Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science is to further develop knowledge and skills gained in the undergraduate Computer Science qualifications. It aims to prepare learners for work place that requires specialised knowledge and computational problem solving skills set. Additionally, it aims to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of Computer Science, thereby laying a foundation for conducting research at Master's and Doctoral levels. A learner of this qualification will be able to engage in self-directed learning and demonstrate intellectual independence and analytic rigour.

To achieve this purpose, the modules in the qualification are aligned to the qualification Exit Level Outcomes as follows:

• Design models and implement simulations of real or theoretical systems.
• Employ data analytic techniques in decision making.
• Employ methodological and technological fundamentals in Ontological Engineering and the Semantic Web domain.
• Apply formal logic in the context of software engineering.
• Apply appropriate research methodology for conducting basic or applied research.
• Design and implement algorithms commonly used in problem-solving, and analyse their computational complexity.
• Apply new technologies in the design and implementation of software systems.
• Demonstrate integration of knowledge acquired in Postgraduate Diploma in a research project of limited scope.

Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learners would be able to implement and recommend solutions to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) problems, thereby assisting in strengthening the country's economy. With the ever-increasing speed of technology change, especially in virtual reality and interactive environments, the shortage of developers for these new technologies will become a major problem in the Information Technology (IT) industry in South Africa.

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science is to inculcate a deep and systematic understanding of the current theories, practices and methodologies in Computer Science and Software Engineering as well as lay the foundation for research practices. This qualification aims to develop learners' ability to formulate, undertake and resolve more complex theoretical and practical problems and tasks that were introduced at Advanced Diploma level. Upon successful completion of the qualification, the graduates would be able to implement and recommend solutions to ICT problems resulting in various domains.

On completion of this qualification, learners will be able to provide the needed knowledge and skills to function as a computer systems developer, or assist with systems integrations, within any organisation, as all organisations require Information Technology to further itself. This includes the research, identification, analysis, and design; propose expansion, testing, maintenance and deployment of organisational IT systems to aid innovation, and for betterment of organisational responsiveness, effectiveness and/or efficiency, which improves the social and economic stance of the country.

Rationale

With rapidly changing technology associated with mobile and communication devices, the shortage of software engineers for these new technologies is becoming a major problem in the IT industry in South Africa. The Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science will provide these software engineers the ability to develop solutions to specialised computer science problems.

This qualification is aimed at learners who have completed the Advanced Diploma in Computer Science and provides articulation into a Master's in Computing. According to industry reports, web and mobile device software engineers are already in great demand, and this will exponentially increase in the future. Learners with this qualification would be able to help companies, specialising in providing web and mobile device solutions, to improve its competitive advantage through the application of the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge, thus increasing the profits of the organisation and improving the economic stance of the country.

The demand from employers for learners capable of working effectively in an IT sector continues to grow, as does their demand for technical skills and expertise. This Postgraduate Diploma aims to provide the necessary skills and depth of knowledge to ensure that learners remain attractive to relevant employment markets. The qualification is a combination of Exit Level Outcomes that has the defined purpose of capacitating the learner with workplace applicable competencies. This qualification will build on the intermediate foundation provided by the Advanced Diploma in Computer Science and will equip the learners for any future learning endeavours in Mobile and Web Application Development in particular, and in Software Engineering, in general. The learners will be equipped with the necessary skills to apply for several more-senior job positions in demand in the ICT industry.

To add to the learner's body of knowledge, elective modules are offered. The purpose of electives provides the learner the freedom to pursue interests that may lie outside their majors and that extend beyond those addressed in the general Curriculum. It also strengthens the realistic approach to curriculum design and understanding where a broader sense of contextual and conceptual knowledge of the discipline is employed.

The design of this qualification was informed by the curriculation guidelines provided by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and other Universities and Universities of Technologies in the country. The Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science qualification is therefore aligned to international best practices.

The rational for re-curriculating the qualification is to meet the ever changing demands of the organisation environment and comply with the skills shortages encountered in the local and global economy.

This qualification will provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary and relevant to provide computing-based solutions to address the problems that are important to the society and the economy. The emphasis of this qualification is to prepare learners to provide reflection and knowledge using a systematic approach to implement and recommend solutions to more specialised software engineering-oriented computer science problems. On completion of this qualification, the learner will show intellectual independence, and will be able to relate knowledge in a range of software engineering topics in order to undertake professional or highly skilled work in a computer science environment.

This Postgraduate Diploma will contribute to the never-ending demand on more specialised computer scientists and software engineers required by the IT industry in this country. Learners with this qualification will be able to advise IT companies, specialising in various application domains, improve its competitive advantage through the application of the acquired theoretical, practical knowledge. Research is a strong component of this qualification because learners must first complete a module in research methods and then conduct an individual research project under the supervision of members of staff. The skills acquired in learning how to do research - critical thinking, written and oral presentation skills, collation and analysis of large amounts of new information, and the actual conducting of research - are invaluable in industry. In acquiring these research skills learners can assist the organisations in achieving its objectives and subsequently improving the economic stance of the country.

The graduates will possess the necessary knowledge and skills to work in various capacities in software and other IT related industry. For example, the learners can work as system engineer and systems integration specialist. The flied of specialisation is supported by allowing the learners to select 3 of the 4 elective modules in the qualification.

This qualification typically follows a Bachelor's degree or an Advanced Diploma in Computer Science and allows articulation into the Masters qualification in Computer Science.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The learner can achieve part of the qualification t through the recognition of relevant prior learning which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners who work in the Computer Science industry who believe they possess the appropriate competencies can apply for RPL. The competencies must meet some or all the Exit Level Outcomes listed in the qualification. RPL may also be used to obtain credits for some learning outcomes. Learners need to submit a portfolio of evidence to achieve credits through the RPL process. The evidence presented in the Portfolio will be assessed against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. The evidence as required by the Exit Level Outcomes should meet the following principles: the currency of evidence, the sufficiency of the evidence, the validity of evidence and authenticity of the evidence.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, NQF Level 7.
• Advanced Diploma in Computer Science, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules NQF Level 8, 75 Credits

• Modelling and simulations, 15 Credits.
• Data science and big data analytics, 15 Credits.
• Research methodologies, 15 Credits.
• Research project, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, 45 Credits (Choose three)

• Ontology engineering, 15 Credits.
• Formal aspects of Computing, 15 Credits.
• Algorithms and complexity, 15 Credits.
• New technological trends, 15 Credits.

1. Design models and implement simulations of real or theoretical systems.
2. Employ data analytic techniques in decision making.
3. Employ methodological and technological fundamentals in Ontological Engineering and the Semantic Web domain.
4. Apply formal logic in the context of software engineering.
5. Design and implement algorithms commonly used in problem-solving, and analyse their computational complexity.
6. Apply appropriate research methodology for conducting applied research.
7. Apply new technologies in the design and implementation of software systems.
8. Demonstrate integration of knowledge acquired in the qualification in a research project of limited scope.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Examine appropriate tools and techniques for modelling and simulations.
• Examine modelling methodologies for it appropriateness to a particular system.
• Conduct simulation and verification of the model.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Deploy a structured lifecycle approach to data analytics problems.
• Apply appropriate analytic techniques and tools to analyse big data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate understanding of the general overview of the semantic web with special emphasis on ontologies and resource annotation (documents, texts, web pages, web services, DBs, etc.).
• Apply methods, techniques and tools used in (semi)-automatic annotation of texts and multimedia documentation.
• Demonstrate use of architectures and languages in creating semantic web services (WSMO, OWL-S).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Demonstrate an understanding of propositions and predicate calculus constructs.
• Apply propositional and deductive reasoning.
• Create proof obligations for concepts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Understand fundamental concepts and principles of algorithm analysis.
• Conduct Algorithm Analysis in practical problem solving.
• Utilise Automata, Computability and complexity theory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate ability to design software using efficient data structures.
• Demonstrate ability to conduct analysis on algorithms for efficiency.
• Apply tools and techniques to evaluate computational efficiencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply the latest technology in the creation and implementation of a software system.
• Demonstrate the appropriateness of the selected technology.
• Compare and contrast between the various technologies in the design and implementation of a software system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Demonstrate ability to design appropriate research project to solve a practical or a theoretical problem.
• Demonstrate the use of appropriate research methodology for the identified research project.
• Demonstrate scientific writing and presentation skills.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment takes the form of a variety of assessment methods. This includes Summative Assessment in the form of written or oral examinations, and Formative Assessment in the form of problem solving assignments, computer programmes, projects, presentations, case studies, portfolios, log books, documentation, and towards the end of the year, a reflective assessment where learners will complete a single integrated systems project that will incorporate the identification, analysis, designing and development of a real life scenario based in the Computer science environment.