University Of Pretoria Informatics - Education in South Africa
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University Of Pretoria Informatics

University Of Pretoria Informatics

University Of Pretoria Informatics, Modern organizations cannot function without information and the technology with which they gather, store, compute and make available the information. The successful application of technology is, however, more than just writing computer programs. Computer programs are important, but an understanding of the business within which the organization functions and an understanding of the use of information and information technology to support the objectives of the organization, arefar more important.
Informatics is a multi-disciplinary subject, where information, Information Systems, and the integration thereof into the organization, are studied for the benefit of the entire system (individual, organization and community).

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Undergraduate

Three undergaduate degrees offered in the Department of Informatics

Informatics at a Glance
BCom(Informatics Information Systems)
BIT
BIT(Information Systems)

BCom (Informatics Information systems)

What does the programme entail?

BCom (Informatics Information Systems) studies the application and use of the computer and information systems in the organisation. The superiority of students in this field lies in their broad background in the field of economic and management sciences, which implies that the world of business is not strange to them. The use of information technology by organisations is growing exponentially and new, more complex and challenging applications are explored and developed on a daily basis. It has the benefit that, in addition to the obvious fact that the work environment of the informatics specialist is particularly interesting, there is also the advantage that many job opportunities are available to well-qualified informatics specialists. Informatics specialists have the knowledge to analyse the information needs of organisations, be it businesses, government departments, non-profit organisations or any other organisation where information is crucial. They not only analyse the needs, but also address those needs by designing and implementing information systems. Information systems nowadays refer to computer-based systems (including mobile applications) that store and manipulate data so that people can understand, use, interpret and make decisions based on the information.
The BCom (Informatics) degree offered by the University of Pretoria is the only degree in Africa that is internationally accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) of the USA.

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Duration of the programme

The BCom(Informatics Information Systems) programme takes a minimum of three years to complete.

Contact information

Prof Carina de Villiers (Head of Department of Informatics)
Tel          +27 (0)12 420 3798
Email     [email protected]
Website    www.up.ac.za/informatics

What are the entrance requirements?

  • You need a Grade 12 certificate with university exemption;
  • Mathematics: 4 (50%), NOT Mathematics Literacy;
  • Afrikaans or English: 5 (60%)

APS Score: 30

What subjects do I take as part of my degree?

Your major subject will be Informatics in your first, second and third year. Compulsory subjects in your first year are:

  • Financial Accounting;
  • Economics;
  • Statistics;
  • Computer and Information Literacy;
  • Academic literacy
  • Business Management;

       The subject Informatics is spread over three years at undergraduate level. During this period, 14 Informatics modules are completed. INF 113, 171, 154, 164, 271, 272, 370, 354 are the specialist stream taken by students with Informatics as their main subject. This stream concentrates on problem solving, technical analysis, design and the construction of systems. The aim is to develop expert information system builders.
Informatics 112, 214 , 261, 225, 315 and 324 are the courses that focus on computer and information systems environment. Many BCom students choose these courses to prepare themselves better for today’s working environment. Informatics 264 is taken only by BCom (Accounting) students.
Students who do not study one of the degree courses in the School of Information Technology are not allowed to register for INF 315, 324, 354 or 370.

Student Outcomes of the Degree

The Student Outcomes of our degree are linked to the following ABET (international accreditation body) outcomes:
The program must enable students to attain, by the time of graduation:
A.     An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline
B.     An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution
C.    An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs
D.    An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal
E.     An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities
F.     An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
G.    An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society
H.    Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development
I.      An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.
J.     An understanding of processes that support the delivery and management of information systems within a specific application environment.
Our specific student outcomes are:
SO 1.1. (ABET Outcome B,C,I) The student should have a thorough knowledge of the planning, analysis, design, implementation and management of computerized information systems.
SO 1.2. (ABET Outcome G,I) The student should be able to describe the different components and the interaction of these components in a computer-based system
SO 2.1. (ABET Outcome A,B,C,I) The student should have mastered advanced business programming using a modern programming language.
SO 2.2. (ABET Outcome B,C,D,I) The student should implement a database application by converting a detailed design into a working database.
SO 3.1. (ABET Outcome B,C,D,F,I) The student should understand the importance of managing project execution, estimate and schedule tasks as well as how to build and maintain sound relationships during any project life cycle.
SO 4.1. (ABET Outcome E,G) The student should have an awareness of the social, ethical and global implications of Information technology.
SO 5.1. (ABET Outcome A,F,G) The student should be able to communicate (verbally and in writing) a critical, analytical and logical argument on selected topics around the adoption, use and management of information systems in organizations.
SO 6.1. (ABET Outcome C,D,G,I) The student should successfully complete an information system solution for their clients; completing each deliverable as part of the SDLC.
SO 6.2. (ABET Outcome D,F,H) Students should manage their own teams

BIT – Bachelor of Information Technology

This exciting programme is the first of its kind in South Africa and integrates, in a four-year programme, the different disciplines related to information technology. Many people have a desire to be professionally prepared for a career in the IT industry as a whole, rather than becoming an expert in a particular field of study. The School therefore designed the programme with the explicit aim of ensuring that students have grounding in all aspects deemed to be a necessary part of the background in the IT profession. The fourth study year includes a six-month learnership with participating organisations where students are employed as trainees. Due to its nature, the curriculum is tightly prescribed, with relatively few options open to students. This ensures that the group of BIT students has a cohesive team spirit, and a shared ideal and vision. The curriculum is not for the faint-hearted and requires hard work and dedication. On successful completion, BIT graduates can continue with the part-time MIT programme or any other master’s degree in the School of Information Technology to complete their professional training.

What does the programme entail?

The programme prepares students to understand the use of IT in organisations. In particular, skills are developed to program on both a small and large scale, and to design and implement IT solutions for organisations in a professional manner. Students learn about the use of information in organisations, and how to organise and retrieve information optimally. Sound communication skills and general problem-solving skills are developed throughout the programme. The final-year learnership introduces students to the working world, and ensures their smooth transition to a professional work life after graduation.

Duration of the programme

The BIT programme takes a minimum of four years to complete.

Contact information

Prof M Matthee (Programme Leader)
Tel          +27 (0)12 420 3365
Email     [email protected]
Website     www.up.ac.za/informatics

BIT (Information Systems) – coming in 2020

What does the programme entail?

BIT (Information Systems) studies the application and use of the computer and information systems in the organisation. The use of information technology by organisations is growing exponentially and new, more complex and challenging applications are explored and developed on a daily basis. It has the benefit that, in addition to the obvious fact that the work environment of the information systems specialist is particularly interesting, there is also the advantage that many job opportunities are available to well-qualified information systems specialists. The superiority of students in this field lies in their specialist stream, which can be Computer Auditing, Information Science, Entrepreneurship, e-Business, Geography, Data Science Management or e-Taxation.

Duration of the programme

The BIT(Information Systems) programme takes a minimum of three years to complete.

Contact information

Prof Carina de Villiers (Head of Department of Informatics)
Tel          +27 (0)12 420 3798
Email     [email protected]
Website      www.up.ac.za/informatics

Honours Programmes

All information regarding admission requirements, modules and lecture times are available in the brochures:

  • Hons Brochure 2018
  • Hons BCom (INF) 2019 / Hons BIT (IS) 2019

Note that:

  1. Students who have been enrolled at UP in the year preceding the honours study apply for admission to the honours course in Informatics only to Mrs Nellie Bahula. Students who are still waiting for results should also apply before 31 October and send in the results as soon as these become available.
  2. Students who have not been enrolled at UP in the year preceding the honours study, as well as students who have interrupted their studies, first have to apply for admission to the University of Pretoria at the Client Services Centre by means of mail, the web or over the counter, before 31 October. A fee is payable with the submission of the application form. Please attach a CV and complete academic record to your application. After being approved by the Faculty Administration your application will be forwarded to the Department for recommendation. Faculty Administration will inform the applicant in writing of the final result.
  3. International students must apply for admission before 31 July.  They have to provide proof of SAQA accreditation, and either TOEFL/IELTS results:
    • SAQA: www.saqa.org.za;
    • TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language): www.ets.org/toefl;
    • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): www.ielts.org;
    • Please consult UP’s website for additional information: http://web.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=92.

 
Application for honours degrees, contact Mrs Nellie Bahula, [email protected], 012 420 5279, EMS Building, Room 1-12.6
General enquiries: Mrs Rhona van der Merwe, [email protected], 012 420 6321
 

Postgraduate: MCom (Informatics) / MIT(Information Systems)

The Master’s degree
Topics for the thesis may be chosen from the research focus areas of the staff members of the Department that fall within the following broad areas:

  • Information Systems and the organization;
  • Information Systems and Education;
  • ICT for Sustainable Development;
  • Human-computer interaction;
  • Data Science.

The dissertation is typically a 35000 to 40000-word individual report of independent research under the guidance of a supervisor. The purpose of the dissertation is to demonstrate that:

  • The student can plan and execute research;
  • The student can interpret some practical context in terms of the theory presented in the courses and come to appropriate conclusions;
  • That the student can interpret and present his/her research findings.

Students are expected to hand in a publishable academic article of 5000-7000 words together with the dissertation for examination. The article will be submitted to an accredited journal under the names of the candidate and the supervisor(s) and the University of Pretoria owns the intellectual property rights.

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