO depending on your matrix exemption status; 3
(f) Enter the relevant study unit codes (EGIS01J and/or EGIS02K). 6) When done, click on Display. Note: You can either e-mail or print the quotation. The total costs, minimum amounts payable and critical dates are summarised in the table below. Module 1 (EGIS01J) Module 2 (EGIS02K) Total cost R2000.00* R5200.00* Minimum amount payable upon R1000.00 R2000.00 receipt of registration letter. Dates on which balances need to be paid. The university makes provision for a student to pay the balance over a period of time. These dates are determined by the university and are reflected on the Student Statement Account. * Excluding foreign levies. Other important points regarding payment Payment should only be made once you receive a registration letter. Payments have to be linked to a student number (refer to page 3 of registration form). It is your responsibility to provide proof of payment. Proof of payment should either be faxed or e-mailed to Ms Steenkamp (+27 (0) 11 471 3216 or gslpadm@unisa.ac.za. The university will send you one or more Statement of Accounts. If applicable, the statement will show the outstanding balance and the date/s by which you should make minimum payments. Failing to oblige may result in your registration being terminated. If the minimum amounts as per your student account has not been paid by the stipulated date, your access to myunisa will be blocked. The implication is that you will not have further access to myunisa until such payment has been received. 8) Issuing of study material? This is very important information Read it attentively! You need not purchase any prescribed books or GIS software. Upon registration (prior to any payment) we will post Tutorial Letter 101 only. You will be able to read or download the study guides and other tutorial letters from the myunisa virtual campus. You will be stranded without having access to myunisa because Tutorial Letter 101 focuses only on administrative matters. If the minimum amounts referred to above has not been paid by the stipulated date, your access to myunisa will be blocked. The implication is that you will not have further access to study material until such payment has been received. Only upon receipt of proof that the minimum amount as stipulated in your registration letter has been paid, your study guide and other tutorial letters (or software and data) will be posted by registered mail to you. In other words, you need to trigger the action of us posting the balance of your study material. Note that late payment (thus late posting of study material) will not be regarded as a valid reason for late submission of assignments. 9) When should I register? See the table below. We highly recommend that should you be interested in the course, you register within two weeks opening of the registration period. Registering later will impact negatively on the amount of time you have to master the content of the modules.
Activity Semester 1: 2013 Semester 2: 2013 Registrations commence 28/11/2012 3/06/2013 Registrations close for December 14/12/2012 Not applicable recess Registration re-commence 02/01/2013 Registration closes 25/01/2013* 12/07/2013* Last day for cancellation of modules Minimum payment forfeited. (Full forfeiture after this date.) Preliminary date: 15 March Enquire by sending an e-mail to gslpadm@unisa.ac.za * Note again that we can only accommodate a limited number of students. Applications will be dealt with in a first received, first processed manner. 10) Other important dates to consider for 2013 registration Not yet available. Enquire by sending an e-mail to gslpadm@unisa.ac.za Module EGIS01J Module EGIS02K Item Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 Assignment 12 March 30 August 15 March 30 August 01 Assignment 2 April 23 September 2 April 23 September 02 Assignment 17 May 29 October 10 April 2 October 03 Assignment Not applicable 17 May 1 November 04 Compulsory workshop Not applicable To be confirmed: Option 1: 4 and 5 April Option 2: 8 and 9 April To be confirmed: Option 1: 26 and 27 September Option 2: 30 September and 1 October 11) Do I have to attend classes? Since the course is offered through distance education you do not have to attend conventional (regular) classes for module EGIS01J but please note that you have to attend a compulsory workshop for module EGIS02K. The venue for the workshop is Building 14 on the Sunnyside campus. Tshwane University of Technology Guest House facilities are available (at very reasonable rates) in walking distance from the Sunnyside campus. 12) Do I need to register for both modules? Definitely for the second module. If you have completed sufficient first level courses in Geography at Unisa or at another university you can apply for credit for module EGIS01J. If you do not have any relevant Geography credits, you need to register for both modules. Your written application for credit must accompany your registration application and must also include certified copies of: the list of modules you have passed; 5
the content of the/se module/s which is/are in your opinion a duplication of the content of module EGIS01J. Failure to submit the above documents together with your registration application will mean your application will not be considered. Can I apply for and receive credits for related modules already passed? Should you feel you have mastered the curriculum of one of the modules (only applicable to module EGIS01J) you may apply for credit. Your application should be directed to gslpadm@unisa.ac.za. Please note you may not receive credits for both of the modules. 13) Do I have to attend the EGIS02K workshop? YES the workshop (maximum two days) is compulsory for EGIS02K students and the final dates thereof will be supplied on request. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements and accommodation it is not included in your tuition fees. The venue for the workshop is Building 14 on the Sunnyside campus. Tshwane University of Technology Guest House facilities are available (at very reasonable rates) in walking distance from the Sunnyside campus. 14) What are the requirements to register for this course? 1) You need: a matric certificate. basic computer literacy at NQF level 4 (for module EGIS02K). NQF level 4 numeracy and literacy skills. Internet browsing and searching skills. 2) The answer to all the questions listed below, is YES! Do I need a computer? Do I need to be computer literate? Do I need access to internet? Do I need access to e-mail? Do I need to have an e-mail address? If you do not have the skills mentioned above (under point 1) you will not be able to proceed with this module. Upon arrival at the EGIS02K workshop you will write a test on basic computer literacy. It is thus essential to be well prepared for the workshop in terms of basic computer skills. 15) Issuing of certificates Note that certificates will only be issued after the official university graduation period provided your student account has been paid in full by the time the results are released. This is during the semester following on the semester in which you successfully completed the qualification. Also note that there is no graduation ceremony for this course and that certificates will be posted by registered mail. 16) Payment details a. INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS ONLY (UNISA student deposits) CASH/CHEQUE DEPOSITS (No cash or cheques will be accepted at the UNISA offices. Cash or cheques can, however, still be paid into the bank account of the University at any Standard bank branch in South Africa.)
BENEFICIARY UNISA STUDENT DEPOSITS BANK STANDARD BANK ACCOUNT NR 096R BRANCH CODE 010645 REFERENCE STUDENTNR 3515774764 NB: Leave one space open between student number and allocation ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFERS UNISA is a prepaid beneficiary (select from your bank s list of preapproved beneficiaries) REFERENCE STUDENTNR 3515774764 CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS (Credit cards are restricted to Visa and MasterCard) The preferred method of payment for national or international students is via the UNISA website. The web payment link is as follows: https://registration.unisa.ac.za/info/payment/index.html REFERENCE STUDENTNR 3515774764 b. CORPORATE CLIENTS/BULK PAYMENTS BENEFICIARY UNISA BANK STANDARD BANK ACCOUNT NR Please contact the Centre BRANCH CODE 010645 REFERENCE 3515774764 COMPANY NAME NB: A list of students with student numbers and amounts should be e-mailed to schwaae@unisa.ac.za (please cc gslpadm@unisa.ac.za) or faxed to 0866 24 21 72 (also to 011 471 3216) c. FOREIGN STUDENTS BENEFICIARY UNISA BANK STANDARD BANK ACCOUNT NR Please contact the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (veedets@unisa.ac.za) BRANCH CODE 010645 SWIFT CODE SBZAZAJJ REFERENCE STUDENTNR 3515774764 Foreign levies Students with an address or examination centre outside the RSA must pay the additional compulsory levy on registrations. Students who after registration change their postal address to a foreign address or examination centre will be liable to pay the foreign levy as specified. The levy for foreign students is not transferable and also not refundable; this rule also applies to the change of address from foreign countries to South Africa. Please note that the amounts shown above reflect the 2012 levies. Please send an e- mail to gslpadm@unisa.ac.za to enquire about the 2013 levies. 7
Levy per course (Rand) Levy per module (Rand) Category A: Africa R 850.00 R 425.00 Category B: Rest of the World R 1,700.00 R 850.00 NB: PROOF OF PAYMENT SHOULD ALSO BE E-MAILED TO gslpadm@unisa.ac.za. Study material will not be posted without proof of payment submitted to the Department of Geography Your kind cooperation in all these matters will be much appreciated. Kind regards Chris Vlok and Hellene Steenkamp