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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of general database theory 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258736  Demonstrate an understanding of general database theory 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Geographical Information Sciences 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is useful for people who aim to achieve career advancement in the GIS field and provides them with essential knowledge in relation to database theory.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of different database types.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the relational database model.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the properties of data structures in a relational database.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the object orientated database model. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Communication at NQF Level 5.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 5.
  • Use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based database application to work with simple databases. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of different database types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Network databases are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The basic aspects of the relational database model is understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The basic aspects of the object orientation database model is understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Hierarchical databases are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the relational database model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relational database rules are understood and an RDBMS is measured against the rules. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to the 12 rules by Dr. E. F. Codd.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The advantages of the relation database model are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The criticism against the relation database model are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Limitations of the SQL language.
  • Dynamically typed data are not catered for (need for object orientation).
  • Over-ubiquity of the relational database limits the potential for other models.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The relational database model extensions to accommodate the geographic context are understood and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain properties of data structures in a relational database in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Indexes in a relation database are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Unique identifiers as used in a relational database are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different types of keys in a relational database are understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Primary Key.
  • Candidate Key.
  • Concatenated Key.
  • Borrowed Key Attributes.
  • Foreign Keys.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Field types used in a relational database are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including all the types as defined in the SQL 3 standard.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the object orientated database model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The Object model is understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Standardisation efforts in relation to the object model are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hybrid relational OO models are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Implementations of the object model are understood and explained in terms of geo-spatial data. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge is dealt with under the specific outcomes section where "Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding" is required. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/group/organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Display an understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:
  • RDBMS: Relational database management system.

    Notes to Assessors:
  • It is advised that learners be exposed to at least two different RDBMS platforms. Currently the most common platforms are including but not be limited to:
    > DB2.
    > MS SQL Server.
    > MySQL.
    > Oracle.
    > PostgreSQL. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  63689   Bachelor of Arts: Geographical Information Science  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30   
    Core  63711   Bachelor of Geographical Information Science (GISc)  Level 7  NQF Level 07  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30   


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.