Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science Course in Nigeria?

You are welcome to another educative post in the Sure Success Career Guide Series. Today, we want to help prospective university students to make the right choices and also fill their JAMB forms correctly. So we are going to provide answer to those asking the question, “Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science course in Nigeria?” This clarification is very crucial because many university aspirants are confused as to whether the course “Surveying and Geoinformatics” is an art, commercial, social science or science course.

The Need to Clarify Whether Surveying and Geoinformatics is a Science, Art or Commercial Course

There is a very important need to help candidates gain clarity on where exactly Surveying and Geoinformatics belongs as a course. Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science course? Is it a Commercial course or an Art Course?

Actually, there are three stages when candidates need this clarification the most. The first is during the season of buying and filling of JAMB form.

The second time candidates ask the question we are dealing with on this post is during application for Change of Course. That is, when they have seen that their JAMB score is too low for their initial course, and they are considering changing to Surveying and Geoinformatics.

The last stage at which candidates need clarification on where Surveying and Geoinformatics belongs as a course is during application supplementary admission. That is, when they have missed merit admission into their dream course but have a chance of getting Surveying and Geoinformatics through supplementary admission.

At those points, candidates want to know who is qualified to apply for Surveying and Geoinformatics; is it the science, art or commercial student?

Any mistake here will close the door of admission into Surveying and Geoinformatics against you.

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Why are Candidates Confused as to Whether Surveying and Geoinformatics is a Science, Art or Commercial Course?

Many candidates are confused as to whether Surveying and Geoinformatics is a science, art or commercial course. The reason for the confusion is the interdisciplinary nature of Surveying and Geoinformatics. The course adopts both scientific principles and artistic expression.

The surveying aspect of the field has to do with precise measurements and mathematical calculations, which aligns with the sciences. The geoinformatics aspect, on the other hand, emphasizes the use of technology and computer science for spatial data analysis and mapping, which has a closer connection to the arts.

In reality, Surveying and Geoinformatics integrate both scientific principles and artistic applications. It is the blend of scientific methodology and creative representation that makes it difficult to categorically say that Surveying and Geoinformatics is either a pure science or art course.

But we are going to bring clarity to that in the next few sections.

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Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science Course?

Yes, Surveying and Geoinformatics is a Science course.

This is true, despite the fact that its practice requires spatial data analysis and mapping, which is somewhat connected to the arts.

However, non-science students may qualify to apply for Surveying and Geoinformatics if they have the required O’level subjects in their SSCE and the right JAMB subject combination for Surveying and Geoinformatics.

Note that some tertiary institutions, especially Polytechnics, offer the course as Land Surveying and Geoinformatics or Quantity Surveying and Geoinformatics. They are all the same.

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Why is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science Course?

There are three major evidences that prove that Surveying and Geoinformatics is a science course. Here they are:

1. Surveying and Geoinformatics involves precise measurements and mathematical calculations.
2. It requires pure science subjects like Physics at O’level.
3. Most schools require science subjects like Mathematics and Physics as part of JAMB subject combination for Surveying and Geoinformatics.

Surveying and Geoinformatics Involves Precise Measurements and Mathematical Calculations

Most science disciplines involve precise measurements and mathematical calculations. It is in this sense that we consider Surveying and Geoinformatics to be a science course because it involves rigorous data collection, analysis and interpretation.

Surveyors must also understand Physics and mathematics in order to function effectively; and these are pure sciences.

Surveying and Geoinformatics Requires Pure Science Subjects at O’level

According to the Official JAMB Brochure, candidates seeking admissions into Surveying and Geoinformatics must possess credit level passes in five (5) subjects in not more than two sittings in Mathematics, English Language, Physics and any two of the following: Chemistry, Tech. Drawing, Building Const., Woodwork, Fine Art, Geography, Economics.

In other words, Physics is a compulsory subject that in SSCE for any candidate who wishes to study Surveying and Geoinformatics. Chemistry is also there as the first option in the list of subjects that can be used to complete the O’level subject requirement for Surveying and Geoinformatics. Obviously, Art and Commercial students do not offer these Science subjects. So a typical Art or Commercial student would not qualify to gain admission into Surveying and Geoinformatics.

Specific O’level Subject Requirements for Surveying and Geoinformatics by Some Universities

• OAU accepts credit in Chemistry.
• ESUTECH requires Five ‘O’ level credit passes to include Mathematics, Physics , English Language and any other science subject Accepts either of Physics or Chemistry.
• FUTA requires five credits in the WASSCE or NECO or GCE O’ Level or its equivalent in English Language, Mathematics and Physics and any two of the following subjects: Chemistry, Economics, Building Construction, Technical Drawing, Geography, and Government.
• MAUTECH requires credit passes to include including English, Mathematics, Physics and any two of Geography, Chemistry, Technical Drawing, Fine Arts, Economics, Biology and Agricultural Science.
• UNILAG requires credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics and any two of Geography, Chemistry, Technical Drawing and Economics.
• UNIZIK may accept a pass in English Language.

The above are just a few examples of the specific O’level requirements for admission into Surveying and Geoinformatics. You can see that virtually every school requires that aspirants must have science subjects like Mathematics and Physics in their SSCE. Those science subjects are not offered by Art and Commercial students.

This goes to show that Surveying and Geoinformatics is a science course.

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Most Schools Require Science Subjects as Part of JAMB Subject Combination for Surveying and Geoinformatics

If you check the JAMB brochure, you will find the JAMB subject combination for Surveying and Geoinformatics stated as follows: Use of English, Physics, Mathematics and one other subject.

This is the general subject combination for Surveying and Geoinformatics in JAMB brochure.

The challenge that Art and Commercial students have with the JAMB subjects for Surveying and Geoinformatics is that Physics and Math are compulsory. Furthermore, almost all the schools in Nigeria require that the remaining one subject must be picked from Chemistry, Geography, Art, Biology and Economics.

So if you did not offer Chemistry, Biology and Geography in your O’level as an Art or Commercial student, you will find it difficult to meet the UTME subjects requirement for Surveying and Geoinformatics.

Other Related Questions to Our Topic: “Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science Course?”

Before we conclude, let’s answer one or two other questions around our topic, “Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science course?”

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Commercial Course?

No, Surveying and Geoinformatics is not a commercial course. It’s true that the course optionally requires Economics which most commercial students offer, but it also requires some pure science subjects which commercial students don’t normally offer. So it’s easier for a Science student without Economics in their SSCE to gain admission into Surveying and Geoinformatics than for a Commercial student with Economics.

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics an Art Course?

No, Surveying and Geoinformatics is not an Art course in the strict sense of it. This is partly because an Art student is very unlikely to meet the O’level and JAMB subject requirements for Surveying and Geoinformatics. Surveying and Geoinformatics requires that candidates credit some pure science subjects in their SSCE. Sadly, the phobia for those pure science subjects is the major reason why the Art students ran away from sciences.

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics Art or Science?

Surveying and Geoinformatics is Science. Some of the obvious reasons why Surveying and Geoinformatics is a science are discussed above.

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics an Engineering Course?

No, Surveying and Geoinformatics is not an engineering course although surveyors and civil/structural engineers work together in the field.

However, in some institutions, Surveying and Geoinformatics is under the faculty of Engineering and Technology. But in most institutions, the course is under the faculty of environmental sciences while engineering is a separate faculty on its own.

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Social Science Course?

No, Surveying and Geoinformatics is not a social science course as the discipline is not focused on human beings. Rather, Surveying and Geoinformatics is a science course in Nigeria and most other countries of the world.

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science Course in JAMB?

Yes, Surveying and Geoinformatics is a science course in JAMB. This can easily be confirmed from the JAMB subject combination for Surveying and Geoinformatics which is: Use of English, Physics, Mathematics and one other subject from Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Art and Economics.

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics Harder than Medicine?

We cannot give an easy YES or NO to this question. More so, there is no general answer to the question. One course may be ‘hard’ for someone and easy for another. It all depends on academic background, natural intelligence and personal effort.

Is Quantity Surveying a Science Course?

Yes, Quantity Surveying is a science course. Actually, everything we’ve said about Surveying and Geoinformatics is true for Quantity Surveying.

Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Good Course?

Yes, Surveying and Geoinformatics is a good course with very lucrative career opportunities. You can go for it.

Conclusion

In this article, we set out to answer the pertinent question, “Is Surveying and Geoinformatics a Science course?” And we did justice to it.

If you are a science student with Physics, Chemistry and other necessary subjects in your SSCE result, you are in the best position to apply for Surveying and Geoinformatics. As a science student, the JAMB subjects for Surveying and Geoinformatics shouldn’t be difficult for you to handle. However, social science or Art students may not have the required pure science subjects like Chemistry and Physics. More so, they may not be confident enough to sit for at least one pure science subject in JAMB.

In conclusion, Surveying and Geoinformatics is a science course in Nigerian universities and polytechnics.

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