Bachelor of Science Honours in Operations Research

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying learners with a range of technical, scientific and research skills in Operations Research and to enable them to pursue a career in industry and commerce. Learners will be able to demonstrate the following upon completion of the qualification:

• Critical and creative thinking and a comprehensive and systematic knowledge basis, having a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, theories and research methods of Operations Research.
• Application of appropriate Operations Research skills and techniques to complex and real-world problems and the ability to operate effectively in complicated but sometimes ill-defined contexts.
• Planning and conducting of research in the field of Operations Research, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken.
• Thinking and reflecting contextually on learning from individual experience and academic disciplines in relation to scientific, technological and economic realities, locally and globally.
• Demonstrating efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills and the ability to present and communicate academic work effectively.
• Manage learning tasks in an autonomous, professional and ethical manner displaying a high level of intellectual independence.

Rationale

There is a demand from both the private sector and academic sector for a Bachelor Honours Degree in Operations Research which will provide academic and career-focused Postgraduate learning and research opportunities. This Degree follows on from the Bachelor of Science Degree This qualification will contribute to the development of the research capacity and critical scholarship of Postgraduate learners.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is used by the university to

• Grant admission to the qualification to learners who do not meet the minimum admission requirements.
• Grant credits from prior learning towards the qualification.

The RPL office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences.

Entry Requirements

Admission requirements for the qualification are as follows

• A Bachelor of Science, Level 7 Degree.

Or

• An appropriate Advanced Diploma at Level 7 provided a Diploma at NQF Level 6 has been completed in a cognate field.

Or

• An appropriate qualification at NQF Level 7 with Operations Research III.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 8, 120 Credits

• Research Support Tools, 12 Credits.
• Research Project, 36 Credits.
• Stochastic Modelling, 24 Credits.
• Discrete Optimisation, 24 Credits.
• Introduction to Heuristics, 24 Credits.

1. Engage in critical and creative thinking and show a comprehensive and systematic knowledge base, having a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, theories and research methods of Operations Research.
2. Apply appropriate Operations Research skills and techniques to complex and real-world problems and operate effectively in complicated but sometimes ill-defined contexts.
3. Plan and conduct research in the field of Operations Research, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken.
4. Think and reflect contextually on learning from individual experience and academic disciplines in relation to scientific, technological and economic realities, locally and globally.
5. Demonstrate efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills and the ability to present and communicate academic work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Technical writing techniques and LaTeX are used to type text and mathematics in order to present technical reports correctly and accurately.
• Knowledge and understanding of the introductory theories of stochastic modelling and their applications in Markov chains is demonstrated.
• Counting processes, queues and reliability theory are applied in order to acquire the background knowledge necessary for constructing models, and designing and analysing algorithms in the fields of Operations Research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The fundamental principles underlying the design of optimisation algorithms are understood
• Mathematical programming models are constructed and solved by using appropriate algorithms.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Understanding of and technical ability in combinatorial optimisation and its applications are demonstrated.
• Models are constructed and analysing algorithms in the field of Operations Research are designed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The basic concepts and intrinsic limitations of meta-heuristically methods for optimisation problems are understood is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• A report on a project in the field of Operations Research is chosen, formulated, solved and presented.
• Statistical concepts are understood, and the experimental methodology of static and dynamic simulation is applied.
• The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithms are understood and applied.
• Genetic algorithms are applied.
• Meta-heuristics inspired by phenomena in other fields, for example swarming (biology) and simulated annealing (physics) including hybrids thereof are illustrated.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated. Continual formative assessment is required so that learners are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes. The scheme of work includes assignments, real-world briefs, a reflective internship journal and an integrated programme portfolio based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement must include integrated assessments which test the learner's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole. Examinations, projects, reports or equivalent assessments, such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed. Summative assessment also tests the learners' ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

Integrated assessments will be designed to achieve

• An integration of the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes in a way which demonstrates that the purpose of the qualification as a whole has been achieved.
• The evaluation of learner performance which can provide evidence of applied competence.
• Criterion-referenced assessment which is clearly explained to, and understood by, the students and which can be applied in the recognition of prior learning.