About our school
SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
There is an urgent need in South Africa (and globally) for computer scientists and information technologists. The different programmes in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems (SCSIS) aim to equip students with applicable expertise and skills in both of these fields.
The goal is to provide our students with knowledge and skills of modern and relevant programming languages, phases of a relevant system development life cycle (SDLC), database techniques and technologies, IT project planning and management techniques, and human-computer interface design. Students are educated in the ethical aspects of systems planning and development towards making a professional contribution to the IT industry. Students are expected to have knowledge and understanding of the value of information in enterprises and the technical functioning and processing of its sources so as to make a meaningful contribution to strategic decision-making and management of information systems.
With the skills that the student acquired through successful completion of these qualifications, he/she will also be equipped and eligible to continue with postgraduate studies in the field of Computer Science and Information Systems at NQF level 8, by enrolling in either a BSc Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in cognate fields.
School FEATURES
The School has many attractive features worth sharing:
Career possibilities
There are numerous career possibilities, including:
QUALIFICATIONS & PROGRAMMES IN THE SCHOOL
The university uses the APS-score rating system which awards points to 6 relevant NSC subjects. The APS score obtained in 4 prescribed (designated) and 2 NSC subjects are used for the calculation of the APS total score. Life Orientation are excluded from the calculation.
About the BSc in IT Qualification
The BSc in IT degree is the right programme for you if you want to become an IT practitioner that provides solutions to business and other related problems by developing and applying computer-based technologies and techniques.
Outcomes
Design, development and delivery of computerised systems
Contribute to management of information and information source
Development of IT-related solutions
Lifelong learner
Entrepreneurship
IT Modules
Programming, Data structures and algorithms, Systems analysis and design, Information security, Data analytics, Decision support systems, Artificial intelligence, Computer Networks, Operating systems, Databases, IT developments.
module content
Introduction to Computing and Programming
This module is a broad introduction to what computers are and the underlying principles according to which computers work. End-user software such as spreadsheet processing and databases are introduced, but this module's main focus is an introduction to programming in Python. This module's practical component pays attention to the thought patterns and problem-solving that programmers should use to write programs.
Structured Programming
In Structured Programming, we use C/C++ to teach you the principles of structured programming. Because C/C++ are low-level programming languages, it makes direct interaction with the computer's memory possible. Concepts such as how data and data structures are stored in memory, how memory spaces are handled during execution time, and the program stack's operation form the basis of this module. In Structured Programming, the aim is to learn a new programming language and develop and apply a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of computer programming.
Object-Oriented Programming
In this module, the emphasis is on object-oriented programming in Java. Students write their own classes and develop applications around these classes. Applications include search and sorting methods. Additionally, the applications use files and have graphical user interfaces. Technical concepts, such as inheritance and polymorphism, are mastered. This is a practical module, and the semester test and the exam are completed on computers.
Data Structures and Algorithms
In this module, the focus shifts away from the programming language's syntax towards algorithm design and analysis. Students learn how to determine which programs execute the fastest and how to improve execution times. Students master additional data structures such as linked lists, queues, stacks and trees. Abstract data type independent programming techniques are applied. The practical work is designed to develop the students' programming skills; currently, popular games such as Sudoku, Snake and Minesweeper are implemented.
User Interface Programming
In this module, students will learn basic programming techniques using Visual C#. With these techniques as background, the principles and development of graphical interfaces that connect the computer user to the software will be investigated. Small programs such as a calculator program are developed in this module.
Apps and Advanced User Interface Programming
In this module, students learn advanced graphical interface concepts using Visual C#. Smartphone applications and web pages are developed.
Systems Analysis and Design I and II
In the Systems Analysis modules, a generic software development methodology for information systems development will be introduced. It provides a framework used to manage, structure, plan, and control the processes of analysing, designing and developing an information system. A software development methodology is important since it determines aspects that lead to failure or success in a software project. The module also includes a practical project where students work together to analyse, design and implement an information system.
Communication Skills
There is a growing awareness that technical skills alone are insufficient for success in IT. A broader set of skills are required, and these are labelled soft skills. In this module, students are aware of the importance of soft skills such as interpersonal effectiveness and communication. Attention is also given to technical communication (creating documents and creating and delivering presentations).
Information Security
We live in a time where computer and online users are exposed to various cybersecurity challenges and threats (e.g. computer viruses, phishing, etc.). To use digital devices securely, users should become more aware of these cyber threats and countermeasures. This module will get insight and basic knowledge of the main concepts of information and cybersecurity.
Data Analytics
In the digital transformation era, it is important to understand how data and information in the industry can be analysed and insights applied to gain a competitive advantage. Businesses collect large amounts of data regarding their clients and operations daily. The team of data analysts' responsibility is to use technology for descriptive and prescriptive data analyses and visually present the information. They also build models to predict certain operational issues based on historical data. In this module, we look at the context of large data sets in an enterprise, knowledge and application of concepts relating to data analysis, and modern aids to create effective reports and visualisations.
Decision Support Systems I and II
Our lives' nature is such that we must always make decisions that we hope will solve problems and hopefully lead to better circumstances or opportunities for ourselves and the organisations we are involved in. This is, of course, easier said than done. The problems we face today, especially in today's competitive and rapidly changing business world, are usually complex with alternative solutions from which the best one should be chosen. You will learn to evaluate different alternatives and then choose the best option to form the decision theory's crux. In these modules, we focus on problem-solving using mathematical models and, more specifically, linear programming. We will study problems, formulate and implement solutions using the computer.
Artificial Intelligence
We call ourselves Homo sapiens - man the wise - because our intelligence is so important to us. For thousands of years, we have tried to understand how we think; that is, how a mere handful of matter can perceive, understand, predict, and manipulate a world far larger and more complicated than itself. Artificial Intelligence (Al) goes further still: it attempts to understand and build intelligent entities. Al is one of the newest fields in science and engineering. Al currently encompasses a huge variety of subfields, ranging from the general (learning and perception) to the specific, such as playing chess, proving mathematical theorems, writing poetry, driving a car on a crowded street, and diagnosing diseases. The students study logical systems, solve problems by searching for the right answer, and neural networks that solve problems by mimicking the human brain.
Computer Networks
Computer networks focus on communication between computer systems and hardware (printers, scanners, sound equipment, etc.). It is an inter-disciplinary subject, combining elements from telecommunication, information technology and computer engineering. Cell phones, bank systems, social network applications (Facebook, Twitter), electronic commerce (Internet purchases, Internet reservations) are only possible with computer networks. It means that there is a need for network specialists, a need that will grow with new mobile- and cloud applications. This module introduces the use of networks, network hardware and software, the OSI- and TCP/ IP reference models, network protocols, and security.
Operating Systems
Everyone uses operating systems on their computers. Without it, the software we want to use will not communicate with the computer hardware. The operating system also manages the computer resources to print a document in the background while continuing with our work or listen to music while editing photos taken with a digital camera. Operating systems is not only found in computers. They are also present in various electronic devices, for example, cell phones, meteorological sensors and drones! In this module, the goal, structure, and function of various components of an operating system are studied and how these components work together.
Databases
Profitability is the main goal of any company. All business decisions can affect the profitability of a company. Good information is necessary to make the right decisions. Information is deduced from the available data. The best way of managing the available data is to store it in a database. We focus on the initial study, database design, and implementation phases of database development during this module. Students learn how to do advanced modelling of data, both conceptually and logically, in terms of models (visual representations) such as entity-relationship, relational and object-oriented. They learn to normalise database tables and write SQL and PL/SQL expressions and procedures to design databases and retrieve information. The module also includes a practical part where students work together to implement a transactional database in a database management system used by many companies worldwide.
Advanced databases
The way companies do business has changed tremendously during the last decades. Business operations became global, services to customers became web-based and social media are used more and more to reach new markets. Many new types of data, such as voice, video and images, have to be stored. The need to store large amounts of digital data that is geographically distributed has had a tremendous impact on how data is managed and mined for knowledge. This module teaches students of transaction management, the control of concurrent users, and databases and performance management.
IT Developments
The IT-environment changes at a fast pace. That is why we have a module with content regularly updated to keep up with newer developments in the IT-environment. The module is presented at the end of the degree to allow students to integrate their knowledge from other modules into this module. In the module, a series of projects are undertaken. Self-study and teamwork are important parts of these projects. These projects' goal is to expose the student to new IT challenges and appropriate technology to address these challenges. The development of soft skills is also part of the primary goal of this module.