Master of Commerce in Informatics

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to

• Specialise in a specific area of Informatics as a discipline,
• Do original research work,
• Display his knowledge on theoretical aspects of Informatics,
• Solve problems related to a research topic,
• Obtain competencies and skills in the IT domain, which can be used in the future decision making and strategic thinking.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the learner is found to be competent the learner may:

• Gain access
• Advanced placement
• Recognition of qualification status will be granted on condition of continuing education.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Informatics, NQF Level 8.

1. The learner should be able to

Solve a research problem in IT under the guidance of the study leader, and come to a valid conclusion.

Solve the research problem in IT under constraints of time, manpower and budgets.

2. The learner

Must be able to work on an individual basis, doing research work in collaboration with the study leader.

Must be able to work in collaboration with other research teams, locally or abroad.

Must be able to give guidance to students on junior levels.

3. The learner

Must be reliable student, completing tasks assigned by the study leader within constraints such as present time limits.

Must be a motivated worker who will work towards a preset goal.

4. The learner

Must be able to work independently in solving a research problem.

Must be able to use technology to gather research information (Internet etc).

Must know how to apply the basic principles of scientific research methods in the IT-field.

Must be able to summarize research results in a form that can be communicated to others (by visual/graphical/oral means).

5. The learner

Must be able to give a well-written report of the research findings in the form of a thesis or articles to be published in accredited journals.

Must be able to verbally communicate research results by way of seminars or deliver papers at research conferences.

6. The learner

Must be able to use IT technology in solving research problems (Internet, client/server systems etc)

Must be able to develop algorithms solving research problems.

7. The learner

The learner must be must be able to apply research/theoretical knowledge to solve problems that can benefit society by improving living conditions.

Must be aware of how research knowledge can be applied to improve the environment.

8. The learner

Must be able to obtain research results from sources such as search engines on the Internet, CD-ROM's, journals and textbooks.

Must be able to form an own interpretation of the obtained research results and to place it into context.

Must be able to use the obtained information in building a conceptual research model to solve the problem under investigation.

9. The learner

Must be aware of methods/strategies to be used in applying research results to improve living conditions of other citizens.

Must be responsible not to misuse research results to the detriment of other citizens. (e. g. Hacking the Internet, breaking security code systems, writing viruses)

10. The learner

Must be sensitive to the needs of other citizens and how to apply research results in such a way to offend any individual or group.

11. The learner

Must be aware of how obtained knowledge can be applied in informing a career path in IT.

Must be able to draw up a CV

12. The learner

Must be aware of the principles of self-employment.

Must be able to act as an IT consultant.

Must be aware of business principles in managing a business.

Must be aware of generating jobs in the IT industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

1. The learner can demonstrate his ability to solve a research problem in a reasonable time and to come to a valid conclusion by writing a study report (Thesis)
2. Ongoing evaluation by the study leader of the ability of the learner in a group-work such as guidance to other students in solving IT problems.

Feedback from leaders of other participating research groups in assessing participations of the learner in mutual research activates.

1. The learner has to demonstrate his abilities to compete a research projects within the constraints of time, budgets and manpower.

The candidate must submit a detailed project plan to the study leader indicating the main activities and when these milestones will be reached.

The study leader must assess the progress with reference to the work plan. If progress is not applicable, the necessary steps should be taken to rectify the situation.

1. The learner has to demonstrate his abilities in applying the basic principles of the scientific research methodology in the IT field.

The study leader must assess the learner's ability to apply the fundamental theoretical principles to formulate the research model.

The study leader must assess the learner's ability to demonstrate how the model solves the original problem.

The study leader must validate the correctness of the solution by testing algorithms, progress, formulas and other results.

1. The learner must demonstrate his abilities to communicate his research findings using a variety of media such as written or verbal reports, graphical representations in slide shows or Internet web pages.

The study leader must assess written reports (thesis, articles) according to the technical correctness of the presentation, to the layout and structure of the document and to correct language use.

The study leader must assess the learner's ability to verbally communicate his findings to groups of technical and non-technical people at IT conferences and general meetings and lectures.

1. The learner should be able to demonstrate his ability to use IT technology in solving the research problem. The study leader must judge the learner's ability to develop the necessary software to solve the research problem.

The study leader must judge the use of advanced technological facilities such as a high-level programming languages, distributed systems client/server architectures etc.

1. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to apply research knowledge to the benefit of the society and the environment.

In cases where the research work was of an applied nature, the study leader must ascertain that the learner is aware of his responsibilities to apply his research results to the benefit of society and the environment.

1. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to follow a systematically procedure in acquiring the necessary background knowledge and skills to conduct the research project.

The study leader must judge the learner's abilities in integrating the acquired knowledge and skills in building models to solve the research project.

1. The learner should be aware of the importance of applying his knowledge to the benefit of other citizens in society.

The study leader must ascertain the learner's attitude towards the citizens of the country, making sure that the acquired knowledge will be used to the benefit of the society at large.

1. The learner should be aware that there is a diversity of culture groups in the country and that the research results must be applied in such a way as not to offend any individual or groups of individuals.

The study leader must ascertain that research results are presented in such a way that nobody is offended.

1. The learner should be able to present himself to the IT industry as a productive, honest and reliable worker.

The study leader must see to it that the learner knows the ethics of employment in the IT industry.

1. The learner should be aware of the importance of generating job opportunities in the IT industry.

The study leader is responsible to assess the learner's awareness of the importance of generating job opportunities in the IT industry by informal discussions.

The study leader has to assess the learner's knowledge of business principles by informal discussions during the research period.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Learners are continuously assessed by informal discussions with their appointed study leader. The course requires the learner to study, interpret and evaluate a wide range of subject related documents - like research papers, these and product documentation. Furthermore learners are exposed to document writing, and must produce several technical documents that are often submitted as papers to subject journals.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of a comprehensive thesis on which the final evaluation is based.