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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99198  Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
Purpose:
The purpose of this programme is to train computer scientists with detailed technical knowledge required of software engineers. In addition to technical knowledge this programme is intended to instil in learners an ability to learn on their own and be able to solve practical problems.

Additionally, to provide the students with a sufficient depth of knowledge and skills that give opportunities for continued intellectual growth, for gainful economic activity in a range of ICT related careers, and for rewarding and constructive contributions to Society.

Rationale:
There is an urgent need in SA for more scientists and technologists and Government recognizes that participation in Higher Education must increase. This programme is intended to provide the country with graduates who have a specialised knowledge in the computer sciences and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. It allows graduates professional recognition. It develops students in applied and cognitive competencies; this includes acquisition interpreting, understanding and application in the specialisation field of Computer Science at this level.

This qualification provides clear statements of the learning outcomes and makes explicit the competencies which employers can expect from their potential employees. Thus, this qualification has specified exit level outcomes which can be directly related to the aspirations of learners seeking rewarding careers in ICT, and to the range of competencies required in employment sectors (industry and business, research and development, local and national government, development and planning, etc.). 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The programme requires that the entrant will already have a National Senior Certificate or an equivalent Level 4 standard qualification in a particular discipline from TVET or equivalent institution. If the level 4 qualification is in another discipline to the one for which the applicant wishes to register for Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree, then dispensation will have to be sought from Senate. In exceptional cases work training may be recognised by Senate as being sufficient. The skills will be those required as outcomes for a BSc in a given discipline, as well as elements of numeracy, literacy and computer literacy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirement for this honours degree is a minimum obtained in a National Senior Certificate(NSC) as certified by the council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) with an achievement rating of 4 (adequate achievement, 50-59%) or better of the following four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects: English, Mathematics, Physcal Science, Life Sciences.

Equipvalent TVET Level 4 qualifications in any of the above subjects may also be considered. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
Modules at NQF Level 5:
  • COM1522 Introduction to Computer Systems, 8 Credits.
  • COM1524 Fundamentals of Computer Architecture, 8 Credits.
  • COM1721 Object oriented programming - java, 16 Credits.
  • MAT1541 Differential Calculus, 8 Credits.
  • MAT1542 Mathematics Foundations I, 8 Credits.
  • COM1626 Computer Technology, 8 Credits.
  • ECS1541 English Communication Skills, 10 Credits.
  • MAT1641 Integral Calculus, 8 Credits.
  • MAT1642 Mathematics Foundations II, 8 Credits.
  • ECS1645 English Communication Skills, 10 Credits.
  • STA1541 Introduction to Statistics, 8 Credits.
  • STA1641 Elementary Statistical Methods, 8 Credits.
  • PHY1521 Mechanics, 8 Credits.
  • PHY1522 Waves and Optics, 8 Credits.
  • PHY1623 Properties of Matter, Thermal Physics, 8 Credits.
  • PHY1624 Electricity and Magnetism, 8 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 6:
  • COM2523 Imperative Programming, 10 Credits.
  • COM2526 Human-Computer Interaction, 10 Credits.
  • COM2528 Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals, 10 Credits.
  • COM2529 Database Fundamentals, 10 Credits.
  • COM2520 Digital Design Techniques, 10 Credits.
  • COM2525 Operating Systems, 10 Credits.
  • COM2701 Computer Science Laboratory, 10 Credits.
  • COM2624 Algorithms and Data Structures, 10 Credits.
  • COM2616 Reasoning About Programs, 10 Credits.
  • COM2626 Data Communication and Computer Networks, 10 Credits.
  • COM2628 Contemporary Object-Oriented Concepts, 10 Credits.
  • COM2629 Systems Analysis, 10 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 7:
  • COM3520 Software Engineering I, 14 Credits.
  • COM3521 Distributed Operating Systems, 14 Credits.
  • COM3528 Systems Design and Implementation, 14 Credits.
  • COM3617 Professional Issues in IT, 14 Credits.
  • COM3621 Advanced Algorithms, 14 Credits.
  • COM3629 Database Design and Implementation, 14 Credits.
  • COM3620 Software Engineering II, 14 Credits.
  • COM3626 Artificial Intelligence, 14 Credits.
  • COM3627 Evaluation of Information Systems, 14 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems.
    2.A demonstrable ability to solve problems using software solution.
    3. A demonstrable ability to communicate project outcomes effectively. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Knowledge of principles, concepts and theories.
  • Knowledge of problem-solving strategies and techniques.
  • Using knowledge to solve problems. Range of competencies acquired.
  • Execution of the practical work. Competencies imparted by the practical work.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identifying the existence of a problem.
  • Formulation of problem definition.
  • Design algorithmic solutions.
  • Translate the algorithm into a software solution.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Production of written project report.
  • Carry out experimental designs.
  • Defend ideas that are outcomes of mini research projects based on observations.

    Intergrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. Continual formative assessment will give students feedback on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes. The assessment will be aimed at determining that the student has achieved the requisite level of knowledge required at this level, as well as the ability to use and apply skills obtained in the programme, and in most cases to formulate and carry out a research project, to report on it, and to critically review current literature in the subject area. Integrated assessment is used to test the student's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the exit level outcomes as a whole. Assessment methods will normally include formal examination, review of essays and/or oral presentations or other written assignments or fieldwork where appropriate, and some form of review of a written research project, taking into account elements of scientific literacy, numeracy and computer literacy inasmuch as these are appropriate to the study area. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Bachelors' Degree qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. Graduates are accepted into a range of honours Degree programmes internationally. Notably the Univen Bachelors degree qualification is technically comparable with the qualifications from the National University of Science and Technology and the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe, Manchester University in the UK and Victoria University in Australia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification is currently the main point of entry to the related qualifications such as Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science. In addition, it allows both vertical and horizontal articulation in a range of specialization areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Software engineering, Systems Analysis, IT Security, etc. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    1. University of Venda 


    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.