Master of Information Science

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Information Science. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifiers with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge about theoretical aspects of Library Science, Information Science, Multimedia, Development Communication, and Publishing, and to demonstrate their practical knowledge in a variety of environments by means of applying research findings. Qualifiers should demonstrate postgraduate level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of fields and products, including Information Science, Business Management, Visual Literacy, Electronic Publishing, Multimedia, Development Communication and other related fields

A secondary purpose of this qualification is to equip students to function at a higher level in a variety of contexts and at various levels of the organisation, and to lay the foundation for further research and development at doctoral level. This is effective through the facilitation of the transfer of appropriate knowledge, skills and values as dictated by the needs of the industry, the various disciplines and the learner.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with postgraduates in the field of content development in the emerging convergence of the media.

This qualification indicates that the recipient of the qualification has both the theoretical and practical skills to translate into competent performance.

Matriculation certificate

First degree

Honours degree: B IS in any of the areas of specialisation

Other

Equivalent qualifications presented at NQF Level 6 and/or NQF Level 7 Diploma and accredited by UP towards progressing to a Masters degree.

M IS

Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge: Graduates will, through taking one of the course-work packages in this qualification, contribute towards the empowerment of the broader community through:

• stimulation of the creation and dissemination of information products and services, and
• the transfer of skills of communication to a broader segment of the community than was previously the case with a view to enhanced access to information and information products.

1. Graduates will have the necessary skills to contribute to the prospective information professional's personal effectiveness through increasing his/her skills of communication of information.
2. The qualification increases the student's awareness of the need for value adding by information professionals in the handling of information products, the importance of quality management in the handling of information products, and will bring home the importance of teamwork in the production of information products of high quality.
3. The qualification will, through its various packages, enable the student to contribute to the production of information products by adding value at the levels of content, conduit and interface, including acquiring at a basic level the skills required at the various levels of value adding, and enable the student to critically evaluate the quality of information products and services.
4. Skills and proficiencies: Students will have all the skills and proficiencies necessary to translate these into competent performance in the field of Information Science.
5. Attitudes, dispositions and values: Students will have a core set of ethical and legal values pertaining to the professional handling of information.

Critical cross-field outcomes

Critical cross-field outcomes for this programme include but are not limited to various competencies and applied competencies such as:

• identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made concerning solutions for problems related to individuals, groups, families, communities and people with special needs
• work intersectorally with other disciplines as a member of a team, group, organisation, community in both the public and private sectors
• demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between systems from an ecological approach by understanding social needs, problems and resource capacity within an international, national and local context
• develop holistic, integrated strategies and programmes for social sciences founded on the collection, analyses, organising, implementation and critical evaluation of theory, information and processes
• demonstrate effective utilisation of technology for strategies aimed at broadening the scope of the Humanities and science in general
• organise and manage their work load responsibly and effectively by means of a scheduled programme allowing for a learning environment such as reading scientific journals in the field as well as becoming a member of professional bodies, attending seminars and conferences, doing research and rendering voluntary services to facilitate professional growth and development
• communicate effectively with people of all target groups, including people who are literate and illiterate, children and the youth, using visual and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion
• contribute to the full personal development of each learner regarding strategies for learning, such as furthering a culture of life-long learning, scientific involvement, expressing a non-discriminating attitude across a range of social contexts based on the value of social justice and a sensitivity for cultural diversity and awareness of similarities, and to explore and develop career opportunities such as entrepreneurial initiatives to promote social and economical independence and opportunities for personal development.

To meet the requirements for the M Soc Sc qualification the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes of the learner are assessed on the basis of any or all of the following:

• Performance during oral presentations in front of peers and/or experts.
• Written outputs in the format of essays and reports.
• Where applicable, written examinations reflecting research competence.
• A mini-dissertation, being the culmination of research efforts.

The assessment will be both formative, summative and criteria-based and reliability will be ensured by both internal and external moderation.

Integrated assessment

Portfolios: if required by the research topic or the discipline

Simulations: if required by the research topic or the discipline

Work-place assessments: if required by the research topic or the discipline

Written examinations: if required by the research topic or the discipline

Oral examinations: if required by the research topic or the discipline

Other

The modalities for integrated assessment permit the candidate to demonstrate applied competence. Mainly formative methods set according to specific guidelines and methods related to credentialing the critical exit-level and cross-field outcomes appropriate to contextual and situational achievements are recognised.

In addition to the above, modalities such as group discussions and presentations in front of peers and experts may also be used.

Final assessment by expert external assessors, both academic and non-academic, will be done of the dissertation.