General Aims of the Honours Programmes
In meeting the spatial development challenges presented by the dynamically changing population, settlement structure and environment in South Africa, the programmes have the following broad aims:
- Schooling in the systematic identification, analysis and monitoring of urban and regional problems;
- Introduction to policy frameworks, guidelines, procedures and scientific techniques for decision -making and management of spatial development
- Note: Only persons with degrees in the Natural Sciences (BSc) may register at the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNAP) (BA’s excluded).
- Only persons with a BSc Honours qualification in Geography and Environmental Studies are allowed to register as professional scientists with training in Natural Sciences at the South Af rican Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNAP). Persons with a Social Sciences degree (BA) are excluded.
- The Department reserves the right not to present all optional modules in a specific calendar
Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
Programme Code
56502 – 778(120)
Specific Admission Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree with Geography and Environmental Studies as a major.
An average final mark of 60% for the major.
Closing Date for Applications
South African students:
Apply by 31 October of the preceding year.
International students:
Apply by 31 August of the preceding year.
http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies
Programme Structure
The study of the systematic disciplines of urban, tourism, social and physical geography,
environmental impact analysis, disaster risk and development, and their application in a
geographical research field.
The modules of this programme (with the exception of Module 743 that is presented throughout
the year) are presented in block periods. These modules are presented weekly in four lectures and
four practicals.
Duration of Programme
The programme normally begins in the last week of January and concludes in November.
Programme Content
Compulsory Module
14033 : Geographical Research Application 743(30)
plus
Elective Modules
Choose three of the following modules. Please note that not all elective modules are necessarily
presented each year.
10131 : Urban Analysis and Synthesis 714(30)
11887 : Tourism Analysis and Synthesis 715(30)
63371 : Environmental Analysis and Synthesis 711(30)
13134 : Disaster Risk Science and Development 712(30)
49611 : Geographical Information Systems 713(30)
14034 : GIS applications 771(30)
14259 : Applications in Geomorphology 771(30)
Prerequisite pass modules
The following prerequisite pass modules or any acceptable equivalent as required by the
Department, are compulsory.
Module Pass prerequisite module/s
10131 Urban Analysis & Synthesis 714 PP Geography and Environmental Studies 354 or 323
11887 Tourism Analysis & Synthesis 715 PP Geography and Environmental Studies 314
63371 Environmental Analysis & Synthesis 711 PP Geography and Environmental
Studies 344 or 358 or 334 13134 Disaster Risk Science and Development 712 PP Geography and Environmental
Studies 344 or 358 or 334 49611 Geographical Information Systems 713 PP Geography and Environmental
Studies 214 (60%) or 363 (65%) 14034 GIS applications 771 PP Geography and Environmental Studies 214 (60%) or 363 (65%) or Geographical Information Technology 312
Assessment and Examination
Assessment is done by a system of flexible assessment, tests, assignments, a research project, oral
presentations and examinations. You must obtain a sub-minimum of 50% in each module to pass.
Enquiries
Programme Co-ordinator: Dr S Grenfell
Tel: 021 808 3105 E-mail: sgrenfell@sun.ac.za
Website: www0.sun.ac.za/geography
Specific Admission Requirements
A Bachelor’s degree with Geography and Environmental Studies as a major and appropriate training in Geographical Information Systems (GIS training). An average final mark of 60% for the major.
Programme Structure
The study of the systematic disciplines of urban or tourism geography, in-depth knowledge of, and advanced skills in, the basic principles of geographical information systems and their application in a human geographical research field.
The programme is presented weekly in four lectures and four practicals.
Duration of Programme
The programme normally begins in the last week of January and concludes in November.
Compulsory Modules
10130 – 743 (30) Human Geographical Research Application
Plus
49611 – 713 (30) Geographical Information Systems
12187 – 716 (30) Spatial Modelling and Geographical Communication
63398 – 712 (30) Advanced Remote Sensing
Prerequisite pass modules
The following prerequisite pass modules or any acceptable equivalent as required by the
Department, are compulsory.
Module Pass prerequisite module/s
63398 Advanced Remote Sensing 712 PP Geographical Information Technology 342
49611 Geographical and Information Systems 713 PP Geographical Information Technology 241 or Geographical Information Systems 214 (60%) or
Geographical Communication 363 (65%)
12187 Spatial Modelling and Geographical Communication 716 PP Spatial Modelling 334 or Geographical Information Technology 341 and Computer
Science 114 or Socio-Informatics 224 or Socio-Informatics 254
Assessment and Examination
Assessment is done by a system of flexible assessment, tests, assignments, a research project, oral
presentations and examinations. You must obtain a subminimum of 50% in each module to pass.
Application link
http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies
Enquiries
Programme Co-ordinator: Prof A van Niekerk
Tel: 021 808 3101 E-mail: avn@sun.ac.za
Website: https://www0.sun.ac.za/geography
Faculty of Sciences
Admission Requirements
- A BSc degree in Geoinformatics or a related discipline as major.
- An average of 60% is required for the major.
Accreditation
This programme, proceeding from an accredited three-year BSc GeoInformatics programme, satisfies the South African Geomatics Council’s academic requirements for registration as a Professional Geographical Information Science (GISc) Practitioner. Students who successfully complete this four-year qualification will automatically be able to register as Professional GISc Practitionersin training.
Duration of Programme
This duration of the programmeis one year.Programme ContentThis programme consists of lectures and an applied research component. Programme content includes theapplication of Geographic Information Systemsas an integrating toolfor the analysis, comprehension, management and resolution of spatial problems concerning human-environment interaction, environmental problems in special environments,and the execution of spatial analyses and modelling.
Outcomes
- Capacity to recognise and assess scientific geographic paradigms and to identify a research specialisation
- Ability to conduct research by exposure to a series of research skills and the formal departmental prescriptions for research reporting
- Knowledge of vector, raster and object-oriented spatial data models and the ability to capture, manipulate, analyse and graphically display digital spatial data
- Skill in the use of geographical technology such as GIS, GPS, database approaches in the context of GIS and the preparation of GIS projects
- Ability to apply remote sensing techniques using knowledge of advanced remote sensing principles and satellite platforms, as well as the application of the latest software for image enhancement, pixel classification and pattern
- Critical understanding of the principles, prescriptions and strategies for environmental management in South Africa and the application of a series of geographical analysis techniques such as GIS and satellite remote sensing to identify, demarcate and help resolve environmental problems.
Modules and Schedule
Compulsary Modules
- 49611 713 30 Geographical Information Systems
- 12187 716 30 Spatial Modelling and Geographical Communication
- 63363 742 30 Environmental Geography Research Application
- 63398 712 30 Advanced Remote Sensing
Assessment and Examination
This programme is assessed continuously through tests, assignments, a research project, oral presentations and examinations. You have to obtain a sub-minimum of 50% in each module to pass. Although the programme is presented in English, discussions, tests, examinations, assignments and reports will be accepted and dealt with in English or Afrikaans.
Application link
http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies
Enquiries
Prof A van Niekerk
Tel: 021- 808 3218/3101
E-mail: avn@sun.ac.za
Departmental website: http://www.sun.ac.za/geography
General Application Information
Online Applications: http://www.sun.ac.za/pgstudies
For enquiries send an email to info@sun.ac.za or phone +27 21 808 9111
Address: The Registrar, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, MATIELAND 7602
Closing dates for local (SA) student application: 31 October
Closing dates for international student application: 31 October for the Faculty of Science & 31 August for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Stellenbosch University offers various merit bursaries, sports bursaries, bursaries for studies in specific faculties or departments, general bursaries and bursary loans for needy students (see Calendar Part 2).
Web site: http://www0.sun.ac.za/pgstudies/fees.html
Tel: 021 808 4208
E-mail: postgradfunding@sun.ac.za
Address: The Registrar (Head: Postgraduate Bursaries and Loans), Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602
Web site: http://www0.sun.ac.za/pgstudies/fees.html
Tel: +27 21 808-9111
E-mail: info@sun.ac.za
The same prescribed application form is used for applications for admission to a programme and to accommodation in a University Residence.
Web site: http://www0.sun.ac.za/pgstudies/living-in-stellenbosch-1.html
University accommodation: Apply online or contact 021 808 9111 for an application form.
Private accommodation: Student Housing Office, Tel 021 808 2848
Closing date for applications: 30 June of the year before accommodation is needed.