Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Informatics

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with an advanced theoretical and practical knowledge about the nature of business informatics. It prepares the learners for research-based Postgraduate study. This qualification serves to deepen the learner's expertise in the business informatics discipline and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of Business Informatics.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification recognises

Formal prior learning

• Students' prior accredited learning at tertiary level in relevant domains, which constitute credit-bearing units, is recognised. Students in possession of a Senior Certificate may register for University of South Africa (Unisa's) access modules [Economic and Management Environment (INM101-3 and INM102-4) as well as an access examination (Language and Learning Skills (LSK011-9)]. Once the students have passed these access courses, they may register for the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom).

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

• The law currently requires students to have formal qualifications for admission to university.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) or Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) Degree (or equivalent qualification) with an average of at least 60% in the relevant major subject.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 8: 48 Credits

• Research Methods and Proposal, 24 Credits.
• Honours Research Report, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 8: (Complete 72 Credits)

• Managerial and Organisational Psychology, 24 Credits.
• Software Project Management, 12 Credits.
• Information Security, 12 Credits.
• Enterprise Architecture, 12 Credits.
• Operational Risk Management, 24 Credits.
• Financial Institutions Management, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Financial Management, 24 Credits.
• International Financial Management, 24 Credits.
• Investments: Portfolio Management, 24 Credits.
• Human-Computer Interaction, 12 Credits.
• Software Engineering, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Internal Audit Practice, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Internal Audit Responsibilities in Risk, Control and Governance, 4 Credits.

1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the natural and human environments.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
3. Manage and organise own activities and life responsibly and effectively, including own studies within the open and distance learning context.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required.
5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and for written presentation, often in pieces of sustained discourse.
6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global context.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging own responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit Level Outcomes

• Problem solving ability through economic applications in natural and biological resources.
• Advanced understanding of economic theory relevant to areas of specialisation.
• Be able to strategically apply the principles of business management as it relates to the agricultural sector.
• Advanced quantitative and analytical skills as it relates to economic applications.
• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of agricultural economics, including farm management, production economics, resource economics, agricultural marketing, agricultural and rural finance and agricultural policy.
• Ability to negotiate and plan strategically.
• In-depth knowledge of agricultural institutions and systems.
• Knowledge of research methodology and the ability to apply it successfully.
• Theoretical basis for problem solving in natural and biological resources.
• Advanced understanding of economic theory relevant to areas of specialisation.
• Advanced quantitative and analytical skills as it relates to economic applications.
• Advanced theoretical knowledge of all aspects of agricultural economics, including farm management, production economics, resource economics, agricultural marketing, agricultural and rural finance and agricultural policy.
• Knowledge of agricultural institutions and systems.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment is done by means of activities in study guides, self-assessment questions in study guides and self-assessment assignments as well as written assignments that have to be submitted for assessment. The assignments are either in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short questions, essays or a combination. Students must submit three assignments for each module. The marks obtained for these assignments contribute a minimum of 20% towards the final mark for the module. The remaining mark is made up of the examination mark.

Feedback on activities and self-assessment questions are provided in study guides and tutorial letters. Individual feedback on assignments is provided by assessors in marked assignments while general feedback on these assignments is provided in tutorial letters.

Summative Assessment is conducted by means of a two-hour examination per module. Feedback on Summative Assessment (examinations) is provided to individual students upon request.