Diploma in Information Technology

Purpose

The ever-increasing use of computers has generated the need for highly trained practitioners to design and develop new hardware and software systems, and to incorporate technological advances into new and existing systems. With the ongoing integration of computers and the Internet into all facets of the business world, it is important for qualifying learners to have valid practical experience relevant to the design and implementation of systems. The qualification aims to equip qualifying learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to perform effectively in an Information Technology role as well as with an appropriate knowledge base as preparation for further learning.

Rationale

The qualification provides a different and needed model of higher education in this discipline, some of its characteristics being:

• Providing the learners with a solid grounding in the academic theory underpinning the main concepts of the field of Information Technology,
• The curriculum includes a significant experiential component, culminating in an industry project which forms part of the final year curriculum.
• Also included in the curriculum are a range of more generalised modules, such as Business English and Introduction to Business Management, which are essential to competently function in today's business environment.
• Mentors of internship learners at companies provide quarterly reports on any gaps that need attention.
• Coupled with the curriculum model described above, the classes are small and thus the resulting staff: learner ratio makes it possible for learners to receive individual and specialised attention.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) (NC (V)), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies

Or

• Higher Certificate in Information Technology, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 113 Credits

• Computer Architecture, 7 Credits.
• Database Development, 18 Credits
• End user Computing, 7 Credits
• Information Systems, 12 Credits.
• Network Development, 7 Credits.
• Programming 1, 7 Credits.
• Programming 2, 13 Credits.
• Web Programming, 13 Credits.
• Mathematics, 12 Credits.
• English Communication, 7 Credits.
• Innovation and Leadership 1, 5 Credits.
• Innovation and Leadership 2, 5 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 7 Credits: (Choose one)

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 6,169 Credits

• Information Systems. 12 Credits.
• Operating Systems, 7 Credits.
• Security, 8 Credits.
• Innovation and Leadership, 5 Credits.
• Project, 10 Credits.
• Project Management, 7 Credits.
• Applied Information Technology, 120 Credits.

Elective One Modules, Level 6, 8 Credits: (Choose one)

• Enterprise Systems, 8 Credits.
• Internet of Things, 8 Credits.

AND

Elective Two Modules, 63 Credits (Choose one Focus Stream)

Stream One Infrastructure

• Database Administration, 7 Credits.
• Network Development, 18 Credits.
• Network Development, 12 Credits.
• Operating Systems, 12 Credits.
• Server Automation, 7 Credits.
• Wireless Networking, 7 Credits.

Or

Stream Two Software Development, 63 Credits

• Database Development 1, (Programming) 11 Credits
• Database Development 2, (Models) 7 Credits
• Programming, 12 Credits
• Programming, 12 Credits
• Web Programming 1, 10 Credits.
• Web Programming 2,11 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the core areas of one or more fields, disciplines or practices, and an informed understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules, and theories applicable to the chosen ICT discipline.
2. Demonstrate the awareness of how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within the area of study or operation.
3. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply standard methods, procedures or techniques within the field, discipline, or practice, and to plan and manage an implementation process within a well-defined, familiar and supported environment.
4. Demonstrate the ability to identify, evaluate and solve defined, routine and new problems within a familiar context, and to apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to the field, discipline or practice, demonstrating an understanding of the consequences.
5. Demonstrate the ability to gather information from a range of sources, including oral, written or symbolic texts, to select information appropriate to the task, and to apply basic processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information.
6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the context, in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
7. Demonstrate the ability to operate in a range of familiar and new contexts, demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts, and the relationships between these parts, and to understand how actions in one area impact on other areas within the same system.
8. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate his or her performance or the performance of others, and to take appropriate action where necessary; to take responsibility for his or her learning within a structured learning process; and to promote the learning of others.
9. Demonstrate the ability to take account of, and act in accordance with, prescribed organizational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values, and practices and to seek guidance on ethical and professional issues where necessary.
10. Demonstrate the ability to account for his or her actions, to work effectively with and respect others, and, in a defined context, to take supervisory responsibility for others and for the responsible use of resources, where appropriate.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Examine and apply theory of and practical skills in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Communicate with all stakeholders, partners, colleagues, and superiors, formally and informally, using oral and written modalities and selecting appropriate communication media.
• Communicate in English in a business-orientated environment.
• Work according to a project plan independently and in group and carry out and manage tasks, delivering outcomes on time and within budget.
• Discuss the necessary requirements for starting and managing a small business.
• Analyse and represent the information according to the requirements of an organization in a structured and organized way by making use of analysis and modelling techniques.
• Consult the information systems/technology issues managers and organizations.
• Explore and apply theoretical and practical knowledge of the Pascal programming language, including basic concepts of programming, debugging, trace tables and syntax checking.
• Apply a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of Visual Basic 6.0 as a programming language, including coding, debugging, error handling and databases.
• Manage the procurement of hardware and software and existing computer resources.
• Manage the procurement of hardware and software and existing computer resources.
• Assembly computer hardware, including installation, configuration, upgrading, safety and preventive maintenance, memory management, and basic networking.
• Discuss the fundamentals of proper programming, specifically Object-Oriented Programming, including modifying objects, conditional constructs, iterative constructs, and advanced parameter passing.
• Explain the fundamentals of proper programming, specifically Object-Oriented Programming, including pointers and dynamic memory, overloading operators, templates, and polymorphism, STL and exception handling, and the EZ Windows API.
• Manage the IT environment, including hardware and software acquisition, charge-out and sorting, risk resolution, and computer security.

Examine and apply the internet, elementary networking concepts, intranets, HTML, JavaScript, Java and ASP, and E-commerce.

• Design a Web Page, including writing HTML, writing JavaScript, and using the application generator "MS Front Page".
• Apply theoretical knowledge and expertise into real-world practice by designing a Web Page for an organization.
• Discuss and apply advanced programming concepts in Java, Visual Basic and Visual C++.
• Analyse networks, their underlying structure and mechanisms, management, and use.
• Evaluate the internet, elementary networking concepts, intranets, HTML, Javascript, Java and ASP, and E-commerce.
• Design a Web Page, including writing HTML, writing Javascript, and use the application generator "MS Front Page".