SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Science Honours: Computer Science: Informatics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
19874  Bachelor of Science Honours: Computer Science: Informatics 
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours 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  144  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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

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 Computer Science 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 Computer Science 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 Computer Science/Informatics with at least a 60% pass mark.
    * B.Sc. degree with Computer Science/Informatics as a major, and with at least a 60% pass mark in Computer Science/Informatics, is required.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experimental learning will be assessed. If the student is found to be competent, the student may gain
  • access,
  • advanced placement
  • or recognition of degree status will be granted on condition of continuing education. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The learner should be able to demonstrate his abilities to study a theoretical IT 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 liase with the lecturer 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 students on junior levels in solving IT related assignments and problems (programming of assignments)

    3. The learner must be reliable student, completing tasks and assignments within preset time limits.
    Must have a positive attitude towards the course 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 to gather information on a specific IT topic (browsing the Internet)
    Must be able to apply gathered info 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 course (word processing, data base, 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 systematically study of selected theoretical topics in IT and write tests and exams.
    Must be able to apply theoretical knowledge in solving IT problems in industry.
    Make contract with lectures on an individual basis in order to get a deeper insight into the subject.

    9. The learner must be aware of responsibilities to use IT knowledge to the befit 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 not to offend any individual group.

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

    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 course in the present 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 lectures.
    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 a 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 study leader 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 will be continuously assessed via informal class tests and formal semester tests (in written or oral mode), 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 written examinations per module per semester. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Access to qualifications on a lower level
    The level of specialisation of the B.Sc. (Hons)-degree, makes entry in mid-stream nearly impossible.
    All applicants 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 courses passed at other institution.
  • 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 courses passed at this institution will depend totally on the decision of the other institution.
  • 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 MA if a final work of 65% was attained. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Only exit-levels are externally moderated
  • External assessors are appointed by formal invitation
  • Assessors must formal accept the appointments as external examiner
  • The promoter co-ordinates 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 Honours degree 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: 
     
    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.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.