INF4012W :: Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Systems and BPM Coursework

University of Cape Town

Formalise your knowledge and update your skills for the BPM and ERP era

Part Time
Postgraduate Diploma / Honours in Information Systems
Enterprise Systems and BPM stream 

Summary

The Enterprise Systems and BPM coursework course is offered as part of two degrees: the Postgraduate diploma in Management in Information Systems or the Part-time Honours in Information Systems

The Enterprise Systems and BPM coursework course takes one year part time. Following that students can obtain the postgraduate diploma by completing the IS project course (INF4017H) in which they complete a work-related project. 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 degree. They then need to complete the IS Honours Research course (INF4024W) which takes a further year (effectively 9 months) and which is primarily oriented towards research and the production of a technical report (thesis)
 

Enterprise Systems and BPM Coursework

Objectives
Contents
Format
Prerequisites
Evaluation
Apply
Guests
Prescribed Books
Fees

Objectives

This course exposes students to the principles and practices of Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Systems and Business Process Integration, to allow them to apply and integrate these principles to BPM and integration projects. It is highly relevant for the roles of Business Process Experts, ERP Business Analysts, Enterprise systems Managers or Systems integrators.

Contents

This programme covers enterprise systems, strategic ICT management and Business process management (BPM). Students are exposed to ERP software and software tools used in business process modelling and business process integration. Students are coached in business and academic writing, giving presentations, group work and reviewing literature and have to apply their skills and knowledge to real business cases.

There are three modules integrated around a central architectural theme:

1. Business Process Management: How business processes are defined, characterized and modelled is covered. Students will be exposed to methodologies and techniques to identify, measure and improve processes. Students will be introduced to technologies that can be used as part of process improvement initiatives as well as technologies such as ERP, workflow and SOA that impact on business processes. A work assignment will allow students to apply their analytical skills to improving an existing process.
    
2. Strategic ICT Management: Including IS strategy and the strategic use of ICT, evaluating ICT, funding ICT, ICT security and evaluating the organisational impact of ICT. The impact of new applications in knowledge management, BI, Internet and mobile will be reviewed.
    
3. Enterprise Systems: This module is covered in two blocks. It includes the management and lifecycle of ERP systems including evaluation, acquisition, implementation, upgrading, support and usage. The technical content includes managing change, customizing, transaction management, integration, report creation and auditing. Organizational data, master data and the integration of standard business processes as implemented in a leading ERP system are studied in the following areas: Sales, Customer Service; Material and Production Planning; Procurement; Inventory Management; Project Management; Plant Maintenance; Management Accounting; Financial Accounting and Human Capital Management. Data-warehousing , Strategic Enterprise Management and Business intelligence reporting functions are reviewed. Prepares students for TERP10 certification.

Format

Four full-time weeks during February, April, July and September.  These are intensive and candidates will attend Monday through Friday from 08h30 till late and will include a taught component (lecture/ workshop/ demonstration etc. ); students working in groups of about three on assignments and research topics and student presentations of work assigned. Guests from Industry or within the University may be present or critique at these sessions to add richness. Students are assigned to new groups for each full-time week to provide wide exposure and variety.

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 July and November. Candidates are also continuously assessed for their attendance, participation and contribution during the year.

Provisional dates for 2009

• Block 1 (Introduction & Business Process Management) 9-13 Feb
• Block 2 (Enterprise Systems) 6-10 April
• June exam - on 27th June
• Block 3 (Strategic Management of IS) 29 June - 3 July.
• Block 4 ERP Business Process Integration 7-11 Sep in Alumni.
• December Final Exam

Prerequisites

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

• A three year relevant undergraduate degree or technikon diploma (e.g. BCom, BSc, LLB, B Tech) plus at least three years relevant commercial experience with some IT exposure, OR
   

• Five or more years relevant, high-quality full time IT or business analysis 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.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on multiple deliverables and overall participation. The provisional 2009 mark allocations are as follows

Written papers and essays      17% Class exercises 9% Written Examinations 50% Student Presentations which includes class & group contribution 12% Two Assignments 12%

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

Apply

The application process may be viewed here.

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

These will be communicated at the start of the year. Readings will also be given during the course.

Approximate Fees and other Costs 

Fees for 2009:
R90 UCT Application Fee
Course Fee: Please refer to the Fees handbook here
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.