Bachelor of Computer Information Systems Honours

Purpose

This qualification aims to consolidate and deepen the learner's expertise in Computer Information Systems (CIS), while providing entrepreneurial skills. It will prepare learners for research-based Postgraduate study in the methodology and techniques of CIS. Graduates of this qualification will be Information Systems (IS) specialists who are equipped with sound technical skills to develop, assess, and implement processes related to CIS. They will also have a sound knowledge of managerial processes and systems to support the information backbone of an organisation through the analysis of existing computer information and management systems to optimize performance, while contributing to the effective management of the organization.

Rationale

Information Systems (IS) specialists focus on integrating Information Technology (IT) solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of businesses and other enterprises, enabling them to achieve their objectives in an effective, efficient way. The perspective of this qualification views technology as an instrument for generating, processing, and distributing information. Professionals in the discipline are primarily concerned with the information that computer systems can provide to aid an enterprise in defining and achieving its goals, and the processes that an enterprise can implement or improve using IT.

Learners must understand both technical and organizational factors, and they must be able to help an organization determine how information and technology-enabled business processes can provide a competitive advantage. The IS specialist plays a key role in determining the requirements for an organization's information systems and is active in their specification, design, and implementation.

As a result, such professionals require a sound understanding of organizational principles and practices so that they can serve as an effective bridge between the technical and management communities within an organization, enabling them to work in harmony to ensure that the organization has the information and the systems it needs to support its operations. IS professionals are also involved in designing technology-based organizational communication and collaboration systems.

The Bachelor of Computer Information Systems Honours integrates technology with business and will serve to create a pathway for learners to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge related to both IT and business. By combining these two fields of study in a coherent manner, the qualification aims to provide learners with an opportunity to be equipped with sound skills needed to develop, assess, and implement processes related to Computer Information Systems (CIS) as well as sound knowledge of managerial processes and systems.

The qualification includes business management modules that are aimed at the role of IS within an organization. While including the business management modules, the focus on the organization and security of data and information, as well as the management and maintenance of IS, will ensure that the qualification delivers a CIS specialist. Responding to the industry needs, CIS specialists and management professionals design, build, and implement software solutions that are the driving force in every business, non-profit organization, and government department. They analyze existing computer information and management systems and discover new ways to optimize performance while contributing to the effective management of the organization.

This qualification will address a very specific need in the IT and business industry - it will equip graduates with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills to support the information backbone of an organization by developing and implementing computer information and management systems within the organization that will enable the organization to deliver effective and efficient services to its clients. Furthermore, the fact that the qualification has a wider focus will make these graduates a valuable asset to any organization as they will possess a range of IT skills combined with business and management competencies.

Entrepreneurship is a valuable skill in the IT sector, and many graduates find themselves having to function in this environment. South Africans currently deploy IT and software solutions that were developed by foreign companies. This qualification will deliver graduates prepared for research and who will help provide South Africans with local IT and software solutions. The core modules include a research methodology module that will equip learners with the necessary skills to conduct research within the field of CIS by analyzing existing computer information and management systems and discover new ways to optimize company performance. The Research Report module will require the learners to apply their research skills and submit a report regarding the research they conducted within the field of CIS.