Diploma in Management Sciences

Purpose

The Diploma in Management Sciences has been developed to produce competent learners who are grounded in the fundamental theory and principles that underlie the practice and growth in this field. This 360 Credit Diploma is at a NQF Level 6 and is aligned with the qualification description as per the HEQSF. In keeping with the institution's aims of creating, maintaining and developing its relationships with commerce, government and industry, this diploma seeks to further strengthen the link between the institution and the world of work. The learning environment is flexible in both its mode of delivery and its methodologies, with a combination of formal face-to-face classes and independent learning contributing to the learners' experience.

Students entering this qualification will complete a common first year curriculum and then progress into an area of specialization in either Marketing; Operations; Public Relations and Communications Management; Business Administration; Retail Management; Human Resources or Business Law in their second year. The module Intro to Business is designed to give the student an overview of all the streams within the qualification. This approach will afford students some flexibility when choosing an area of specialization that best suits their strengths.

Rationale

The South African economy is characterized by both high levels of unemployment, and severe shortages of certain skills demanded in the economy. Critical shortages exist in the management sector across the high and semi-skilled spectrum, ranging from managers and professionals to artisans and technically trained workers. The South African government has identified these shortages as one of the binding constraints to achieving higher and shared economic growth in the country. Skills development therefore remains one of the priority areas for government intervention and this qualification attempts to address this shortage.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Institution has a RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (short courses and work experience). RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). The learners are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting on extensive work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the relevant Academic Department for assessment. The department's RPL committee will assess the learner's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes. Challenge assessments in the form of written examinations, may be conducted. The learners will have to demonstrate competence in the applicable Exit Level Outcomes. Successful learners will then be accepted into the programme.

Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) learners applying for Recognition of Prior Learning will be required to provide evidence of competence by means of portfolios and/or challenge assessments as per targeted learning outcomes. This is in keeping with the Institution RPL policy, the institution Senate rules and the departmental rules.

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting admission into Diploma studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate with or without endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V).

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5 worth 120 Credits and specialisation modules at NQF Level 6 worth 240 Credits totalling 360 Credits.

NQF Level 5 modules (10 modules totalling 120 credits).

Core compulsory modules

• DUT Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
• Environmental Sustainability, 8 Credits.
• Law for life, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Business, 16 Credits.
• Quantitative Approaches to Management Sciences, 8 Credits.
• Time and Stress Management, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Law, 16 Credits.
• Business Communication and Information Literacy, 16 Credits.
• Financial Literacy, 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy and Practice, 16 Credits.

Learners specialise in one of these seven streams namely: Marketing; Business Law; Public Relations and Communications Management; Operations Management; Retail Management; Human Resources Management; Business Administration.

Marketing Modules

NQF Level 6 modules (16 modules totalling 240 Credits)

• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Theory and practice of selling, 16 Credits.
• Marketing Fundamentals, 16 Credits.
• Buyer Behaviour, 16 Credits.
• Marketing Environment, 16 Credits.
• Market Segmentation, 16 Credits.
• Marketing Communications A, 16 Credits.
• Marketing Metrics, 12 Credits.
• Product Management, 16 Credits.
• Pricing, 16 Credits.
• Finance for Managers, 16 Credits.
• Value Chain Management, 16 Credits.
• Work Preparedness, 8 Credits.
• Marketing Communications B, 16 Credits.
• Brand Management, 16 Credits.
• Marketing Planning, 16 Credits.

Business Law Modules

NQF Level 6 modules (16 modules totalling 240 credits)

• Management 1, 16 Credits.
• Business Law 1, 16 Credits.
• Labour Law, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Business Law 2, 16 Credits.
• Law of Consumer Protection, 16 Credits.
• Globalisation and International Trade Law, 12 Credits.
• Management 3, 16 Credits.
• Business Law 3, 16 Credits.
• Purchasing, Procurement and Contracts Management, 16 Credits.
• Work Preparedness, 8 Credits.
• Project Management, 16 Credits.
• Corporate Law, 16 Credits.
• Management Practice,16 Credits.
• Compliance Management, 16 Credits.

Public Relations and Communications Management Modules

NQF Level 6 modules (16 modules totalling 240 credits)

• Fundamentals of Public Relations, 16 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Communication Science, 16 Credits.
• Public Relations and Media, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Applied Public Relations and Communication Planning, 16 Credits.
• Writing for Public Relations, 16 Credits.
• Public Relations Contexts, 16 Credits.
• Society and the Media, 12 Credits.
• Marketing for Public Relations, 16 Credits.
• Corporate Communication, 16 Credits.
• Stakeholder Management, 16 Credits.
• Work Preparedness, 8 Credits.
• Dynamics in the Workplace, 16 Credits.
• Reflective Practice, 16 Credits.
• Public Relations Practice, 16 Credits.
• Communication Practice, 16 Credits.

Operations Management Modules

NQF Level 6 modules (16 modules totalling 240 Credits)

• Operations Management 1, 16 Credits.
• Operations Management Techniques 1, 16 Credits.
• Organisational Effectiveness 1, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Operations Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Operations Management Techniques 2, 16 Credits.
• Organisational Effectiveness 2, 20 Credits.
• Work Preparedness, 8 Credits.
• Operations Management 3, 16 Credits.
• Operations Management Techniques 3, 16 Credits.
• Organisational Effectiveness 3, 20 Credits.
• Project Management, 16 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management, 12 Credits.
• Work Sampling, 16 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 12 Credits.
• Quality Management Systems, 12 Credits.

Retail Management Modules

NQF Level 6 modules (16 modules totalling 240 Credits)

• Retailing Fundamentals, 16 Credits.
• Retail Operations Management 1, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Theory and Practice of Selling, 16 Credits.
• Retail People Management, 16 Credits.
• Retail Marketing, 16 Credits.
• Finance for Managers, 16 Credits.
• Retail Operations Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Retail Merchandise Management, 16 Credits.
• Retail Operations Management 3, 16 Credits.
• Logistics, 16 Credits.
• Employee Relations Management 1, 12 Credits.
• Work Preparedness, 8 Credits.
• Retail Buying, 16 Credits.
• Applied Retail Operations Management, 16 Credits.
• Applied Retailing, 16 Credits.

Human Resources Management Modules

NQF Level 6 modules (17 modules totalling 240 credits)

• Human Resource Management 1, 16 Credits.
• Business Management 1, 12 Credits.
• Management of Training 1, 12 Credits.
• Employee Relations Management 1, 12 Credits.
• Human Resource Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Business Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Management of Training 2, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Work Preparedness, 8 Credits.
• Business Management 3, 16 Credits.
• Human Resource Management 3, 16 Credits.
• Projects for Human Resource Practitioners, 12 Credits.
• Employee Relations Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Applied Project Management, 16 Credits.
• Workplace Practice, 12 Credits.
• Human Resources Management Presentation, 16 Credits.
• Talent Portfolio Management, 16 Credits.

Business Administration Modules

NQF Level 6 modules (16 modules totalling 240 Credits)

Compulsory modules

• Management 1, 16 Credits.
• Finance for Managers, 16 Credits.
• Administrative Management 1, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Technology, 12 Credits.
• Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Financial Management 2, 16 Credits.
• Administrative Management 2, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics, 16 Credits.
• Management 3, 16 Credits.
• Financial Management 3, 16 Credits.
• Administrative Management 3, 12 Credits.
• Applied Management, 16 Credits.
• Applied Financial Management, 16 Credits.
• Applied Administrative Management, 12 Credits.
• Entrepreneurial Skills, 16 Credits.

Select one of the following three modules

• Credit Control, 16 Credits.
• Logistics, 16 Credits.
• Operations Management 1, 16 Credits.

1. Apply management science principles to systematically diagnose and solve problems in a work environment in one of the following fields: Marketing; Business Law; Public Relations; Administration; Operations; Human Resources and Retail.
2. Apply the principles of planning, organising, leading and controlling in one of the specialised fields: Marketing; Business Law; Public Relations; Administration; Operations; Human Resources and Retail.
3. Communicate technical, supervisory and general management information effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technology, language, structure, style and graphical support.
4. Understand the ethical implications of decisions and actions within an organisational or professional context, based on an awareness of the complexity of ethical dilemmas.
5. Evaluate, select, and apply appropriate methods, procedures or techniques in processes of investigation or application within the field of management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Quality problems are described and remedial proposals made.
• Total Quality Management (QTM) tools to analyse and detect quality transgressions in the organisation are applied.
• Theories and models to overcome business challenges and improve profit sustainability are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Planning and control systems, data and information are interpreted and analysed.
• Logistics planning and control concepts are explained.
• The planning, implementation and evaluation of placement strategies in the organisation are determined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Organisational communication, internal and external communication as well as the key dimensions of organisational communication is defined.
• Written communication for internal and external audience is developed.
• Stakeholder engagement activities are planned and executed.
• The importance and value of communication in everyday life is clearly explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The ability to be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts in managing and interacting with diverse people in the workplace is demonstrated.
• The ethical considerations when liaising with the media are critically analysed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Variety of methods to represent and calculate statistics are used.
• The appropriate production and operations management techniques for inventory management are used.
• Methods by which business decisions are made and problems are solved are determined.

Integrated Assessment

The teaching methods used to deliver the programme of learning will include participative lectures, group work, individual seminars and presentations, assignments, projects, case studies and case presentations. Peer assessments will also be used as a learning strategy. All teaching methods will use the current evidence in the field as a spring board wherein e-learning strategies will assist in keeping learners up to date on trends and practices nationally and internationally.

Work Integrated Learning will play a strategic role in ensuring the knowledge; skills and attitudes are gained and reinforced by the learner whilst in the workplace.

Both formative and summative assessment methodologies will be used.

Assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, so that an integrated approach to assessment is incorporated into the qualification.

Integrated Assessment Methods will make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Continuous assessment will be provided through:

• Portfolios.
• Simulations.
• Workplace assessments.
• Written assignments.
• Written tests.
• Case studies.
• Peer group evaluation.
• Face to face contact with learners.