INF4015W :: Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems Coursework

University of Cape Town

Formalise your knowledge and update your skills for the e-business era

Part Time
Postgraduate Diploma in
Distributed Commercial Information Systems
  INF4015W  

and

Part Time
Honours in
Information Systems
INF4014Z

Summary

The programme comprises two modules:

The Postgraduate Diploma, the coursework for which takes one year part time. Students may stop at that point and obtain the postgraduate diploma by completing a work-related project (see below). Alternatively, if students obtain a sufficiently high academic standard in the coursework component (65%), they may be invited to convert to:

The Part Time Honours, which takes a further year (effectively 9 months) and which is primarily oriented towards research and the production of a technical report (thesis)

The Honours is primarily intended for candidates continuing on from the diploma who have achieved the requisite level of performance. In rare cases, suitable candidates with the necessary background derived from other sources may be considered.

The Postgraduate Diploma

Objectives
Content
Format
Application
Prerequisites
Evaluation
Guests
Prescribed Books
Fees and Other Costs for 2008

Objectives

This course is part of a modular postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Information Systems within the Faculty of Commerce. It is intended for students who have had significant commercial work experience and are currently working in Information Technology (IT), or intend to work in IT in a professional capacity. It aims to impart state of the art knowledge and appreciation in the areas of system delivery, project management, relevant technologies and strategic IT management. It is highly relevant for the roles of Systems Analysts, Business Analysts, Architects, Project Managers, System Development Managers, IT Strategists and IT Entrepreneurs. The course is suitable for a variety of candidates, including:

• Someone who has previously completed a three year Information Systems degree or Computer Science degree at undergraduate level and now wants to progress to postgraduate study or update his/her knowledge. Candidates should have at least a couple of years relevant experience in the work environment.
   

• Someone who holds a technikon diploma in information systems or computer science or Unisa Diploma in Datametrics, has at least two or three years relevant IT experience and wishes to progress to more advanced study.
   

• Candidates who do not possess a tertiary qualification in IT, but who have significant practical experience in the field (5 years plus) and wish to formalise their knowledge.
   

• Candidates who are graduates in other fields, have relevant commercial experience, and who wish to transition to a career in IT, especially those who have had exposure as sponsors or managers of IS-related projects or who have an IT function reporting to them.
  
  
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Content

The world of the IT professional is changing rapidly. Intended for candidates with business work experience, this programme addresses developments like graphical user interfaces, prototyping, event driven systems, object orientation, components, middleware, client server, web based systems and electronic commerce against the deeper enduring principles of strategic IT management, system delivery methods and techniques, and project management. A central principle is that of linked business and IT architectures. The course includes the following major modules:

• State of the Art System Delivery/Development Methods and Techniques (Object Orientated Systems Analysis using UML, Patterns, Architectures, Iterative Methodologies, Agile Methods)
   
• Technology (Architectures, Database, Communications, Client/server, Operating Systems, LANs, WANs, Internet, XML, Service Oriented Architecture, Agents, Middleware, Security)
   
• Project Management (Project definition, scoping, feasibility, estimating, risk management, planning, critical path and critical chain methods, execution, quality management, people management and monitoring and reporting)
   
• Strategic Management of IT (Business and IT alignment, inter-organisational systems, architecture-based management, outsourcing, e-commerce, customer operated systems, knowledge management, IT futures, innovative business models)

Following the course work, the students who do not enrol in the PT Honours programme are required to complete and report on a work-related project which demonstrates clearly how the knowledge gained in the course has been applied in their day-to-day work environment. The nature of the project is very flexible but a written project report of no less than 50 pages, as well as a presentation of the report is expected on completion. The report will be treated confidential if necessary.

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Format

Commencing in February 2009, successful candidates will complete the coursework in December 2009 and their work-related project in the course of 2010, or may continue on to Honours study subject to entrance requirements and other prerequisites. Honours would normally be completed in a further year of study and include the submission of a Technical Report.

From February to November, there are two evening sessions per week (Mondays and Thursdays). Thursday evenings are plenary sessions with all candidates present and include a taught component (lecture/ workshop/ demonstration etc. ) and student presentations of work assigned. Duration is normally three hours. Guests from Industry or within the University may be present or critique at these sessions to add richness. Monday evening sessions involve students in groups of about four working on assignments and research topics. Students are assigned to new groups for each module to provide wide exposure and variety.

There are two full time weeks, one in February (9-13 provisional) and one in July (dates to be confirmed). These are intensive and candidates will attend Monday through Friday from 08h30 till late.

A variety of assignments, papers and presentations will be required of students throughout the program. Some of this work will be completed in groups.

Two examinations of three hours each are written in June and November. Candidates are also continuously assessed for their attendance, participation and contribution during the year.

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Application

The application process may be viewed here.

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Prerequisites

You should be matriculated with a University Exemption pass (or equivalent) and have at least one of the following:

• A three year undergraduate degree in information systems or computer science and at least three years relevant commercial experience, OR
   
• A degree in another field (e.g. BCom, BSc, LLB) plus at least three years relevant commercial experience with some IT exposure, OR
   
• A technikon diploma or B Tech in IS or a Unisa Diploma in Datametrics plus at least three years relevant commercial experience, OR
   

• Five or more years relevant, high-quality full time IT work experience
  
  NB: Places are limited and candidates may be screened via written test and / or  interviews. Candidates without prior degree are required to write all AARP tests as well as a departmental test. All candidates are evaluated on a competitive basis and a limited number of places will be offered to the highest scoring candidates. Having the minimum pre-requisites above does not therefore guarantee acceptance.
  
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Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on multiple deliverables and overall participation. The provisional 2008 mark allocations are as follows

Written papers and essays      24.5% Written Examinations 45% Student Presentations which includes class & group contribution 18.5% Assignments & Business Case 12%

 

Students missing more than 20% of the classes may be asked to leave the programme.

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Guests

During the programme, we may on occasion invite guests from industry and other institutions to participate in the Thursday evening plenary sessions. They may be vendors, IT professionals within commercial organizations, or independent experts/consultants. They add richness to the sessions by offering information, critiqueing staff and student presentations, participation in discussions and occasional presentations or demonstrations.

Prescribed Books

System Delivery Module: Bennett, Simon ; McRobb, Steve & Farmer, Ray. Object-oriented Systems Analysis and Design Using UML. McGrawHill, 2006, 3rd Edition, ISBN: 0-07711000-5

Technology Module: Readings will be given during the course. Last year�s textbook (INCE, Darrel. Developing Distributed and E-commerce Applications. Pearson, 2004, ISBN 0-321-15422-3) remains highly recommended reading for those lacking a technical background.

Project Management Module: Fuller MA, Valacich JS & George JF (2008). Information Systems Project Management, a Process and Team Approach. Pearson, Upper Saddle River, USA, ISBN 0-13-145417-X

Strategic Management of IT: Readings will be given during the course.

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Approximate Fees and other Costs 

Fees for 2009:
R90 UCT Application Fee
R400 (approximate) to secure acceptance
Course Fee: Please refer to the Fees handbook here (Course Code: INF4015W)
R1000 (approx) for text books which you will purchase individually (not paid to University)

Note: these fees are given as a guideline only. For all fee-related enquiries, please contact the Student Fees Office.

The above fees do not apply to International students and students who do not have South African citizenship. Please contact the IAPO or students fees office for your fees.