SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Informatics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
15414	Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Informatics
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Honours Degree	Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Information Studies
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	160	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 2663/05	2006-07-01	2009-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30		2013-06-30

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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
73764	Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Informatics	Level 7	NQF Level 08	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to:

Demonstrate practical experience of a number of informatics sub-fields by conducting lab experiments, developing computer programs and doing investigations into a number of problem areas in IT technology,

Get an in depth overview of a number of informatics sub-fields (foundational competitiveness),

Obtain competencies and skills in the IT domain which can be applied in solving practical IT problems in industry enhancing decision making and strategic thinking.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Learners accessing this qualification should be able to demonstrate their ability to:

*Show how theoretical knowledge can be applied in solving IT related problems;
*Develop computer programs in a laboratory under controlled conditions;
*Prepare for lectures and participate in discussions on IT subjects.

Credits on level 6 in Informatics with at least a 60% pass mark.
A B Com degree with Informatics as a major, and with at least a 60% pass mark in Informatics, is required.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the learner is found to be competent the learner may
*Gain access;
*Advanced placement;
*Or recognition of degree status will be granted on condition of continuing education.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to study a theoretical IT topic and to reach a specified level of competence.

Apply the theoretical knowledge in IT to the solution of practical IT problems.

2. It is expected from a learner to liaise with the lecturer in completing assignments and projects.

It is expected from a learner to work in a group relationship with other learners.

Must be able to give guidance to learners on junior levels in solving IT related assignments and problems (programming of assignments).

3. The learner must be reliable, completing tasks and assignments within preset time limits.

Must have a positive attitude towards the qualification by regularly attending lectures and participating in class discussions.

4. The learner must be able to work independently in solving assigned problems.

Must be able to use technology to gather information on a specific IT topic (browsing the Internet).

Must be able to apply gathered information in an effective and systematic way in order to solve the problem under investigation.

5. The learner must be able to summarise research results in a concise format (by visual/graphical/oral means).

Must be able to conduct a class discussion on a selected IT topic.

Must be able to participate in group discussion on any relevant IT topic.

6. The learner must be able to use IT technology during the qualification (word processing, database, slide shows, Internet).

Must be able to develop algorithms and to program these algorithms using a recognised high-level language.

7. The learner must be able to apply IT technology in real world problems to the benefit of society by improving living conditions.

8. The learner must be able to obtain bibliographical references to study topics by using media such as textbooks, journals, CD-ROM libraries or the Internet.

Must be able to do a systematic study of selected theoretical topics in IT and write tests and exams.

Must be able to apply the theoretical knowledge in solving IT problems in industry.

Make contact with lectures on an individual basis in order to get deeper insight into the subject.

9. The learner must be aware of responsibilities to use IT knowledge to the benefit of other citizens by improving living conditions.

Must be responsible not to misuse IT knowledge to the detriment of other citizens (hacking the Internet; writing viruses, breaking security codes).

10. The learner must be sensitive to the needs of other citizens and how to apply research results in such a way as not to offend any individual or group.

11. The learner must be aware of means and ways to develop an IT career path.

Must be able to draw up a CV.

Must be aware of how to present himself during a job interview.

12. The learner must be aware of the principles of self-employment.

Must be able to act as an IT consultant.

Must be aware of business principles in managing a business.

Must be aware of generating jobs in the IT industry.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. The learner can solve problems through practical assignments, class projects and development of computer programs.

Formal assessment through written tests and exams.

2. On completion of the qualification a learner should have had ample opportunity to demonstrate his ability to work in some form of group participation.

3. The learner should be able to demonstrate his responsibility by completing the qualification in the preset time frame.

Ongoing evaluation by the lecturer of the learner`s participation in class activities such as attendance of lectures, group discussions and preparation of study material.

4. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to collect, to structure and to interpret information.

The lecturer must assess the learner`s abilities to gather information from a variety of sources such as textbooks, journals, CD-ROMs and the Internet

The lecturer must assess the learner`s abilities to structure and interpret the assembled information and to document the results.

5. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to communicate with other people such as customers from the IT industry, peer group members and lecturers.

The lecturer must assess the learner`s abilities to make statements on IT related matters in the presence of class members.

The lecturer must assess the learner`s abilities to use multi-media facilities such as visual and graphical representations to present his views on an IT topic (slide shows, Web pages, written documents).

6. The learner should be able to demonstrate his ability to use IT technology as a valuable resource in solving difficult and challenging study problems.

The lecturer must judge the learner `s abilities to use advanced technological IT facilities such as high level programming languages, database systems, multi-media, Internet, client/server architectures etc., to solve challenging study problems.

7. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to apply IT knowledge to the benefit of society and the environment.

The lecturer must ascertain that the learner is aware of his responsibilities towards society and the environment by informal discussions conducted on a personal and ongoing basis.

8. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to follow a systematic study procedure.

The lecturer must assess the abilities of the learner to integrate different aspects of the study field in a systematic way. This can be done on an ongoing basis by evaluating written and verbal reports on study progress.

9. The lecturer must ascertain the learner`s attitude towards the citizens of the country, making sure that the acquired IT skills will be used to the benefit of the society at large.

10. The lecturer must ascertain that the learner has a positive attitude towards fellow citizens. This can be done by informal and personal discussions between the lecturer and the learner on an ongoing basis.

11. The study leader must see to it that the learner knows the ethics of employment in the IT industry.

The lecturer must see to it that the learner is able to draw up his own CV.

12. The lecturer has to assess the learner`s awareness of the importance of generating job opportunities in the IT industry by ongoing informal discussions.

The lecturer has to assess the learner`s knowledge of business principles by ongoing informal discussions.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
Learners are continuously assessed via informal class tests and formal semester tests (in written or oral mode), as well as practical programming and software design and implementation assignments. Assignments require learners to study, interpret and evaluate a wide range of subject related documents - like research papers, theses and software product documentation.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:
Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of two written examinations per module per semester.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

1. Access to qualifications on a lower level:
Learners who wish to gain access to certificates, diplomas or degrees on NQF level 5 or 6 may be allowed, subject to approval by the Dean and panel of participating departments.

2. Access to qualifications on the same level:
If learners want to continue their studies at another higher education institution, they may switch towards the end of the first or the second semester. Accreditation of all modules passed at this institution will depend totally on the decision of the other institution. The level of specialisation of the B Com (Hons)-degree, makes entry in mid-stream nearly
impossible. All applications from learners who are (or have been) registered for this or another related qualification (or even for some of the same or related subjects) at another higher education institution, will be considered ad hoc, with a detailed investigation of the contents of the modules passed at the other institution.

3. Access to qualifications on a higher level:
Access to other qualifications on a higher level will entirely depend on the conditions set by such a qualification either at the RAU or at another institution. Entry to M Com (Informatics) on NQF level 8 will be allowed if a final mark of 65% was attained in B. Com Hons (Informatics).

MODERATION OPTIONS

*Only exit-levels are externally moderated.
*External assessors are appointed by formal invitation.
*Assessors must formally accept the appointment as external examiner.
*The promoter coordinates the written reports received from the external examiners.
*Has to moderate the exam paper.
*Has to check marking standards and corrections of the internal examiner.
*One external examiner is appointed per module.
*From another tertiary institute/or IT industry.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

At least Hons degree on NQF level 7 or equivalent;

It is preferable to have had experience in the IT environment.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.

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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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