SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118062	Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2033-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of the Degree is to allow learner specialisation in the field of information systems by providing broad exposure to commerce-related subject areas and a specific focus on information systems-related subject areas that support and expand an understanding of the information systems discipline. Information systems specialists focus on integrating information technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of businesses, the community and government entities. The goal is to enable these entities to achieve their objectives effectively and efficiently through information technology. This discipline's perspective on "Information Technology" emphasises information and sees technology as an instrument to enable the generation, processing and distribution of needed information to relevant stakeholders.

Rationale:
The need for the Degree is related to the changing dynamics of social interaction between people and technology. Understanding these interactions and identifying problems and opportunities where technology can be better applied in the given context helps advance better interactions between people, business processes, and technology in a wide sphere of influence when utilising information resources for various purposes. The Degree has a grounding in the commerce discipline, which is where the specialisation is most often encountered, but the field of information systems is also multidisciplinary due to the ubiquitous nature of technology. It is therefore applicable and relevant to various sectors of society, but has significant prevalence and need within the country's economy as a facilitator of change. On completion of the Degree, the learners can find employment in a variety of predominantly commerce-related and complementary employment roles that require the interaction of people and technology within the context of the information systems discipline. The Degree is integral to our better understanding of the information systems discipline. It can assist the learner, society and the economy, in general, with the application and innovation of technological resources to the betterment of all citizens as they interact in the economy.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Prospective students who meet the entrance requirements and have practical work experience and industry certifications can apply for RPL for modules on the qualification. Applications for the recognition of credit for a given module will be completed within the rules of the institution's RPL Policy, and will be based on the extent to which the Portfolio of Evidence (POE) presented by the learner aligns with the outcomes of the given module(s). Submission and management of the RPL are made by the Faculty through the Registrar's Division and the final approval of credits to be awarded resides with Senate. The RPL process needs to be initiated through the Department that offers the qualification before formal registration is undertaken.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.
Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
Or

National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 384 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 168 Credits:

Business Management 1A, 16 Credits.

Business Management 1B, 16 Credits.

General Accounting 1A, 16 Credits.

General Accounting 1B, 16 Credits.

Introduction to Computers & Computing, 8 Credits.

Economics 1A - Microeconomics, 16 Credits.

Economics 1B - Macroeconomics, 16 Credits.

Essentials of Information Technology (IT), 16 Credits.

Fundamentals of Information Systems, 16 Credits.

Theory of Finance, 16 Credits.

Life, Knowledge and Action, 16 Credits.

Optional Module, Level 5, 16 Credits

Statistics, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 6, 64 Credits.

Introduction for Programming for Business, 16 Credits.

Business and Systems Analysis, 16 Credits.

Systems Design and Implementation, 16 Credits.

Databases, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6, 16 Credits (Choose module/s totalling 32 Credits):

Human Resources Management 2, 8 Credits.

Operations Management 2, 8 Credits.

Marketing Management 2, 16 Credits.

Economics 2 - Microeconomics, 16 Credits.

Economics 2 - Macroeconomics, 16 Credits.

General Accounting 2A, 16 Credits.

General Accounting 2B, 16 Credits.

Governance and Auditing 2A, 16 Credits.

Governance and Auditing 2B, 16 Credits.

Management Accounting and Finance 2A, 16 Credits.

Management Accounting and Finance 2B, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits.

Systems Development Project, 40 Credits.

IS/IT Project Management, 16 Credits.

Emergent Technologies, 16 Credits.

Professional Communications, 16 Credits.

Enterprise Information Systems, 16 Credits.

Mobile Application Development, 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Integrate various fields, body of knowledge, innovations and research in those areas which complement the Information Systems discipline.
2. Understand the nature of knowledge and its application in the various areas of study.
3. Utilise existing discipline-specific methods and procedures available in information systems and adapt these where applicable to provide solutions to different problems.
4. Engage with complex problems through the application of evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
5. Act ethically and professionally, such that they are cognitively aware of the impact of their actions and are assisted in understanding the necessary corrective action.
6. Know how to collect information, identify essential resources, and draw assumptions based on credible sources within or related to the information systems discipline.
7. Demonstrate professional and logical communication within the academic domain and information systems discipline.
8. Show an understanding that systems cannot be viewed in isolation but rather that they can be applied to different contexts.
9. Pursue life-long learning and follow acceptable learning practices and strategies.
10. Operate independently and accept responsibility for their actions and limited accountability for others' actions in varied or ill-defined contexts.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Demonstrate knowledge of information systems through the development of software applications to address real-world problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Demonstrate an understanding of information systems and formal modelling, development tools, and systems' build requirements when developing software applications for identified clients.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Conduct requirements elicitation for the intended provision of information systems solutions to address identified real-world problems in multiple contexts.

Create innovative information systems development solutions that aim to meet the interpreted requirements of a client.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Manage the development of information systems solutions by applying the available theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for the effective and efficient planning, development, and implementation of a software solution that best meets the identified client's needs.

Demonstrate an ability to make use of multiple technology resources to solve complex problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Interpret and apply ethical codes, professional accountability, best practices and international standards to information systems solutions development to mitigate direct harm to computer users.

Demonstrate an understanding of the practical aspects of securing information systems resources from intentional and unintentional abuse by users.

Identify strategies to provide remedies for information systems solutions to protect the information of computer users.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Conduct online research on available software development tools and resources to identify industry accepted protocols and guidelines for comprehensive application development.

Demonstrate the ability to apply online sourced development coding examples to a given application development context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Organise, present and communicate professional information that is accurate and consistent with professional expectations in the information systems discipline.

Demonstrate the ability to compile written reports for systems development.

Communicate effectively using a variety of online media and computing resources.

Use interpersonal skills effectively to establish collaborative working relationships.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Diagnose information systems development needs from a systems approach for a given context.

Identify the potential information systems solutions that can improve the flow of information for context-specific decision-making.

Evaluate the impact of information systems solutions to systemic change for individuals, groups or communities in a given context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

Engage in professional development activities contributing significantly to the professional growth of information systems in spheres of influence and the information and communication technology (ICT) profession's expected standards.

Direct learning activities towards positive software development outcomes and use relevant teaching strategies provided to do so.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

Accept ownership and responsibility for the development of an information systems solution.

Demonstrate an understanding of the legislative and regulatory requirement when developing information systems solutions for clients to ensure compliance.

Conduct limited research to understand situations where information systems solutions have not been used for their intended purpose by the client.

Integrated Assessment:
The learner is to demonstrate competence in the understanding and assimilation of broad commerce knowledge and specialist knowledge of the information systems discipline.

The assessment utilised is formative and summative, such that:

Formative assessment of written and oral presentations are provided to improve the learners' soft skills and understanding of commerce and discipline-specific content.

Continuous summative assessment is applied to a group orientated systems development project, which is the capstone of the degree and is examined internally and externally by at least one examiner in each instance, as it is at NQF Level 7.

Summative assessment is applied to a learner's essays, practical, assignment, test work while completing coursework modules, and a final summative assessment in the form of an examination for the coursework module is examined internally at NQF Level 5 & 6, and internally and externally by at least one examiner in each instance at NQF Level 7.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Australia offers Bachelor's Degrees at an equivalent national qualifications framework level to South African NQF-Level 7. An equivalent Bachelor's Degree is offered at the University of Wollongong, Australia, namely the Bachelor of Business Information Systems. The two qualifications are comparable in terms of focus, duration and purpose.

New Zealand offers Bachelor's Degrees at an equivalent national qualifications framework level to South African NQF-Level 7. An equivalent Bachelor Degree is offered at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, namely the Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems. The two qualifications are comparable in terms of focus, duration and purpose.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce in Information Technology, NQF Level 7.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Systems, Level 8.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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