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: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81102  Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
To provide graduates with a specialised knowledge in Computer Science through study in depth; to equip them with a knowledge of research methodology and to produce in them the ability to solve problems and develop applications by the use of appropriate theory, techniques, methods and algorithms from the field of computer science. These graduates should be good communicators in spoken and written English, to both expert and non-expert audiences. The programme is intended to provide the country with graduates who have a speciahsed knowledge in the computer sciences and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Access to this programme is available to candidates who have previously satisfied the requirements for a B Sc in this University or have been admitted to the status thereof and had sufficiently good exit-level (SAQA level 6) results in computer science courses.

Recognise previous learning:
In cases where relevant experience or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a candidate may be admitted by permission of Senate. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Have in-depth, specialised knowledge of mathematics;
  • Understand and be able to apply advanced concepts in mathematics;
  • Be able to distil a problem into its component parts;
  • Be able to consider a range of problems, options and solutions, and implement decisions based on sound academic foundations;
  • Be able to access information from a wide range of sources;
  • Be able to solve a problem by building up individual solutions to component parts of the problem in an integrative manner,
  • Be able to communicate effectively, both in written and oral presentations;
  • Have responsible and effective personal organisation skills;
  • Have had the opportunity to enhance personal development, particularly in terms of self directed and self-motivated study.
  • Be culturally sensitive and have developed sound professional attitudes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners will be required to:
  • Pass the required number of modules of in-depth academic study in computer science The assessment criteria used will be accuracy and lucidity in answers to examination questions and clear evidence that theoretical concepts have been understood.
  • Submit an Honours project that is assessed as satisfactory by internal and external examiners. The criteria will be; Understanding of basic principles, accuracy of factual material and of reasoning, ability to relate appropriate parts of the course to the problem under discussion, sensible reference to other sources of information and clarity of presentation.

    To demonstrate competence in outcomes 1 -9, a student must be able to write logical and coherent essays, assignments and research reports timeously, contribute to class discussions, satisfactorily answer examination questions and undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a member of staff.

    It is difficult to state objective criteria for the assessment of outcome 10, but general demeanour and etiquette are good indicators. Students will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and awareness of others with whom they interact.

    Bachelor of Science Honours: Applied Mathematics
    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.

    In the present case, an Honours Project is designed to act as "capstone", capturing a learner's competence in integrating theory, technique and methodology from a variety of sources to solve particular problems or develop theory (of the purpose and outcomes statements) 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Programme permits candidates with suitably high levels of achievement to proceed to Postgraduate programmes in the Science faculty of this University and largely also in faculties of Science at other universities. Access to the Programme is via a strong B Sc degree from this University or from certain other universities.

    Recognise prior learning:
    Suitable alternative prior learning is also recognised as a basis for access. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under assessors criteria will suffice. All modules are administered and moderated by experienced academic staff (many of whom have acted as external examiners for other universities). The final award of the BSc Honours degree is made after moderation by appropriate experienced examiners external to this university. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification are externally examined. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    1. University of KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.