Bachelor of Spatial Science (BSPS) - BSpSc

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Unspecified (Toowoomba campus: 907222; Distance education: 907225); Urban & Regional Planning (Distance education: 907235; Toowoomba campus: 907232)

CRICOS code (International applicants): 053511E

Contact us

In this section:

• Geographic Information Systems major
• Surveying major
• Urban and Regional Planning major (New for 2013)

Geographic Information Systems major

The program provides students with the educational requirements to become a professional spatial scientist and equips them with a core of basic theoretical, scientific, analytical, managerial, professional, research and communication skills that will permit them to undertake an in-depth study of the fundamental science and practice of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Additionally, students obtain knowledge of the natural, legal, commercial, industrial and social environments in which they will function as professionals.

Career opportunities

Professional in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial information analyst and mapping in Local, State and Commonwealth Government agencies, private sector organisations in areas such as land development, planning, mapping and spatial data management.

Surveying major

This program provides students with the knowledge to apply new technologies, such as the satellite-based Global Positioning System, Geographic Information Systems and Land Information Systems, to a broad range of surveying projects including land development, mapping, engineering and mining. Students will gain the skills required to find unique solutions to problems – solutions that are expected to be both socially and environmentally responsible. Students will use advanced skills and knowledge acquired in analysis, measurement science and computing to complete surveying and spatial information projects. The Bachelor of Spatial Science may be awarded with Honours for high achieving students.

Career opportunities

Professional Surveyor in property surveying, land development, land information, mapping, engineering or the mining industry and State, Commonwealth and Local Government agencies.

Urban and Regional Planning major (New for 2013)

This program provides students with the knowledge and skills required to design communities and assess the impact of development on other residents. Students will gain knowledge of the regulatory controls that facilitate sustainable urban development, environmental planning and natural resource management

For further information on this major please see Urban and Regional Planning

Career opportunities

Professional Planners are employed in Local, State and Federal Government agencies, property development companies or in private consultancies.

Professional accreditation

The Bachelor of Spatial Science (Surveying) is fully accredited by the Surveyors Board of Queensland and is recognised in every Australian state and in New Zealand through reciprocal arrangements. The degree, together with relevant industry experience, enables registration and/or licensing as a professional surveyor with the Boards of Surveyors in Australia and New Zealand.

The Surveying and Spatial Science Institute Australia has accredited both program majors and graduates are eligible for membership.

Program aims

The Bachelor of Spatial Science program provides students with the educational requirements to become a professional spatial scientist and the ability to undertake postgraduate studies. The program equips students with a core of basic theoretical, scientific, analytical, managerial, professional, research and communication skills that will permit them to undertake an in-depth study of the fundamental science and practice of spatial science in one of two fields: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Surveying.

In addition, students obtain knowledge of the natural, legal, commercial, industrial and social environments in which they will function as professionals. The program instils in students the need for continuing professional development and gives them the ability to adapt to change.

The program is designed to identify, and award honours to, students who have the capacity to undertake study at an advanced level and to make an original contribution to the fundamental science and practice of spatial science. The award of honours will be determined by academic performance and is normally based on a student's grade point average (GPA).

Program objectives

A student who successfully completes the Bachelor of Spatial Science should be able to demonstrate:

• a broad knowledge of basic scientific and technical skills

• a high level of computer literacy skills appropriate to their field of study

• a high level of written and oral communication skills

• a capacity for analysis, evaluation and synthesis

• an understanding of, and ability to undertake, the processes required to collect, store, and manipulate a variety of spatial data

• a capacity to adapt to change and to apply innovation

• an understanding of the natural, social, professional, industrial and technical environments in which they will practice

• a knowledge of professional journals and other information sources related to the spatial science industry, the skills required to access information from those sources, and an aptitude to undertake further learning and study

• an ability to undertake applied research in a field of the spatial science discipline

• a knowledge of the financial and management principles and practices that are used to manage a professional office

• a knowledge of surveying or spatial information systems of sufficient depth to gain employment, certification and, where appropriate, registration as a Professional Surveyor or Spatial Scientist.

Admission requirements

Applicants shall normally:

• have studied four semester units and achieved an exit assessment of 'Sound Achievement' or better in each of the following Queensland Senior Secondary School subjects: English and Mathematics B. It is recommended that applicants should also have satisfactorily completed the subject: Physics

or

• be able to demonstrate that they have achieved an equivalent standard in these subjects at another institution

and

• Australian applicants: have achieved a Queensland Overall Position (OP) band, or an equivalent Rank based on qualifications and previous work experience, at or above the specified cut-off level

• International applicants: must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/EAP programs.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for undergraduate programs may be made through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). The same procedure applies whether you plan to study on-campus or by distance education.

If you completed Year 12 at a Queensland secondary school you will be assessed for entry on the basis of your Overall Position (OP) or equivalent score. Year 12 students from other states or territories are considered for entry on the basis of their UAI, ENTER or TER and the subject prerequisites indicated. Other applicants will be based on their overall Rank.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Spatial Science is a 32-unit program consisting of Academic courses and Practice courses.

Academic courses are normally one-unit courses and involve approximately 155 hours of student work per unit.

Practice courses are zero unit courses and each involves approximately 50 hours of student work. The only grades available for a Practice Course are Pass (P) and Fail (F). A Practice Course is designed to enable students to acquire specific competencies associated with their major study. The competencies range from specific practical and communication skills through to generic competencies relating to ethical and social responsibility, awareness of the environment, teamwork, etc. For an external student a Practice Course generally involves attendance on-campus for a one-week residential school.

Program completion requirements

The Bachelor of Spatial Science Program normally involves four years of full-time study or eight years of part-time study.

Students must complete the program within a maximum period of six years of full-time study, or 12 years of part-time study, from the date of their initial enrolment. To graduate from a particular major students must successfully complete all of the core courses plus the specialist and Practice courses in that major, including the required number of Electives.

Required time limits

Full-time students have a maximum of six years to complete this program. Part-time students have a maximum of 12 years to complete this program.

A pro-rata adjustment of the maximum time period will apply for those students who transfer from one mode of study to another. A pro-rata reduction in the maximum time period will apply to students who are admitted to a program with advanced standing.

Practical experience

Practical experience is desirable and encouraged but is not required for the completion of the Bachelor of Spatial Science program. Students are encouraged to obtain practical experience during vacation periods.

IT requirements

Access to an up-to-date computer is necessary. On-campus students can access appropriately equipped laboratories, but should consider acquisition of their own computer. External students should be able to access a computer with the following minimum standards as advised by the University. All students should have access to email and the Internet via a computer running the latest versions of Internet web browsers such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. The University has a wireless network for on-campus students' computers. In order to take advantage of this facility and further enhance their on-campus learning environment, students should consider purchasing a notebook/laptop computer with wireless connectivity. A notebook/laptop may be required for some courses.

Residential schools

External students are required to attend a number of residential schools during their program. These are associated with Practice courses and are normally conducted at the end of Semester 3 (February), or during the mid-semester recess in Semester 2 (September/October).

Students enrolled in the external offer of a Practice Course must attend the residential school for that course. In some cases students enrolled in the on-campus mode may also be required to attend the residential school. Students should only enrol in a Practice Course when they are able to attend the residential school for that course. Practice courses may not be taken earlier than shown except with the permission of the Program Coordinator responsible for the program. In some cases students may enrol in two Practice courses in one term so they can complete the two residential schools in a two-week period. The actual dates for each residential school are shown in the Residential School schedule in this Handbook.

Safety boots are compulsory in engineering laboratories for several of the Practice courses and are strongly recommended for all other Practice courses.

Practice courses

The majority of the practical and professional experience requirements for the program are contained within the major recommended enrolment pattern in the following table. These are zero unit courses, which are a compulsory part of the program, however they do not attract a student contribution charge for Australian Residents or a tuition fee for international students.

Elective courses

Elective courses are included in the list of Academic courses. Students should select these courses from the Electives list. Students may undertake only one appropriate level five or level eight course from this program or another program in the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying as an Elective with the approval of the Head of Discipline.

Articulation

Graduates of an Associate Degree in Spatial Science, would normally be eligible for up to 16 units of credit towards the Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology within the same field. Similarly, Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology graduates would normally be eligible for up to 24 units of credit towards the Bachelor of Spatial Science degree within the same field.

Students who have completed an associate degree or certificate program in surveying more than five years ago are eligible to claim advanced standing. The number of units of advanced standing granted will depend upon the nature and currency of the studies undertaken, and on the major study undertaken.

The programs in Surveying and Geographic Information Systems also articulate to and from each other and enable students to move between Surveying and Geographic Information Systems degrees, whilst still retaining a significant amount of credit.

Prospective students who wish to upgrade an existing qualification should contact the Faculty to obtain information about likely exemptions and recommended enrolment patterns for their upgrade program.

Exit points

Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete the Bachelor of Spatial Science and who satisfy all of the requirements of either the Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology, the Associate Degree of Spatial Science or the Diploma of Engineering Studies may be permitted to exit with that award.

Honours

The Bachelor of Spatial Science may be awarded with Honours. The class of honours to be awarded to a student is dependent upon:

• the Grade Point Average calculated from the grades achieved in the courses studied in, or transferred to, the program;

• the grade achieved by the student in the courses ENG4111 Research Project Part 1 and ENG4112 Research Project Part 2 (unless the student is exempted from these courses).

The minimum levels of achievement normally required for each class of honours are shown in the following table. To be assured of achieving a particular class of honours students must have achieved the specified grade in the research project courses and the minimum GPA requirements for all of the courses studied, for the last 16 courses studied, or for the last eight courses studied.

In this section:

• Geographic Information Systems Major recommended enrolment pattern
• Surveying Major recommended enrolment pattern

Geographic Information Systems Major recommended enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section of this Handbook to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Geographic Information Systems Major recommended enrolment pattern

Notes

For students transferring from one program to another a complete list of enrolment requirements are available in the course synopses section of this Handbook.
Other courses may be admissible as an Elective. However students must obtain approval from the relevant Head or Program Coordinator prior to enrolling in the course. Students may undertake only one appropriate level five or level eight course from this program or another program in the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying as an Elective with the approval of the Head of Discipline.

Surveying Major recommended enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic and Practice courses in the following table that shows the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students for our Toowoomba campus. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section of this Handbook to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Surveying Major recommended enrolment pattern

Notes

For students transferring from one program to another a complete list of enrolment requirements are available in the course synopses section of this Handbook.
Students may undertake only one appropriate level five or level eight course from this program or another program in the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying as an Elective with the approval of the Head of Discipline.