Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Management

The first purpose of this programme and qualification is to provide qualifying learners with post-graduate level

• applied competencies and practical skills in the organisation, analysis, interpretation and application of advanced Information Management principles;
• the ability to reflect on managerial decisions and be able to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of Information Management as a practice;
• opportunities for life long learning and personal intellectual growth and equip learners with skills for a successful career in the Information Management profession.

The second purpose of this programme and qualification is to provide South Africa with highly qualified graduates who will become leading professionals in the ever-growing Information Management profession in the public and private sectors.

Applied competence as outcomes

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning in case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds with the required NQF level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through Recognition of Prior Learning learners may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at this institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce, NQF Level 7.

N/A

The learners should be able to

1. Demonstrate their competence at applying the theoretical sophisticated principles of Information Management with a comprehensive knowledge in the creation of appropriate responses to problem-identification and solving of abstract problems correctly and reflect on the application made on the process of problem solving; confident and flexible identification and definition of complex problems and the application of appropriate skills and knowledge to their solution (problem solving skills).
2. Plan and execute advanced research in Information Management, by gathering, analysing, synthesising, transformation, evaluation and interpreting of abstract data and concepts correctly and reflect critically on research; independent analysis of new and abstract data and situations deploying a wide range of techniques appropriate to Information Management, and transformation of absstract data and concepts towards the achievements of a given purpose; critical review of evidence supporting conclusions (including reliability, validity and significance), and investigation of contradictory information; critically evaluation of literature pertaining Information Management; confident deployment of well-developed research skills (research skills).
3. Demonstrate effective communication competence with the different role players in the management field by determining and evaluating personal and/or group output and applying the theoretical principles of communication (oral/written) and reflect on the applications made; effective engagement in debate in a professional manner and context, with production of detailed and coherent reports; effective interaction within a learning or professional group, with recognition or demonstration of leadership; negotiation within the Information Management context, and management of conflict. (communications skills).
4. Accountably develop a theoretical and practical macro vision of Information Management nationally and globally in terms of socio-cultural, economic, institutional, technological and political macro-factors reflecting on the differences among countries, even countries within the same region (develop a macro vision).
5. Effectively and responsibly organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of Information Management by applying the relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application (entrepeneurship).
6. Accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of Information Management and learning by applying the concepts of self management (self-responsibility skills).
7. Practice acceptable social sensitivity in the relationships with others and work effectively in self-directed management teams by implementing the relevant theory of teamwork and reflect on the implementation thereof (teamship).
8. Utilise appropriate management information systems effectively in the business management environment as a bases for sound managerial decision making (technological and environmental literacy).
9. Explore different effective learning strategies to acquire the different competencies of a business manager (explore learning strategies).
10. Promote responsible local and global citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of Information Management capabilities (promoting citizenship).
11. Practice acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the people of the business communities and the community at large by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflect on the applications made within the context of cultural diversity (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity).
12. Acquire acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the different sectors of the business industry, utilising the theoretical principles and reflect on the applications thereof (employment seeking skills).

The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Can the learners demonstrate their ability to identify and solve problems in the field of Information Management correctly by applying the relevant highly specialised theoretical principles and reflect on the application made according to standards? (problem solving skills)
• Are the learners able to plan and exercise advanced research in the field of Information Management according to standards, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on business management issues correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflect on the research undertaken? (research skills)
• Can the learners communicate according to standards, effectively orally and in writing with the different role players in the field of management by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflect on the applications made? (communication skills)
• Have the learners developed an accountable theoretical and practical macrovision of Information Management nationally and internationally according to standards? (development of macrovision)
• Are the learners able to effectively and responsibly organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of business applying the relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application made? (entrepeneurship) and accept responsibility for their own activities in the field of Information Management?(responsibility skills)
• Do learners demonstrate, according to standards, acceptable responsibility for their own learning activities in the field of Information Management? (responsibility skills)
• Can the learners practise acceptable social sensitivity in the relationship with others and work effectively in a self-directed team by implementing the relevant theory and reflect on the implementation made? (teamship)
• Are the learners able to utilise according to standards, appropriate technology (in creating sound management information systems) effectively in the management environment? (technological and environmental literacy)
• Are the learners able to explore different effective learning strategies, according to standards, to acquire the different capabilities of a business manager? (explore learning strategies)
• Are the learners able to promote responsible global citizenship, according to standards, through their approach/attitude towards the holistic application of management capabilities in business? (promoting citizenship)
• Are the learners able to practice social cultural and aesthetic sensitivity according to standards, towards the people of the different communities and role players in Information Management industries by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflect on the applications made (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity)
• Do the learners demonstrate the acceptable employment seeking skills, according to standards, for entry into the different sectors of the business industry by applying the theoretical principles of employment seeking skills and reflect on the application thereof? (employment seeking skills)

Integrated Assessment

Because assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification. Both formative and summative assessment processes are accounted for to monitor progress during the programme and to determine competence at the end of the programme.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented.

Learners are continuously assessed via practical group and class assignments, essays, presentations, informal class tests, and formal modular tests in a written mode. In addition, learners assess themselves and others and reflect on the dynamics of these processes.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented.

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of a written examination (of at least 3 hours) at the end of every module (per module).

Pass requirements that will be implemented.,

A learner passes a module if he/she obtains a final mark of 50% or more in the module. The final mark is constituted of the formative assessments (50%) and the summative assessment (50%). A learner qualifies for the B. Com Honours Degree on NQF Level 7 when he/she passed all the required modules individually. The final mark for the qualification is calculated by averaging the marks obtained in the various modules.

A learner passes a module if he/she obtains a final mark of 50% or more in the module. The final mark is constituted of the formative assessments (50%) and the summative assessment (50%). A learner qualifies for the B. Com Honours degree on NQF level 7 when he/she passed all the required modules individually. The final mark for the qualification is calculated by averaging the marks obtained in the various modules.