| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 02240416 | Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences | Department: Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 1 year | Total credits: 135 | NQF level: 08 |
Students who failed GIS 708 in 2021, may take GMA 705 as an alternative as from 2022.
Minimum credits: 135
Fundamental credits: 15
Core credits: 105
Elective credits: 15
Additional information: Students must choose one of the two geoinformatics modules, GIS 708 or GMA 705, as a core module. They may choose the other one as an elective module.
Module content:
The module provides a critical review of the structures and paradigms in which the geographical and environmental sciences are practised. Particular reference is made to the development and impact of paradigms and the interdependence of systems within space and time.
Module content:
The aim of this module is to understand the principles and processes behind environmental assessments. The module will give an overview of the history of assessments, compare assessment processes internationally, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, provide an overview of the South African regulatory context and the environmental authorisation process.
Module content:
An approved individual research project on an evnironmental/geography topic within the natural sciens. The project is carried out under the guidance of a lecturer. The project culminates in a research report in the format of a research paper and presentation. The student is expected to obtain the respective skills (theoretical and practical research techniques, data analysis, communication and computer skills) necessary for the research topic.
Module content:
This module focuses on processes and applications of geomorphology. Topics that may be studied include: soil erosion and conservation, weathering, geomorphic response to environmental change, slope processes and geomorphological hazards. The module includes practical fieldwork and field assessments.
Module content:
The module introduces students to research planning and design; scientific reading, writing and presentation as required for research in geography and environmental sciences.
Module content:
Study themes include past environmental change, causes and consequences of human-induced environmental change and South Africa and climate change.
Module content:
Advanced topics in GIS application, such as principal component analysis, multi-criteria evaluation and other geospatial analysis methods, and their application relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Module content:
The aim of the module is to provide knowledge and understanding of image analysis and information extraction methods in remote sensing. The emphasis is on equipping students with knowledge and skills necessary to process imagery to extract diverse biophysical and geospatial information. The course gives insight into the possibilities and limitations of the application of modern remote sensing/image acquisition systems for Earth and atmosphere research purposes at different levels of detail.
Module content:
The principles of experimental design as required for the selection of an appropriate research design. Identification of the design limitations and the impact thereof on the research hypotheses and the statistical methods. Identification and application of the appropriate statistical methods needed. Interpreting of statistical results and translating these results to the biological context.
Module content:
Definitions of woodlands and forests and vegetation and forest resources in southern Africa; Classification of forest and woodland in southern Africa; Woodland dynamics including disturbance, recruitment, growth and mortality, recovery after disturbance; Ecosystem services (microclimate and nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration etc); Sustainable forest resource management (resource assessment, socio-economic assessment e.g. wood and non-forest products, participatory resource management processes); Forest health; Monitoring of resource-use impacts and adaptive management; Development of a framework for sustainable conservation and use of non-timber forest products; Climate change and resilience. Forest disease and pathology.
Module content:
A self-study module on an aspect or aspects of geographical or environmental science selected in consultation with the head of the department from: (a) themes not covered in existing options; or (b) educational subjects.
Module content:
The main themes of the module include: overview of global urbanisation theories and processes; urban morphology and change; the administrative structure and functions of African cities and; the quality of urban life in the developing world.
Module content:
Advanced topics in geospatial data management, such as data quality, data acquisition and management, standards, spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and legislation.
Module content:
A special topic in Geoinformatics linked to research specialisation in the department and/or visiting lecturers. For example, research trends and advances in a specific topic or field of specialisation in Geoinformatics.The module is presented in the form of guided advanced readings, seminars and/or discussion sessions.
Module content:
Advanced topics in GIS application, such as principal component analysis, multi-criteria evaluation and other geospatial analysis methods, and their application relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Module content:
Advanced topics in spatial databases, such as computational geometry, spatial data indexing and query processing, and using the web and mobile technologies for accessing, delivering and presenting geospatial data and services.
Module content:
The aim of the module is to provide knowledge and understanding of image analysis and information extraction methods in remote sensing. The emphasis is on equipping students with knowledge and skills necessary to process imagery to extract diverse biophysical and geospatial information. The course gives insight into the possibilities and limitations of the application of modern remote sensing/image acquisition systems for Earth and atmosphere research purposes at different levels of detail.
Module content:
Fundamentals of seasonal forecasting. The El Niño/Southern Oscillation. Empirical orthogonal functions. Canonical correlation analysis. Empirical forecast models practical. Sea-surface temperature models. Fully coupled and two-tiered general circulation modelling. Dynamical and empherical downscaling techniques. Significance testing using Monte Carlo techniques. Modelling pitfalls. User application forecasting. Projections of decadal and multi dacadal climate anomalies.
Module content:
Initial atmospheric state, observation network, data assimilation, initialization, parameterisation, post-processing. Ensemble methods, probability forecasting, forecast verification. Global circulation models, limited-area and mesoscale models, variable resolution models, dispersion models. Seamless prediction. Practical applications.
Module content:
Basic principles and characteristics of weather radar including doppler and dual-polarization radars. Weather radar equation. Interpretation of radar reflectivity and velocity data. Introduction to mesoscale meteorology. Surface mesoscale features, atmospheric instability and severe storm classification. Analysis of convective storms and associated hazards.
Module content:
Tropospheric atmospheric composition in southern Africa, with a particular focus on air quality. Specific topics are: air pollution and atmospheric chemistry; linkages between meteorology and air pollution; impacts of air pollution on health and ecosystems; links of atmospheric composition to biogeochemical processes. Modelling and measuring atmospheric composition. Linkages between air pollution and climate change.
Module content:
Concepts related to climate and climate change. Definitions, classification and factors influencing climate. Causes and impacts of climate change. Perceptions of climate change and climate change communication. Basic principles of climate modelling.
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