Bachelor of Information Technology in Software Development

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to develop and supply the industry with highly qualified and skilled Information Technology (IT) personnel whom have been educated and trained according to international curriculum standards.

In cooperation with the industry and with academia the exit level outcomes were compiled. Thus the Bachelor of Information Technology will provide the graduates the ability to understand the core of a problem and to be able to know how to build an effective and efficient solution. They will also be able to apply analytical skills when solving problems. They will also have the skills to adapt to any given situation.

Rationale

In order to transform South Africa into a prosperous country, higher education has to respond to the increasing demand for highly skilled graduates whom are needed by country. Thus, higher education plays a major role as the working mechanisms in the local and regional development of South Africa e.g. cooperating with industries and businesses, education and supplying the work force.

Thus The Belgium Campus has realised that higher education needs to adapt to these requirements by creating employable learners whose skills are applicable and useful for future employers.

The Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Development) will provide highly-educated graduates with the necessary skills needed by the industries and businesses as the curriculum is designed by taking all stakeholders into account:

For The Learner

The Belgium Campus ensures that each learner develops to their full personal development by providing the opportunities for them to gain knowledge and skills. Therefore the qualification aims to enable learners:

• To think about and explore a variety of learning strategies for effective learning.
• To take part in several projects during in-service training as well as be exposed to a mixture of cultures. The completion of projects during in-service training makes learners aware of the unlimited career opportunities available in the Information Technology (IT) world.
• To be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
• To explore educational and career opportunities in order to achieve their full potential at Belgium Campus. Furthermore the campus provides opportunities for learners to discover the field in which they will be most interested.

The Industry

• The IT industry will be supplied with skilled and experienced labour force, thereby assisting economic growth within the country.

The Community

• Through the supply of skilled graduates, families and the communities can benefit on different levels.
• Furthermore the provision of bursaries, can assist those who cannot afford higher education.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The admission of learners through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) do not exceed more than the required 20 per cent learner intake.

The RPL process uses a variety of tools to help identify, explain and show past learning that was gained through formal and informal study. Applicants may have gained learning through work, life experience, training, independent study, volunteering, on-the-job training opportunities, travel, community activities, family activities and experiences, hobbies or by any other means.

The RPL process applied by The Belgium Campus involves comparing the learning that has occurred during the applicant's adult life with the learning outcomes of the modules or subjects for which the applicant wants to apply for credit. The applicant will have to show that he/she meets the set requirements or learning outcomes for those modules/subjects.

If a prospective learner obtained a qualification from a registered Private or Public Higher education institution, the curriculum will be evaluated against that of the Belgium Campus and the validity of the qualification will be verified with that institution. If it is adequate, recognition will be awarded.

If a prospective learner obtained a qualification from a non-registered institution, he/she has to apply officially for all modules to be recognised, and write an examination during one of the examination opportunities in order to obtain RPL.

If a learner has practical experience in the IT-field, a portfolio with proof of experience has to be presented and the validity will be verified by evaluating it against the Belgium Campus curriculum, if adequate experience can be proven, an examination may be written.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement for the Bachelor of Information Technology is a

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Bachelor Studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate with endorsement for Degree entry.

The Bachelor of Information Technology consists of 36 compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 and 4 elective modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 credits.

Compulsory Modules

NQF Level 5 (1 module, 7 Credits)

• English Communication 101, 7 Credits.

Electives (Select one, 7 credits)

• Business Management 101, 7 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship 101, 7 Credits.

NQF Level 6 (15 modules, 185 Credits)

• Database Development 100, 19 Credits.
• Information Systems 102, 19 Credits.
• Internet Systems 101, 7 Credits.
• Internet Systems 102, 7 Credits.
• Mathematics 102, 11 Credits.
• Web Programming 101, 8 Credits.
• Programming 101, 15 Credits.
• Programming 103, 20 Credits.
• Business Statistics 201, 7 Credits.
• Computer Security 102, 12 Credits.
• Database Development 200, 13 Credits.
• Mathematics 201, 10 Credits.
• Web Programming 200, 19 Credits.
• Academic Leadership 200, 6 Credits.

Information Systems 201, 12 Credits.

Electives (Select one, 6 Credits)

• Business Management 200, 6 Credits.
• Mobile Programming 201, 6 Credits.

NQF Level 7 (8 modules, 105 Credits)

• Operations Research 100, 13 Credits.
• Programming 201, 22 Credits.
• Software Analysis and Design 300, 9 Credits.
• Software Project Management 300, 6 Credits.
• Academic Leadership 300, 6 Credits.
• Information Systems 301, 6 Credits.
• Software Engineering 300, 30 Credits.
• Programming 301, 13 Credits.

Electives (Select two, 20 Credits)

• Database Development 301, 10 Credits.
• Mobile Programming 301, 10 Credits.
• Game Programming 301, 10 Credits.

NQF Level 8 (1 module, 30 Credits)

• Programming Project 300, 30 Credits.

1. Collect, analyse, and present information in a correct and user-friendly manner so that the information can be queried and interpreted in an accurate way by making use of methodically and scientifically methods.
2. Analyse and represent the information according to the requirements of an organisation in a structured and organised way by making use of analysis and modelling techniques.
3. Implement new IT solutions for systems and software in an organisation in order to satisfy the organisational needs.
4. Implement, configure, secure, revise and update IT solutions adequately so that the changing needs of the organisation can be kept up to date.
5. Implement a project plan; carry out and manage tasks relating to the project.
6. Communicate in oral and in written forms to all partners, colleagues, and management using formal or informal methods, so that everyone involved correctly understands the message/report/task/etc.
7. Evaluates own attitude and adapts to the conditions or the possible changing conditions of the work environment so that maximum functioning can be realised.
8. Executes tasks with quality in mind, so that the results meet the requirements of a constantly evolving economic and social environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 1

• Data is collected.

> Data is modelled.

> Data is placed in its context and is analysed.

> Data is stored (ordered and converted).

> Data is made accessible.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 2

• The information needs of an organisation are identified.
• Requirements in concepts, diagrams and relations are represented.
• Possible solutions are evaluated and. documented.
• Test procedures are created.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 3

• Programming (OOP, event-driven, distributed) is implemented.
• New IT solutions for Systems and Software are documented and implemented.
• Testing is conducted to satisfy organisational needs. (on different levels, including the different modules and the implementation as a whole).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 4

• Systems are implemented, configured, secured and supported.
• Applications are configured, secured and supported.
• Databases are implemented, configured, secured and maintained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 5

• The project is sub-tasked into smaller tasks and sub-tasks.
• A plan (time frame, budget, implementation requirements, and restrictions) is set up.
• A project (time frame, budget, implementation needs) is followed upon.
• Working in a multi-disciplined or multi-cultural team as a team member or as a project manager is shown.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 6

• Communication in English both in speaking and writing is shown.
• The correct and appropriate communication techniques are used.
• As a member or a chairperson is participation in meetings is shown.
• Members are trained and guided.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 7

• His/her own functioning is critically evaluated and adapted.
• Social responsible manner (ethical, conscientious, deontological) is acted upon.
• Creativity, inventiveness and initiation are shown.
• The interests of all parties are taken into consideration.
• In a persistent and responsible manner his/her tasks is executed.
• External experts will be called if required.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit-Level Outcome 8

- Learners are assessed on

> Critically reasoning is applied.

> In a flexible and user friendly way, adjustable, reusable and maintainable solutions are provided.

> A set of rules and regulations are followed.

> The business thinking and processes are respected.

> A quality assurance system is applied.

Integrated Assessment

The Belgium Campus has a continuous assessment policy which clearly states the minimum number of continuous assessments required for each of the module which have to be completed so as to enable the lecturers to evaluate and monitor learners' progress. The continuous assessments are discussed on a weekly basis during academic staff meetings to ensure that the materials used comply with the required module's learning outcomes and the assessment materials are moderated by an appropriately qualified internal moderator in terms of the assessment policy.

Lastly a summative assessment is also administered.