Advanced Diploma in Business Information Technology
Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences - Information Technology and Computer Sciences
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Title: Advanced Diploma in Information Technology
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to develop software solutions to solve business problems effectively using the latest technologies. The Advanced Diploma in Information Technology (IT) is designed to produce a diplomat with the theoretical and practical skill set to apply the latest technologies and tools when developing an optimal software solution for business. This programme will strengthen and deepen the student's knowledge and develop the student's applied competence in analysing, interpreting and understanding information systems development processes, principles and methods. It further develops the intellectual independence, research and professional skills of the student. The qualification prepares students to meaningfully contribute to organisations' information systems development, acquisition, utilisation and quality thereof.
Rationale:
The rationale for the development of this programme is to replace the current Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology. This qualification will enable students doing the current Diploma in Business Information Technology to further their studies as they cannot advance to the Bachelor Technology in Information Technology. There is a need in the market for well-trained developers. This is confirmed by the scarce skills list of the Department of Labour as well as the Industry Advisory Board. The need is for developers that can analyse a problem and suggest and develop a software solution.
Outcomes
- Design and construct efficient software solutions for complex business problems.
- Apply user interface design concepts to design effective and efficient user interfaces for various platforms.
- Test the behaviour of applications and systems on a finite set of test cases, suitably selected from the usually infinite executions domain, against the expected behaviour.
- Design and implement modern database and data management systems, efficient query processing and indexing techniques for spatial, temporal and multimedia databases.
- Apply the software requirement process to advanced business problems ensuring efficient solutions.
- Elicit requirements effectively for complex business problems to bridge the gap between IT and business enabling business to gain competitive advantage with the solution.
- Identify, design, develop and implement a software solution for a complex business problem applying new technologies, software paradigms and platforms.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Designing an effective, efficient, and relevant software solution for a business problem using good programming and construction principles.
- Producing software architecture for a specific business problem or scenario.
- Designing a software maintenance plan and recommending it.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Analyzing scenarios to select an appropriate user interface.
- Designing and developing appropriate user interfaces.
- Applying the usability engineering lifecycle module.
- Evaluating user interfaces.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Identifying software fundamentals to be tested.
- Applying and developing test levels.
- Developing related test measures.
- Including software quality principles in the software testing process.
- Testing an application to determine if it meets the expected behavior.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Providing a working definition for business intelligence and various classifications of business intelligence.
- Demonstrating proficiency with the ETL process.
- Showing a working knowledge of the structure differences between relational databases and multidimensional warehouse architectures.
- Designing OLAP models and building multidimensional cubes.
- Demonstrating an understanding of data mining models and structures.
- Identifying appropriate models for various categories of business-related problems.
- Demonstrating how BI practices and tools support decision making and business processes.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Proposing a SR model to implement or change a solution.
- Applying SR tools and models when developing a solution.
- Applying a relevant assessment model and associated methods when designing a solution.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Identifying different requirements for a specific scenario.
- Applying different elicitation techniques to elicit requirements.
- Analyzing requirements to ensure completeness and correctness.
- Validating the elicited requirements.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Applying software configuration management principles to a solution.
- Applying project management principles to manage the development process.
- Integrating and applying skills acquired by developing an integrated solution for a complex business problem.
Integrated Assessment:
- Conducting formative and summative assessments on a regular basis.
- Ensuring clear and unambiguous guidelines in learning guides.
- Providing learning guides via uLink and as hard copies if requested.
- Giving regular and timely feedback.
- Receiving valuable inputs from moderators and organizations.
- Receiving guidance from Subject Heads regarding course content and mentoring junior staff.
- Conducting teaching evaluations to determine professional development needs.
- Using an outcomes-based education approach.
- Integrating research conducted in the department into modules to keep content relevant and current.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.