Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology

Purpose

The qualification will expose the learner to business analysis tools and data analytics to further contribute to long term strategic decision making at an organisational level and to support these strategies with effective and complex database systems and software engineering methodologies and tools. Also, a learner completing this qualification will be able to identify and investigate problems in an organisational ecosystem and conduct appropriate research by applying applicable methodologies, tools and techniques to formulate findings and recommendations.

Also, a learner completing this qualification will be able to identify and investigate problems in an organisational ecosystem and conduct appropriate research by applying applicable methodologies, tools and techniques to formulate findings and recommendations.

Rationale

This qualification has been developed in conjunction with relevant stakeholders and industry experts and aligns well with demands of industry which will further improve the employability of learners completing this qualification. This qualification is in great demand by the industry as economies move from agricultural-based and manufacturing-based to knowledge-based economies. These fields have also been identified and classified by the Department of Labour as scarce skills and greatly sought by local community and economic development.

The Postgraduate Diploma will be offered at the institution in the discipline of Information Technology. It will provide current internal learners and learners coming from external institutions with relevant NQF Level 7 qualifications the necessary knowledge and skills to improve employability and provide articulation to further postgraduate studies on NQF Level 9.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification may be granted, according to policies governing higher education, to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses provided they can demonstrate competence in the outcomes of the qualification as required by the fundamental, core and elective areas stipulated in the qualification and Exit Level Outcomes.

• An RPL process may also be used to credit learners with credits in which they have developed the necessary competency because of workplace and work-integrated learning.
• Learners submitting themselves for RPL should be thoroughly briefed prior to assessment and may be required to submit a portfolio of evidence in the prescribed format to be accessed for formal recognition.
• The details of the Faculty RPL policy are as follows, presuming prior accredited learning has taken place:

> The learner applies for RPL against module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department (Head of Department-HOD).

> An exemption form is completed for the RPL of modules or part/full qualification.

> Credits are awarded for relevant, approved prior learning (RPL).

> Only then may the prospective learner continue with full registration.

The principles of RPL will be used to assess two broad kinds of prior learning for credit

• Recognition of prior accredited learning. (Formal RPL) The current qualification can be completed through recognition of unit standards, modules or qualifications obtained.
• Recognition of prior experiential learning. (Work experience, Informal, Non-formal) Recognition of prior experiential learning (work experience) is based on the principle of matching previous learning with the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification and by this means, "translating' the prior learning into the "levels and credits' of the qualification framework in the formal system. This refers to learning acquired in an 'uncredentialled' context, such as through work experience or life experience.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Information Technology, NQF Level 7.

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

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

� Advanced Supportive Techniques and Technologies, 10 Credits.

� Business Intelligence, 20 Credits.

� Software Engineering, 20 Credits.

� Strategic Business Analysis, 20 Credits.

� Database Administration, 20 Credits.

� Research Project in Information Systems and Technology, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of strategic business analysis tools and techniques with the aim of long-term strategic decision making that is support via the use of data analytics within organisations.
2. Apply critical judgment and evaluation of business analysis concepts in the enhancement of business processes in organisations.
3. Demonstrate competency in applied research using appropriate research methodologies to formulate findings and recommendations based on an identified problem in an Information Technology (IT) environment.
4. Demonstrate and apply an advanced understanding of the installation, maintenance and optimisation of a high-volume data source within an organisation.
5. Understand and explain software design approaches; understand and apply the methods and techniques used in these approaches, acquire conceptual and modelling capabilities for the design of software systems using these methods and techniques.
6. Apply different supportive technologies and techniques that supports projects in business intelligence, software engineering, business analysis, databases, Information Technology (IT)-based research and other IT-based projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss different Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) architectures.
• Apply Business intelligence (BI) best practices given specific case studies.
• Produce key BI outputs and propose improvements for competitiveness and profitability.
• Propose appropriate BI tools for given scenarios.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Use established tools and models to determine the market position and market direction for a specified business case or scenario.
• Apply strategic business analysis knowledge to compare and critique various theoretical approaches in developing information technology (IT) driven business strategies.
• Produce IT-driven strategies that exploit market position and direction, and offset threats and weaknesses for IT-based scenarios and case studies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Critically analyse the significant research problem in the field of information systems and technology.
• Apply knowledge and skills to reveal the use of applicable research theories, ethics, methodology and techniques.
• Develop various research documents based on related information systems and technology problems.
• Justify significant project results of the research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply the relevant skills to develop, configure, manage and improve high-volume database instances and storage structures.
• Illustrate an understanding of how to develop and manage users, privileges and resources in the database environment.
• Apply different tools to identify and troubleshoot database problems to improve the performance of high-volume databases.
• Evaluate the different recovery strategies associated with high-volume databases and implement a logical and physical backup and disaster recovery.
• Evaluate and utilise different task automation tools available in high-volume database to improve efficiency in data processing and storage.
• Apply relevant skills to design, develop and implement high-volume database systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Design, implement and analyse software using software engineering methodologies.
• Develop software for different types of organisations and scenarios using software engineering methodologies.
• Apply the skills for building distributed software in the design and development of distributed software systems for an organisation or scenario.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Develop a portfolio of evidence indicating an achieved competency in various techniques and technologies.
• Demonstrate the use of different techniques and technologies to scaffold IT-based projects and scenarios.
• Analyse differing datasets and produce output using an appropriate supportive technology.
• Produce various IT-related project outputs using support techniques and technologies.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and summative assessments will be conducted throughout the semester.