Diploma in Information and Communication Technology in Communication Networks

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma qualification is to provide a career-focused professional qualification featuring industry-referenced skills transfer with regard to knowledge skills, technological competencies, critical cross-field skills and attitudinal skills. A Diploma graduate will be knowledgeable and competent in the discourse and practice of the ICT discipline, but also have specialist knowledge of a particular sub-discipline of ICT and would have been subject to a range of professional and personal development initiatives relevant to the ICT industry and lifelong learning respectively.

The knowledge area emphasise general principles and applications. Further the diploma will develop learners who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.

A qualifying learner will have proficient knowledge of the ICT industry in general and will have specialised knowledge in a field of specialisation, that will enables them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context.

The goal of the Diploma is to satisfy the industry's needs locally, regionally and nationally for ICT with specific reference to the area of Communications Networks.

Rationale

Information and Communication Technology (ICT), refers to the various electronic tools and services that facilitate communication and the sharing of information and knowledge. Technological innovation is essential for human development. There is widespread research interest in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). One of the identified agents through which the world will constantly experience change is technology. In the business of trying to make information available in the right form to the right user both at the personal and organisational levels, and at the right time, the bid to cope with great flood of information has led to the need for a more sophisticated way of handling information faster and better.

New ICTs can offer real opportunities to improve the quality of community life. It is also important to deepen our level of reflection on community dynamics and on the constraints encountered when introducing and using ICTs for development.

The Communication Networks area of specialization (as one of seven) was established through extensive research, international benchmarking and national discourse involving the ICT industry and the academic institutions within the HEICTA consortium. This specialization expands the purpose of the qualification by enabling a graduate (diplomate) to design, develop, implement and manage communication networks by integrating knowledge of modern network topologies and protocols to create an appropriate and adequate environment of communication and information sharing.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners that do not meet the minimum criteria can apply for access into the qualification through the PRL process. Learners will have to provide evidence of any additional courses completed or relevant workplace experience. Learners will follow the institutional RPL procedures. Refer to RPL Policy as uploaded for the HEQC online application.

Entry Requirements

Admission requirements for this qualification

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Diploma studies.
• Senior Certificate with endorsement.

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5

• Applications Development Foundations 1, 20 Credits.
• Communication Networks Foundations 1, 20 Credits.
• Multimedia Foundations 1, 20 Credits.
• ICT Fundamentals 1, 15 Credits.
• Project 1, 10 Credits.
• Professional Communications 1, 10 Credits.
• Programming 1, 15 Credits.
• Business Practice 1, 10 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6

• Communication Networks Fundamentals 2, 10 Credits.
• Communication Networks Fundamentals 2, 10 Credits.
• Multimedia Fundamentals 2, 10 Credits.
• Communication Networks Theory 2, 10 Credits.
• Communication Networks Practice 2, 20 Credits.
• ICT Electives 2, 10 Credits.
• Project 2, 15 Credits.
• Communication Network Design 2, 10 Credits.
• Professional Communication 2, 10 Credits.
• Information Management 2, 15 Credits.
• Project 3, 20 Credits.
• Communication Network Design 3, 20 Credits.
• Professional Practice 3, 10 Credits.
• ICT Electives 3, 10 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7

• Communication Network Theory 3, 20 Credits.
• Project Presentation 3, 5 Credits.
• Project Management 3, 15 Credits.
• Communication Network Practice 3, 20 Credits.

1. Develop communication networks in response to a needs assessment.
2. Solve communication network problems for various given scenarios.
3. Administer a communication network.
4. Implement and maintain a secure communication network.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Appropriate unit tests for web application are developed.
• Unit testing in a web development environment are implemented.
• Appropriate deployment strategy for a web application is analysed and implemented.
• Trends are analysed with respect to current and future interactions between humans and technology.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Complex web development project and identify the possible development problems are critically analysed.
• Software development best practices and theories to solve communication network project are identified and applied.
• Problems, opportunities or mandates that initiate projects are developed and/or clearly defined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• The ability to secure the network is demonstrated.
• The ability to do basic configuration of a switch including STP is demonstrated.
• How to implement a medium-sized Local Area Network (LAN) and a Wide Area Network (WAN-intranet) is explained.
• Solution to test the program using the test data from the desk-check as well as more "extreme" values is formulated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Technologies deployed in different contexts of networking, such as topology, bandwidth, distance, and number of users are identified and used.
• The basic components and media of network systems between LANs and WANs are explained and used.
• Web design best practices to produce a static website are applied.
• The constructs and processes required relating to implementation of "media acquisition" concepts are applied.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification will incorporate the following assessment approaches: written and practical tests, portfolio assessment and assignments/projects (individual and team), within a continuous assessment model, to assess the learning that has taken place.

Underpinning the assessment strategy is not only the evaluation of knowledge, competencies and skills from an academic perspective but a particular emphasis on evaluating the application of learning in the 'world of work' or working environment, through the various modalities of work integrated learning.

Learners enrolled for this Diploma will be required to register for a project based offering at each year level, i.e. year one, two and three, of the qualification. This project based subject or module offering is intended to provide learners with an opportunity to integrate learning across each year of the curriculum and deliver an integrated project consistent with industry practice within a particular specialisation.

Within Multimedia Applications specialisation of the Diploma, the project based offering will focus on

• Constructing portfolio evidence (paper-based or electronic), which will not only reflect work done at this level but also serve as a device for recording professional exposure (First year level).
• Towards "World of Work" or Industry Exposure and it is incumbent on the learner to engage and shape the project towards achieving the required exposure and implementation to achieve the desired outcomes (Second year level).
• Towards Professional Practice and it is incumbent on the learner to engage and shape the project towards obtaining the required exposure and implementation to achieve the desired outcomes (Third year level).