Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Systems

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Systems is to provide individuals with exposure to specialist information systems knowledge and research skills in order to affect the information systems and cognisant environments in a positive manner or for the pursuit of further Postgraduate study at a Masters Level.

The Degree has a multidisciplinary approach due to the ubiquitous nature of technology, which allows it to be applicable and of relevance to various sectors of society, but has significant prevalence and need within the economy of the country as a facilitator of change. The learners who pursue this Degree are either fulltime learners, or part-time learners from various sectors of society, including, but not limited to the public and private sectors.

Rationale

The need for this qualification is related to the changing dynamic of societal interaction between people and technology. Understanding these interactions and identifying problems and opportunities where technology can be better applied in the given context assists advances in better interactions between people, processes, and technology in a wide sphere of influence when utilise information resources for various purposes.

The learners on completion of the Degree can find employment in a variety of predominantly commerce-related and other employment roles that require the interaction of people and technology within the context of the information systems discipline. The Degree is integral to our better understanding of the information systems discipline and can assist the learner, society and the economy, in general, with the application and innovation of technological resources for the betterment of all citizens as they interact in the economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applied in line with the Institution's RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirements for this qualification are

• Bachelors of Commerce, with Information Systems-related modules, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 48 Credits

• Research Project, 32 Credits.
• Information Systems (IS) Research Methods, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 80 Credits: (Select modules for minimum of 80 Credits)

• Advanced Project Management, 16.
• Human Computer Interaction, 16 Credits.
• Information Security, 16 Credits.
• Information Security, Risk and Controls, 32 Credits.
• Information Systems Management, 16 Credits.
• Information Systems Trends, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Digital Banking, 16 Credits.
• Knowledge Management, 16 Credits.
• Requirements Management and Development Frameworks, 16 Credits.

1. Competent in the body of knowledge, innovations and research in the Information Systems discipline.
2. Filter, identify, and use appropriate secondary collection sources for knowledge evaluation and production.
3. Utilise existing discipline specific methods and research procedures available in information systems and adapt these where applicable to provide solutions to different problems.
4. Engage with abstract or complex problems through the application of specialised tools, techniques, and methods within the information systems discipline.
5. Acting in an ethical and professional manner, such that they are cognitively aware of the impact of their actions and the implications thereof to society.
6. Collect information, identify important resources, and draw assumptions based on credible sources within or related to the information systems discipline.
7. Confidence in sharing their views and opinions relating to their information systems through various mediums for the dissemination of knowledge to audiences at multiple levels.
8. Understand systems and their implications.
9. Pursue life-long learning and follow good learning practices and strategies.
10. Operate independently and accepting responsibility for their actions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an understanding of current and future trends and research in the field of information systems in the form of written and oral interactions with peers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Create a research treatise in a specific area of focus in information systems using theoretical and research processes and practices to arrive at a logical contribution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate the ability to apply discipline specific knowledge and understanding to different domains and contexts in written work and oral presentations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate the ability to utilise available educational and discipline specific resources to engage in critical thought and logic formation when undertaking information systems related tasks to completion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate ethical and professional awareness in how they approach information systems specific tasks within different contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use available information resources to critically evaluate problems and formulate appropriate actions from discipline specific information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Compile presentations, participate in seminars and complete a treatise to disseminate the information systems body of knowledge to others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Participate and positively influence the learning systems and the discipline, which they are a part of, or affect.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Utilise appropriate learning strategies to complete tasks and critically communicate areas of improvement for themselves and others in individual and group related activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for the use of available resources for task completion and decision-making requirements and accept the consequences of the choices made.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment for the purpose of achieving the qualification is as follows

1. The learner is to demonstrate competence in the understanding and assimilation of specialist knowledge of the information systems discipline.
2. The assessment utilised is formative and summative, such that:

a. Formative assessment of written and oral presentations are provided to improve the learners' soft skills and understanding of the discipline specific content.

b. Continuous summative assessment is applied to the learner's research treatise, which is examined internally and externally by at least one examiner in each instance.

Summative assessment is applied to a learner's essays, practical, assignment, test work while completing coursework modules, and a final summative assessment in the form of an examination for the coursework module is examined internally and externally by at least one examiner in each instance.