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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99201  Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science 
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
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  Not Applicable  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 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to train Computer Scientists with detailed technical knowledge required of Software Engineers. In addition to technical knowledge, this qualification is intended to instil in learners an ability to learn on their own and the ability to pursue more advanced research in Computer Science.

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

Rationale:
There is an urgent need in South Africa (SA) for more Scientists and Technologists and Government recognises that participation in Higher Education must increase. This qualification is intended to provide qualifying learners who have specialised knowledge in Computer Sciences and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. It allows qualifying learners' professional recognition. It develops learners in applied and cognitive competencies; including 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 Information and Communications Technology (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 qualification requires that the entrant will already have a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or an equivalent standard qualification in a particular discipline at the same or other equivalent institution. If the qualification is in another discipline to the one for which the applicant wishes to register for Honours, 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:
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems, National Qualifications Framework (NQF), Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Scientific Research Method, 10 Credits.
  • Wireless and Ad hoc Networking, 10 Credits.
  • Honours Research Project, 30 Credits.
  • Guided Reading 1, 10 Credits.
  • Forensic Computing, 10 Credits.
  • Compiler Principles, 10 Credits.
  • Software Engineering Methodology, 10 Credits.
  • Introduction to Grid Computing, 10 Credits.
  • Guided Reading 2, 10 Credits.
  • Information Systems Security, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
    2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
    3. Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
    4. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
    5. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards others.
    6. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    7. Demonstrate an awareness of the importance to reflect on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
    8. Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
    9. Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
    10. Explore education and career opportunities.
    11. Demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge of fundamental, advanced and applied scientific principles, bodies of content and conceptual issues including areas of contested knowledge.
    12. Understand of the techniques and strategies involved in scientific enquiry and problem solving.
    13. Understanding of the role of the natural sciences in general, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in particular, in society.
    14. Understanding of both the professional and ethical basis of scientific enquiry.
    15. Apply commerce, database and software development knowledge in fairly complex software business process re-engineering projects.
    16. Contribute significantly to the analysis of an organisation's need for a computer-based solution to its operational problems.
    17. Exhibit a level of understanding appropriate to practice of the discipline. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria:
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluating information.
  • Analyse and design solutions to commercial programming problems.
  • Solve problems and/or executing research work in a specialised area of Computer Science/Information Systems.

    Integrated 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 learner has achieved the requisite level of knowledge required at this level, as well as the ability to use and apply skills obtained in the qualification, 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 learners' 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 qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. For example, the University of Canterbury in New Zealand offers a Bachelor of Science with Honours whose duration is one full-time year of coursework and research component with a total of 120 Credits. Namibia University of Science & Technology (NUST)'s Faculty of Computing and Informatics also offers a similar qualification titled Bachelor of Computer Science Honours (Communication Networks, Software Development, Mobile Development, Information Security, Digital Forensics) whose duration is also 1 year on a full time basis. NUST's qualification has similar admission requirements, outcomes, assessment criteria and the content. The research component at NUST is also assessed through a Mini Thesis. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical and horizontal articulation options:
    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Computer Science, Level 9.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science, Level 8. 
    		•

    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.