Master of Science in Information Technology

Purpose

The registration would be beneficial to Information Technology graduates, allowing professional recognition of the degree obtained by the graduates. This degree is intended to follow on the BSc Honours (Information Technology) degree that is in the process of receiving full accreditation by the BCS.

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

• Carry out independent research in the field of information technology and mastering the required study field.
• Demonstrate the required level of intellectual and theoretical knowledge and insight into computer science problems, thereby revealing his/her ability for critical reasoning, formulation, analysis and evaluation of a specific information technology problem.
• Demonstrate reflexive competencies such as innovation, decision-making, strategic thinking and organizational abilities.
• Access further education and training and to enhance his/her marketability and employability in the field of Information Technology.
• Do research in the interest fields of the lecturers in the RAU-Standard Bank Academy for Information Technology.
• Write a dissertation about the research field.
• Write articles in the relevant field to be presented at national and international conferences.

Rationale

In April 2002 a delegation of the British Computer Society (BCS) visited the Academy to investigate the accreditation of the BSc (Information Technology) degree and the honours degree by the body. During February 2003 the BSc Information Technology degree (BSc 310) was formally accredited by this body. Feedback received from the BCS suggested that if minor changes were made to the current BSc Honours (Computer Science and Informatics) degree it would receive partial registration to the British Engineering Council. (Currently the registration of an Information Technology graduate is not possible at the South African Engineering Council). The registration would be beneficial to Information Technology graduates, allowing professional recognition of the degree obtained by the graduates.

Learners with a B.Sc Honours (Information Technology) that is a NQF 7 degree qualification would be able to register for this qualification.

The entrance level outcomes that applies is

• The mathematical ability to understand and apply advanced algorithms in problem solutions.
• The ability to design advanced algorithms for implementation in a computer system.
• The ability to program and implement algorithms using a recognized programming language.
• The ability to demonstrate the representation of data structures in a computer system and the functioning of data models.
• The ability to demonstrate the latest developments in the IT industry.
• The ability to demonstrate the roll and meaning of IT systems in the modern society.

Recognition of prior learning

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.
• Any equivalent course done at another university's course content is evaluated on an individual basis with each application by the head of the department or recognition of certificate status will be granted on condition of continuing education.

Access to the qualification

• M.Sc (Information Technology) leads to PhD (Information Technology).

Credits: NQF Levels

Core: Levels 8: 120 credits, Total: 120 credits

Total: 120 credits

Module/Subject

Core: IT Research Dissertation:120 credits

Total: 120 credits

Additional information on modules

Title of module: IT Research Dissertation, NQF level: 8, Credits: 120, Duration: 1 year full time, Nature of module: Research, Purpose: Completion of a supervised research dissertation, Prerequisites: B.Sc Honors (Information Technology), Assessment: The dissertation is assessed by the study leader and at least one external examiner in the research field from another institution with at least a masters degree in the research area.

Learning components

The learner completes a research dissertation under supervision of a study leader in a current and relevant area of Information Technology research.

The learners should be able to

1. Problem-solving skills

1.1. Demonstrate an ability to conduct a research study.

1.2. Identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project, and generate, analyse and evaluate obtained literature.

1.3. Write a dissertation that is well structured and contains relevant research in the field.

1.4. Write a research paper on the research topic.

1.5. Demonstrate the ability to identify a research project in the information technology domain.

1. Teamship

• Work in a team relation with the study leader(s) in the research area identified to complete the research for the dissertation.

1. Self-responsibility skills

• Take responsibility for the research project.
• Be responsible for completing each one of the deliverables in time.
• Be able to produce a project plan for the proposed research.

1. Research skills

• Consult current information technology research literature to identify current trends in the different subject areas and identify research opportunities.
• Consult current information technology research literature to identify current trends in the relevant subject areas pertaining to the proposed research and to synthesize current research and report on it.

1. Communication skills

• Demonstrate that they can communicate their research in a written report format.
• Demonstrate that they can communicate their research orally.
• Demonstrate competent levels of scientific reporting.

1. Technological and environmental literacy

• Access and understand the information technological knowledge of the research dissertation in relation to broader technological fields and the environment.
• Be able to reason about and synthesize reports on current information technological trends.

1. Developing macrovision

• The learner can relate his/her research to different subject areas in information technology.
• The learner can relate his/her research to different research in the same area.

1. Learning skills

• Learn to do independent research.

1. Citizenship

• Be able to conduct the research in a responsible and innovative manner demonstrating a responsible and innovative approach.
• Be able to conduct the research in a professional and ethical manner.

1. Cultural and aesthetic understanding

• Demonstrate and understanding of applicable cultural and aesthetic issues in the relevant research area.

1. Employment seeking skills

• Express him/herself clearly in information technology terminology.
• Be aware of his/her abilities as an information technology researcher.

1. Entrepreneurship

• The learner should be able to identify new research opportunities in the relevant research area.

Can the learners

1. Problem-solving skills

1.1. Demonstrate the ability to conduct a research study.

1.2. Identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project and generate, analyse and evaluate obtained literature.

1.3. Write a dissertation that is well structured and contains relevant research in the field.

1.4. Write a research paper on the research topic.

1. Teamship

• Function with the study leader(s) as part of a research team in order to complete the dissertation.

1. Self-responsibility skills

• Complete sections of the research on his/her own in a responsible manner.
• Create a project plan for the proposed research and completion thereof.

1. Research skills

• Write a dissertation that is well structured and contains relevant research in the field.
• Write a research paper on the research topic.
• Write a critical evaluation of methods and technologies used in their research and to relate their research to research of a similar nature.

1. Communication skills

• Can write a dissertation that demonstrates competent levels of scientific reporting.
• Can write a well structured dissertation in terms of chapter division.
• Can communicate the contents of the research to his/her study leader in regular meetings.
• If applicable, demonstrate any implementation of the work to external examiners.

1. Technological and environmental literacy

• Critically evaluate the applicability of the learner's research to the broader technological environment.

1. Developing macrovision

• Identify a suitable research project.
• Give an overview chapter in the dissertation reporting on:

> Similar research.

> How the learners research relates to the broader IT field.

1. Learning skills

• Report on independent research in the dissertation in a scientific manner.

1. Citizenship

• Identify unethical behaviour in the relevant research area. Identify unlawful research practices in the relevant research area.
• Demonstrate the potential to become a responsible and ethical IT researcher by his actions during the development of the dissertation in the selected field.

1. Cultural and aesthetic understanding

• Identify cultural and aesthetic issues in different subject areas of information technology.
• Justification that the learner took into consideration applicable cultural and aesthetic issues in the related research area.

1. Employment seeking skills

• Meetings with study leader(s).

1. Entrepreneurship

• Can the learner correctly identify a research project of sufficient scope and difficulty in order to complete a supervised research dissertation.

Integrated assessment

Assessment is focused on candidate's ability to fulfil their life role performance as well as to demonstrate broad enabling competences. They have to be able to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and understanding of applications with discussions and debates on scientific issues and practice. Assessment strategies and procedures include:

Formative (continuous) assessment practices

• Research progress is assessed at regular intervals by meetings scheduled with the study leader and other stakeholders in the research field.

Summative (final) assessment practices

• The dissertation is assessed by the study leader and at least one external examiner in the research field from another institution with at least a masters degree in the research area.