Associate Degree in Spatial Science (ADSS) - AssocDegSpSc

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 907062; Distance education: 907065

CRICOS code (International applicants): 053510F

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In this section:

• Geographic information systems major
• Surveying major

Geographic information systems major

This program provides students with the technical skills required to work in the expanding area of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students undertake studies in surveying, land studies, spatial analysis, modelling, problem solving, data visualisation and presentation, information management, photogrammetry, remote sensing and GIS. Students may undertake elective studies in approved areas which interest them. Coursework can be credited in its entirety towards a Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology (GIS) or Bachelor of Spatial Science (GIS).

Career opportunities

Geographic Information Systems Officer in any organisation using GIS systems to support decision making, plus Local, State and Commonwealth Government agencies in applications such as planning or land development.

Surveying major

Surveying associates often work as support staff to professional surveyors. The program is designed to ensure that graduates possess a broad knowledge of surveying and a large variety of practical surveying skills. Coursework can be credited in its entirety towards a Bachelor of Spatial Science Technology (Surveying), or Bachelor of Spatial Science (Surveying).

Career opportunities

Assistant Mine Surveyor, Engineering Surveyor in State and Local Government or construction organisations; Surveying Associate employed with private organisations as instrument operator or field technician.

Professional accreditation

Graduates of the Associate Degree in Spatial Science (Surveying) may seek registration with the Boards of Surveyors in their Australian State or New Zealand. The program is accredited by the Surveyors Board of Queensland. Graduates from both majors are also eligible for memberships with the Spatial Sciences Institute Australia.

Program aims

The Associate Degree in Spatial Science program provides students with the theory, methods and practices required by an associate to support a practising professional spatial scientist. To this end the program provides students with a general understanding of the broad practice and knowledge in the spatial science profession and the technical skills to work in one of two fields: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or Surveying.

Program objectives

A student who successfully completes the Associate Degree in Spatial Science will be able to demonstrate:

• a broad knowledge of the basic scientific and technical skills required to function at an associate level

• an effective level of computer literacy

• appropriate written and oral communication skills

• the ability to propose solutions for technical problems in accordance with established procedures and practices

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

• a capacity to adapt to change and to master new techniques

• a basic understanding of the natural, social, professional, industrial and technical environments in which they will work

• the skills required to access information and an aptitude to undertake further learning and study

• a knowledge of surveying or spatial information systems of sufficient depth to gain employment in a technical support role in the spatial science industry.

Admission requirements

Applicants shall normally:

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

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/UNIPREP program. .

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. Other applicants will be based on their overall Rank. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

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

Student contribution amount

For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Government pays some money directly to the University, but students are also required to make a contribution. This contribution is called the ‘student contribution’. For more information about student contribution amounts, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ fees.

Tuition fee

Domestic fee-paying places are funded entirely through the tuition/direct fees paid by the student. Tuition/direct fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. For more information about Tuition Fees, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ Fees.

International fees

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the International Fee Schedule provided by USQ International.

Program structure

The Associate Degree in Spatial Science is a 16-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. These 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.

The components of the program are shown in the following table:

Program completion requirements

The Associate Degree in Spatial Science Program normally involves either two years of full-time study or four years part-time study.

Students must complete the program within the maximum period of four years of full-time study or eight 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 4 years to complete this program. Part-time students have a maximum of 8 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.

Core courses

The courses that comprise the core studies in the Associate Degree in Spatial Science are shown in the following table:

Major studies

The Associate Degree in Spatial Science consists of a core studies component and two majors studies. Students must complete the core courses and the courses in one of the major studies. Each major study provides students with knowledge and skills in a specific specialisation within the spatial sciences industry. The two major studies are: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Surveying.

The Associate Degree in Spatial Science (Geographic Information Systems) provides the technical education for a GIS operator, and the capability to advance to higher levels of study.

The Associate Degree in Spatial Science (Surveying) provides the technical education for a surveying associate and the capability to advance to higher levels of study.

The courses that comprise each of the majors are listed in the following tables:

Geographic Information Systems Major Study

Surveying Major Study

Practical experience

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

IT requirements

Students should refer to the section entitled Access to Information Technology Facilities in the General Faculty and Program Information section of this Handbook.

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).

Articulation

The University of Southern Queensland offers a unique range of majors in its suite of Spatial Science programs. The Spatial Science education model provides the basic educational requirement for each level of the surveying and geographic information workforce, and clearly defined articulation pathways for those wishing to upgrade their existing qualifications. All of the programs are offered in both the on-campus and external mode. The duration of each of the programs is shown in the table. The integration of these modes of study provides students with flexibility as well as articulation.

Within the three programs the Surveying and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) majors are highly articulated and encourage students to advance and upgrade their qualifications progressively.

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 students would normally be eligible for up to 24 units of credit towards the Bachelor of Spatial Science degree within the same field. The number of units of advanced standing granted will depend upon the nature and currency of the studies undertaken and the major 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 Associate Degree in Spatial Science and who satisfy all of the requirements of the Diploma of Engineering Studies, may be permitted to exit with that award.

In this section:

• Geographic Information Systems recommended enrolment pattern
• Geographic Information Systems recommended enrolment pattern - Academic courses
• Geographic Information Systems recommended enrolment pattern - Practice courses
• Geographic information Systems elective courses
• Surveying recommended enrolment pattern
• Surveying recommended enrolment pattern - Academic courses
• Surveying recommended enrolment pattern - Practice courses
• Surveying elective courses

Geographic Information Systems recommended enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic Courses and Practice Courses in the following tables, which show the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section of the Handbook to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Elective courses are included in the list of Academic Courses. Students should select these courses from the Electives table.

Geographic Information Systems recommended enrolment pattern - Academic courses

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.

Geographic Information Systems recommended enrolment pattern - Practice courses

The majority of the practical and professional experience requirements of the program are contained within the Practice Courses 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.

Residential Schools

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 Associate Head 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.

Geographic information Systems elective courses

Notes

Other courses may be admissible as an elective. However students must obtain approval from the relevant Head or Associate Head prior to enrolling in the course.

Surveying recommended enrolment pattern

To satisfy the requirements of the program students must complete all of the Academic Courses and Practice Courses in the following tables, which show the recommended enrolment patterns for on-campus and external students. Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section of the Handbook to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Elective courses are included in the list of Academic Courses. Students should select these courses from the Electives table.

Surveying recommended enrolment pattern - Academic courses

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.

Surveying recommended enrolment pattern - Practice courses

The majority of the practical and professional experience requirements for the program are contained within the Practice Courses 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.

Residential Schools

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 Associate Head 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.

Surveying elective courses